Marshall and Blackstar are well known for making high quality amplifiers, but who makes the best models? In this article, I’ll be comparing the signature tones of Marshall and Blackstar and the features and specifications of pretty much every model in each range to help decide which is the best option for you.
The Quick Answer
Marshall amps sound more crunchy and have a more vintage-style saturated tone compared to Blackstar amps which produce a more modern and darker sound. Both Blackstar and Marshall produce a wide range amplifiers to suit different budgets, however Marshall has a larger range of high-end valve amps.
Comparing the Tones
Both Blackstar and Marshall produce valve and solid state amplifiers. Although the tones of each amp depend on the exact model and type (valve/ tube or solid state), I wanted to try and pin down what the signature tone of each brand is.
- Marshall amps sound crunchy and gritty and can produced a very saturated sound. The mid-range is very pronounced, giving them a punchy sound.
- Blackstar amps sound heavy and favour bass and treble frequencies, instead of the mid-range, giving them a more scooped and warmer tone.
Clean Tones
- Blackstar amps sound warmer than Marshall amps when played clean.
Distorted Tones
- Marshall amps sound crunchier than Blackstar amps which sound darker and heavier.
Marshall amps are often associated with crunchy, classic rock tones whilst Blackstar amps are more associated with heavy metal due to their darker tones. However, both Blackstar and Marshall amps can be used for a wide variety of music styles.
Of course, it’s hard to talk about the difference in tone between these two brands without actually hearing it. So here is a video comparing the tone of the Marshall DSL and Blackstar HT.
Blackstar ID Core VS Marshall CODE vs Marshall MG Series
If you’re in the market for a solid state amp, then Marshall and Blackstar are great options to go for. The Blackstar ID Core, Marshall CODE and Marshall MG Series have various options for beginner guitarists, and players looking to gig.
The Blackstar ID Core is the best option for beginners looking for a range of built-in effects, as the Core ID range starts at a lower price than the Marshall CODE and has more effects than the Marshall MG Series. The Marshall CODE is the most expensive, but has more modes and the most built-in effects.
Here is a quick comparison of the Blackstar ID Core, Marshall CODE, Marshall MG and Marshall MG GFX series.
| Feature | Blackstar ID Core | Marshall CODE | Marshall MG | Marshall MG GFX |
| Combo Sizes | 10W, 20W, 40W, 100W | 25W, 50W, 100W | 10W, 15W | 15W, 30W, 50W |
| Modes | 6 | 15 | 2 | 4 |
| Effects | 12 | 24 | 1 (only on MG15) | 6 |
| Price Range | $130-$380 | $270-$450 | $100-$150 | $180-$420 |
Models/ Channels
- The Blackstar ID Core range has 6 channels: clean warm, clean bright, crunch 1, crunch 2, overdrive 1 and overdrive 2.
- The Marshall CODE range has 14 built-in models for electric guitar: 4 clean, 5 crunch, 4 overdrive, natural, and one for acoustic guitar.
- The Marshall MG GFX has 4 modes: clean, crunch, overdrive 1 and overdrive 2.
- The Marshall MG Series has 2 channels: clean and overdrive.
Effects
- The Blackstar ID Core range has 12 built-in effects: phaser, chorus/ flanger, envelope, tremolo, 4 delay effects and 4 reverb effects.
- The Marshall Code has 24 built-in effects including reverb, delay and modulation effects.
- The Marshall MG GFX has 6 built-in effects: reverb, delay, flanger , octaver, tremolo and phaser.
- The Marshall MG10 has very limited EQ controls and no built-in effects. The MG15 has a reverb effect, and more EQ controls.
Blackstar ID Core (image links to Amazon)
Marshall CODE (image links to Amazon)
Marshall MG30GFX (image links to Amazon)
Blackstar HT vs Marshall DSL
The Blackstar HT series and Marshall DSL series are good options for players looking for a mid-range valve amplifiers that they can either use for practice at home, or gigging, depending on the size.
Here is a quick table comparing the Blackstar HT series and Marshall DSL series.
| Feature | Blackstar HT | Marshall DSL |
| Controls | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, ISF reverb | 2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, presence, resonance, reverb |
| Price Range | $280-$1000 | $350-$950 |
| Combo Wattage | 1W, 5W, 20W, 40W, 60W | 1W, 5W, 20W, 40W |
| Head Wattage | 1W, 5W, 20W, 50W, 100W | 1W, 20W, 100W |
The Blackstar HT series sounds more modern distorted tone compared to the Marshall DSL which has a crunchier classic rock tone. Both amps come in a variety of sizes ranging from 1W to 100W and has a 3-band EQ and reverb control. The Blackstar HT also has an ISF control which switches the tone from British to American by adjusting the EQ.
The Marshall DSL20HR and Blackstar HT20 are two of the most compared valve amps in this price bracket. Here is a video comparing the clean, crunch and distorted tones on each amplifier.
Comparing the Ranges
As well as just looking at some popular amps in more detail, I also wanted to take a look at the full ranges produced by both brands. I have created the following tables to compare the main features of pretty much every currently available Marshall and Blackstar amp on the market. The prices are all based on Guitar Center at the time of writing this article.
Guitar Center are always the first place I look at when I’m interested in a new amp because have a huge range of amplifiers for sale and always have some excellent deals on. Here’s a link to take you directly to Guitar Center’s amp range so you can see all the offers available at the moment.
The tables are split into three categories of amp type, and are ordered from the lowest to highest price in each category, so you can see what options are available to you based on your budget.
- Solid state combo amps: $100-$680
- Valve combo amps: $500-$2600
- Head units: $400-$2850
Solid State Combo Amps
| Amplifier | Wattage | Price | Settings |
| Marshall MG10G | 10W | $100 | 2 channels, gain, contour |
| Marshall MG15 | 15W | $120 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ |
| Blackstar ID: CORE 10 | 10W | $130 | 6 voices, gain, single EQ, reverb, delay, 4 modulation effects |
| Marshall MG15DFX | 15W | $180 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger |
| Blackstar ID: CORE 20 | 20W | $180 | 6 voices, gain, single EQ, reverb, delay, 4 modulation effects |
| Blackstar ID: CORE 40 | 40W | $200 | 6 channels, gain, single EQ, reverb, delay, 4 modulation effects |
| Marshall MG30GFX | 30W | $240 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger, octave |
| Marshall CODE 50W | 50W | $320 | 14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects |
| Blackstar ID: CORE 100 | 100W | $380 | 6 voices, gain, single EQ, reverb, delay, looper, octaver, 4 modulation effects |
| Marshall MG50GFX | 50W | $420 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger, octave |
| Blackstar Silverline Standard | 20W | $430 | 6 voices, gain, 2 band EQ, ISF reverb, delay, 4 modulation effects |
| Marshall CODE100W | 100W | $450 | 14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects |
| Blackstar Silverline Deluxe | 100W | $680 | 6 voices, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, delay, resonance, presence, 4 modulation effects |
Key Points:
- Marshall amps start at a lower price than Blackstar amps
- Blackstar produce the cheapest 100W solid state combo amp
Valve Combo Amps
| Amplifier | Wattage | Price | Settings |
| Blackstar HT-5RH | 5W | $500 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, ISF reverb |
| Marshall Origin20C | 20W | $550 | Gain, 3 band EQ, boost, tilt, presence |
| Marshall DSL5CR | 5W | $550 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb |
| Blackstar Studio 10 6L6 | 10W | $600 | Gain, tone, reverb |
| Blackstar Studio 10 EL34 | 10W | $600 | Gain, tone, reverb |
| Marshall DSL20CR | 20W | $650 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance |
| Blackstar HT-20R | 20W | $680 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, ISF, reverb |
| Marshall Origin50C | 50W | $700 | Gain, 3 band EQ, boost, tilt, presence |
| Marshall DSL40CR | 40W | $800 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance |
| Blackstar HT Club 40 | 40W | $800 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, ISF, reverb |
| Blackstar HT Venue Series Club 40 | 40W | $800 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, ISF, reverb |
| Blackstar HT Venue Series Stage | 60W | $1000 | 2 channels, 2 voice switches, Gain, 3 band EQ, ISF, reverb, presence |
| Blackstar CV30 | 30W | $1000 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, ISF, reverb |
| Blackstar Artist 30 | 30W | $1150 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, ISF reverb |
| Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee | 20W | $1600 | Gain, 3 band EQ |
| Blackstar Artisan 30 | 30W | $1670 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, voice |
| Marshall Studio Classic 20W | 20W | $1700 | 3 band EQ, presence |
| Marshall Studio Vintage 20W | 20W | $1700 | Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb |
| Marshall JMV215C | 50W | $2600 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance |
Key Points:
- Blackstar have the highest wattage valve combo amp (60W)
- Blackstar produce the cheapest valve combo amp
Head Units
| Amplifier | Wattage | Type | Price | Settings |
| Marshall CODE 100W | 100W | Solid State | $400 | 14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects |
| Marshall Origin20H | 20W | Tube | $450 | Gain, 3 band EQ, tilt, boost, presence |
| Blackstar HT-5RH | 5W | Tube | $480 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb |
| Blackstar Silverline Deluxe | 100W | Solid State | $530 | 6 voices, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, delay, resonance, presence, 4 modulation effects |
| Marshall Origin50H | 50W | Tube | $550 | Gain, 3 band EQ, tilt, boost, presence |
| Marshall DSL20HR | 20W | Tube | $550 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb |
| Blackstar HT20RH | 20W | Tube | $600 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb |
| Blackstar HT Venue Series Club 50 | 50W | Tube | $780 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, ISF reverb |
| Marshall DSL100HR | 120W | Tube | $950 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance |
| Blackstar HT Venue Series Stage 100 | 100W | Tube | $1000 | 2 channels, 2 voice switches, Gain, 3 band EQ, ISF, reverb, presence, resonance |
| Marshall Studio Classic | 20W | Tube | $1400 | Presence, 3 band EQ |
| Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee | 20W | Tube | $1400 | Gain, presence, 3 band EQ |
| Marshall Vintage Studio | 20W | Tube | $1500 | Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb |
| Marshall Studio Classic | 20W | Tube | $1500 | Presence, 3 band EQ |
| Marshall JMV205H | 50W | Tube | $2000 | 2 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb |
| Marshall JMV210H | 100W | Tube | $2200 | 2 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb |
| Marshall JMT45 | 45W | Tube | $2600 | Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb |
| Marshall JMV410H | 100W | Tube | $2850 | 2 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb |
Key Points:
- Marshall produce the cheapest head unit
- Marshall have the highest wattage tube (120W) option
In the market for a new amplifier? Check out my complete amplifier buyer’s guide to help narrow down your selection and find the perfect amp for you.
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