Blackstar’s Debut 50R is a 1 x 12-inch combo that harkens back to the early pre-modeling days of solid-state amplification, boasting a digital-free design and no-nonsense control scheme for instant plug-and-play functionality. The Debut 50R’s 12-inch custom-designed Blackstar speaker, all-analog design, and built-in 2-mode reverb produce shimmering full-range clean tones. However, a swift swap into the MOSFET-enabled overdrive channel unlocks raw, rich, and saturated dirty tones to rival even the most renowned tube amplifiers. What’s more, the Debut 50R comes equipped with a host of utility features, including a line-in for jamming along to practice tracks, a speaker-emulated line-out for silent recording/practice, and power scaling down to five watts to reduce your volume to conversation levels without comprising on your tone. It all adds up to a superior sonic tool that’s all but guaranteed to raise the level of your practice, performance, or recording game.

MOSFET preamp for hot tube-style tones

For players who prefer the lush, warm sound of a clean electric guitar, solid state can often serve as a superior solution — it’s long been the de-facto standard in many jazz guitar circles for a reason. However, replicating the raw, dynamic feel of a front-loaded tube amplifier has historically proved difficult for amplifiers without a set of glowing glass tucked away inside the cabinet. Thankfully, the Blackstar Debut 50R offers the best of both worlds, sporting a 2-channel design with a built-in MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) preamp that produces dirty tones nearly indistinguishable from a traditional tube amp. Simply swap to the overdrive channel to access rich, saturated tube-style dirt tones that beautifully replicate the feel and touch-sensitive response of the world’s most iconic tube amplifiers.

Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) dials in your drive tones

The all-analog Blackstar Debut 50R packs a massive spread of tones by virtue of its Blackstar's Infinite Shape Feature (ISF). When turned fully counterclockwise, you'll lend an American characteristic to your voice, with a tight bottom end and aggressive middle range. Turned all the way to the right, you'll enjoy more of a British vibe with a woodier sound that's less aggressive. However you dial in the Debut 50R, you'll enjoy a musical response that commands attention.

Speaker-emulated output

The Blackstar Debut 50R’s speaker-emulated output delivers the sound of a miked-up cabinet, even with the volume down. Connect to your audio interface or a PA system and enjoy great tone. It also produces inspiring sounds when you wear headphones, which is great for late-night practice and tracking. Guitarists here at Music Experience have found the speaker-emulated output to be our family's (or roommate's) favorite feature.

What Blackstar Says...

The Debut 50R is a simple and elegant, no fuss all-analogue alternative to entry level digital modelling amplifiers. Ideal for pedal players, the Debut 50R focuses more on tone and usability rather than unwanted “bells and whistles”. This versatile amp is perfect for guitar players of all levels, whether jamming in a bedroom, practicing in a small room, or performing on stage. Featuring authentic valve-like tones all engineered using MOSFET technology, the Debut 50R will make you sound like a pro from the get-go.

Groundbreaking MOSFET Design

Blackstar’s exclusive MOSFET preamp design creates an authentic, accurate valve-like tone within a light, analogue format. This design has been based off our award-winning higher-end valve amplifiers.

A Gigging Workhorse

Perfect for the player doing their first show, or for a more experienced guitarist looking for great tone and a solid pedal platform for weekly pub gigs. The Debut 50R has all the tone and power you could need.

MOSFET Technology

To deliver the natural sounding response of a valve amp, Blackstar’s design team have chosen to implement a discrete MOSFET pre amp; overdrive characteristics of MOSFETs are similar to those of valves and our R&D team have gone above and beyond to make the MOSFET pre amp virtually indistinguishable from the chosen valve references.

Patented ISF Tone Control

The Debut 50R comes equipped with our patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) tone control, allowing you to effortlessly dial-in incredible tones and gives you the ultimate in user sound customisation. Fully counter clockwise has an American characteristic with a tight bottom end and aggressive middle. Fully clockwise has a British characteristic which is more ‘woody’ and less aggressive. Use the ISF EQ to dial in “the sound in your head”.

Stunning Looks

The Debut 50R is available in two vintage stylings; a cream covering with oxblood fret, or black and ‘biscuit’ basketweave; your Debut can stylistically go toe-to-toe with any high-end amp on a gigging stage.

Built-in ‘Hall’ and ‘Plate’ Reverb

The Debut 50R amplifiers come equipped with built-in studio quality ‘Hall’ and ‘Plate’ reverbs for an immersive and versatile playing experience.

A Great Pedal Platform

The Debut 50R features a built-in series effects loop allowing for external pedals and effects processors to be added into the signal chain of the amplifier. Coupled with a clean channel designed with high headroom in mind, the Debut 50R is a fantastic pedal platform..

Clean & Overdrive Channels

2 footswitchable channels (2-way footswitch sold separately), both based off Blackstar’s award-winning valve products. The clean channel is voiced around the HT-20R MKII with a “Bright” switch and tonnes of headroom. The overdrive channel is voiced around the St. James 6L6 which can achieve everything from blues and classic rock, all the way through to metal tones. Great valve tone recreation has been at the core of the design of the Debut 50R.

Silent Practice

When you need to cut the volume, hook yourself up to the Debut 50R’s headphone/recording output with the incredibly detailed, natural speaker simulation. The Debut 50R’s convenient headphone/recording output simulates the tonal characteristics of a guitar speaker cabinet, providing organic tones for silent practice or direct home recording.

Power Reduction 

The Debut 50R now has a power reduction switch from 50W down to 5W allowing you to play at lower volumes without sacrificing any of the tone.

Footswitchable Channels 

Dual Footswitch control for channel switching between clean and overdrive and enabling/disabling Reverb, allowing for great versatility with your tone all with a 2-way footswitch (sold separately).

Music Playback

Plug in your phone, tablet or audio device and jam along to your favourite tracks through the Debut 50R’s speakers.