What can you do with one watt? Plenty, if you have a Blackstar HT-1R MkII — it’s packed with all the tones you’ll ever need. For boutique tones, check out the HT-1R MkII’s updated clean channel. Want something more aggressive? Then kick in the overdrive channel, and you’ll experience a smorgasbord of distorted textures. And thanks to Blackstar’s patented Infinite Shape Feature, you can dial in everything from inspiring British edge-of-breakup grit to tight and punchy American high gain. Beyond that, HT-1R MkII includes onboard reverb and a USB output. Whether you need cranked up tones in your practice space or a great all-rounder for your studio, the HT-1R MkII is a top-shelf low-watt amp combo.

Revoiced channels for top-tier tone

When Blackstar hit the drawing board for their HT-1R MkII, not only did they reference their own amps’ popular tones, but they also wanted to match or beat the tones of electric guitar amplifiers costing up to five times more. Take it from guitarists at Music Experience: They nailed it. The clean channel has a clarity and note definition that are rare on amps in the MkII’s price range — especially for a 1-watter. Move over to the gain channel, and you’ll take note of how great the sound is throughout the whole range of overdrive. The original HT-1RH was an incredibly popular amp. With the MkII, Blackstar beats it.

Patented Infinite Shape Feature

The Blackstar HT-1R MkII is packed with a massive variety of tube tone, by virtue of 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. Turned all the way to the right, you’ll enjoy more of a British vibe. Beyond that, four different operating modes can be accessed via a pair of Voice switches, unleashing both vintage and modern voicings for each channel.

Loaded with player-friendly additions

The tone of the HT-1R MkII is well worth the price of admission. But Blackstar knows what players want. And they loaded this already great-sounding all-tube combo with enough features to ensure that it quickly becomes your go-to amp. The revoiced reverb offers more depth and detail than ever before. Beyond that, the USB audio output will make you your sound engineer’s best friend.

What Blackstar Says...

Back in 2010 our HT-1 set the stage for ultra low wattage amps perfect for home and studio. Now the MkII takes this revered design a step further with incredible performance and game-changing new features from USB recording to footswitchable voices.

Low Wattage Valve Goodness

Valve amps sound best when cranked. The unique feel, dynamics and natural compression of a valve power stage running hot is widely considered the holy grail of guitar tone. The problem is turning your 100W valve amp up to these volumes is neither practical for yourself, nor your neighbors. Our HT-1R MkII with its unique push-pull power amp gives you this coveted valve performance at volumes suitable for home practice and recording.

Perfect for Practice & Recording

Alongside providing capture-ready valve tones at any volume, HT-1R MkII comes equipped with a direct USB output for the simplest way to get valve tone into your recordings without the need for an interface. The best part? These amps have in-built load protection, meaning you can use them without a cabinet connected for silent practice and recording.

Patented ISF

The patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) control is unique to Blackstar Amplification and represents a major step forward in tone shaping flexibility. The ISF control shifts the response of the three control tone stack between, a US type response at one end, and at the other, a UK type response. Importantly, in between the two extremes lie an infinite number of alternative tone choices that would be otherwise unavailable.

Studio Quality Reverb

Our new studio quality reverb has been referenced against the most revered vintage and modern reverb units, designed to perfectly complement guitar tones.

Record Without a Cabinet

HT-1R MkII have in-built load protection, meaning you can use the head for direct USB recording or headphone practice, without the need for a connected cabinet. The ultimate portable practice and recording rig.

Full Tone, Low Volumes

Featuring unique push-pull power amps, HT-1R MkII are designed to create a full sound even at the lowest of volumes, helping to create that sound in your head no matter the environment.

Two Channels, Two Voices.

Two selectable clean and overdrive voicings. On the clean, choose between a classic American bright, mid-shaped tone with a rounded bottom end. Or, a classic British tone – crunchy, chimey and dynamically responsive. On the overdrive, choose between a tight and articulate super-crunch tone. Or, a higher gain drive with loose power amp response.

Footswitch Control

A 2-way footswitch can be connected to the HT-1RH giving full control over both channel and voice selection for clean and overdrive.

Stunning Looks

The compact cabinet has a 3 degree angle on the front face, top-loader panel and stage-friendly chickenhead knobs giving the HT-1R MkII a stunning boutique style.