NAD Blackstar Stage HT 60

[Sharkfin]

This is a belated NAD, I've had it for about 3 weeks now. I wasn't sure if I was going to keep it but I did (obviously). I got it for a good price at Chuck Levin's here in Silver Spring, Maryland. It's my first tube amp and I really don't know about about them or the maintenance/ care that they require. I live in an apt so I can't get as loud with it as I'd like but I've had a few moments here and there where the neighbors have been out. And I've been able to play at low volumes, which is nice but I'd really love to crank it up like it was meant to be. I don't know much about amps since I'm pretty much your run of the mill bedroom player but I do know that this amp sounds really nice.




With my beloved Jackson's...

[VitaminG]

that's cool, man. Glad you're enjoying it.

[straycat]

Nice guitars you have there what is that strat neck in the back?

[wilkinsi]

That amp stand looks flimsy I have tried a HT-60 myself. It sounded good at low volume, but beyond 1, it crackled. Dodgy tubes or not warmed up long enough? :dunno:

[VitaminG]

That amp stand looks flimsy I have tried a HT-60 myself. It sounded good at low volume, but beyond 1, it crackled. Dodgy tubes or not warmed up long enough? :dunno:

No negative comments about his guitars, choice in posters, furniture?

sounds like neither. Did it crackle as you turned the volume knob, or did it continue to crackle at any volume above 1?

[Sharkfin]

Nice guitars you have there what is that strat neck in the back?

Thanks! Some dude back when I was in college smashed his Fender USA and I kept the neck because I thought it looked cool. Too bad it's severely damaged at the heel, but I did strip it for the tuners.

That amp stand looks flimsy I have tried a HT-60 myself. It sounded good at low volume, but beyond 1, it crackled. Dodgy tubes or not warmed up long enough? :dunno:

Amp stand works great, holds up to 150 lbs. and the amp wights about 70... No crackling here

that's cool, man. Glad you're enjoying it.

I really am enjoying playing this amp it sounds sooo good plugged straight into it. I tried using my Boss ME-70 once but it's didn't sound that great. I might have to redo all my patches as I was using my Randall RG 75 when I made them.

[wilkinsi]

No negative comments about his guitars, choice in posters, furniture?

sounds like neither. Did it crackle as you turned the volume knob, or did it continue to crackle at any volume above 1?

Crackling non stop as soon as went above level 1. It was not my intention to make any negative comments, just mentioned the one I demo'd crackled.

[Robert Hendrix]

I got one of those about two months ago and I'm hooked! I love it and I'm sure you will too. Mine sounds good At low volumes, but when you can turn it up, by all means, you should, the amp really thrives when it's cranked.

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

I saw a band using what looks to be the same amp at a dive bar in CT last weekend. I took note because I've never heard or played one, and I have to say it sounded very good at higher volume.

[Sharkfin]

Thanks, I feel really good about this amp. All the positive feedback I'm getting here is very reassuring. Is there anything that I should know about tube amps? I don't know a whole lot about them. Tubes, fuses, etc? Anyone know of a good online resource for general tube amp info?

[psychles]

Thanks, I feel really good about this amp. All the positive feedback I'm getting here is very reassuring. Is there anything that I should know about tube amps? I don't know a whole lot about them. Tubes, fuses, etc? Anyone know of a good online resource for general tube amp info?

Suggestion #1: Don't touch the tubes
Suggestion #2: Change them once in a while - do some research, if you like, as there are different types and brands of tubes that will provide subtle differences in tone.

Enjoy!

[horns666]

Wow..I love that amp stand you made. Perfect angle and height. Need something like that for my boy's 6505 combo!

Oh I re-read the thread. What type of stand is that. I'd like to check into it, since you confirmed it solid!!

[Sharkfin]

Wow..I love that amp stand you made. Perfect angle and height. Need something like that for my boy's 6505 combo!

Oh I re-read the thread. What type of stand is that. I'd like to check into it, since you confirmed it solid!!

I thought I had a Pro Line amp stand but it's an On Stage. I really like it, it puts the controls where you need them without having to squat or bend over. From what I see in pictures it looks like the Pro Line is less angled than the On Stage brand. I think with either, your son will be happy.

[jdr94]

I really am enjoying playing this amp it sounds sooo good plugged straight into it. I tried using my Boss ME-70 once but it's didn't sound that great. I might have to redo all my patches as I was using my Randall RG 75 when I made them.

Here my take on tube amps, I like tube amps for the tone. Puttin any sort of multi pedalboard infront of a tube amps kills all that natural sound which is probably why it didnt sound good w the boss. Now if u just use the modulation from the me70 in the loop and use the gain from the amp you should be pretty happy. Im actaully plannin on pickin up the blackstar 20 watt head. Do you like ur amp on the stand? I always thought amps sound better on the floor, but then I like alot of low end and everytime i put a combo/cab off the ground I felt like I lost bottom end, but then it could just be that when I had amps pointed at my face the mids and highs get super bright. Man I miss chuck levins.

[Sharkfin]

I love my amp on the stand, it puts the controls within arms reach. I usually play standing up so it is very convenient. I haven't really used the ME-70 much with the amp, I've mostly been plugged in straight through. The good news is the neighbors in the apt next door have moved so I can crank it a little bit louder now!