Blackstar wanted to produce a range of heads and combos, that were the lightest available while still retaining the essential element found in traditional valve / tube amps. Lightweight amps with no trade-off in performance and tone are something guitarists have been requesting for ages making it the forefront during the design process of the new ST. James valve amps. Thus making them the lightest valve amps in the world.

Next, Blackstar wanted to be able to include everything within one box, to enable the output of authentic 'miked cabinet-of-a-hard-driven-valve-am-in-a-room ' sounds whether to be direct to stage box or recording device.

The St. James Series In Detail

The St. James heads and combos are highly versatile amplifiers suited to a wide range of playing styles and situations.

Channel I, all models

The valve/tube gain structure and voicing of this channel have been inspired by classic American amplifiers of the mid-’60s (Fender ‘black-face’). It is very clean and bright but with a solid low-end and controlled mids. Also, on this channel, the valve/tube power stage is set to be tight and relatively clean, and linear across the frequency range. This is one of the most popular choices for a ‘pedal platform’ as it provides a solid clean foundation to apply effects to.

Channel II for 6L6 model

On 6L6 models this increases the gain into the valve/tube overdrive section pushing the saturation available from the GAIN II control even further. This is great for fluid ‘legato’ lines and sweep-picking techniques as well as aggressive alternate picking. On these models the power stage is tight with VOICE off and reconfigures to a looser, more resonant response with VOICE on, to provide the low end ‘chug’ of modern high gain amps. When the footswitch is connected then this switch is bypassed but the LED will still indicate the VOICE status

Reliability

As with all Blackstar products the St. James amplifiers are designed for maximum reliability. All the amplifiers are thoroughly endurance tested on automatic test equipment to replicate many hours of real-life use in a few days of laboratory testing.

Cab Rig

CAB RIG is Blackstar’s next-generation DSP speaker simulator and begets a fundamental shift in the accessibility of professional recording and performing. CAB RIG awards budding musicians the ability to access previously unattainable technology, that has long been reserved for professional sound engineers and producers. Leading-edge advancements in the speaker cabinet and microphone simulation will allow any player to achieve unparalleled quality in their live sound and recorded music.