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Blackstar Debut 50R 1 x 12-inch 50-watt Combo Amp - Cream

50-watt 2-channel 1 x 12" All-analog Combo Amplifier with Speaker Emulated Output, ISF Tone Control, 2 Reverb Modes, Power Reduction, and Line-in - Cream
$249.99

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Blackstar Debut 50R 1 x 12-inch 50-watt Combo Amp - Cream
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Solid-state Cleans, Tube-inspired Overdrive

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 Sweetwater have found the speaker-emulated output to be our family's (or roommate's) favorite feature.

Blackstar Debut 50R 1 x 12-inch 50-watt Combo Amplifier Features:

  • A 50-watt all-analog solid-state combo inspired by the non-nonsense workflow of old-school tube and solid-state amplifiers
  • An excellent alternative for guitarists seeking the pristine purity of solid-state in a non-modeling, non-digital design
  • Custom-designed 12-inch Blackstar speaker delivers a rich, full-range sound with a powerful low end
  • 2-channel design allows you to instantly toggle between clean and dirty tones with a footswitch
  • Discrete MOSFET preamp delivers dynamic overdrive tones that sound straight out of a hot tube amplifier
  • Rear effects loop allows you to integrate your favorite time-based and modulation pedals after the MOSFET preamp
  • Speaker-emulated line-out/headphone jack for easy direct monitoring and noise-free recording
  • ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) takes you from a tight American sound to a more open and woody feel with the twist of a knob
  • 3-band EQ and Clean/Bright switch to sculpt your tone for any application
  • Spacious-sounding onboard reverb with distinct plate and hall settings

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Solid State
  • Number of Channels: 2 channels, 4 voices
  • Total Power: 50W (5W setting)
  • Speaker Size: 1 x 12" Custom-Designed Speaker
  • Reverb: Plate, Hall
  • EQ: 3-band EQ, ISF (OD channel), Bright switch (clean)
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4", 1 x 1/8" (line in)
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
  • Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (clean/overdrive, reverb)
  • Footswitch Included: No
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 14.96"
  • Width: 18.11"
  • Depth: 9.05"
  • Weight: 19.8 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: DEBUT50R

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

I LIKE IT

It's a great amp. Inexpensive, easy to use, dependable sound.
Music background: Play live all over the county
Rated 5/5

Surprisingly good! Like REALLY good cleans...

I purchased this as a practice amp to keep the hours down on my Fender Princeton and I'm happy to say that the Princeton hasn't been heated up much since I took delivery of The Blackstar Debut 50. (That makes it even sweeter when I do fire it up!)
I expected this amp to be acceptable but I really didn't think it would be as good as it is. I've owned two of the Blackstar HT amps, a Stage 60 and an HR20 and found the clean channel a bit lacking. But not in the Debut 50!
The cleans are remarkably good! Hollow body, semi hollow or solid body, they all sound really nice. The amp gives each one its own voice, something that you don't often get. They have the clean channel running through the full tone stack. Typically, Blackstar amps reserve the full tone stack for the lead side. Maybe that's what makes this one so good.
No, it's not made from solid wood but its build quality is fine. The covering material is the same that is on the Blackstar high end products...nice, thick and high quality; Not the paper thin covering you find on most low end products. And I see no reason to change out the speaker.
Keep in mind, these comments cover the clean side only. I don't play dirty often enough to care.
No effects built in, just a really good amp!
I'm very happy with it. Thanks to Davis Mikautadze and Sweetwater for hooking me up.
Highly recommended!
Music background: Too many gigging years and now happy in "The Studio".
Rated 5/5

nice black star

great little LIGHT amp that packs lot of weight .
Rated 5/5

Amazing!!!

I needed a grab and go amp for practice and mostly blues jams. This amp does it all without all the bells and whistles that can lead to option paralysis. Tone is spot on and DOES sound like a tube amp. In fact at a blues jam a fellow guitarist's vintage Fender amp crapped out on him, so I offered him mine. He wanted to buy it!!! He said it,sounded better than his Fender.
Also a shout out to Ben Toenges for fantastic and outstanding support and to all of Sweetwater.
Music background: 70 year old rocker
Rated 5/5

Everything doesn't have to be complicated or expensive

We've become obsessed with getting the "best" tone and also being able to make any guitar sound with the push of a pedal or button. With this amp, without spending a ton of money you can still find a variety of sounds at your disposal without the use of a computer. This is one of the more neutral sounding amps I've ever heard which it what makes it such a good pedal platform. The amps own tone shaping controls including the ISF system do allow some additional tone shaping. I've had good result with all of the overdrives at my disposal. I use the amp's own reverb and I can usually find a sound I'm happy with. There's an effects loop if I wish to add modulation or other effects

The five watt setting sounds just like the 50 setting, allowing aggressive sounds at greatly reduced levels. I've retired from gigging, so I got this amp for home use. Most often I just like to sit down and play and I've had modeling amps for the last few years, so the simplicity of this amp allows me to quickly get a sound, without fiddling with touchscreens or menus, and just play. As for "Does it sound like a tube amp?", It's close enough that I don't think about it when I'm playing through it. It kind of reminds me of a Princeton or Deluxe with ISF set to the USA side. I find it great for blues, classic rock and country. I play a 62 Telecaster, a 1953 Les Paul, an Ibanez AS100 and an HSS player Strat through it and the amp does them justice and reveals their differences. It's good with that area between clean and the early stages of overdrive.
Music background: 72 Years old, played in bands until recently, used to hos a blues jam in a local bar.
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