Blackheart Little Giant Half Stack

The Marketing Blurb

This dimunitive half stack delivers the goods like nothing else. Made up of the BH5H 5-watt head and the BH112 1x12" cabinet (which are also available separately), this is a half stack worth more than double its size.

Starting off with the head, the Blackheart Little Giant BH5H is a 5W, Single-Ended, Class A amp powered by an EL84 and voiced through a 12AX7 preamp tube. It's a truly classic boutique amplifier design delivered in a robust, stylish package. With a switchable pentode/triode selector and 3-band EQ controls you get the only amp in its class to deliver true tonal range, from instantaneous punch to deliciously greasy overdrive, and with precise control over output volume. Every feature of the Blackheart BH5H represents zealous dedication to true quality in tone, looks and ruggedness. Under its sexy exterior you'll find a 16 gauge steel chassis, with 1/2" corner radiuses and meticulous tolex work insuring years of reliable performance.

Set the head on top of the Blackheart BH112 cabinet. Built around a 12" Blackheart by Eminence Speaker, it's made of 15 ply (18mm), classically joined, void free plywood and is the perfect mate for the BH5H head. From its incredibly well crafted construction to its clean tolex work, the BH112 is a portable, powerful and boutique quality cabinet. The closed back tuned design and (red framed) Blackheart model 1216B Speaker by Eminence is the fruit of extensive research involving Crate and Eminence. The result is a very tight and responsive cabinet. In fact, all of the BH112's cabinet joinery is based on classic, proven design for tone and roadworthiness.

My Opinion

I love the idea of a small all-valve stack. Amplifiers do not need to be complicated to be good. I'd much prefer a good amp that has a single great tone than one which is mediocre at many tones.

This half stack will be too loud to play at full volume at home. 5W of tube power is enough that if you turn it up full, you'll want to be in another room.

Unfortunately 5W isn't loud enough to play clean with a loud drummer, you will need to mic it up live. These amps distort early so don't expect much headroom. But that's the beauty of these amps. It's that sweet spot of driving an amp properly that can put a smile on your face.

Actually, it's not all-valve or all-tube but you can find modifications (even listed on the Blackheart site) for inserting a new turret board complete with tube-rectifier.