Main

Blackheart Little Giant BH5H Guitar Amplifier Head (5 Watts)

The Blackheart Little Giant BH5H is a 5 watt, single-ended, Class A head powered by an EL84 tube, voiced through a 12AX7 preamp tube. The Blackheart Little Giant 5 is a truly classic boutique amplifier design delivered in a robust, stylish package. Learn More...

    • New $179.95
    • free ground shipping
Write a Review:

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
The only feature I might add to this amp is a nice full reverb tank but that would probably double the price. Perhaps Blackheart would consider manufacturing an old-school stand-alone reverb unit and completely corner the market on affordable guitar amplification!

Quality:
For the price you've paid you will simply not find a more sturdy and well-constructed amp - I don't care where it's made! The Fender Vibro Champ XD I returned felt like it was made from old shoe boxes and soup cans. The Blackheart even smells like a real amp as it burns in. If I was still playing in clubs every weekend I wouldn't be afraid to bring the BH5H along. For now it keeps me happy in the studio.

Value:
If you're in the market for a new amp you're not going to beat this deal.

Desirability:
OK, so I'm not a huge fan of the marketing for this amp. In a more upscale market this amp might resemble a Dr. Z or a Tophat but that isn't important to me. Beneath the skin and bones of this amp is a real soul and that's where its at. OK, the tatoo looking logo is kinda cool.

Sound:
I originally purchased a Fender Vibro Champ XD and was very disappointed with the sound and build quality of that amp. I'm using the BH5H with a 10-inch cabinet and I can dial in virtually any sound I want. So, what sounds am I after? Mostly Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, West Coast rock, Blues, and Alt. country and jazz players from all different eras. The BH5H can get a lot of really sweet tones without a whole lot of coaxing.

Ease of Use:
It doesn't get much easier than this. If you can flip a toggle switch and turn a knob then you'll master this amp quickly.

Support:
Dunno. Don't wanna know, if you know what I'm saying.

Overall:
Don't let all the "heavy metal" marketing fool you; this is one terrific sounding amp for all kinds of music. I use mine only in the studio and I can get all the jazz and "West Coast" I need without the need for fiddling with some silly preset. The fact that this amp is somehow connected to the company that makes Crate scared the crap out of me at first but I'm soooooo happy I gave it shot!

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
pretty good features (3 band EQ, 3/5 watt setting, 5 plugs for cabinets of different Ohm ratings). It could have a master volume to get a perfect score, but this thing is loaded for what it is.

Quality:
Looks great all around... you wouldn't know it is made in China by looking at it.

Value:
Where else can you get this much bang for the buck? No where, that where... It's none more black...heart.

Desirability:
It's totally cool, small and loud with a great natural OD.

Sound:
As you probably already know, there are two settings, a 3 watt and a 5 watt setting. The 5 watt seems a little brighter and more over-driven when the volume is on 10. I really like the sound when it is cranked, but it isn't quite loud enough for practice (we have a LOUD drummer) and frankly it is too loud for my apartment... but the clean tones are very nice in my opinion.

Ease of Use:
As easy as they come.

Support:
no idea

Overall:
To my knowledge, there's nothing out there that compares. BH is coming out with a 15W, a 1W and a 100W amp, and I will be taking a look at these as well!

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
The 3 band EQ makes this little guy so versitile . Can dial in your tone when changing from single coils to dual coils.

Quality:
Seems very well made . solid cabinet .

Value:
Worth every penny , truly a great value

Desirability:
Looks a lot like the Epi , looks okay .

Sound:
Has a great tone in both 3 and 5 watt modes . More overdrive in the 3 watt mode . Like it better than the Epi valve jr. and the Fender Champ 600 .

Ease of Use:
Takes a little experimenting with the EQ , but that's no big deal considering the great tones you can dial in.

Support:
Have had no problems so can't really comment .

Overall:
I'm always looking for that next great product , but so far I can't see myself replacing it for awhile.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10

Feature:
Most amps in this category don't have much for features in fact you're lucky to get more than a level knob. The Little Giant has a full EQ stack which is actually functional. There's no reverb or effects loop on the BH5H which is fine by me, I'm not looking for those features on a small amp, but a functional EQ section is a must.

Quality:
Initial impression is good. Construction looks solid and the visable components are all quality and seem well assembled. The pots are solid and move smoothly.

Value:
It's $150 dollars and comes with zero buyers remorse so I'm giving it a 10.

Desirability:
Can you have a more rock n roll name than Blackheart? It looks the part. Rock n roll.

Sound:
There are a lot of companies making low power low cost Class A's these days. This is hands down the best sounding of the lot. It's not going to stack up to the little Z or Bad Cat but it really isn't supposed to is it. This is a hell of an amp for the price and fun to play. It's very responsive and opens up at 5W.

Ease of Use:
There's not much too it and dialing in a decent tone is as easy as it gets. It takes a little fine tuning to really get it though. Or you can dime the whole thing and it screams surprisingly well.

Support:
No experience here yet.

Overall:
Having owned and played many other low power/low cost amps and never being truly satisfied I was skeptical of the BH5H being anything more than another little amp. Don't let the physical resemblance to the Valve Jr fool you, this amp shares none of the Epi's shortcomings. This isn't boutique tone but it is solid Class A tone, responsive and dynamic.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
More than normal on an amp in this price range - one volume, and 3 band eq

Quality:
VERY well made, especially for a couple of hundred dollars.

Desirability:
I love it!

Sound:
A "10" for the value - with the head and cabinet you get a great approximation of plexi tones in a 5w package.

Ease of Use:
It's a single channel amp - easy.

Support:
Very good

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no