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I bought this amp a few months back and waited to review it so that I could be as informative as possible. First thing is that the patches are place in banks of four when you use the footswitch (optional) that to me should have been included. If you use a midi footswitch and I have one (Rocktron Midi Mate) you may assign any way you choose. There are several ways to get the most out of this amplifier. Remember what I said about patches? The first 12 patches are available to you without the footswitch! You can select them from the front panel, keeping in mind there are three banks with four patches per bank. once you select a bank you can then move left to right to get the patches. They are laid out logically, 1st patch on each bank allows for a clean sound, 2nd patch more crunch, 3rd patch more gain and so one until you get to the 4th that will allow you the most gain and effects for lead or whatever. Now you have the rundown. The patches can be changed and instantly saved to via pushing the patch location, (you can change to any of the 12 without a foot switch) until it blinks, then press again to save. If you want more control over the other 110 patches you will need the insider software. Yes there is software that you can download to unlock the amps true potential. First off once you have the installed software and the computer connected to the amp. it will show you all the patches, which can be selected and demoed at that time. you can make adjustments to taste (saving if you choose), you may move patches to an order that fits your style or needs. There is also a really cool feature that allows you to download and upload patches others or you have created. Once you find what you like, they are described by the creator with comments such as hot blues, or even Metallica clean and so on. Keep in mind that creator may not be playing the same instrument and pickups as you! You may have to try different offerings for similar descriptions. be patient, you will find something you like. If you are really patient you can create something you like. I have been playing awhile so these types of offerings do not hinder or intimidate me. I just jumped in and thought everything worked as it should. The only thing I think I should point out is that you can not drag and drop patches. I believe this is done to prevent accidental overwriting. having said that, I have 5 of these amps in different sizes a 15 watt (8-10 in SPKR) the 30 watt and 60 watt single speaker combos.(both 12s) and 2 of the 260s (2x12) I have them all programmed the same! I can take anyone out and my sound is consistent! also one more feature of these amps is the speaker out emulation, it is superb, in most cases when I go out I take 2 EV 1000 watt (active) 15 inch full range speakers and run the emulation to both! This allows me to quickly and very efficiently cover the entire stage in sound! The entire band can not only hear me, but adjust how much and where. this is a game changer! I use the source amp as a monitor as it allows you to use that amp volume separately from the emulation! and having all the amps set the same allows me the choice of any config I like and still get the sound that I need. I hope this assists you,

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I was looking for a combo that would deliver great tone, versatility, and performance for playing out and for use at practice with a drummer in the room. I was extremely reluctant to go with this (or any modeling type of amp) over tube, as I am not a fan of digital sounding distortion tones. I can honestly say I have never been more surprised. My initial thought was my expectations were simply lowered, but it keeps sounding great in a solo and band setting and keeps putting a smile on my face. Review scores are in relation to other offerings in this price range. (Will this sound better than a $4,000 tube amp? No...but how does it score against other offerings in the same range?) Tone: 10 The TVP combined with the two 12's delivers a very convincing tube feel and punch, along with tube type response to pick attack and pickup volume. My other guitarist is a notorious tone snob (more than I), and even he was impressed with the tone, volume, and presence this combo produces. Add in the ability to dial in your own pre and power tubes, and this amp can delver a wide range of useable tones...not just different, but actual tones you would want to use. Quite happy with this in the tone department. The speakers are Celestion Seventy 80's (look to be OEM for this amp judging by the magnet label), but they sound great. Plenty of low end punch, plenty of presence and they hold up well at high volumes. Features: 8 The TVP is the star of the show, and it is fantastic at what it does. I was able to dial in a few different useable voices very quickly. The mix of EQ, Resonance (low frequencies), Presence (high frequencies), and possible combinations of pre and power tubes allow you a ton of versatility. The effects are pretty good...not outstanding, but quite decent in moderation. By far, the way to use the features is the Insider software, which allows for full control of all the features as well as patch export/import/sync to amp. You get granular control of the effects in a graphical format that mimics real pedals for ease of use. Quality: 8 The only knock I can give on quality is the corner protectors being shiny hard plastic in feel. But really, that is a nit-pick that is easily overlooked. The quality is solid on this amp, and it looks and feels like you would expect from a great mid-priced amp. One last thing of note - the stereo effect (especially with the new super wide stereo that is in the latest Insider firmware/software update) is very, very good. The reverb and delay especially shine here. Great sounding amp all around, with all the versatility you could ask for and enough power to play a small to medium size gig without a mains if you had to. Holds up quite well at high volumes.

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I have to be straight up. I am a former bassist, who decided at the age of 50 to learn and play guitar. Most of the stuff I love range from Johnny Cash to Pink Floyd. If that's not a broad enough range then throw in some CCR and Yardbirds for good measure. I know the difference between valve and solid state. I'm a guitar novice but I'm not daft as my Brit friends would say, and although this amp is not perfect, it's a lot of fun dialing it in to play the type of stuff I love. For example I just opened the box and for the fun of it dialed in You Really Got Me, but within a few minutes of that also managed to dial in Led Zeppelin The Immigrant Song and Rock and Roll. That's what I mean when I said that this amp is a lot of fun. It gives the player (ahem) enough range to experiment and tweak their sound. When I was in the mood for a little Man in Black, RING OF FIRE, it didn't take long to find that nice warm country sound with a little bite that song requires. Is the amp loud? Yes, but not so loud you will blow out your windows. Is it a dead bang for the valve emulations? No, but its pretty damned close, and if you don't have the funding for a half stack valve Marshall or Mesa, this is a viable option. I play a Stratocaster (EMG DG20s. God knows I love my Floyd), a Taylor and most recently a Gibson Les Paul Standard, and for the first time I have to say my guitars came alive. Coming from a Fender FM 212 to The Blackstar ID260 is like being reborn musically. There is tremendous range and endless possibilities. However, now for the not so flattering. I think its bulls**t that Blackstar forces us to spend another $89. for the foot controller. Even Fender includes foot controllers in its Mustang line. To really see what this amp has and is capable of the footswitch is mandatory. Hopefully one day I will get one. Anyway, this has been a novices review of the Blackstar ID260. Hope it helped a little.

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I have played a lot of different amps over the years both tube and solid state, low end and high end. What some amps have others don't, and when it comes to amplifiers, 99% of the time you get what you pay for. The Blackstar id260tvp is that 1% exception... This amp is seriously top notch tone. The best tone monster I have had the opportunity to own. This amp can cater to any style of player. The new EQ knobs paired with the ISF really let's you create the tone you're looking for. The TVP switch is legitimately some kind of sorcery... Tones within tones. You can have three effects running simultaneously without the online software each of which you can adjust the parameters. And to top it all off, you have it in Superwide Stereo. Hearing it in person is awesome. It's very emersive and you feel like what you're playing is around you. This amp is definitely an experience. Plenty of volume for recording and small venues sound keeps it's clarity at high volumes as well as break up at high volumes (like a classic tube would) but it depends on what you're going for. A lot of people talk mess about blackstar but they truly are great amplifiers. It is a pain in the rear that they don't include the footswitch, but in my personal opinion, this amp is worth every penny and I'm not disappointed one bit. I definitely recommend to anyone looking for a great amplifier that is studio, gigging, and practice ready and not a one-trick pony. Give it a try you won't be disappointed.

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I have great tube amps. Of course you have to use pedals to customize your sound. The top is what sold me on the Blackstar. I was skeptical but am now a believer and I’m glad I took it over the boss katana. When you switch the tvp on it punches your sound. Then you get to choose between 6 power tubes. I have a hearing loss all my life and the difference between the tubes is very obvious. The reverb is is great and the other options (there is a lot) are finely done. This is more than a practice amp. This could be a go to or back up amp. I got it because my less Paul studio does take quite right to my tubes. The Blackstar will be my amp for humbuckers. The studio has coil tapping knobs and boy this amp marks a visible line between the two settings. For me I have to be able to hear the difference for it to make sense. If you play without the tvp distortion sounds hollow but that’s most solid states. Just use the tvp and download the insider program to maximize the features.

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i needed a solid state amp for practice, because i don't want to wear out the expensive tubes while i practice in my bedroom. I used to have line 6's AX 212 for a practice amp, and those of you who knows what this amp is might be laughing because this thing was a 100 watt 2 x 12 amp which is way to big for a bedroom practice amp. well to me this was a solid state amp with acceptable tone to get the feel of what i was playing. i was johnny come lately in the ID series amp market. i saw the demo for id30 tvp on online video, and immediately wanted to get it for a new practice amp. i checked the price of bigger ID amps, and found this amp to be only $30 more than the id30. My AX 212 is louder than my Twin Reverb, so I expect the id260 to be equally loud, which means i can use as a gigging amp too, so it was almost a no brainer to choose this larger amplifier as my new practice amp. And i am very happy to be with this amp now. i most like the clean channel which sounds so much like a tube that i can't tell the difference with the real tube amp. I'm not so taken by the overdrive channels or the digital effects section. but the overall value of this product is fenominal. i lost my AX 212 over the years, but now i have somethind lot better to replace it.

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I tried to give it all 5 stars but for some reason it wouldn't let me change the 4 1/2 I accidentally gave features. This is a great amp, top notch quality, sound and features. It's so much fun to play and explore all the sounds this thing can make. I will only buy Blackstar from now on.

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I really hemmed and hawed over whether to go for tube amp or not, until I saw a British fella review this amp and speak to it's versatility and it is that. Found a good deal on a mint, used copy and shipping was more than fair. I still have a pretty solid pedalboard, but the amp effects and overdrive a pretty great, especially the wide stereo sound settings and how they appear to be bouncing all over room when using delay and reverb. I really appreciate the beefy tone that 2x12 allows. I have not yet played live with it(thanks, COVID), but I've recorded a lot and do love the subtle tone tweaks that the settings allow. Weight-wise, it's a bit of a beast, but I imagine it's a lighter than an equiv tube amp. If I had to move it around regularly, I'd def get some casters. The only thing I wish that was different is that since I use my modulation pedals with the effects loop, I can't plug in headphones. Should have had a sep headphone output. Love it with my G&L ASAT.

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I had read many reviews and watched just as many review videos. None of them were able to properly describe the quality of tones and the overall versatility of this amp. The superwide stereo Is a feature you have to hear in person to be able to appreciate what it does for the effects and overall sound in general.

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I bought this Blackstar 260TVP to replace two Marshall Heads and 4x12 cabs for casino gigs. Great amp packed with features and some real usable tones. My biggest complaint was the malfunctioning drive channel after 5 months of gigs...The Korg web site is useless but, after a call found a local authorized repair facility. If it wasn't solid state I would bench it myself but, don't have that choice with the Blackstar. I will see if this repair is accurately diagnosed and fixed...I have my reservations at this point. I really dig the tone and the 60 watts stereo but, having a breakdown after 5 months of ownership is not a good omen.

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