Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $759

High-end/Boutique

$300

$701+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Artisan 15 - beautiful looks and beautiful tone. Two channels, one based on an EF86 Pentode and the other an ECC83 Triode, refine legendary vintage and boutique reference tones. The EL84 based power section is switchable between a 5W triode mode and a more dynamic 15W pentode mode configuration, for the ultimate in low power valve amplifier flexibility.

  • Class A 15W Combo
  • Switch for 5W triode mode / 15W pentode mode
  • 2 x EL84 output valves
  • EF86 channel
  • ECC83 channel
  • Hi and Lo inputs perfect for channel blending
  • Impedance selector
  • Celestion G12M 'Greenback' Speaker

Product specs

Brand Blackstar
Model Artisan 15 Handwired 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo
Finish Burgundy
Year 2008 - 2025
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Electronics Tube
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 4 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 15
Power Tube Type EL84
Reverb None
Speaker Configuration 1x12"

FAQs

What type of music genres is the Blackstar Artisan 15 suitable for?

The Blackstar Artisan 15 is versatile, making it suitable for genres like blues, rock, and jazz. Its EL84 power tubes provide a warm, vintage tone that appeals to players looking for classic sounds.

Does the Blackstar Artisan 15 take pedals well?

Yes, the Blackstar Artisan 15 handles pedals effectively, especially overdrive and modulation effects, due to its clean and dynamic tube response.

Is the Blackstar Artisan 15 loud enough for live performances?

With 15 watts of tube power, the Blackstar Artisan 15 is ideal for small to medium-sized gigs. It offers sufficient volume to compete with a drummer in these settings.

What are the tonal characteristics of the Blackstar Artisan 15?

The Blackstar Artisan 15 provides a warm, vintage tone with a rich midrange and smooth overdrive, thanks to its EL84 tubes and 1x12 speaker configuration.

How many channels does the Blackstar Artisan 15 have, and what are their uses?

The Blackstar Artisan 15 features two channels, offering a range of clean to overdriven tones. This allows players to switch between different sound textures for various playing styles.

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Blackstar: ARTISAN 15 - SG demo

Video thumbnail for Blackstar: ARTISAN 15 - SG demo by Brett Kingman

Blackstar: ARTISAN 15 - SG demo

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for Blackstar: ARTISAN 15 - Strat demo by Brett Kingman

Blackstar: ARTISAN 15 - Strat demo

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for Blackstar Artisan 15 Overview by Blackstar Amplification

Blackstar Artisan 15 Overview

Blackstar Amplification

Blackstar Amplification

Video thumbnail for Blackstar Artisan 15 Combo Amp Demo by Quest Music Store

Blackstar Artisan 15 Combo Amp Demo

Quest Music Store

Quest Music Store

Video thumbnail for Blackstar Artisan 15 Combo Amplifier at Guitar Galleries by Guitar Galleries

Blackstar Artisan 15 Combo Amplifier at Guitar Galleries

Guitar Galleries

Guitar Galleries

Video thumbnail for Blackstar Artisan 15 (Artisan Series) by kikster93

Blackstar Artisan 15 (Artisan Series)

kikster93

kikster93

Video thumbnail for Blackstar Artisan 15 Vintage 30 csöves gitárkombó by HangszerPláza

Blackstar Artisan 15 Vintage 30 csöves gitárkombó

HangszerPláza

HangszerPláza

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers vintage rock tones with exceptional clarity

  • Very loud for a 15-watt amp, great for band settings

  • Hand wired craftsmanship offers superior sound quality

  • Versatile for blues, classic rock, and early rock tones

  • Exceptional with both humbuckers and single-coil pickups

  • Takes pedals extremely well, enhancing tonal possibilities

  • Features distinct channels for varied tone blending

  • High headroom, suitable for clean tones at high volumes

  • Can be modified (speaker swap, power-soak addition) for personalized sound

CONS

  • Lacks built-in effects like reverb, requiring external pedals

  • Stock speaker may need swapping for warmer tones at home volumes

  • Simplistic controls limit on-amp tone shaping options

  • Without modifications, may not be ideal for ultra hi-gain styles

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Blackstar Artisan 15.

Setup and maintenance

  • Stock configuration has 370v on EL84 plates, leading to excessive loudness and tube wear.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Adjusting plate voltage to 320v and adding a post phase inverter master volume improves control and tone.

    Source

User experience

  • Master volume mod disables 5W mode, but users prefer the tone in 15W mode.

    Source
  • Owners find the amp particularly impressive when used with humbuckers, enhancing its tonal capabilities.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The amp delivers a distinctive sound by using a patch cable to link channel 1's lo input to channel 2's hi input, blending the channels.

    Source
  • The perceived lack of clean sound in YouTube clips raises concerns about the amp's ability to serve as a pedal platform effectively.

    Source

Build quality

  • The oxblood tolex finish is noted for its striking appearance, adding visual appeal to the amp.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users suggest the Artisan 15 is a better fit for stage use compared to the Artisan 30, as the latter may be too loud for sound engineers.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Artisan 15's headroom is questioned for clean tones, particularly when using pedalboards with dirt pedals like a muff style or plexi-in-a-box.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

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Artist usage

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See how Billy Gibbons uses Blackstar Artisan 15

Billy Gibbons

Guitarist

ZZ Top

...
Verified via Photo

"@billyfgibbons @zztop with his #blackstar #artisan 15 #TheSoundInYourHead #TBT"

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Blackstar Artisan 15, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Duesenberg Paloma
Duesenberg Paloma Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Gibson Les Paul Classic
Gibson Les Paul Classic Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Gibson SG Standard
Gibson SG Standard Solid Body Electric Guitars
1

Community setups

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ivanyimozes

ivanyimozes

Gear IQ 226

andrew_mcneill

andrew_mcneill

Gear IQ 65

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