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Blackstar HT-DUAL Pure Valve Distortion

^# 50

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$50.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (37)

6 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Blackstar HT Series HT-DUAL

3 community setups

12 wishlisted

78 saved

Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 1, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (18)

$50.00 15 available Used

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Average Price: $50

Budget/Beginner

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, Blackstar HT-DUAL Pure Valve Distortion is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unleash the raw power and nuanced versatility of your guitar with the Blackstar HT Series HT-DUAL Tube Dual Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal. Designed for the discerning guitarist, this pedal offers an expansive range of tones, from subtle overdrive to full-on distortion, all while maintaining the integrity of your instrument's natural sound. With its dual-channel setup and the warmth of a genuine 12AX7 tube, the HT-DUAL allows for effortless switching between rhythm and lead tones, making it a perfect tool for metal guitarists and anyone looking to add depth and character to their sound without losing clarity.

Key Features:

Dual-channel operation for seamless switching between overdrive and distortion modes.
Integrated 12AX7 tube for authentic valve-driven tone.
Three-band EQ for precise tone shaping.
Ideal for genres requiring distinct rhythm and lead tones, such as thrash, speed, and black metal.
Robust build quality designed for the rigors of touring and studio sessions.

Product specs

Brand	Blackstar
Model	HT-Dual
Finish	Black
Year	2000s
Made In	United Kingdom
Categories	Distortion Pedals, Overdrive and Boost Pedals

FAQs

What type of power supply does the Blackstar HT-DUAL require?: The Blackstar HT-DUAL requires a 16V DC power supply, which is included with the pedal, to power its valve-driven circuitry for optimal performance.
Can the Blackstar HT-DUAL be used with both clean and overdriven amp settings?: Yes, the HT-DUAL is designed to enhance both clean and overdriven amp settings, providing a range of distortion tones that can suit various musical styles.
Is the Blackstar HT-DUAL suitable for live performances?: The Blackstar HT-DUAL is well-suited for live performances, offering robust construction and versatile distortion tones that can cut through in live settings.
Does the Blackstar HT-DUAL work well with both humbuckers and single-coil pickups?: Yes, the HT-DUAL is compatible with both humbuckers and single-coil pickups, delivering rich distortion tones across different guitar types.
How does the Blackstar HT-DUAL differ from other distortion pedals?: The HT-DUAL features a unique valve-driven design that provides authentic tube distortion, offering a more dynamic and responsive tone compared to many solid-state distortion pedals.

Videos

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ThomasSchuber

GearGossip Blackstar HT Dual Pedal Review

ThomasSchuber

Blackstar Ht Dual Distortion Pedal Demo

Robert Baker

Blackstar HT-DUAL Distortion Pedal

N Stuff Music

Blackstar HT DUAL

Jon is just TOO LouD!!

Blackstar HT-DUAL Tube-Driven Overdrive Pedal | LOADED With Features | You GOTTA Hear This Thing!

Robert Jackson

Blackstar HT Dual Pedal Demo

Easy Music Center

blackstar HT DUAL | pedal review

Guitar Feed

Blackstar HT Dual Pedal - Turn your one channel amp into 3 channels

Dave Barlow

Blackstar HT-DUAL

JAM's Factory 1996

Blackstar ht dual

Joakim Axelsson

Reviews

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PROS

Versatile tone suitable for funk, rock, jazz, & metal
Tube-driven for quality tone in clean and crunch
ISF control for switching between British and American sounds
Dual channels for easy gain staging and distinct clean/distortion settings
Solid build and heavy-duty components
Can be used with low gain and volume for warm sound
Effective even with solid state amps for warm tube sound

CONS

Heavy and bulky
Power supply compatibility issues with some pedalboards
Single EQ for both channels limits versatility
Emulated output less effective, not ideal as a DI out
Requires specific power supply voltage (18v, 16v, or 22v), complicating setup

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Blackstar HT-DUAL Pure Valve Distortion.

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Reducing valve voltage and adding ventilation holes improve reliability by preventing overheating.
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Users suggest caution when opening the pedal due to high internal voltages that could pose safety risks.
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User experience

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Overheating can dry out volume and gain pots, causing unpredictable live performance issues.
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Some users find it difficult to control gain levels, even after tube swaps.
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Features and functionality

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Both channel lights staying on and buttons not responding indicate potential electrical issues beyond the PCB.
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The LED under the tube is designed to mimic a tube glow, enhancing visual appeal without affecting the actual circuitry.
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The pedal operates on a unique 22V/2.1A power supply, indicating the presence of a real tube circuit rather than a dummy.
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Swapping tubes can alter the pedal's tone, demonstrating the tube's integral role in the sound design.
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Comparisons

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Although the HT-DUAL has high gain, it's considered more versatile than the HT Dual Metal, which is suited for heavy, detuned metal.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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Regular servicing may involve replacing pots and modifying the pedal for better airflow.
Source
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It's recommended to replace the tube if the pedal stops working, as this often resolves functional issues.
Source

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 37 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

ryanrbrown

141

over 9 years ago

I love it, Blackstar just can be a pain sometimes.

Despite some of the issues I have had, this still remains one of my favorite pedals I have owned. I have a solid state amp so being able to get that warm tube sound from this pedal pairs so well with my amp. It's got an amazing crunch channel and the overdrive is super cutting and really rips. I have owned 2 of these in my time, the first one had some sort of electronic defect on one of the boards and it died on me. The second one I now have is still chugging but the 16v or 22v power supplies (depending on the model you get) are a pain in the butt. Despite this the pros outweigh the cons and I still think the tone I get from it is pretty amazing and that's why I put up with it. It has definitely shaped and influenced my sound and style!

andreyakladov

148

almost 3 years ago

Love it

Sounds just great, all 3 channels. Crunch and distortion sounds are outstanding! US to UK sound control is extremelly useful and does exactly what it should do, can play any style, extremelly versatile.

Emulated output is not that good due advanced age of the pedal I believe, but it’s there just in case. Non-standard voltage and power adapter is a minus.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

I have installed Mesa Enginering’s tube and it sounds just increadible, definitely recommend to try!

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Funk / Soul Metal

From Gear Setup

phil_isix

751

about 9 years ago

This one is the best I've ever had and played on ! Great Blackstar (5 stars)

Left switch equals to clean channel , right one is the dirty channel from distortion until METAL !!!! This pedal is also playable at a very low gain and volume with an electro-acoustic guitar to get a warm sound and it's cool ! but under this very heavy and strong pedal, the engine is sleeping and waits for your fingers to tweak every button, and that you press left or right to get the channel you want. Be careful with this one the sound becomes more and more sot or aggressive, don't forget it's a TRUE VALVE ECC83/12AX7 that completely changes the power and and the shape with the ISF button if you desire to get British or American sounding, it's a pure beauty and fury !!! great sounds I use it with a Fender Twin Reverb and Mesa Boogie Mark III and V and Bugera 333 / 6262 / Trirec .... never heard this before , every note is carefully reproduced without forgetting anything, don't touch too much the valve after playing you can be burned by it, like 6.35 jacks after playing a long time on tube power amps. Chanel one (lft knob) Crunch is very good and second chanel (rgt knob) is killer sound to soft distorsion to metal ones. Be careful voltage is 22 volts it is high one. You can change the "EHX 12AX7" with "JJ NN003 ECC83S" or "TAD12AT7" , I tested the JJ ones and did not remark a great difference but I prefer the Sovtek EHX ones they seem to be clearest and brightest , this is my opinion, not yours, experiment. These are pre amps valves and not amplification one don't be confused !!!

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Rock Pop Folk, World, & Country

brandon_adams

110

about 11 years ago

Great, versatile distortion pedal

I got this pedal back when Blackstar only made pedals -- not the amps which I'm not particularly a fan of -- and I was intrigued by the concept of a valve-driven pedal. Not surprisingly, it sounds much fuller and fatter than just about any other distortion pedal I've used. That being said, it has a very distinct sound that doesn't exactly try to be anything else (no emulation or modeling here, really, whether that's on purpose or not). It has great medium to high gain settings, hovering somewhere between the tone of the old 5150's and the Mesa Boogie Mark IV, but almost more compressed and chunky with some settings. I use this all the time for rhythm and leads, and it works great when paired with overdrive or boost pedals to get a super-saturated sound.

noizefreak

11 years ago almost 11 years ago

How did i make a mistake

happymattress

200

about 10 years ago

Tube Terror

I was lucky enough to be given this for free! (A friend of mine replaced it with a Fulltone OCD for some reason) so that's a plus. It has two useful distortion settings, one of which I use for semi-transparent overdrive and the other is to blow my band mate's ear drums when they least expect it. It's a very high quality pedal and produces warm tubey goodness, it does require a 18v power supply so that shook my board up a bit...