Blackheart Handsome Devil... any reason for not bying one?

[Porto Leone]

i'm looking for a fairly cheap (not used) <15W tube amp with master volume. it's gonna be used for practice, studio, recording and small gigs, mainly for electric blues. from the research i made through forums and sites it seems like the best bang for the buck is the Handsome Devil. the problem is that i have to order one without trying it first. does anybody have negative comments about this amp, or some other suggestion? and if you'd go for it, what would you choose; the head or the combo version?

[juniorspecial]

I've heard good things about the Blackheart products.

I don't know how hard it is to get gear in Greece, but maybe you could buy it on approval from a dealer?

[Porto Leone]

it's hard to get that kind of deal here, without paying a really high price. the only deal that works properly is ordering an amp from Germany or Netherlands, but if you decide to return it for another you have to pay more than 150$ for shipping.

[bluespower]

IMO
It's a great amp. I picked one up and it sounds very good. I have upgraded tubes to JJ's and speaker....... I'm hoping it can be loud enough for gigs. -> I think so.
It has nice crunch and lively sensitivity with natural compression. Sounds like the little brother to the 18 watt Marshall....... kind of / sort of. But it's only $350. US for the head.
450 for the combo and it's worth every penny if you want pure British tube tone that sustains and delivers smooth drive with some punch.

Nice "chirp" (pick attack) too.

[thegeezer]

They sound pretty good my partner has one, I am not sure it is loud enough for band work without miking.
Jerry

[bluespower]

A stuck a vintage Mullard 12AX7 in the V1 spot and it sweetened up everything quite nicely. Our next gig is in two weeks...... I'll know then. but I'm optimistic. If I couple it up with the G12H80 in my other 1-12 cabinet....... I think, with two 12's, it will be fine. I'll bring My Old flame Allen with me as well, just in case.

If I can't gig with it, I'll probably sell it.

[hudpucker]

If I can't gig with it, I'll probably sell it.

That's why I sold mine. It couldn't handle practices much less gigs.

And my Old Flame is still my main gig amp.

[bluespower]

Me too, the Old Flame can do just about anything. it works really well with the Fulltone 2. I have gone through a dozen amps, some nice vintage ones. 1965 Super reverb, 71 Vibrolux, 72 Deluxe Reverb, DRRI, Top hat Club Deluxe, Classic 30, HR Deluxe, etc. and always opted to keep the OF and sell the rest.

I would like one 18 watt clone or a reasonable Marshall type substitue. I'm hoping with the new tubes and two 12's I can gig out with the 15 watt Hansome Devil..............

[hudpucker]

Ah jeez. I had a Little Giant, not a Handsome Devil. You probably could gig with a HD.

But I still just grunt and grab the OF most of the time.

[bluespower]

A/B the two, and the OF is vastly superior in every way.
But also 4 times the money, and four times as heavy.
So there you go. For the money the HD is a very nice amp.

[Porto Leone]

i still haven't decide though... and the new Laney Cub 10 looks very tempting with the 6V6s (which i prefer vs. the EL84s) and the low price tag.