Blackstar Silverline Special

The Blackstar Silverline may not be the first digital amp to give variable voicings and onboard effects a familiar face. But it is one of the first in a long while to make it look so easy and feel so darn fun. From its tube-laden guitar tones to its classic-combo looks and controls, the Silverline Special is a thrill to play — strumming "Hallelujah" with reverb or chunkin' out "Unchained" with gain, you'd swear you're parked in front of a tube amp. In addition to its wide gain range (and we do mean wide), the Silverline Special provides variable power tube emulation (KT66s to EL84s), an expressive EQ and ISF section, master Resonance and Presence controls (accessible by holding the Tap button), and gobs of gooey analog-inspired effects. It's all powered by a high-powered SHARC processor and Blackstar's patented TVP technology for realistic approximations of six in-demand amp tones. Not only that, but a speaker-emulated stereo output, MP3 input, and a USB connection make this combo a knockout for gigging, recording, re-amping, and preset saving/sharing.

Infinite Shape Feature (ISF)

The Blackstar Silverline Special is packed with a massive variety of tube tone, thanks to Blackstar's patented Infinite Shape Feature (ISF). When turned fully counterclockwise, ISF lends an American characteristic to your amp choice, with a tight bottom end and a scooped midrange. Turned all the way to the right, you'll enjoy a more-common British mid-forward voicing. Paired with the onboard EQ, Blackstar's ISF makes the Silverline Standard a playground of great sounds.