Blackstar

Ian Robinson and Bruce Keir, both former Marshall engineers, founded Blackstar Amplification in Northampton, England, in 2007, taking decades of amp-design experience with them into a new company. Blackstar expanded into the US in 2009 while keeping research and development in the UK, and it's built a following among players including Ozzy Osbourne's touring band and Richie Sambora. The range runs from headphone-sized practice amps to full valve heads, all still designed in-house rather than badge- engineered. New amp launches and signature models for players like Doug Aldrich and Jared James Nichols make up most of our Blackstar coverage. Here's everything we've written.