Amp It Up – HomeToneBlog.com

22nd July 202619th July 2026

First Impressions: Blackstar TV-10A Amp Head

I recently bought a Blackstar TV-10A amp head.

This is a photo of three guitar amplifier heads, stacked on top of each other.

On top is the Blackstar TV-10A amp. In the middle of the stack is the Blackstar Debut 100RH amp. And on the bottom of the stack is the Marshall JTM Studio amp.

It's quite striking how much smaller the Blackstar TV-10A amp is. It's maybe 80% of the width of the other two amps, making it very compact.

The TV-10A also features a very white tolex, which is quite a contrast to Blackstar's more usual cream tolex used on the Debut 100RH and many of their older amps. — Blackstar TV-10A, with Blackstar’s Debut 100RH and Marshall’s JTM Studio amp heads for size comparison.

What do I think of it? Read on for my First Impressions.

21st July 202615th July 2026

#TweedTone: Validating My 2026 Tweed Deluxe Signal Chain … By Using A Pedal Platform Amp Instead

Last week, I posted my latest signal chain for recording my Tweed Deluxe amp. Buried in there, I mentioned that I’ve also tested it by using other amps too.

I want to share those results with you.

14th July 202613th July 2026

#TweedTone: Dialling In Two 5e3 Tweed Deluxe Reference Tones For 2026

It’s that time of year again, where I have another go at building a signal chain to capture a reference tone for my beloved 5e3 Tweed Deluxe amp.

This time though – as the post’s title suggests – things are a bit different. Instead of one reference tone, I’ve built a couple of them. Let me explain why …

3rd July 20263rd July 2026

New Arrivals: June 2026

This month has been new amp month … just not the amp that I originally planned to buy.

6th June 20266th June 2026

First Impressions: Marshall Studio JTM 20 Head

I’ve just picked up a Marshall Studio JTM 20 ST20H amplifier.

My Studio JTM head, in the shop at AStrings.co.uk.

What do I think of it? Read on for my First Impressions.

6th April 20265th April 2026

Studio Diary #64: Chasing The Amp That Got Away

‘Studio Diary’ is an occasional series where I talk about building a home recording setup for hobbyists and enthusiasts like us. I share my personal experiences, and the thinking behind some of the decisions that I’ve made along the way.

Many of us have tales of “the one that got away” … a guitar or an amp that we’ll always regret not buying at the time. This is one of those tales, and the story of how I’ve recently reproduced something similar in my Axe-FX 3.

And it’s all thanks to That Pedal Show.

28th February 202618th February 2026

New Arrivals: February 2026

Real life (and my work on the upcoming Marshall Origin 20H long-term review) doesn’t leave much time for exploring new (to me) gear at the moment.

So I’m trying to be sensible, and only pick up gear that solves a problem, helps me with the Marshall Origin 20H review, or is just too good an opportunity to pass on.

3rd February 20262nd February 2026

First Impressions: Using The KAT Load*Star Speaker Attenuator With My 5e3 Tweed Deluxe Amp

I recently bought a KAT Load*Star speaker attenuator, to use with my 5e3 Tweed Deluxe amp.

The KAT Load*Star Speaker Attenuator, sat on top of my Fender ’57 Custom Deluxe amp.

I’ve only had this for 24 hours, and it’s already in the running to be my best purchase of 2026. Why? Read on for my first impressions.

1st February 202631st January 2026

#CoffeeAndKlon 43: Winter NAMM 2026

#CoffeeAndKlon is my (irregular!) Sunday morning magazine series, where I talk about whatever’s on my mind right now. There’s always coffee, and there’s normally chat about the Klon and its many competitors.

This week, I want to talk about the new products that were announced at (or around) Winter NAMM 2026 that I’m very interested in … and the ones that I wish had been.

31st January 202629th January 2026

New Arrivals: January 2026

This month, I’ve mostly been looking at gear to solve problems I’ve run into (or questions that I want to answer) for my upcoming Marshall Origin 20H long-term review.