From his days founding Burning Rain to shredding with Whitesnake and Dio, Doug Aldrich has cemented his legacy in hard rock. The Blackstar DA100 Ruby, a signature twist on the HT Stage 100 MK III, brings his stage-tested tone to life. This 100-watt, 3-channel tube amplifier head, powered by four EL34s and three ECC83s, delivers everything from pristine cleans to searing rock saturation. Each channel offers two distinct voices, including a plexiglass-style tone that channels the roar of a legendary British vintage head, with enhanced midrange punch for chest-thumping riffs.
The DA100 Ruby is packed with player-focused features. Its clean channel sports a 2-band EQ, while the two overdrive channels share a 3-band EQ with independent Volume and Gain controls. Blackstar’s patented ISF knob lets you dial in tones from American crunch to British chime. A robust power section includes Master Volume, Presence, and Resonance controls, plus a power reduction switch for transparent attenuation to 10% power—perfect for smaller venues. The built-in digital reverb, with Dark/Light options, adds depth, while a footswitchable effects loop with level control integrates seamlessly with pedalboards. Â
Blackstar’s cutting-edge CabRig technology eliminates the need for miking cabs, offering hundreds of mic and cabinet combinations via Architect software. Output your tone via 1/4-inch unbalanced, XLR balanced, or USB-C for direct recording. The included 5-way footswitch, customizable through Architect, ensures total stage control, with options to tweak effect tails and more. Visually, the DA100 Ruby stands out with its striking red profile, a tribute to Doug’s daughter, Ruby, making it as bold in looks as it is in sound.
