Blackstar St. James 100 2 x 12-inch 100-Watt Tube Combo Amp with 6L6 and EL34 Valves
The St. James 100 combo carries two different power valve types at once. A front-panel switch selects between a pair of 6L6 valves or a pair of EL34 valves in 50-watt mode, or combines all four for the full 100 watts. That is the headline, and it is the reason this amp behaves like more than one amplifier.
- Two power stages: 2x 6L6 and 2x EL34, selected from the front panel.
- 50 or 100 watts: run either pair at 50 watts or all four valves at 100.
- Lightest of its kind: the world's lightest 100-watt 2 x 12-inch valve combo.
- Cut selector: a three-position selector that fine-tunes the higher, harsher frequencies from aggressive extended high end to warm vintage.
- Reactive load and CabRig: built in, for professional direct tones live and in the studio.
- Switchable effects loop: series or parallel.
- Solo boost: adjustable from +2 to +6 dB.
- Footswitch included: a 6-way unit controls the boost and more.
- All-black design: with an illuminated logo.
Blackstar describes the St. James 100 combo as one of its most ambitious projects, developed over several years and continuing the St. James line. It is the world's lightest 100-watt 2 x 12-inch valve combo, which for anyone who has carried a traditional 100-watt 2 x 12-inch up a flight of stairs is the specification that registers first.
Two power valve types in one amp
The St. James 100 ships with two distinct power valve types fitted: 2x 6L6 and 2x EL34. A front-panel switch toggles between those power stages in 50-watt mode, or combines all four valves for the full 100-watt experience. Two different power section characters and two power levels come from one chassis, with no retubing and no rebiasing between them.
The Cut selector
Blackstar introduces a switchable Cut selector here for the first time. This three-position selector fine-tunes the amplifier's higher and harsher frequencies, letting you shape the overall sound from an aggressive, extended high end through to a warm, vintage voice. It works on the power amplifier rather than the preamp, so it changes the amp's character rather than just the tone stack.
Direct out and routing
A built-in reactive load and Blackstar's IR based CabRig technology provide professional direct tones for both live performance and recording. The effects loop is switchable between series and parallel operation, and an adjustable Solo boost of +2 to +6 dB is controlled from the included 6-way footswitch.
Cosmetics
The cabinet is sleek and all black, balancing modesty with presence, and the illuminated logo gives it a point of interest on a dark stage without shouting about it.