NAMM 2019: Blackstar Amps has teamed up with US bluesman Jared James Nichols on a new signature head and cab, dubbed the JJN-20R.
The two-channel amp is flavoured by a combination of two EL84 valves in the power stage and an ECC83 in the preamp. There are clean and overdrive channels, with a footswitchable 'BLUESPOWER' voicing (a reference to Nichols' self-ascribed tagline). In addition, there are some studio/practice friendly features, including built-in reverb, plus the option to reduce the power to 2-watts, not to mention USB audio and XLR DI outs.
There's also an accompanying 2x12 vertical cab, the JJN-212VOC MkII, which has been matched to the head and comes in a complementary Racing Green tolex, featuring two Celestion speakers, a V-Type and G12T-75. There's also an easily detachable panel at the rear of the cab to allow players the option of closed-back and 'semi-open back' tones.
The signature head and cab are offered as a limited edition and by the look of it should tread a similarly fine line between vintage rawness and modern power as the man himself.
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NAMM 2019 - all the news
The dust is settling, but our ears are still ringing. You'll find all the stories that counted in our massive news hub. Below, enjoy our editors' findings as we regrouped at the end of the show.
![Justin Hawkins [left] of the Darkness plays an open G on his offset electric and closes his eyes as he performs onstage; soul-reggae icon Johnny Nash [right] frets a chord on his acoustic and wears a patched denim jacket.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hWzCjD9ZWQiPPjMtTWiFfa-840-80.jpg.webp)
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