Blackstar IDX:100 - Combo 100W - Refurbished

The New ID:X Generation in the Blackstar World

With the ID:X series, Blackstar evolves the spirit of the ID amplifiers that helped establish the brand in the modeling market for demanding guitarists. The platform retains Blackstar DNA centered around versatility, ISF and straightforward operation, while adding more advanced digital processing, a clearer OLED display and more extensive onboard editing.

Within this family, the ID:X 100 is the most powerful 1x12 combo in the current range, positioned above the ID:X 50. It is aimed at guitarists looking for a genuine main amplifier capable of handling rehearsals, recording and live performances, while retaining the practicality of a modern all-in-one solution.

A Combo Designed for Home Use as Well as the Stage

Thanks to its adjustable power and patch memories, the Blackstar ID:X 100 suits both ambitious beginners and experienced musicians who want to cover a wide range of sounds with a single combo. In practice, its 1 W, 10 W and 100 W modes make it suitable for apartment playing, home studios, band rehearsals and live performances. This versatility is an inference based on its power levels, headroom and instant recall functions.

The combo format remains particularly appealing to cover guitarists, teachers, home-studio musicians and anyone who needs to move quickly from a carefully crafted clean to a lively crunch or more modern overdrive. The 3.5 mm line input, headphone/line output and USB audio further reinforce this amplifier's versatility, making it ready for silent practice as well as sessions with backing tracks.

Controls, Effects and Connectivity: A True Guitar Command Center

The panel remains familiar to anyone who likes to shape their tone by hand: voicing selector, gain, volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, ISF and master. Blackstar adds advanced functions that are accessible without unnecessary complexity, such as noise gate, resonance and presence via the secondary controls, as well as a highly practical manual mode for restoring a straightforward “what you see is what you hear” approach.

The effects section is one of this model's major strengths. The ID:X 100 features four independent blocks—Pre FX, modulation, delay and reverb—each of which can host an active effect, with direct parameter editing via the “Type” and “Page” encoders. This allows you to use up to four effects simultaneously, set the tap tempo, preserve delay and reverb tails, and store the entire setup in the patches.

The connectivity is up to the standards of a modern amplifier: effects send/return loop, USB-C for audio and editing, balanced XLR D.I. output, 6.35 mm jack line/headphone output, 3.5 mm line input, footswitch connection and dedicated MIDI inputs/outputs on the ID:X 100. The CabRig system also allows you to send a mix-ready signal for direct recording, reamping or connection to a PA system, with multiple storable settings.

A Broad, Modern Sound That Is Very Easy to Adapt

The Blackstar ID:X 100 is a fully digital modeling amplifier, but its appeal lies precisely in its ability to recreate familiar playing sensations. The two clean voices cover complementary registers: one is rounder and fuller, while the other is brighter and more lively under the attack. The Crunch and Super Crunch modes add body, texture and rich harmonics, while OD1 and OD2 move toward tighter overdrive tones with longer sustain and greater suitability for modern leads.

The EL84, EL34 and 6L6 response selector genuinely changes the feel of the touch: EL84 for a lively, vintage response, EL34 for more singing mids and warm overdrive, and 6L6 for a broader, tighter foundation with a more open high end. Combined with ISF, this lets you move between more American-voiced colors and more British textures, with natural compression that can be adjusted according to the selected volume and voicing.

As this model is still relatively new, its documented presence on public rigs remains limited. However, the Blackstar universe is already associated on Equipboard with guitarists such as Phil Collen, Gus G and Richie Sambora ; here, you will find the same sonic philosophy, capable of going from a pristine clean to powerful rock and then modern lead tones without losing clarity. This is an interpretation based on the brand's signature and the ID:X 100's sonic architecture.

Technical specifications

Type	modeling guitar combo.	Main controls	Gain, Volume, Master, Voice.
Effective power	100 W.	Secondary controls	noise gate, resonance, presence.
Switchable power levels	100 W, 10 W, 1 W.	Memories	99 patches arranged in 33 banks of 3 channels.
Loudspeaker configuration	1 x 12.	Dimensions	570 x 469 x 252 mm.
Selectable power amp responses	EL84, EL34, 6L6.	Weight	14.3 kg.
Voicings	Clean Warm, Clean Bright, Crunch, Super Crunch, OD1, OD2.	Universal power supply	100 Vac to 240 Vac, 50/60 Hz.
Equalization	Bass, Middle, Treble, ISF.