Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 112 Combo Fawn Valve Guitar Amplifier, (Used)

The Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 112 Combo in Fawn is a lightweight 50-watt valve guitar amplifier designed for players who want classic British valve tone, modern gigging flexibility and easier portability. Built around EL34 power valves, the St. James 50 EL34 delivers punchy cleans, rich overdrive, strong midrange character and the familiar feel of a proper valve amp, all in a far lighter combo format than many traditional 1x12 valve amplifiers.

This pre-owned Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 112 Combo is listed in Very Good condition, meaning it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful ownership but remains fully functional and ready to use. It comes with a footswitch, making it practical for live performance, rehearsals and switching sounds quickly during a set.

For players who want a serious valve combo without the usual weight penalty, the St. James 50 EL34 is a highly practical choice. It combines classic amp response with modern features including power reduction, built-in reverb, effects loop, USB audio, speaker-emulated output and Blackstar’s CabRig technology for direct recording and silent practice.

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 112 Combo is in Very Good condition. This means it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful ownership, but remains fully functional and ready to use.

Very Good condition is ideal for players who want a clean, reliable pre-owned valve amplifier that has been looked after and is ready for regular playing.

What’s Included?

✔ Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 112 Combo Fawn
✔ Footswitch

✘ No Original Box Included
✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This amplifier is listed in Very Good condition, so it shows light signs of previous use such as small marks, minor scuffs or general handling wear.

No faults or modifications have been supplied for this listing. The amplifier has been tested for functionality before sale.

Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment

This pre-owned Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 112 Combo has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Amplifier powered up and tested
• Guitar input checked
• Channel switching tested
• Footswitch operation checked
• Clean and overdrive voices checked
• Gain and volume controls tested
• EQ controls checked
• Reverb tested
• Effects loop checked
• Speaker output tested
• Power reduction checked
• USB function checked for basic operation
• CabRig / speaker-emulated output checked for basic operation
• General valve amp performance assessed

Service / Setup Work

As part of our pre-owned amplifier checks, this Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 combo has been tested to make sure it is working correctly before leaving the shop.

For valve amplifiers, we check the inputs, outputs, controls, channel switching, speaker response, onboard reverb and general sound performance. We also listen for unwanted noise, unstable operation and output issues so the amp is ready for home, rehearsal, studio or live use.

Why Choose The Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 112 Combo?

Lightweight Valve Combo Design

The St. James range was created for players who love valve amp tone but do not want to carry a heavy traditional combo. The 50 EL34 112 Combo gives you a proper valve amplifier experience in a lighter and more manageable format, making it far easier to transport to rehearsals, gigs and recording sessions.

EL34 British Valve Character

The EL34 power section gives this amp a classic British voice with punch, midrange authority and expressive drive. It works especially well for rock, blues, indie, alternative, classic rock and modern pedal-based rigs where dynamic valve response matters.

50 Watts With Power Reduction

The St. James 50 EL34 offers full 50-watt output for rehearsals and live performance, along with lower-power operation for home use, studio work and more controlled volume settings. This makes it much more practical than a traditional single-volume valve amp that only sounds its best at high stage levels.

Two-Channel Flexibility

The two-channel layout gives players access to clean and driven sounds from the amp itself. You can use it as a clean pedal platform, a driven British-style valve amp, or a flexible live combo with footswitchable sounds.

Built-In Reverb

The onboard reverb adds space and depth without needing an external pedal. It works well for clean parts, lead lines, atmospheric rhythm playing and more traditional amp-style ambience.

CabRig Speaker Simulation

Blackstar’s CabRig technology gives the amp modern direct-output flexibility. This is useful for recording, silent practice, sending a consistent sound to front of house or working in a home studio environment without relying only on microphone placement.

Footswitch Included

This example comes with a footswitch, giving players convenient hands-free control during rehearsals and live performance. For a two-channel amp, a footswitch is a practical addition and helps make the amplifier stage-ready.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 vs Blackstar St. James 50 6L6

The EL34 version has a more British-style voice with stronger midrange punch and classic rock character. The 6L6 version leans more towards an American-style response with a bigger clean feel and rounder low end. Choose the EL34 version if you want more British drive, bite and classic valve amp attitude.

Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 vs Marshall DSL40CR

The Marshall DSL40CR is a popular British-voiced valve combo with plenty of gain and a more traditional combo weight. The Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 offers a lighter design, modern direct recording features and strong gigging flexibility. Choose the Blackstar if portability and modern connectivity matter alongside valve tone.

Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 vs Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is a powerful clean platform with a classic American voice. The St. James 50 EL34 has a more British character, built-in CabRig features and a lighter modern design. Choose the Blackstar if you want EL34 drive and flexible recording options.

Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 vs Boss Katana Artist

The Boss Katana Artist is a powerful modelling amp with many built-in effects and digital flexibility. The St. James 50 EL34 is a real valve amplifier with modern direct-output tools. Choose the Blackstar if you want genuine valve response with useful modern features rather than a full modelling platform.

Who Is It For?

Beginner Players

This is a premium choice for a beginner, but it can suit a committed player who wants a proper valve amplifier from the start. The power reduction and onboard features make it more practical than many traditional valve amps.

Intermediate Players

Intermediate players will get a lot from the St. James 50 EL34. It is ideal for players moving from practice amps or modelling amps into a real valve setup while still keeping modern features for recording and home use.

Professional Players

Professional players will appreciate the combination of valve tone, lower weight, footswitching, CabRig output and gig-ready power. It is a strong choice for working guitarists who need a reliable combo for stage, studio and rehearsals.

Suitable Genres And Uses

This Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 112 Combo is well suited to:

• Classic rock
• Blues
• Indie
• Alternative
• Pop
• Punk
• Country rock
• Worship music
• Pedalboard-based rigs
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Rehearsals
• Home playing with power reduction
• Players wanting a lightweight valve combo

Why Choose A Lightweight Valve Combo?

Traditional valve combos sound great, but many players avoid them because of the weight. A lightweight valve combo gives you the feel, touch response and harmonic richness of valves while making the amp much easier to transport.

The Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 is designed for modern guitarists who need real amp tone without the usual practical drawbacks. It gives you enough power for live use, reduced-output options for quieter playing, and direct recording features for studio and home setups.

This makes it a strong choice for players who want one amp to cover rehearsals, gigs, recording and everyday playing without needing a heavy rig or separate recording solution.

Looking for advice on choosing the right valve amp, lightweight combo or gig-ready guitar amplifier? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Blackstar St. James Series

The Blackstar St. James range was developed to solve one of the biggest problems with traditional valve amplifiers: weight. Many guitarists love valve tone but need something easier to move, especially for regular rehearsals, gigging and home studio work.

The St. James 50 EL34 combo brings that idea into a British-voiced 1x12 format. It keeps the familiar valve amp experience while adding modern features that make sense for today’s players, including power reduction, USB audio and CabRig speaker simulation.

The result is an amplifier that feels traditional where it matters, but much more practical in everyday use.

Technical Specifications

Power Requirements

The Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 112 Combo is a mains-powered valve amplifier.

It does not require batteries. Use a safe mains connection, allow the valves a short moment to warm up before playing, and make sure the amplifier is properly ventilated during use.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure UK-wide delivery
• Flexible finance options available, subject to status
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

FAQ

Is the Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 suitable for gigs?

Yes. With 50 watts of valve power and a 1x12 speaker format, it is suitable for rehearsals, small to medium gigs and mic’d stage setups.

Is it suitable for home use?

Yes. The power reduction makes it more practical at home than many traditional 50-watt valve combos.

What does the EL34 version sound like?

The EL34 version has a British-style voice with punchy mids, clear attack and strong classic rock drive character.

Is this a good pedal platform?

Yes. The St. James 50 EL34 works well with overdrive, boost, delay, reverb, modulation and full pedalboard setups.

Can it be used for recording?

Yes. USB audio and CabRig speaker simulation make it useful for direct recording and home studio work.

Does CabRig replace mic’ing the amp?

CabRig gives a practical speaker-emulated direct sound for recording or live use. Mic’ing the speaker is still an option for players who prefer traditional recording methods.

Is this lighter than many traditional valve combos?

Yes. The St. James range was designed around lightweight valve amp construction, making it easier to transport than many conventional valve combos.

What styles suit this amp best?

It works well for blues, rock, classic rock, indie, alternative, pop, worship and pedal-based guitar rigs.

Is a 50-watt valve amp too powerful?

No. The power reduction makes it more manageable, while full 50-watt operation gives the headroom and volume needed for live use.

Can I try this amplifier in-store?

Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Blackstar valve amps, lightweight combos and pre-owned guitar amplifiers.