Blackstar DA100 Ruby 100-watt Tube Amplifier Head

Designed by Doug, built by Blackstar

Doug Aldrich is widely regarded as one of the most respected guitarists in the world, boasting an impressive career with legendary bands such as Whitesnake, Dio, Burning Rain, Lion, Hurricane, House of Lords, Bad Moon Rising, and Revolution Saints. Since 2016, he’s also been a key member of the all-star rock supergroup, The Dead Daisies, all while releasing several solo albums.

While Doug has numerous signature products to his name, he has never before ventured into the world of signature amplifiers—until now. We’re proud to be part of this milestone in his story and welcome him into the Blackstar family.

Since February 2023, Doug has been performing with the HT Stage 100 MK III valve amp, paired with a modified HTV-412B MK III cabinet loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s. Doug loves the amp, quoting “it can cover anything from buttery clean tones to the ballsiest sound you have ever heard!” and asked us to make some key tweaks, to make it his dream amplifier.

Over the past 12 months, we’ve worked closely with Doug to develop the DA100. We’ve made a series of functional and sonic adjustments, resulting in an amp that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Features

• Innovative 100 Watt valve head designed in collaboration with Doug Aldrich
• 3 x ECC83 and 4 x EL34 valves
• Three footswitchable channels
• Six footswitchable voices
• Footswitchable Effects loop with adjustable tail lengths
• Boutique clean channel with expanded tone controls
• Two hot-rodded ‘Plexi’ style overdrive channels
• CabRig with 3x Doug Aldrich presets
• Patented Infinite Shape Feature (ISF)
• Power Reduction down to 10 percent of full Wattage
• Presence, Resonance, Master Volume
• Digital Reverb with Dark/Light switch
• Speaker Emulated output with 1×12/4×12 voicing
• USB for recording
• 5-way Footcontroller included
• ‘Ruby’ red styling

 Specs

• Type:Tube
• Number of Channels:3
• Total Power:100W (10W setting)
• Preamp Tubes:3 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes:4 x EL34
• Reverb:Dark/Light Reverb
• EQ:2-band EQ (Clean channel), 3-band EQ (OD channel), ISF control, 3 x voice switchs, Presence, Resonance
• Number of Models:3 x Cabinets
• Inputs:1 x 1/4″
• Outputs:5 x 1/4″ (4/8/16 ohms), 1 x 1/4″ (Line out, Headphones), 1 x XLR (Line out)
• Effects Loop:Yes
• USB:1 x USB-C
• Footswitch I/O:1 x 1/4″ (2-way footswitch), 1 x 1/4″ (5-way footswitch)
• Footswitch Included:Yes, 5-button footswitch
• Computer Connectivity:USB
• Software:Blackstar Architect software
• Construction Material:Ruby Tolex
• Power Source:Standard IEC AC cable