On September 27, 2024, at the Guitar Summit in Mannheim, Germany, Blackstar will be launching the NEW JJN 50 Plugin, Jared James Nichols’ Signature Blackstar Plugin, along with the JJN 50 guitar amplifier.
Jared James Nichols has built a reputation as one of the most talented players in the world today; a true player’s player. Jared has been a Blackstar Artist for 14 years and we’ve been honoured to work with him on his second signature model with us, the JJN 50 & JJN 212 VOC. As Jared’s career has grown, so has the size of the stages he plays and it has come to a time where his amplifier is also in need of growth. We worked closely with Jared to develop his new signature model and we’re extremely proud to reveal the JJN 50. This amp has been road tested on tour around the UK and Europe and tweaked to perfection, to deliver Jared’s awesome BLUES POWER tones. Jared has been playing a St. James 50 EL34H live since their launch (alongside his JJN 20) and his new signature amp is based on that platform.
Working closely with him we’ve opened up more of the top end of the amp to allow a wider spectrum of frequencies through. This is perfect for his finger-style playing, as it allows the notes to pop and snap off his fingers more percussively. We’ve also added a unique BLUES POWER circuit which really kicks the amp into overdrive with rich harmonics and overtones.
If that wasn’t enough, check out the JJN 50 Plugin. This software amplifier is designed by the same R&D team that created the benchmark Blackstar products lines Artisan, Series One, ID:Series and St James.
Now you can experience the same rig that Jared uses as a state-of-the-art, low-latency plugin. The R&D team at Blackstar UK spent countless hours working with Jared analysing his amp and effects in meticulous detail. By applying decades of world-class real-world amplifier design experience and knowledge, the JJN 50 Plugin delivers all the BLUESPOWER feel, tone and dynamics of the JJN 50 valve amplifier in a visually stunning, low-latency package.
This sets a new benchmark for guitar amp plugin performance in the live and studio/recording worlds. The JJN 50 Plugin comes loaded with a carefully selected suite of Pre-FX and Post-FX pedals that recreate Jared’s pedalboard setup, allowing you to get everything from screaming distortion to an expansive reverb, plus over 20 artist presets created by Jared to explore. CabRig, Blackstar’s next-generation IR-based DSP speaker simulator, has a selection of 7 iconic Blackstar speaker cabinets and 6 industry-standard microphones, allowing players to take on the role of sound engineer and get outstanding results, without any of the hassle. Exclusive to CabRig on the JJN 50 Plugin are 2 additional JJN signature cabs, the JJN 412 and the JJN 212 VOC.
