Gearank High Notes
- 2022.10: Highest Rated Guitar Amp Under $100
- 2022.03: Highest Rated Practice Amp Under $100
- 2021.06: Equal Highest Rated Battery Powered Guitar Amp
Tied With:Roland Micro Cube GX
Yamaha THR5
Roland Cube Street
Yamaha THR10II WL
Yamaha THR30II Wireless - 2020.08: Equal Highest Rated Guitar Amp Under $100
Tied With:Orange Crush 12 - 2018.02: Equal Highest Rated Guitar Amp Under $100
Tied With:Fender Champion 20
On October 18 2021 we announced the results of our annual analysis of guitar amp brands – Blackstar ranked #6.
Gearank Recommended
The Fly 3 appeared in the very first edition of our recommended list for Battery Powered Guitar Amps when we published it in January 2018 and due to its strong ratings it remained on that list until finally being out-ranked in October 2022.
It has also been on our list for Guitar Practice Amps from September 2020 through July 2021 and again from March 2022 until August 2022.
It is currently on our recommended list for Guitar Amps Under $100.
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| Premier Guitar | Shawn Hammond | 87.5/100 |
| The Gear Page | Jackstand Johnny | 96/100 |
| Guitar Songs Masters | Alon Cooper | 90/100 |
Overview
The Blackstar Fly 3 is a combo amp designed for portable use, rated at 3W and equipped with a 3″ speaker.
Weighing in at just less than 2 lbs, you can literally take this amp anywhere, and since it can run on 6 x AA batteries or on an optional 6.5V DC power supply, you can play with it wherever you want to take it.
More importantly it’s not just any generic amp, because it carries with it Blackstar’s IFS (Infinite Shape Feature), which lets you change the voicing of the amp via a single knob.
Other features include having an MP3/line-in jack and headphones out with speaker emulation.
All these features make it ideal for use during trips and hotel stays, especially when paired with a travel guitar.
As expected, it features Blackstar’s ISF (Infinite Shape Feature), which lets you change the amp’s voicing from American to British with just one knob.
The Blackstar Fly 3 is a nice portable battery powered amp for those who are into Blackstar’s brand of dirt and high-gain tones.
Specifications
- Power Rating: 3-Watts
- Battery Life: Up to 50 Hours at Lower Volumes
- Power Source(s): 6 x AA Batteries or DC
- Speaker: 3”
- Controls: Gain, Volume, Overdrive, EQ, Delay Level, Delay Time
- Input(s): ¼”, MP3
- Output(s): Headphone and extension speaker out
- Weight: 2 lbs
- Dimensions: 6.6” x 5” x 4”
Demo
About Blackstar
Founded by former Marshall employees, Blackstar has grown to be a reputable amp manufacturer with its own identity. These days, it is able to go toe to toe with the biggest brands in the industry, thanks to the innovations they introduced into their designs. Their most popular innovation is called ISF or Infinite Shape Feature, a single knob that lets you shift the voicing of your amp from American to British amp flavor, and covering everything in between. Blackstar is well received for their amps’ high gain tone, which works well with modern rock and metal styles. Richie Sambora, Neil Schon, Jon Gomm, Sammy Haggar and Ozzy Osbourne are just a few of the many popular artists that use their amps.
About the Author
Alexander Briones
I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.
