3 channels really necessary?

3'scompany

3'scompany

New member
I realize that I really have no need for three giant road cases for two cabs and both my heads and rack gear. If you could see my room right now you'd see three things: my amps (taking up 50% of the floor space :laugh2: ), my bed, and about 6 sq feet of open carpet. I'm seriously debating selling my rig and just going with a bogner 1/2 stack ala Uberschall.

Its only got two channels though and I'm used to having three. But in all honesty I just use channel 3 on both my amps to give a little more sizzle occasionally for some leads. Basically I spend 70% of my time on channel two on both amps and use the clean and lead the rest of the time.

So I guess my question is, if I were to buy something like, say the SD pickup booster would that achieve the same results? All my guitars have buckers and I just want to make things a little hotter from time to time. Would that, or some other good pedal, be the best way to get the desired results (meaning slight gain and volume boost)? I'm not that knowledgeable about many pedals out there cause for all my years of playing I've been pretty much just a guitar, cable, amp kinda guy cause I like just raw natural tone. Any help/guidance is much appreciated.
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

No matter what, you'll find a way to use a 1 or 2 channel amp. Even if it means going through a few OD's and clean boost pedals, to dial it to taste. That's one reason a lot of players use a cleaner OD and a dirtier one, and then find ways of combining them with amp channels. I admit, my favorite amp has 3 channels, but I could do just fine on others. If you're looking at Bogner, get the Ecstasy, not the Uberschall. The Ecstasy does so much more, and can still sound just as heavy as the Uber.
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

3'scompany said:
I realize that I really have no need for three giant road cases for two cabs and both my heads and rack gear.
Click to expand...

I learned in Nightburst's thread that bogners have the midi cable option which is pretty cool for rack gear / effects. I am not a bogner expert; I love the tones on the new Tool, Jane's Addiction, and here:

http://bogneramplification.com/

I would love to hear the bogner ecstacy geared up to sound like the uberschall clips available on the website above - I would venture to say that the ecstacy is a winner though :)
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

I'm biased, as I use one tone period, maybe altered a bit for leads, but I think running two amps like that is completely overkill, and an Überschall would be a killer replacement!
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

I've always used a single channel amp. So is it 'necessary?' Not by a longshot.

Granted, I'm using Les Pauls and other guitars wired similarly, so that gives me a 'faux clean channel' where I'll set the neck volume lower and have a 'cleaner' sound available with the flick of the toggle switch. I'll also use a distortion/OD for a lead boost-y type thing...
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

Sounds like you could do one channel! (plus a pedal set boost...)
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

(What does YMMV stand for?)

I think it's very rare that three channels are necessary. You can always just use a pedal like the SD Pickup Booster, or another clean/OD pedal to get your third sound for leads. I've never played any Bogners but I would lean toward the Uberschall, as that's got only two channels... clean and (apparently) kick-your-ass-overdrive.

Actually I saw a video of Rusty Cooley live with his band Outworld and he was running an Uberschall half stack. Aside from the fact that he's just a mind blowing player, the tone was really good I thought. Linkage He's also playing a kickass 8-string guitar in that clip.
 
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Re: 3 channels really necessary?

V!N said:
Yes, quite ..
Click to expand...


Before you jump to conclusions you should know what rack gear I'm talking about..... I'd hardly say a power conditioner and tuner takes away from natural tone.
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

Thanks for all the replies. I pretty much figured three channels is not necessary.... but then again neither is two half stacks in stereo. Looks cool on stage though :laugh2:

I don't want to go the single channel route because I want to be able to eq my channels differently (yes I know I could probably do that with certain OD pedals) and I don't really like using OD pedals. I've never used one that I thought sounded as good as an amp's distortion. But I guess that's just my ears and my experiences cause I'm sure there are some good ones out there (tube preamp pedals and the like?) but like I said in the original post, I haven't delved far into the realm of pedals of any type.

To Joneser: I've thought about the Ecstacy route as you say. I played through the an ecstacy before (El 34 version if I remember correctly) and that's what got me on the bogner trip. That thing sounds killer! Played it a year ago in a small store in Sherman Oaks. Can't remember the name but its one of the few dealers in Ca so you might know what store I'm talking about. Little hole in the wall shop with some killer amps. I really would want to A/B the two together but I play heavy music and the Uberschall is a little cheaper if I remember correctly. I don't know....

Really I just need to find someone to buy my current setup. Anyone need a bad ass looking, tour ready stereo half stack setup? :laugh2: :laugh2:
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

Gearjoneser loves to leave out the 700-1000 USED price difference between the XTC and Uber.

I agree with him, all the same.
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

Jeff Dunne said:
I'm biased, as I use one tone period, maybe altered a bit for leads, but I think running two amps like that is completely overkill, and an Überschall would be a killer replacement!
Click to expand...

Have you played much through an Uberschall? I just want to get opinions of those who have and if you've also played through an Ecstacy and how they compare.

I guess I really know the answer to my original question. Just is a pedal boost "as good" tonally as a third channel?
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

I Need 3 Channels. Its Just Easier and overall it sounds better in my amp to change channels rather than add a Pedal Boost.
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

3'scompany said:
Before you jump to conclusions you should know what rack gear I'm talking about..... I'd hardly say a power conditioner and tuner takes away from natural tone.
Click to expand...
You're right, awfully sorry 'bout that. bye
 
Re: 3 channels really necessary?

V!N said:
You're right, awfully sorry 'bout that. bye
Click to expand...


Sorry, if i came off rude....didn't mean any offense. Just wanted to clarify the situation so I don't seem to contradict myself.
 
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Re: 3 channels really necessary?

I've been spoiled by my 5150 head, Classic 50 set up.... 2 heads, a switcher unit and a single cab.... After getting used to a 4 channel set up it is a little strange going back to my more vintage single channel amps....

My original 65 Fender Deluxe and my 1982-ish JCM 800 head feel strange with only one channel... But the other side of the coin is those amps work great for what they do and with some pedals they do wonders... With the 800 and a few Boss pedals, a Blues Driver, a Comp, and a chorus i've seen them used for amazing tones... somewhat clean and clear, slight od, and singing solos all from a single channel amp and a few common pedals....

What i find i miss the most when i switch back to single channel set ups is the volume boost i get with multi channel, muti amp set ups.....
 
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