Bogner Alchemist in action

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

Thanks! Let us know your thoughts when you do try one, even though it will be a little more wait before you can.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

Will do :bigthumb:

Any idea when they'll be in stores ?

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

I don't have an exact date, but just looking, it says 10/15 on the Musicians Friend site.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

Yeah, like Gearjoneser & B2D.....they already have Bogners but are drooling over this one.

I would imagine the Bogners they have are way better made than this one....

If it's an equal tone for less, plus you don't have to drag your "GOOD" amp around, I guess I can see the appeal.

And yeah, I would imagine the built in FX are about the same as the POD....

blah blah blah

It seems like a cool amp, don't get me wrong....I just don't get the "drool factor" .

Maybe I need to stroll into the local Best Buy w/LP in hand & treat them all to a little "Snortin' Whiskey" first thing in the morning !!!! :beerchug:

It's all dollars and cents. The 'drool factor' for most folk is the novel concept of getting a 'bogner' amp on the cheap.

I think for dudes that already own Bogners the appeal is that the amp may sound decent and allow them to get a new flavour of Bogner without breaking the bank.

I'll definitely try this amp out, and will be frank and forthright in discussing it when I do. It has potential to be a great amp, but then again, having heard other amps that are 'name designed' and built in China (Egnater tourmaster for example) I think it's very possible that it's just another average-decent amp.

Time will tell.

 

[B2D]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

Yeah, like Gearjoneser & B2D.....they already have Bogners but are drooling over this one.

Oh no no my friend... you haven't seen me TRULY drool over a eice of gear like I did with the Ecstasy when I first played one. I would classify this as eager and excited."

I would imagine the Bogners they have are way better made than this one.

All I know is that the build quality from the outside of the Alchemist looked solid... especially the cabs.

If it's an equal tone for less, plus you don't have to drag your "GOOD" amp around, I guess I can see the appeal.

And yeah, I would imagine the built in FX are about the same as the POD....

blah blah blah

It seems like a cool amp, don't get me wrong....I just don't get the "drool factor" .

Oh no... the Ecstacy is KING for me. Ain't no equal to that. The Alchemist is great amp though, with very good tones and a different take on the Bogner flavor. It's very FUN to play to, which IIRD is an important factor in choosing an amp. Do you really enjoy the sound you're producing or are you merely OK with it?

The appeal of 40/20w is a BIG thing to me. My Ecstasy is a tonal monster but it's also a volume monster too. I always play it on 50 watts, and its 100W full up, and even then it's a killer. I haven't found many heads that are in that sub-50W volume range that I've really dug playing, and this one, like I said, keeps that tone intact at lower levels.

It WOULD be nice to have another option to the Ecstacy... especially if I'm gigging in a strange/unfamiliar place. Plus, you ALWAYS gotta have a backup and I'd prefer this amp to my Carvin Legacy (which is in a similar price range).

The built in effects are nice... means less pedals on the floor and for me an amp, delay pedal, and guitar is the 'bare minimum' rig, so I wouldnt need pedals (and their associated cables and power supplies) with this.

The drool factor varies for different people. If you don't dig it then you don't dig it and that's cool. I happen to really have liked what I heard and I'm looking forward to putting one of these through it's paces at the Loud Lounge in Guitar Center.

Maybe I need to stroll into the local Best Buy w/LP in hand & treat them all to a little "Snortin' Whiskey" first thing in the morning !!!! :beerchug:

Do it. And film it too.

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

I can't get into it now, but the build quality is just as solid inside as you said it appears inside.

Also note that when is the last time you say a boutique style amp that had the time spent to have the tolex fit rounded corners without buldging corner guards. Take not eof that when you see em in person. The time was spent just as much on the outside as the inside.

As B2D said, its more about the fun factor and sound your looking for, over getting a brand at a lower cost. There's no way I would have attempted at gigging with a new rig such as this if it didn't cover the ground I needed. We consistently open for national acts and I can't really afford to sound anything less than good. Now my actual playing is another story... ->

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

There is a huge appeal factor for a 20/40w amp IMHO. To me the 40 watt max is right in the sweet spot where it will do well in a medium to large club size setting and the 20w selection would be better if you need to get it dirty in a smaller venue. On top of this, the amp seems to have great tone and versatility. Not something that a metal player would need necessarily, but it would ideally suit everything from hard rock to country. It's a great straightforward rock amp with everything a player would need on-stage and little to no fluff and all at a bargain price. WOW. Best value for the money since I bought my Vox AD120VTH heads for $399.

 

[butnut]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

Great point Gr8scott! 40 watts is PERFECT for getting the most from an amp in the venues around here. The positive vibes from the forum bros who have had the luck to play this amp is a big push for me to give this amp a fair shot, yeah, the made in China stigma is not really an issue for me as it was years ago...just like when 'made in Japan' meant cheap and junk. Another good point Andy, I recovered a few amp and cabs with tolex, even with my 30+ years in upholstery, it's not easy getting a nice fit on the corners, the front panel detail looks insane, almost impossible with tolex. I plan to recover my 4 12 cab in a very kool color tolex and for practicle purposes, I'l use the standard Marshall corners. For the head, I may add a color splash to the top wrap center panel, I really don't wanna attempt a full recover of that killer job on the head tolex...yes, I'm talking like I'm buying it, but it will really have to suck for me not to, I don't think I'll be disappointed. Just look at it!:cool2:

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

Maybe I need to stroll into the local Best Buy w/LP in hand & treat them all to a little "Snortin' Whiskey" first thing in the morning !!!! :beerchug:

Do it. And film it too.

Now THAT would be a funny Youtube video !!!!!

Film the whole thing: walking into the store like it's Load In time at Best Buy... guitar & pedalboard, roll a cabinet in ...explaining to the guy at the door what you're there for...watching the manager cringe as you blare away.

Then pack up & walk out without saying a word !!!


:scratchch :cool2: :naughty:

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

Joneser, you've got a few killer amps. What's the appeal of this one to you ?
I guess what I'm saying is, what's the appeal of this amp over any other amp out there? Low priced Bogner ????

The main appeal is that Bogner designed it, and he's one of the best amp designers out there. Besides, it's voiced way differently than the XTC, and Bogner's idea of a 6L6 midwattage amp is very appealing, especially for my single coil guitars.

I played 6L6 amps most of the 90's, and want another one, even though I really love British style amps. Also, at home, using more reverb and delay than I normally would is good for keeping the volume down. It doesn't travel through walls as much as a dry punchy amp tone.

This amp would likely replace the Valvetronix I use in the livingroom. I doubt it would replace the XTC when taking it to a rehearsal room........well, unless the Alchemist had one great tone I fell in love with.

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

Today brought it over my buddy's place and we played it today through some 4x12 cabs. Sounded great through all! V30's, greenbacks, G12-65s. Totally different good tones than running it through the Bogner 212 it comes with. So far every cab sounded good with it's own characteristics.

 

[butnut]

Re: Bogner Alchemist in action

Good to know. The 2 12 comes with a mix of the Greenback and 70th anniversary G12H, I have a V30 in and gonna grab a Greenback and 2 G12Hs, should be a nice blend of speaker tones. I have a Jensen Neo, may try and see what that sounds like too.