Re: Bogner Amps
Ever since I started playing guitar at 10 years old, I've been a fan of nice amps and always had ones that did something really well, and that was about it. I got used to lugging around a gainy amp and a clean amp. I also got into tube rack gear for awhile, just for the versatility. Then I realized rack gear does a lot, but nothing really outstanding. I went through a bunch of amps basically.
When I was around 24, Bogner had just begun making amps here in North Hollywood in the back of Make'N'Music. I stopped in and plugged into an Ecstasy. I was absolutely blown away. The XTC was the dream amp I always wanted to see someone invent.
I'd always wanted a Twin/Plexi/modded Marshall all in one amp, and the XTC exceeded my expectations, because each channel was like 3 amps in itself. And the tone was no less than you'd hear out of a dedicated one channel amp. That's where all the others like Mesa, Randall, Marshall, and Fender fell short. Bogner nailed it. But being a broke 24 year old playing in bands, an amp that cost more than my truck wasn't happening.
When I was 30, I came across a guy who bought a bunch of early Bogners, and he was down to his last one.....the one he swore he'd never sell. It's a white chassis XTC from 1994, loaded with all the options like A/AB, DI, Cabinet Assigning, attenuator loop etc.
I got him down to $2175, and it was the best investment in gear I've ever made. My search for a primary amp was over for life.
I still love others, but my 94 XTC is like my right arm. I even have two different head shells for it, so I can choose which look I want....metal front or cane front. I also have cane front 412 and 212 cabs, so I can control how much air I'm pushing.
The only thing about the XTC that not everyone needs is the massive amount of power it has. But unlike most 100+ watt amps, the XTC can be tamed down and still sound cranked. Half power, switching to Class A, turning down the loop, and turning down the volumes allow the amp to still sound good at loud bedroom levels. It's not what the amp was made for, but it can be tamed.
But when it's loud, it's a god-like tone. One chord, and you'll have goosebumps.
I've been using the Ecstasy since 2000, and I've taken very good care of it by never moving it unless it's in a padded Tuki cover or HD roadcase. I'll never sell it.
