Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

[Stringer]

Hi all,

Has anyone out there compared the two? It seems there are a lot more EL34-powered Ecstasy's in the used market compared to the 6L6 models... which I suppose makes sense if people are buying it for Marshall-type tones. But the Ecstasy appeals to me (at least on paper) because of its versatility, and I'm wondering if the 6L6 might give better cleans and a more balanced output. It looks like all the the soundclips on the Bogner site are EL34-equipped models, and I'm not really close to a dealer to compare them myself. Anyone have any hands-on experience with the 6L6 model? How does it stack up against the EL34? Is the distortion as sweet and classic sounding with the 6L6 compared to the EL34 model?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

I use the EL-34 version, and have only plugged into a 6L6 version one time, briefly, since you just don't see them around. I think Reinholdt is much more a Marshall afficionado, and probably spent the most time with EL-34 amps. The 101B covers just about every Marshall tone, and then some. The cleans are the glassiest EL-34 power section you can imagine, up to a cranked JMP sound. The Blue channel is too vast to describe in a sentence, and the gain channel can be any highgain tone you desire. You just have to know how to tweak it, but once you find it, you don't really spend more time searching, like you would with lesser amps.

The 6L6 amp will have a more 'American' sound....more Twin-like. I can only imagine that the blue and red channels would exceed Dual Recs, Soldanos, and just about any other highgain 6L6 amp. Jeez, now you got me jonesing for a 6L6 version.

Really though, I think the EL-34 version sounds better, otherwise it wouldn't be the decisive top dog of the Bogner line.

 

[Stringer]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

Thanks, Gearjoneser. That makes sense about the EL-34 probably being the one he spent the most time on. A couple of questions: does the Ecstasy come with reverb (or an option for reverb)? I've heard people say that the reverb can compromise the Shiva's tone, but I don't know if there is any truth to that. Also, how much headroom do you get out of Channel 1? Does it break up fairly early?

I guess part of the fun is that perhaps no single piece of gear can do it all. Gives us an excuse to keep blowing money on new toys.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

There's a technical reason most Marshall or Bassman style amps don't have reverb, but I'm not the guy to explain it. It's been explained to me before, though.
Luckily, they have the best FX loop there is. Mine has a mix and output control, so you can control the mix even further than the controls on the FX unit.

As far as the clean channel. I almost laugh when I hear parrot info about how the Ecstasy doesn't excell in cleans. There's about 8 or 9 ways, besides EQ, to alter the characteristics of each channel, so I can get the clean channel to cover almost any EL-34 clean amp. It'll go between the sound of an EL-34 'flavored' Twin Reverb all the way to a JTM 45 or Plexi. I've put it up against single channel clean amps that are legendary, and still favor the Bogner. So much of it has to do with the speakers.
It's only negative is the price. It's a perfectly engineered piece of equipment.
I like to think of it as the 'Neve console of guitar amps.'

 

[mrid]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

If it's anything like the Shiva, then the clean channel will sound pretty much the same, regardless of the output tube. You should be able to tell the difference on the gain channels, though. The 6L6 version should sound more rounded and polite, while the EL-34 version would be more "growly." I agree with GJ about the EL-34's...they get you closer to the Bogner sound, IMO.

 

[Mike_D.]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

I have only played through the 101A (6L6) version and it is now the only amp I want to buy. It just sounds so huge. I can't think of an another amp that I would want over it. My take on the 6L6 tone is it still sounds pretty darn Marshall-like, maybe just a bit smoother.

In fact, I am going to be recording my buddy's 101A this week. I may post a clip if I find some spare time to do some additional recording

 

[seafoamer]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

I generally don't like EL** amps.

6L6 or 6V6 me.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

The only way I could conceivably make the amp better would be to divide the 100W+ power section in two halves, so you can choose to assign each of the 3 channels to either of the 2 power sections. That's the only change I could imagine wanting on the amp. I wish I was able to swap power tubes between types, with a simple bias selector switch, but on Bogners, there's two different transformers for those tube types, so you can't do it. If I put 6L6's in my amp, they'd fry within an hour.

 

[rhmcfarland]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

Can you try KT66HP's in the 6L6 version? That would be interesting to hear....

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

The only way I could conceivably make the amp better would be to divide the 100W+ power section in two halves, so you can choose to assign each of the 3 channels to either of the 2 power sections. That's the only change I could imagine wanting on the amp. I wish I was able to swap power tubes between types, with a simple bias selector switch, but on Bogners, there's two different transformers for those tube types, so you can't do it. If I put 6L6's in my amp, they'd fry within an hour.

Really? According to my amp tech it can be done though he would never recommend it. He says that there will only be a slight impedance difference but the amp shouldn't get harmed.

Btw I'm very curious about the 6L6 version. I'd say it would sound like a hotrodded Rectifier! But I could be mistaking. I have the strange idea in my head that 6L6 tubes sound bassier and smoother?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

I really would like to have a 6L6 version to play with for awhile. It would be interesting to hear all the differences. The main difference between Bogners and most other highgain amps is the girth of the sound, and the cranked growly tone at useable volumes. The sound has composure from low to high, so there's nothing lacking. It's like the difference between an Alpine surround sound car stereo and a Jensen plugged into 2 cheap speakers. My Jubilee is a really good sounding highgain amp too, but put next to the Ecstasy, it just gets stomped on.

 

[edi_87]

Re: Bogner Ecstasy 6L6 vs. EL34

Although i've never heard 6L6 version, i've listened to Funky Groove live, guitarist had only Suhr guitar, TS10, and Bogner Ecstasy EL34... F**k!! The tone was unbelievable!! It killed me...