New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

JordanM82

JordanM82

New member
So I ordered a new amp, a Bogner Alchemist, and true to the reviews of quality issues for the amp. It showed up at my door and the "crunch" setting on the amp flat out does not work.

Frankly said, I'm pissed and disheartened... Now musicians friend has been great, they are willing replace or refund me with no hassle and even pay me back my shipping fees. However, I am not sure I want another one now that it held true to the rumors. Am I just being a baby here or should I just go with a Blackstar HT 40 instead (or something like that)...


Jordan
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

Nothing huh? Anyone got some advice on an alternative amp with similar features?
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

Line 6 and tubes just don't mix it seems. The Alchemist combo I played in a store sounded cool, but that monster open back cabinet was very top heavy. The giant cab seems to have no purpose with the open back except to stagger the 12's, and I don't know how much advantage that really is...
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

It could have been a minor thing like a bad switch or something, but I agree that it doesn't give you much confidence in the amp.

I just tried one of the new Line 6 DT25 heads a few days ago and was really impressed. They also have the bigger DT50. They're the best modeling/tube hybrid amps I've ever plugged into. $900
http://line6.com/dt25/

And yeah, Blackstar is a good viable option for similar money.
 
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Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

Were you looking for a head or combo? Style? You gigging? What are you looking for?
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

trevorus said:
Line 6 and tubes just don't mix it seems. The Alchemist combo I played in a store sounded cool, but that monster open back cabinet was very top heavy. The giant cab seems to have no purpose with the open back except to stagger the 12's, and I don't know how much advantage that really is...
Click to expand...

Yeah it is enormous and heavy, but man the lead channel sounds amazing with my Strat, probably the best my Strat has ever sounded... but I need an amp that is reliable and I feel like the bogner won't cut it in that regard...

So I am considering the Blackstart HT-40 (but it doesn't have a 20W mode which I would need for certain gigs). Also I am looking at the Hughes & Kettner 18w tubemeister which seems pretty awesome... but it's EL-84's and I really wanted 6L6's or El-34's...

Line6 amps sucks, with the exception of their POD's I will never consider anything from them again... not even when it has the Bogner name on it...
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

That's really the issue. I don't consider it a Bogner amp, just a Bogner design. Who builds it and how matter a TON on reliability. If you do go Blackstar HT-40, you could get it modded with a triode/pentode switch. That would bring the wattage down a bit for those sorts of gigs. Or just grab a Weber attenuator.
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

Sorry to hear about the B.A.D., Jordan.

Have you considered a Fender Super-Sonic 22. If I am not mistaken most of what you do will always be mic'd in a large room. Don't underestimmate the 22W blast.
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

Lazarus1140 said:
Sorry to hear about the B.A.D., Jordan.

Have you considered a Fender Super-Sonic 22. If I am not mistaken most of what you do will always be mic'd in a large room. Don't underestimmate the 22W blast.
Click to expand...

I will take a look at that, I hadn't considered it yet. I am totally okay with 22W honestly, just that most of the lower wattage amps seem to be EL-84 based which I tend to find I am much less keen on then 6L6 or EL-34.... But 22W would def. be loud enough for me.

In fact I am considering the 18W Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister...
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

mwalluk said:
Were you looking for a head or combo? Style? You gigging? What are you looking for?
Click to expand...

Definitely a combo, gigging in church setting on Sundays and playing some bar gigs with some friends here and there.... but all small venues, also doing studio work (but don't always need my amp for that there are usually amps there that are better then what I own).

Portability is nice but I prefer tone. I tend I gravitate towards EL-34 amps when I listen to amps I really like...
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

Lazarus1140 said:
Sorry to hear about the B.A.D., Jordan.

Have you considered a Fender Super-Sonic 22. If I am not mistaken most of what you do will always be mic'd in a large room. Don't underestimmate the 22W blast.
Click to expand...

Just a bit pricey... man that is nice tho...
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

Looks like a Blackstar HT-20 may be at the top of my list right now... gonna check out the traynor on PTM's advice too now...
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

Truthfully, the Bogner Alchemist is probably perfect for what you want. It has built-in effects which makes it ideal for a "grab and go" amp. The only thing is the portability, given it's a Bogner and weighs 65 lbs for the 1x12 combo. I agree there's been many reported issues with the Alchemist line, but I never had any with mine. It was reliabile and well built. I ended up selling it and bought a Bogner Shiva, but I still think about the Alchemist. It really was a great "grab and go" amp. With the amazing prices they are at MF, I might just pull the trigger and keep it along with the Shiva.
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

trevorus said:
...but that monster open back cabinet was very top heavy. The giant cab seems to have no purpose with the open back except to stagger the 12's, and I don't know how much advantage that really is...
Click to expand...

FYI - the Alchemist 2x12 cab is the same as the Goldfinger 2x12, but made overseas which drops the price significantly. I honestly like the sound of open backs, but have never tried an oversized 2x12 open back. I think Bogner's design is to have a "responsive low end, balanced with shimmering highs, sweet vintage full mid-range and a large sonic spread with our open back design".
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

speed2dirt said:
Truthfully, the Bogner Alchemist is probably perfect for what you want. It has built-in effects which makes it ideal for a "grab and go" amp. The only thing is the portability, given it's a Bogner and weighs 65 lbs for the 1x12 combo. I agree there's been many reported issues with the Alchemist line, but I never had any with mine. It was reliabile and well built. I ended up selling it and bought a Bogner Shiva, but I still think about the Alchemist. It really was a great "grab and go" amp. With the amazing prices they are at MF, I might just pull the trigger and keep it along with the Shiva.
Click to expand...

The amp I really want is a Shiva, but it's just not in the cards right now from a $$$ perspective... Someday tho I hope. I liked the bogner, but I think I am jaded now...
 
Re: New Amp Day - Broken Amp Day

Might also want to look at the Jet City's.
I have a JCA 22H and absolutely love mine!
Dirt cheap rig that sounds absolutely fantastic!
 
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