So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

[Roobaloob]

I finally paid off this beauty on it's 13th birthday, last friday. It was manufactured June 28th, 2000, and it is #717. I am really curious about the differences of the Bogner 101b through the years.
This thing is amazing, and it does every tone I need, but I almost always have it boosted. Is that okay? I love the tone of the blue channel more than anything I've ever played, but the distortion has to be pretty much dimed to get to the heavier territory. Do any of you have experience jumping the FX loop? I feel bad about running it in boost all the time. Do you think that is okay for the amp? I also get the feeling that my playing just really needs to improve. I'm not bad IMO, but this amp demands great technique.

It is also worth mentioning that I have not had NEARLY enough time to tinker with all the different tones.


So my questions are. Is it okay to run it boosted 80-90% of the time? It just sounds so FAT.

Does jumping the FX loop on a 101b do much? Also, would I jump it in series or parallel?

and lastly, What are some settings that you guys like to use if you have experience with the 101b.

Thanks

 

[Mattr4president]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

Why wouldn't it be ok. I have mine boosted just to make it a little tighter but you should be fine. Nothing to feel bad about. Adam from KSE has a 808 on all the time.

 

[Bludave]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

The newer models have a boost volume setting in the back of the amp I think(I know the new Shivas do) so you can set how much boost you get. this could be helpful but not necessary. I have mine on(my Shiva) all the time as well, but I believe the boost only affects the OD channel not the clean. The newer models I believe have a boost for each channel.

 

[Roobaloob]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?



Can someone let me know the right way to jumper this FX loop? Right now I have it in Parallel, but I'm a little confused about the M. Volume and the Mix level.

Parallel is what I want, right? Also, my gut says that I should adjust the Master volume to match/taste, and then max the mix signal--
Except that might be bad for the tubes? What's the truth about this stuff? Thanks

And less urgently: Is line out for going to a mixer or another cab?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

As infinite as the universe is the phrase Bogner used to describe it, and he's right. Tweak away.

I've used the same rig you have in your picture since 2001, and know it inside and out.

You can do a lot, but the boosts don't work in plexi mode. Plexi mode bypasses the boost function, so don't worry when it doesn't work when either the blue or red channels are assigned to plexi mode.

I usually have an EH Holy Grail in the FX loop, set for a subtle reverb if I want it.

Go on the Bogner site, and you can see the tube layout. It'll tell you which pre tubes are running in whatever setting you choose. You can also run it in half power mode, as long as the ohms are set at half what your cab is rated at. Plugged into your 8 ohm cab, set it to half power and 4 ohms if you want to knock the volume down a little.

I know you're wanting to use your FX loop as a boost. I think you can do that without jumping the in/out. Just set the FX loop level higher. I actually use it to scale the volume back sometimes by setting the FX loop output lower.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

Series and parallel loop eh.?
THAT is a nice feature.....though probably a lot of people just use one or the other...but still.!
I BRIEFLY (5 minutes) talked to Reinhold at NAMM in 2008 and then again in 2009.
I was kind of hesitant, as he always seemed a bit "odd" when I seem him in videos....but he was real easy to talk to...those TWO times.....a pretty sharp guy.
Nice amp BTW.
good luck

 

[Roobaloob]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

I usually have an EH Holy Grail in the FX loop, set for a subtle reverb if I want it.

I know you're wanting to use your FX loop as a boost. I think you can do that without jumping the in/out. Just set the FX loop level higher. I actually use it to scale the volume back sometimes by setting the FX loop output lower.

Thank you! This really clarifies it for me. I was noticing the mix was working without a patch cable. So, you have a lot of experience with the pre-2004 bogner? Mine is from June of 2000, and I hear it has a touch less distortion. I love it, and I think with this mix knob, I have all the boost I need. Any experience with a tube screamer? I was thinking of getting a holy grail as well, for a a touch of reverb.


zzmoore , that's cool that you met him. I think Reinhold seems like a cool guy.

I appreciate the responses. This amp has been a pleasure to play (aside from moments of confusion), and the tone is so good! I think the red channel is under-rated. I have the gain at 3 o' clock with an emphasis on mids and tone at 7. It's perfect. Of course my PRS SE is set up with the JB/Jazz combo

 

[Roobaloob]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

Gearjoneser, Series or Parallel?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

Gearjoneser, Series or Parallel?

I can't remember how I set it, but one way sounds too surfy and that's probably series. It's probably parallel. The FX loop on the XTC is pretty tweakable, so you can use practically anything in it and make it sound perfect.

If you bought yours used, I'd suggest retubing and biasing it perfectly. It'll run like a freshly tuned sports car, and you'll probably get more gain and punch out of it. Bogners are hard on tubes.

On the XTC, the EQ is like a mixing board. You could set everything at noon and it would sound fine. Then like a mixing board, you add and subtract.

The thing I love most about the Bogner Ecstasy is that it's like an extension of the player due to being so versatile. Five guitarists could take an XTC and all 5 would have it set up differently. I personally set it up to sound like I'm switching between a Twin, Plexi, and heavy rhythm tone. Then, the boost and my other OD pedals can take it anywhere I want, gain-wise.

If I'm in a metal mood, I can definitely dial it in for that.
On the flipside, I could dial the amp in for 3 great clean tones that would cover the Fender, Hiwatt, JTM 45 territory.

 

[Roobaloob]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

That is so cool. The last time I re-tubed an amp was by getting some JJ tubes for my el84 mesa boogie back in 2004 O_O. I had a peavey 5150 for a short time but it was freshly tubed when I got it.

I live in Austin, TX, so it shouldn't be hard finding someone to do it for me. Any tubes that you have tried that you would recommend?

 

[d1dsj]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

Awesome amp, congrats.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

That is a HECK of a lot of amplifier. Congrats!

 

[Roobaloob]

Re: So I finally picked up my Bogner Ecstasy. It's an older one. Opinions?

Thanks guys! I worked my ass off to get the money together, but I am glad I did. The tones I am getting are great! Probably should re-tube it though. I haven't bothered with the FX loop and I found plenty of distortion from the NEW setting/b2 excursion. It wont be long until I post some audio.