Amp food for thought
nailz100
Posts: 1,176
Paco, MIG and anybody else. I realize that it is going to be awhile until I can afford the amp that I want, but I've got some more questions for ya. How much different is the sound between a bogner Ectacy ubershall and a shiva. I haven't had the chance to compare all three and was just wondering the major differences, besides the price. Also, in your opinions is it better to go for a Shiva combo amp or just a shiva head with a stack. Basically what would sound better, or would there be any difference say between a Shiva head with a 2 X 12 cab compared to just a Shiva 2 X 12 combo? Does having the head seperate make any difference in the sound....I know that might sound like a stupid question.
Only with our eyes closed can we truly see
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
Reinhold Bogner made a name for himself modding, repairing, and perfecting Marshall amplifiers. I view the Shiva as his take on a Marshall DSL but so much more full and rich tonally. The EL-34 being very Marshally and the 6L6 model being for those that like a slightly looser bass response. Essentially this is the "simple" conventional Bogner if you will.
Personally I'd go through the Bogner users list, find out what model several of the musicians are using and listen to their albums to get a general idea. I know Audley Freed of the Black Crows was using an Ecstasy during the "Lions" (maybe before as well I just know because I saw it) tour and no doubt Rich Robinson has used them as well, he has since traded it in at Fat Sound Guitars of NC for a Dr Z KT-45.
Bogner's Uberschall, Ecstasy and (Fish) preamps are outstanding obviously but you pay for it. Honestly I don't have enough experience with them to describe all of the features. You pay extra for the flexibility they provide, kind of like the Mesa Boogie Road King, but obviously they sound different, perhaps I should put them in the same vein as say a Soldano SLO as far as tone but I'm sure someone would shoot any comparison down.
The Uberschall is the "aggressive" model more in line with the SLO.
The Ecstasy is the flagship model it would seem with all that that implies.
The decided difference is the level of flexibility, one user of the 101B has stated that around 90% of all his sound comes from the 101B, which is probably true for most Bogner users.
If you are going strictly on tone, I'd go with a head rather than a combo. It gives you more flexibility allowing the choice of whatever speaker cabinet(s) you choose and you do not have any issues with the tubes being less than a foot away from the speaker.
That's my take on it anyway, I don't know if it's completely accurate but it's what I think.
a shiva 1-12 combo with reverb. Sell price is $3399.99.
Shiva 2-12 combo is 3699.99 and the Head w/dual reverb is 3199.99
I know thats in Canadian dollars, but still. A used head on E-bay is looking pretty good right about now. I am pretty psyched about "eventually" getting one though, after hearing some of the sound clips compared to others I have heard...eg, matchless, marshall, mesa..
I think what I am going to end up doing is making the nearest trip to a Bogner dealer (3 hrs) and trying out each one until the salesmen in the store get pissed off, and then I'll say thank you and leave...and look on E-bay the next day for a used one.
Great idea. believe me, even in US dollars the price definatly is not "nice" But I think even with the sound clips you can tell the tone that's in there. Sorry about sticking you with "Bogner" to think and dream about, it's just when you described what you wanted, that's what popped in my head as being damn near perfect.
well there's that old adage, "You've got to spend money to make money"
Investing in a Bogner, is an investment in tone quality. Gigging as much as you guys are, it's an investment in the band (hell write it off on your income tax as a business expense) it will certainly improve the overall sound just by brining up the level of your tone, likely it will inspire you to play more as well. Good instruments seem to have that effect on musicians.
I remember that, that sucks, if it happened to me I would cry.
Then again, you could get a 2x12" combo amp and then find a 2x12" closed-back extension cab, and use only the combo for smaller gigs, and stack 'em both for bigger shows.
I checked out a bogner 2x12 shiva combo yesterday, looked like it was closed back open only at the top for tube cooling purposes, it'd be really easy to get a little fan and rig it to blow through that slot. Those things are built like tanks too. I'm wanting one now too damn it.
That's okay...
I'm wanting new speaker cabs now, too.
But I have other toys to buy... this studio is worse than any girlfriend I ever had.