Bogner Ecstacy 101B Differences Between New and Old Models?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dead-pan
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dead-pan

dead-pan

Well-known member
I have thought about selling this amp a few times.

This is from around 2000.

Once this thing is setup right it is amazing. A quick clip of the Red channel boosted with a KOT. Maybe too much gain but hey...



Anyone have experience with the new production models?

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I have a 101b from 2019 but haven’t played an older version so have nothing to compare it to. I thought I saw mention of a change post-2004, which made the red channel a little more compressed, tighter and gainier? Not sure there have been any other official revisions since then but I suspect Bogner could confirm. For what it’s worth, my 101b sounds and feels exactly as I’d expected a 101b to sound/feel once I’d worked out the controls and how to dial it in.
 
Jimty said:
I have a 101b from 2019 but haven’t played an older version so have nothing to compare it to. I thought I saw mention of a change post-2004, which made the red channel a little more compressed, tighter and gainier? Not sure there have been any other official revisions since then but I suspect Bogner could confirm. For what it’s worth, my 101b sounds and feels exactly as I’d expected a 101b to sound/feel once I’d worked out the controls and how to dial it in.
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I have read there are potentially different transformers used also.

I haven't heard the wild stories of differences in Ecstacy models like I hear with the Uberschall.

Geo said:
Don't sell unless you need a kidney.
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Maybe a good marker for a decision. :)

TheGreatGreen said:
Yep. Keep that amp.
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It is one of those amp that has so many options it is easy to make is sound bad for any one situation.

Once one knows the amp it is quite versatile.

This is the one amp I pretty much have an instant buyer for if I need the cash.

As I have an aversion to selling anything it is a struggle. Might just keep it.
 
I have a 2023 101A model. On the inside there's a bunch of WIMA caps, but it sounds similar to yours if I boost the red channel. It's a great amp.
 
This one amps that I have never owned....And definitively intend to in the future. It sounds frighteningly good in this video, and I was shocked at how well it handled metal rhythm tones (4:55 and 10:55), thick and grindy:

 
I've never played a Bogner, but how do they compare to a Friedman BE100?
 
I have had a 1996 and 2008 Ecstasy. Both 101b's. I really dug both; blue channel, which is my fave on that amp is stellar on either. I do prefer the pre-2004 red channel though.

Ya, don't sell your Ecstasy if you don't have to. They really are one of the very best channel switcher out there in tone, feel and flexibility.

I sold my 1996 101b a couple years ago, but really missed it soon after. I recently picked up a 1997 101b, which sounds just as awesome and I don't see myself letting this one go.
 
I have an early 2000s 101B I’ll never sell. I had a classic 20 years ago and sold it, regretted it ever since.
 
learned from too many fails. If you love an amp, don't get the "upgrade" unless you can keep both, then decide. Sometimes more isn't better.
 
mentoneman said:
Keith @SQUAREHEAD

do you remember which tracks these guys used the Bogners on?



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Hey Brother!

Quote from George:

Guitars on this record were not recorded with a largely different variety of gear. The primary amp involved for much of the recordings was a '67 Park 50-watt head on loan from Marshall's Richie Fliegler, lent from the Marshall Museum. Fliegler had recommended this as being the best sounding Marshall ever. Again, this was the primary amp used.

Along with that head was an incredible early Bogner prototype that would become the Ecstacy model. At the time, there was only one and it wasn't for sale. "I was fortunate enough to get my hands on it and meet with him, and he was nice enough to let me use it for a couple of weeks," George recalls. Also on hand but barely used was a '72 Marshall Super Lead. A very early version of the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier was used for rhythm overdubs rarely here and there. These amps ran through four Genz Benz 4x12 cabinets that were loaded with fane or Celestion speakers.

George’s guitar tech (Gerry) did say that the Bogner was used ‘with’ the (Marshall) on pretty much every track on the album, but he did confirm a few songs where the Bogner was used exclusively:

Love Power From The Mama Head
The Beast Part I & II
Cry Of The Brave
Not Necessary Evil

this album is my personal favourite for juicy George Lynch tones.
For me, it’s like comparing Wicked Sensation to Van Halen I , and Sacred Groove to Van Halen II. 😉👍
 
Yeah, Sacred Groove is his masterpiece.
I hear more Marshall with a boost on the leads but it seems like he's got everything in there otherwise.
 
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