Bogner 20th Ann Ecstasy. Did you keep it/ sell it?

[Erock]

The SLO and the Helios are similar in that they both can produce a toothier sound than the XTC but they are quite different overall. The Helios is Marshall all the way and has big robust cleans and really gets that woody knock of a non master Marshall. The SLO can get that too, ( the knock not the big cleans) but it has to be so loud, while the Helios is voiced more in that vein.. The SLO gets more liquidy lead tones, but there is no need for a pedal on the Helios in 80's mode hot input. However , with a pedal coupled with lower gain settings on the Helios, you can go more over the top gain wise and get some different flavors.


Channel one on plexi input is pretty much clean clean all the way up till your ears bleed, with only a very slight amount of grit when pushed hard. Not really crunchy per se. Just a bit of grit.... Clean channel on hot input is a perfect crunch tone and nails that 70's Marshall vibe. There are many ways to skin a cat on the helios and they all sound killer...

Love it love it love it.. I a/b' it with a Shiva 20th and it was no contest..

Couldn't agree more. I've owned 2 101b and the 20th el34, and while I really liked both versions, I would still take the helios. I have another friend I'm trying to convince to try one. He's on the same ride as a lot of xtc guys. Buy them, love them, want more teeth, sell, miss it, and start the cycle again. He's on his 4th 101b that he just sold. He'll be back.

 

[Anonymous]

Had 101B for years and years and EL34 20th and 6L6 20th (which I sold to Gibson5413) and I think the 20th would be more your thing. Finally sold the 101b back a few months ago. My EL34 20th is the best all around amp I own, it does many things very very well. Played with tubes and bias (both pre and power) to get it where I like it but I did countless gigs and recordings with it and it really is a fantastic amp IMO and my number one for any project.

Got to agree here. I wouldn't call this amp a "jack of all trades" as I think it does many things extremely well.

Wouldn't a "jack of all trades" do many things - possibly well, possibly poorly?

I think you are thinking of "jack of all trades, master of none"...

Steve

 

[tonedog]

I owned three 101b's since the 90's. Always liked the amp although I found it kinda dark. Listening to my old demos, IMO it sounded great.
Thinking of either another 101b or an EL-34 20th Ann.
Is it still dark/ distant sounding? Asking cause I can get either at a great price. Any real world experience welcome.

Hey Carl,

Nice to see ya...

I have owned a bunch of Ecstasys too. 100b 101b and 101a. I have played the 20th several times but never owned one.. Having also had several SLO's including the one I bought from you, I would have to say that the Ecstacy is still on the dark side of things and a bit overly compressed to my liking.. I sell em then miss em then buy em only to sell em again... I like the XTC but always end up struggling to get the bark and bite of say an SLO or a good MarshalI. Knowing you with the Hendrix ,Trower, Blackmore, influence etc, I bet you will tire of it yet once again as well.

Get the Helios if you want a Bogner!!! I got one recently and wow! It is phenomenal! My favorite Bogner ever. even over the 100b.. It just sounds right... from bedroom quiet to full on raging high volume. It kills!!! I I love this thing!! So much so that I sold my 71 Superlead and my 81 800 is up for sale too.. If you are going for the open marshall tone but more versatile and with more features but also dig the juicy polished Bogner high gain I would get one of them over any of the Ecstacys hands down... I know where there is one in stock now from an authorized dealer. Pm me if you want..

Cheers,
Jason

I agree with this 100%. I have owned so many Ecstasys including the Cultreri 100 A and B protos. The Helios IS the best Bogner ever!!! After 6 months it remains my best amp purchase ever! This amp kills and I think you would love it Carl.

Steve Snider

 

[thegame]

I'm looking forward to when my semi local Bogner dealer gets a Helios in stock. Back to the topic, I certainly prefer the 20th Ecstasy over the 101. Big improvement IMO.