Bogner Helios 50 compared to...

[FourT6and2]

How aggressive can the Helios 50 get? Compared to my Chupa, for example:

 

[psychodave]

I don't think the Helios has near the gain of the chupa.

 

[SavageRiffer]

Not as much gain... BUT the Helios has a real good pick response so it feels like you have enough gain. With some hot humbuckers you can get some pretty saturated gain. The Helios is warmer so maybe the Chupacabra gets the grind a bit easier. It's not the the Helios is darker, still pretty much as bright, just a bit warmer. I haven't tried the Yeti, but I think it's probably a little less brutal than the Chupacabra from the clips I've heard.

 

[napalmdeath]

Helios gets plenty aggressive, with a boost. Killer amp.

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

It's doesn't quite get there. I liked my Helios 50 but it could not get heavy enough for my taste (AIC, Mastodon, etc). It is a great 'rock' amp, but beyond that I'd look elsewhere.

 

[Racerxrated]

Boost it for the win!

 

[FourT6and2]

Cool, thanks y'all. I'll cross it off my list then lol

 

[napalmdeath]

It's doesn't quite get there. I liked my Helios 50 but it could not get heavy enough for my taste (AIC, Mastodon, etc). It is a great 'rock' amp, but beyond that I'd look elsewhere.

That's just crazy. I boosted mine with a Wylde OD, (after putting in JJ KT77's), and it nailed those tones and beyond, no problem. Sure, on it's own less gain, but an aggressive boost pedal gets it there, without a doubt.

I later sold it for a simpler head, a Runt 50, and the Helios ate it's lunch, no contest.

If it were me, and I was after more aggression out of the gate, and that type of voicing? No question - Splawn.

But, the Chupa was on my list as well, I'd say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, unless you're looking for a comparable backup? What's the reason you're looking?

 

[braintheory]

It seems to me that by "aggressive", what you really mean is how heavy or saturated can the Helios get compared to the Chupacabra. If that's the case, then no the Helios won't get as heavy or saturated as the Chupa (at least based on that clip of the Chupa), it's more open sounding and not as much gain on tap by itself and it also won't be as tight or chunky on palm mutes either. But I think of the Helios as a very aggressive sounding amp in it's own right, but not in a metal sort of way. I guess it's very aggressive in more of a rock kinda way. Based on your clip, I'd say the Helios sounds more growly/hairy on powerchords, whereas the Chupa is a bit smoother sounding (but still growly), and I interpret growl as a big factor in having an aggressive sound

 

[peckhart]

That Chupacabra does sound pissed. I have been contemplating getting another amp and have a few on the short list. Might put a Chup there too.

My Helios 100 is pretty aggressive sounding. It's raw with an edgy high end bite. Growls pretty good. Very open in 70s mode but not a ton of gain. More gain and compression in 80s mode. Doesn't have a massive low end but it's pretty tight and punchy.
I grew tired of the Quickrods, but those are definitely pretty pissed sounding.

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

It's doesn't quite get there. I liked my Helios 50 but it could not get heavy enough for my taste (AIC, Mastodon, etc). It is a great 'rock' amp, but beyond that I'd look elsewhere.

That's just crazy. I boosted mine with a Wylde OD, (after putting in JJ KT77's), and it nailed those tones and beyond, no problem. Sure, on it's own less gain, but an aggressive boost pedal gets it there, without a doubt.

I later sold it for a simpler head, a Runt 50, and the Helios ate it's lunch, no contest.

If it were me, and I was after more aggression out of the gate, and that type of voicing? No question - Splawn.

But, the Chupa was on my list as well, I'd say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, unless you're looking for a comparable backup? What's the reason you're looking?

You're kinda proving my point..it needs an "aggressive boost pedal" to get there. Great amp for what it is: a rock machine that's fun as hell to play.

 

[FourT6and2]

It's doesn't quite get there. I liked my Helios 50 but it could not get heavy enough for my taste (AIC, Mastodon, etc). It is a great 'rock' amp, but beyond that I'd look elsewhere.

That's just crazy. I boosted mine with a Wylde OD, (after putting in JJ KT77's), and it nailed those tones and beyond, no problem. Sure, on it's own less gain, but an aggressive boost pedal gets it there, without a doubt.

I later sold it for a simpler head, a Runt 50, and the Helios ate it's lunch, no contest.

If it were me, and I was after more aggression out of the gate, and that type of voicing? No question - Splawn.

But, the Chupa was on my list as well, I'd say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, unless you're looking for a comparable backup? What's the reason you're looking?

Not looking to replace the Chupa or anything. I'm just a gear nerd and I'm always interested in trying different amps. I'm very happy with what I currently have. But I've never tried a Helios and I was curious. Believe me, the Chupa is going nowhere

 

[napalmdeath]

It's doesn't quite get there. I liked my Helios 50 but it could not get heavy enough for my taste (AIC, Mastodon, etc). It is a great 'rock' amp, but beyond that I'd look elsewhere.

That's just crazy. I boosted mine with a Wylde OD, (after putting in JJ KT77's), and it nailed those tones and beyond, no problem. Sure, on it's own less gain, but an aggressive boost pedal gets it there, without a doubt.

I later sold it for a simpler head, a Runt 50, and the Helios ate it's lunch, no contest.

If it were me, and I was after more aggression out of the gate, and that type of voicing? No question - Splawn.

But, the Chupa was on my list as well, I'd say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, unless you're looking for a comparable backup? What's the reason you're looking?

You're kinda proving my point..it needs an "aggressive boost pedal" to get there. Great amp for what it is: a rock machine that's fun as hell to play.

Yes, definitely needs a boost. But with one, I had chunky palm mutes and metal chug all day long. Too me, if you're a boost kinda guy, like me, it's a non-issue. The Helios will get very pissed off sounding, and the quality of tone trumps the Chupa.

 

[FourT6and2]

It's doesn't quite get there. I liked my Helios 50 but it could not get heavy enough for my taste (AIC, Mastodon, etc). It is a great 'rock' amp, but beyond that I'd look elsewhere.

That's just crazy. I boosted mine with a Wylde OD, (after putting in JJ KT77's), and it nailed those tones and beyond, no problem. Sure, on it's own less gain, but an aggressive boost pedal gets it there, without a doubt.

I later sold it for a simpler head, a Runt 50, and the Helios ate it's lunch, no contest.

If it were me, and I was after more aggression out of the gate, and that type of voicing? No question - Splawn.

But, the Chupa was on my list as well, I'd say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, unless you're looking for a comparable backup? What's the reason you're looking?

You're kinda proving my point..it needs an "aggressive boost pedal" to get there. Great amp for what it is: a rock machine that's fun as hell to play.

Yes, definitely needs a boost. But with one, I had chunky palm mutes and metal chug all day long. Too me, if you're a boost kinda guy, like me, it's a non-issue. The Helios will get very pissed off sounding, and the quality of tone trumps the Chupa.

Please post a clip for comparison. Doesn't need to be anything fancy. The clip I posted in the OP was done with the webcam on my MacBook Pro.

 

[napalmdeath]

It's doesn't quite get there. I liked my Helios 50 but it could not get heavy enough for my taste (AIC, Mastodon, etc). It is a great 'rock' amp, but beyond that I'd look elsewhere.

That's just crazy. I boosted mine with a Wylde OD, (after putting in JJ KT77's), and it nailed those tones and beyond, no problem. Sure, on it's own less gain, but an aggressive boost pedal gets it there, without a doubt.

I later sold it for a simpler head, a Runt 50, and the Helios ate it's lunch, no contest.

If it were me, and I was after more aggression out of the gate, and that type of voicing? No question - Splawn.

But, the Chupa was on my list as well, I'd say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, unless you're looking for a comparable backup? What's the reason you're looking?

You're kinda proving my point..it needs an "aggressive boost pedal" to get there. Great amp for what it is: a rock machine that's fun as hell to play.

Yes, definitely needs a boost. But with one, I had chunky palm mutes and metal chug all day long. Too me, if you're a boost kinda guy, like me, it's a non-issue. The Helios will get very pissed off sounding, and the quality of tone trumps the Chupa.

Please post a clip for comparison. Doesn't need to be anything fancy. The clip I posted in the OP was done with the webcam on my MacBook Pro.

I don't have the Helios anymore.

 

[peckhart]

It's doesn't quite get there. I liked my Helios 50 but it could not get heavy enough for my taste (AIC, Mastodon, etc). It is a great 'rock' amp, but beyond that I'd look elsewhere.

That's just crazy. I boosted mine with a Wylde OD, (after putting in JJ KT77's), and it nailed those tones and beyond, no problem. Sure, on it's own less gain, but an aggressive boost pedal gets it there, without a doubt.

I later sold it for a simpler head, a Runt 50, and the Helios ate it's lunch, no contest.

If it were me, and I was after more aggression out of the gate, and that type of voicing? No question - Splawn.

But, the Chupa was on my list as well, I'd say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, unless you're looking for a comparable backup? What's the reason you're looking?

You're kinda proving my point..it needs an "aggressive boost pedal" to get there. Great amp for what it is: a rock machine that's fun as hell to play.

Yes, definitely needs a boost. But with one, I had chunky palm mutes and metal chug all day long. Too me, if you're a boost kinda guy, like me, it's a non-issue. The Helios will get very pissed off sounding, and the quality of tone trumps the Chupa.

What boost did you like with it?