Bogner Helios

[bonedarrell]

If the Helios is so fantastic why did Bogner wait so long to release it?

Prolly the same reason Apple didn't just start with the iPhone 5 or why Fractal didn't just start with the
Axe II w/firmware 17.4 (or wherever they are now).....that's my guess

 

[Ventura]

...or why Fractal didn't just start with the
Axe II w/firmware 17.4 (or wherever they are now).....that's my guess

Feels nice not to think about firmware upgrades

 

[bonedarrell]

...or why Fractal didn't just start with the
Axe II w/firmware 17.4 (or wherever they are now).....that's my guess

Feels nice not to think about firmware upgrades

Plug in and play is the only way for me now

No more fiddling about

 

[ericsabbath]

Anyone know if the 50W version has a 1/2 power switch as well?

I suppose it's how they're doing their power cut; if it's pulling a pair of tubes, doubtful that'd be the case on the 50W version. If it's pentode/triode switching, probably doable.

Anyone care to chime in?

no it doesn't

"half power switch – back panel
Only the Helios 100 has a half power switch, you can switch between the two while the amp is on but not
to often. Essentially two of the power tubes are turned of which also changes the impedance of the
speaker outputs. To rematch cabinet and amp you have to plug the cabinet into half the value of the
cabinets impedance, a 16 ohm cabinet should be plugged into the 8 ohm, if the half power mode is
engaged! Unplugging your cabinet should be done while the amp is in standby mode!
Does the Helios 100 in half power mode become the Helios 50? No both amps have power and output
transformers for each application with appropriate filtering."

http://www.bogneramplification.com/manu ... MANUAL.pdf

 

[Ventura]

no it doesn't...

Thanks dude. I suppose I was under the assumption there was no manual or info out yet for this unit - my bad. I shoulda been scouring their web for this manual. Thanks for the intel

I'm opting for a 50 watter

 

[ericsabbath]

I'm opting for a 50 watter

I'm usually not a fan of small jtm-like headshells, I think I like this one

I remember the "snorkler" marshall that AiC used on studio was a 50 watter
and also Jerry's first two friedman marshas
who needs a freaking 100w faceripper anyway?

 

[Heritage Softail]

The Snorkeler sounds awesome. That potential tone is one of the big things I will be looking for in the Helios.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

I can see it now...Snorkler mod for the Helios.

"Try this Helios mod that gives the amp a more Marshally snarl and upper mid bite than stock."

I can see of lots of mods/revisions from Bogner and 3rd parties to the base platform but you never know how it will play out....

 

[Ventura]

It'll go any number of ways. There's a lineup, people with cash in hand and deposits made. The product will start to ship, people will get them, people will love them or realize they're the same shitty player with the new amp and then list them in the classifieds. This listing of brand new Helios amps in the classifieds will spur a collective hypothesis that something's wrong with them; they're fizzy, there's a crackle at the 4K Hz mark; they overheat; there's a newer, better revision coming out.

Who knows.

I'm opting for a 50 watter as personally, if I can push the amp to its limits more easily than a 100 watter it'll save my ears and the rest of the peeps I play with

A cleanly designed 50 watter can be just as potent as a 100 watter. Just sayin'.

 

[rlord1974]

A cleanly designed 50 watter can be just as potent as a 100 watter. Just sayin'.

Bloody well right he is.

 

[ericsabbath]

they're fizzy, there's a crackle at the 4K Hz mark;

that reminds me of when I bought erock503's framus cobra half stack 6 years ago
the amp sounded absolutely amazing through its matched cab at rehearsal volume
one day a friend comes by with his drummer, both being huge fat fucks in a very small studio room, and they stand right in the front of the cab, like 2-3 feet far, blocking the whole thing for like 2 min while my band played a song, and then they leave
when I asked if he liked the amp, he said something like "didn't like it... it has this ~weird~ frequency in the 750 hz range... my 5150 is WAY better" (whatever amp he has at the moment is always WAY better than any other, except than his sansamp GT2 distortion pedal)

I read a lot of stupid crap like this in this forum

 

[Heritage Softail]

It'll go any number of ways. There's a lineup, people with cash in hand and deposits made. The product will start to ship, people will get them, people will love them or realize they're the same shitty player with the new amp and then list them in the classifieds. This listing of brand new Helios amps in the classifieds will spur a collective hypothesis that something's wrong with them; they're fizzy, there's a crackle at the 4K Hz mark; they overheat; there's a newer, better revision coming out.

Who knows.

I'm opting for a 50 watter as personally, if I can push the amp to its limits more easily than a 100 watter it'll save my ears and the rest of the peeps I play with

A cleanly designed 50 watter can be just as potent as a 100 watter. Just sayin'.

It takes a bit to roll a guitar to amp string of comparisons. I'm sure there will be some great single coil players that find the right Tele, guitar tone knob, amp settings, cab choice, and get it perfect. Same for buckers.

I did not hear but one type of playing with much gain in the vids. The one at the NAMM show was spectacular on the LP type rockin blues. Interested to hear actives and compressed Tele, an old Rick.. Lots of ground to cover.

One thing it has going for it is the designer. If you are a Bogner guy, you know what you are getting and the apple does not fall far from the tree.

I would like to know what some of the old modded Marshall players mentioned in the ads for the amp think of it. Like what does Cantrell say? Not like any of them would say anything bad, but will this amp ever get on a tour?

 

[rupe]

A cleanly designed 50 watter can be just as potent as a 100 watter. Just sayin'.

To a degree. I have yet to hear a 50 watter with the low end girth and clean headroom of a 100 watter though...if those thing are important, a 100 watter is a better choice IMO.

 

[ttosh]

A cleanly designed 50 watter can be just as potent as a 100 watter. Just sayin'.

To a degree. I have yet to hear a 50 watter with the low end girth and clean headroom of a 100 watter though...if those thing are important, a 100 watter is a better choice IMO.

I agree, even the Wizard 50w I had did not compare to the 100w version for low end and clean headroom. There was enough of a difference I was never happy with the 50W one. Plus with the 100W having the half power switch you get the best of both worlds.

 

[rlord1974]

Honestly, in this day and age, who needs 100 watts of clean headroom? Are you guys playing Wembley and your rigs aren't mic'ed through the FOH?

If 50 watts is not loud and clean enough, it's not the amp that's the problem - it's your hearing.

 

[rupe]

Honestly, in this day and age, who needs 100 watts of clean headroom? Are you guys playing Wembley and your rigs aren't mic'ed through the FOH?

If 50 watts is not loud and clean enough, it's not the amp that's the problem - it's your hearing.

Depends on the amp and guitar. I can overdrive a 50w Marshall pretty quickly with a hot pickup...well before it gets loud and clean. That said, the more significant attraction to me is a bigger, tighter low end. I still use plenty of lower wattage amps, but if I want "big", I plug into a 100 watter every time.

 

[Jofipe]

Why isn't the SS100 getting this sort of attention? I guess they started shipping now.. I'm very curious to hear that amp also. Seems to be in the same ballpark as the Helios.

 

[Ventura]

Why isn't the SS100 getting this sort of attention? I guess they started shipping now.. I'm very curious to hear that amp also. Seems to be in the same ballpark as the Helios.

Maybe because the Steve Stevens affiliation is too narrow in the broader scope of marketing and appeal

Put it this way (and I have NOTHING against SS whatsoever, I think the guy's awesome), I'd prefer to have a Billy Howerdel signature amp called a "naked" than a Steve Stevens' amp called "steve stevens". Just like if Bogner put out a "cantrell" signature head, I'd prefer the generic head with the same guts.

IMHO, YMMV.

 

[Ventura]

A cleanly designed 50 watter can be just as potent as a 100 watter. Just sayin'.

To a degree. I have yet to hear a 50 watter with the low end girth and clean headroom of a 100 watter though...if those thing are important, a 100 watter is a better choice IMO.

Totally agree that headroom and lowend are typically bigger on a 100watter, this is a given. My thoughts on it are:
- I can still jam fine on it
- I can't recall the last time I needed 100W for a gig
- This amp will be for recording, which means lowend isn't necessary
- Not much of a pedals/stomps guy so headroom isn't necessary
- I can wind up a 50W head easier than a 100W head, that's all I was getting at

Honestly, in this day and age, who needs 100 watts of clean headroom? Are you guys playing Wembley and your rigs aren't mic'ed through the FOH?

If 50 watts is not loud and clean enough, it's not the amp that's the problem - it's your hearing.

All depends on the application for sure. But in my old and onerous age (hold on, gotta tell those damn punks to get off my lawn again...), I just don't need 100W for this particular head. I've got some heavy hitters already. As for the half-power switch, I saw that in the manual - thanks for posting - and it sounds kinda primitive, in that it's not matched, and it says not to do it too much

Whatever, we can speculate all we want... Won't know till it drops.

 

[rlord1974]

Honestly, in this day and age, who needs 100 watts of clean headroom? Are you guys playing Wembley and your rigs aren't mic'ed through the FOH?

If 50 watts is not loud and clean enough, it's not the amp that's the problem - it's your hearing.

Depends on the amp and guitar. I can overdrive a 50w Marshall pretty quickly with a hot pickup...well before it gets loud and clean. That said, the more significant attraction to me is a bigger, tighter low end. I still use plenty of lower wattage amps, but if I want "big", I plug into a 100 watter every time.

I hear what you're saying Bill, but with that thinking, why stop at 100 watts? Why not get a 150 or 200 watt amp? How about 500 watts?...Now that would be tight with lots of low end.

I don't know; I have a few 100 watters but they never get used because they're just too damned loud. I find I can coax crystal cleans and crushing gain and bass just fine out of a quality 50 watt amp using a variety of guitars and pickups. This is playing smaller, indoor clubs and soft seaters right up to outdoor festivals. Hearing my amp is never even remotely a problem - nor is early breakup.

As with all things, YMMV.