Bogner sustain question

[marvcus]

OK. Today I played an XTC for the first time. It was the 20th(not sure if A or B). The 3rd Bogner amp I've ever played.

The one thing that really got me was the sustain this amp has. I could hit a note and molest it and that note would sustain
as long as I fretted it. Not feedback sustain, but the singing sustain. Ch 2 or 3 - didn't matter. Is this a Bogner characteristic
or an XTC characteristic?

The good thing is the amp is $4000, I'd never buy an amp for that much. The bad thing is that sustain was just beautiful -- really, really impressed -- and
it's haunting me.

 

[leib10]

The Uberschall has pretty good sustain too.

 

[Ventura]

I own and love my 20thA XTC with an EL34 powersection. Gain typically allows for sustain, but in the case of the XTC, the 20thA in my case, it's less gain related and more sensitivity related IMHO. I dunno man, there are a LOT of peeps who SWEAR by the 101B and the 20thA, the latter specifically loaded with EL34s. This was NOT the stock model, which was loaded with 6L6s, but a slight deviation abroad.

There is something unbelievable about my 20thA, and ya, it cost a lot - I even got the Class A/AB switch, everything. But if there was ONE amp that can do the MOST with the MOST character (that last part is key - character!!) I'd have to say it's the 20thA XTC. Sustain, burbling decay, chewiness, raw and wet and dry and ballsy all at the same time.

And man, crank that puppy past noon??? Sounds like LSD colors in the air... Serious.

Just sayin', mine ain't going NOWHERE!!! And that's WITH my latest Mako/Fryette rig AND an Ultra coming down the pipe... No way. She's mine

V.

 

[supersonic]

OK. Today I played an XTC for the first time. It was the 20th(not sure if A or B). The 3rd Bogner amp I've ever played.

The one thing that really got me was the sustain this amp has. I could hit a note and molest it and that note would sustain
as long as I fretted it. Not feedback sustain, but the singing sustain. Ch 2 or 3 - didn't matter. Is this a Bogner characteristic
or an XTC characteristic?

The good thing is the amp is $4000, I'd never buy an amp for that much. The bad thing is that sustain was just beautiful -- really, really impressed -- and
it's haunting me.

I'm having trouble undersstanding what you're trying to say? $4000 will get you a good amp,that's what you pay for!

 

[marvcus]

I own and love my 20thA XTC with an EL34 powersection. Gain typically allows for sustain, but in the case of the XTC, the 20thA in my case, it's less gain related and more sensitivity related IMHO.

That's just it. I can crank the gain on MANY amps and not get anywhere near the sustain as with that amp. It was insane. And I didn't have it gained out. The gain was at about 2:30 and volume at maybe 9:30 and the note was together and singing - no feedback.

It must be a Bogner thing because most amps I have played (and there have been many) don't do it THAT well.

I'm having trouble undersstanding what you're trying to say? $4000 will get you a good amp,that's what you pay for!

Ha - what I meant was I am glad it costs so much so that I could never afford it! Makes it easier to walk away even though I really liked much of what it offered.

 

[reverymike]

Volume at 9 o'clock, would have been pretty loud still. They do have very good sustain.

My 101b, at 9 with the loop not engaged would be plenty loud to sustain the note for awhile though. It's louder than bedroom levels.

 

[glassjaw7]

Yeah, the XTC will sing all day with gooey goodness! I didn't find that to be true with the Shivas I've played, especially the 6L6 combo. I loved the amp, but I had to fight it a little to get the leads to sing.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Yeah, the XTC will sing all day with gooey goodness! I didn't find that to be true with the Shivas I've played, especially the 6L6 combo. I loved the amp, but I had to fight it a little to get the leads to sing.

I know I'll get beat up for this but:

I was thoroughly unimpressed with the shiva.

I borrowed one for a recording and also to check out for a while,It just did nothing for me. Different strokes I assume.

Odd because I love my twin jet!

 

[sled]

Same Gtr/PUPs, cab/speakers?

Some amps excel at this, but the gtr/PUP and cab speaker make a difference also. Recording, when I want sustain, I have several gtrs and amp combinations that I can count on. For what ever reason, a match that works... very musical and harmony rich feedback.

 

[glip22]

I own and love my 20thA XTC with an EL34 powersection. Gain typically allows for sustain, but in the case of the XTC, the 20thA in my case, it's less gain related and more sensitivity related IMHO. I dunno man, there are a LOT of peeps who SWEAR by the 101B and the 20thA, the latter specifically loaded with EL34s. This was NOT the stock model, which was loaded with 6L6s, but a slight deviation abroad.

There is something unbelievable about my 20thA, and ya, it cost a lot - I even got the Class A/AB switch, everything. But if there was ONE amp that can do the MOST with the MOST character (that last part is key - character!!) I'd have to say it's the 20thA XTC. Sustain, burbling decay, chewiness, raw and wet and dry and ballsy all at the same time.

And man, crank that puppy past noon??? Sounds like LSD colors in the air... Serious.

Just sayin', mine ain't going NOWHERE!!! And that's WITH my latest Mako/Fryette rig AND an Ultra coming down the pipe... No way. She's mine

V.

You would feel the same way about the Shiva 20th

 

[Ventura]

I have discussed the 20thA XTC with EL34s in great detail in the Bogner thread...

But the things that stick out the most with me - and MailMan was the one who picked this statement out of a 1000 word essay - "I can't make this amp sound bad". And considering it's coming on to 1 year that I've had this thing, the ONLY notion I've toyed with is slapping a set of Gold Lion KT77's into it to breath a little more shimmer into the otherwise deep and vintage clean channel. Period.

With ALL the adjustments on this amp, and 1 year later, I have yet to use all the functions available. Imagine that?? I swear, the level of flexibility with this amp is just off the charts, but the sounds from it are the "dead end" to my road to tone!! It does A LOT exceptionally well.

Peace,
V.

 

[Ventura]

I own and love my 20thA XTC with an EL34 powersection. Gain typically allows for sustain, but in the case of the XTC, the 20thA in my case, it's less gain related and more sensitivity related IMHO. I dunno man, there are a LOT of peeps who SWEAR by the 101B and the 20thA, the latter specifically loaded with EL34s. This was NOT the stock model, which was loaded with 6L6s, but a slight deviation abroad.

There is something unbelievable about my 20thA, and ya, it cost a lot - I even got the Class A/AB switch, everything. But if there was ONE amp that can do the MOST with the MOST character (that last part is key - character!!) I'd have to say it's the 20thA XTC. Sustain, burbling decay, chewiness, raw and wet and dry and ballsy all at the same time.

And man, crank that puppy past noon??? Sounds like LSD colors in the air... Serious.

Just sayin', mine ain't going NOWHERE!!! And that's WITH my latest Mako/Fryette rig AND an Ultra coming down the pipe... No way. She's mine

V.

You would feel the same way about the Shiva 20th

I need to have my accountant speak to you... You're killing me man!!

Shiva Pimp... Deadly.
V.

 

[glip22]

I own and love my 20thA XTC with an EL34 powersection. Gain typically allows for sustain, but in the case of the XTC, the 20thA in my case, it's less gain related and more sensitivity related IMHO. I dunno man, there are a LOT of peeps who SWEAR by the 101B and the 20thA, the latter specifically loaded with EL34s. This was NOT the stock model, which was loaded with 6L6s, but a slight deviation abroad.

There is something unbelievable about my 20thA, and ya, it cost a lot - I even got the Class A/AB switch, everything. But if there was ONE amp that can do the MOST with the MOST character (that last part is key - character!!) I'd have to say it's the 20thA XTC. Sustain, burbling decay, chewiness, raw and wet and dry and ballsy all at the same time.

And man, crank that puppy past noon??? Sounds like LSD colors in the air... Serious.

Just sayin', mine ain't going NOWHERE!!! And that's WITH my latest Mako/Fryette rig AND an Ultra coming down the pipe... No way. She's mine

V.

You would feel the same way about the Shiva 20th

I need to have my accountant speak to you... You're killing me man!!

Shiva Pimp... Deadly.
V.

 

[glassjaw7]

Yeah, the XTC will sing all day with gooey goodness! I didn't find that to be true with the Shivas I've played, especially the 6L6 combo. I loved the amp, but I had to fight it a little to get the leads to sing.

I know I'll get beat up for this but:

I was thoroughly unimpressed with the shiva.

I borrowed one for a recording and also to check out for a while,It just did nothing for me. Different strokes I assume.

Odd because I love my twin jet!

The first time I played one I wasn't thrilled with it. I was playing a Nik Huber with humbuckers. Then I tried a couple Les Pauls through one and it was ok.

But then I played a strat and a tele through one and was floored! IMO that amp was made for single coils.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Yeah, the XTC will sing all day with gooey goodness! I didn't find that to be true with the Shivas I've played, especially the 6L6 combo. I loved the amp, but I had to fight it a little to get the leads to sing.

I know I'll get beat up for this but:

I was thoroughly unimpressed with the shiva.

I borrowed one for a recording and also to check out for a while,It just did nothing for me. Different strokes I assume.

Odd because I love my twin jet!

The first time I played one I wasn't thrilled with it. I was playing a Nik Huber with humbuckers. Then I tried a couple Les Pauls through one and it was ok.

But then I played a strat and a tele through one and was floored! IMO that amp was made for single coils.

Yeah makes sense to me . I guess using our thrash metal guitars to audition the decidedly crunch/rock/clean amp. At the time i didn't even have a singe coli guitar to test!

 

[glip22]

Yeah, the XTC will sing all day with gooey goodness! I didn't find that to be true with the Shivas I've played, especially the 6L6 combo. I loved the amp, but I had to fight it a little to get the leads to sing.

I know I'll get beat up for this but:

I was thoroughly unimpressed with the shiva.

I borrowed one for a recording and also to check out for a while,It just did nothing for me. Different strokes I assume.

Odd because I love my twin jet!

The first time I played one I wasn't thrilled with it. I was playing a Nik Huber with humbuckers. Then I tried a couple Les Pauls through one and it was ok.

But then I played a strat and a tele through one and was floored! IMO that amp was made for single coils.

I am talking about the Shiva 20th. Completely different from a regular Shiva.

 

[Ventura]

Yeah, the XTC will sing all day with gooey goodness! I didn't find that to be true with the Shivas I've played, especially the 6L6 combo. I loved the amp, but I had to fight it a little to get the leads to sing.

I know I'll get beat up for this but:

I was thoroughly unimpressed with the shiva.

I borrowed one for a recording and also to check out for a while,It just did nothing for me. Different strokes I assume.

Odd because I love my twin jet!

The first time I played one I wasn't thrilled with it. I was playing a Nik Huber with humbuckers. Then I tried a couple Les Pauls through one and it was ok.

But then I played a strat and a tele through one and was floored! IMO that amp was made for single coils.

Interesting observation...

Noted.

V.

 

[glassjaw7]

Yeah, the XTC will sing all day with gooey goodness! I didn't find that to be true with the Shivas I've played, especially the 6L6 combo. I loved the amp, but I had to fight it a little to get the leads to sing.

I know I'll get beat up for this but:

I was thoroughly unimpressed with the shiva.

I borrowed one for a recording and also to check out for a while,It just did nothing for me. Different strokes I assume.

Odd because I love my twin jet!

The first time I played one I wasn't thrilled with it. I was playing a Nik Huber with humbuckers. Then I tried a couple Les Pauls through one and it was ok.

But then I played a strat and a tele through one and was floored! IMO that amp was made for single coils.

Interesting observation...

Noted.

V.

V, don't be discouraged to try one with buckers. I didn't spend much time with it, and I've heard great clips done with LPs into a Shiva. I just noticed that the amp became easier to play and had nice overtones and breathed better with the single coils. Even the Alchemist I played (at the same shop) sounded pretty good with an American Std Strat.

 

[glip22]

Yeah, the XTC will sing all day with gooey goodness! I didn't find that to be true with the Shivas I've played, especially the 6L6 combo. I loved the amp, but I had to fight it a little to get the leads to sing.

I know I'll get beat up for this but:

I was thoroughly unimpressed with the shiva.

I borrowed one for a recording and also to check out for a while,It just did nothing for me. Different strokes I assume.

Odd because I love my twin jet!

The first time I played one I wasn't thrilled with it. I was playing a Nik Huber with humbuckers. Then I tried a couple Les Pauls through one and it was ok.

But then I played a strat and a tele through one and was floored! IMO that amp was made for single coils.

Maybe this is why the amp sounds great on my neck pickup or split.

 

[SQUAREHEAD]

I own and love my 20thA XTC with an EL34 powersection. Gain typically allows for sustain, but in the case of the XTC, the 20thA in my case, it's less gain related and more sensitivity related IMHO. I dunno man, there are a LOT of peeps who SWEAR by the 101B and the 20thA, the latter specifically loaded with EL34s. This was NOT the stock model, which was loaded with 6L6s, but a slight deviation abroad.

There is something unbelievable about my 20thA, and ya, it cost a lot - I even got the Class A/AB switch, everything. But if there was ONE amp that can do the MOST with the MOST character (that last part is key - character!!) I'd have to say it's the 20thA XTC. Sustain, burbling decay, chewiness, raw and wet and dry and ballsy all at the same time.

And man, crank that puppy past noon??? Sounds like LSD colors in the air... Serious.

Just sayin', mine ain't going NOWHERE!!! And that's WITH my latest Mako/Fryette rig AND an Ultra coming down the pipe... No way. She's mine

V.

Agreed Ventura, completely! Except I've had two Bogner Xtcy 100B's (EL34's) for almost 20 years each - they still just floor me - esp when I play thru someone else's rig, then plug back into the Bogner.
EVERYTHING just "feels" right.
Many times I'll be playing somwhere with the amp on the floor and my cabs side stage - NEVER a night goes by without numerous guys coming up in a break or after "What the hell are you playing thru, man"?

They seldom comment on my playing.... hehehe - just the tone "Where are all your pedals"? me - "Oh- just that T Rex delay... that's it"

Keith

ps/// How does the 20th compare to the 101B, Ventura?

Take care,