Damn, I think I have Bogner Helios GAS!

[napalmdeath]

Man, i havent heard a bad clip of the 50, or 100. It's quickly getting on the radar for 2017's major purchase!

 

[glassjaw7]

The Helios 100 is in the top 3 amps I've ever played. For straight up gain sounds it might be my favorite of all time. It's also one of the tightest amps I've ever played but it isn't "stiff" or uninspiring. Absolutely does not need a boost of any kind though.

Recently put it up against a ton of amps -Mark III, Quad Preamp, , Mark IV, my Bogner Ecstasy Classic, Peters, Diezels, Uberschall Rev Blue, Blades Firebolt (lol), Ceriatone Chupa with MM transformers, Splawn QR with B+, 5150 III 50w and 100w, and some others and the Helios just has something special. If I could have the Helios and tack on my Ecstasy's clean channel it would be perfect. The Helios plexi clean is really nice but it's not "Fender clean", obviously.

For me the Helios has the rawness of some of the more bright and "wirey" Marshall types like Splawn, Chupa, etc but it's a much more inspiring feel under the fingers. It's not polished and refined like some of the Friedmans I've played (SS100, PT). I dig those amps too but Reinhold knocked it out of the park with the Helios. Crazy that they aren't more popular.

 

[napalmdeath]

The Helios 100 is in the top 3 amps I've ever played. For straight up gain sounds it might be my favorite of all time. It's also one of the tightest amps I've ever played but it isn't "stiff" or uninspiring. Absolutely does not need a boost of any kind though.

Recently put it up against a ton of amps -Mark III, Quad Preamp, , Mark IV, my Bogner Ecstasy Classic, Peters, Diezels, Uberschall Rev Blue, Blades Firebolt (lol), Ceriatone Chupa with MM transformers, Splawn QR with B+, 5150 III 50w and 100w, and some others and the Helios just has something special. If I could have the Helios and tack on my Ecstasy's clean channel it would be perfect. The Helios plexi clean is really nice but it's not "Fender clean", obviously.

For me the Helios has the rawness of some of the more bright and "wirey" Marshall types like Splawn, Chupa, etc but it's a much more inspiring feel under the fingers. It's not polished and refined like some of the Friedmans I've played (SS100, PT). I dig those amps too but Reinhold knocked it out of the park with the Helios. Crazy that they aren't more popular.

I havent played many of the amps you've mentioned, but have to say the Helios just seems to drip with inspirational tones, and is very rich and raw sounding. It has something i dont hear in the Friedmans, mostly in the lead tone department. Im definitely shooting for a 50 watt, the robbing peter to pay paul is already in motion!

 

[tonedog]

The Helios 100 is in the top 3 amps I've ever played. For straight up gain sounds it might be my favorite of all time. It's also one of the tightest amps I've ever played but it isn't "stiff" or uninspiring. Absolutely does not need a boost of any kind though.

Recently put it up against a ton of amps -Mark III, Quad Preamp, , Mark IV, my Bogner Ecstasy Classic, Peters, Diezels, Uberschall Rev Blue, Blades Firebolt (lol), Ceriatone Chupa with MM transformers, Splawn QR with B+, 5150 III 50w and 100w, and some others and the Helios just has something special. If I could have the Helios and tack on my Ecstasy's clean channel it would be perfect. The Helios plexi clean is really nice but it's not "Fender clean", obviously.

For me the Helios has the rawness of some of the more bright and "wirey" Marshall types like Splawn, Chupa, etc but it's a much more inspiring feel under the fingers. It's not polished and refined like some of the Friedmans I've played (SS100, PT). I dig those amps too but Reinhold knocked it out of the park with the Helios. Crazy that they aren't more popular.

Yes you nailed it. Such a great amp. Definitely a feel thing that many others are missing. Raw and open sounding with the right compression. Responds beautifully.

 

[Jdub]

Man, i havent heard a bad clip of the 50, or 100. It's quickly getting on the radar for 2017's major purchase!

Do it. You will be glad you did! I had one of the first ones, then sold it like a dummy. I now have the 50 watter and am in love with it..

 

[blackie13]

I'll help your GAS with same modern stuff...

 

[napalmdeath]

I'll help your GAS with same modern stuff...

Yep, one of my favorite bands. Henrik's lead tone is sick, but really, Thomas is the better player, IMO. Yes, my mind is made up, a 50 watter is in my future.

 

[studiodunn]

Organic, tight, heavy............is this a Wizard MC type of amp?

 

[napalmdeath]

Organic, tight, heavy............is this a Wizard MC type of amp?

Its definitely more raw and organic sounding than the BE100, and in my opinion, sounds superior for less money. The BE sounds generic by comparison.

To me, an amp that can nail VH1 brown sound, nails Aldrich tones in 80s mode, and can also play high gain with the punch and surgical tighness of Jon Shaffer/Iced Earth, where do I sign up? Its like a dream come true!

 

[mchn13]

Dammit. Now I've got it too. Thx! Haven't checked the YouTube clips for awhile, and was surprised how many heavy clips had been done. My kind of amp for sure.

 

[the4thlast1]

So the Helios is good for modern metal and tight thrash stuff like testament, lamb of god ?

 

[sixty-niner]

which one though, the 50 watt or the 100? Ive read that they are very different from people who have had both.

 

[scottosan]

Sounds great but ultimately had to move on because the clean and high gain are not foot switchable. You have to switch jacks

 

[flimz]

Never played the 50, but I have the 100. I have never been in a situation where I wish I had less watts.

 

[PBGas]

Yup...I tried one of these over the summer at one of the local shops. I quickly left the store....with the ringing in my ears....."Must Not think of Helios....Must not think of buying Helios".

what a great sounding amp!

I may have to go back and try one again......

 

[chumbucket]

Sounds great but ultimately had to move on because the clean and high gain are not foot switchable. You have to switch jacks

^This. The two best tones (IMO) were not switchable. But, I remember sending an email out to Bogner and the support staff said that they were working on a fix for that? That was a long time ago too?
For all of those that don't have a need to switch between the high gain and clean, it is a great sounding amp. Good loop too.

 

[blackie13]

I'll help your GAS with same modern stuff...

Yep, one of my favorite bands. Henrik's lead tone is sick, but really, Thomas is the better player, IMO. Yes, my mind is made up, a 50 watter is in my future.

One of henrik's best solos...

he also has a youtube channel and talks about gear

 

[SavageRiffer]

 

[zzwish]

Haven't played the Helios yet. Is the Master Volume as good as Friedman?

 

[tonedog]

Haven't played the Helios yet. Is the Master Volume as good as Friedman?

yes!