bognerman":1hsqe5k9 said:
Just received it about two weeks ago...and still totally trying to figure this amp out
Anyway, so far it seems like the best tone I've had (where I didn't get lost in the mix)
was with the FAT switch on with the BE mode. The other switches and settings
didn't have as pronounced a difference as that FAT switch.
I've been playing with a Bogner V30's 4x12, but have a Friedman cab on order waiting
for my final speaker choice. So far I'm "guessing" on the Scumback mix. Advice??
The V30's seem a bit raspy on the high end with this amp.
The SS100 has also caught my eye---as someone coming from Bogners for a very long time,
which do you think I'd be more comfortable with? BE or SS100 ?
Also curious to know what settings other people are using.
Congrats on the amp man! I actually have a 71' that Dave modded a while back and it rips.
I don't have a lick of experience with the SS100 but sonically, I've been told that it comes close to the BE. I'll just tell you what I do know.
Here's a review I wrote over a year ago and my opinion has varied slightly regarding some things. Since then, I've changed speakers and pickups as well. I'm running an x pattern of 2 G12H30's and 2 Vintage 30's.
viewtopic.php?f=57&t=133901
Overall:
-Perfect blend of light and dark without ever becoming harsh. This amp takes any speaker combo very, very well but some; higher midrange oriented speakers (Scumback BM75's) don't work as well with it. That being said, you can run your Mid knob on 8 without it ever becoming harsh but there is so much inherent mid character to it that you could even run the mids at noon and the amp still cuts through wonderfully. It also adds a nice chunk. Same goes for Presence.
-The amp responds like a Plexi on full tilt without ever losing definition or clarity. The Bass stays tight and consistent and the high end is never ear piercing. That being said, I usually play with the volume between 2-5 but any higher or lower sounds amazing as well. Whatever Dave does with his Master Volume gives the amp such a useable, even taper it's not even funny. Even on HBE; with the gain at 8 and volume as low as it'll go, I can roll off my volume and it'll be amazingly clean. Don't be fooled.
-The gain character really does go from AC/DC to John Sykes/VH and further like the claims state. Funny thing is that you can do that on the BE channel alone. The EQ is so responsive, I've been on BE and messed around enough to get from Aerosmith to VH easily. HBE is like having the ultimate boost/od combo inside of an amp. It also adds a great amount of compression. You should note that since BE/HBE is now switchable, HBE could even be a nice solo channel.
-Switches galore. I've used BE w/SAT and C45, HBE with SAT and all sorts of other combos while varying the settings and nothing ever clashes or flubs out. The design is very well thought out and every option is very useable. You really just need to try this portion out to figure out what you like. I personally love BE/SAT with the gain on 8.
Regarding some of the switches:
C45: Adds a good amount of bass and highs and gain while smoothing the highs at the same time. At lower volumes, I've even noticed a tiny amount of compression added to the mix. It works very well with HBE I've found.
SAT: All hair, all the time. I stick to this switch on BE and it's great for the cover tunes my group is doing. I didn't like this switch at first but really mess with it and if you're a VH/Dokken overall 80's kinda player, it'll grow on you.
Fat: Can't comment on this one as my amp is about to go back to Dave to have this added.
Half Power: There is no perceivable difference in volume as it's only 3db and that's not discernible to our ears. The loss of head room though creates almost a faux sag/grind in the amp and notes compress a tad more. Of course, you're not moving as much Bass but if you're looking for a volume solution, this doesn't change much.
This bears repeating that my amp is a 71' Super Lead that Dave modded. I haven't played a real BE but I can't image the differences are that stark. I need to really drive home the fact too that I waited a while before deciding on sending my amp to Dave. I really love a stock amp and I generally just like to push something with a boost/overdrive.
Since I've had the amp modded, I cannot justify buying another head for any reason. Fanboy behavior aside, that's a serious claim on my part. It just fulfills every need for me.
