NAD - Bogner Helios Eclipse

[Bad.Seed]

Well, haven't gotten around to clips yet. It's been a little busier than I anticipated.

I did however take the amp out to play a show over the weekend. I messed around with it enough to find at least usable tones, and figured playing it live in a band mix is the ultimate test of whether it was good or not. Before I took it out, I ended up swapping a tung sol 12ax7 into v1 and a Ruby 12ax7hg+ into v2, as the amp was loaded with all JJ's in the preamp and sounded a little dull, and also swapped a spare set of KT77's into the power section.

I actually ended up really liking how the amp sounded. Once you got some volume on it, it really opened up. The nasal sound dissipated, mids came forward. The amp also tightened up significantly without sounding thin. It was cutting through nicely against my other guitarists quick rod, so that's definitely a plus.

My setting for the show were: Channel 2: 80's mode. Both front panel switches in the neutral slot. Punch on. Variac off. Presence at noon, bottom a 3 oclock. Bass/Mids/Highs all at 6 on the front panel, gain at 2 oclock. Boosted with my mxr m77, mesa rectifier slant cab and my ESP Eclipse with Lace Dissonant Aggressor pickups.

I'm still on the fence on keeping it, for one reason. I got a trade offer for a Diezel Hagen from a buddy. I've been gassing for anoither diezel since my Herbert is my go to amp, and this seems like a fair trade on both ends. Not sure what I'll do, but I will say I very much enjoyed playing the Bogner this weekend.

 

[Bad.Seed]

I was jamming this again at volume last night while the Ms. was away. Man, I am digging this amp. Crazy how much opening it up makes a difference, but it really does. Thick, crunchy and warm british tones that are still tight and cutting. This is a great companion amp to my quick rod for live shows, if I feel like hauling 2 amps and 2 212 cabs, haha. Overkill, but I love blending amps.

I am pretty sure this amp is going to give my Ceriatone Chupacabra the boot, but I'd like to get another practice or 2 in with it before I make that decision. I still plan on doing some clips, but I'm drumming for a show next week with my other band and have multiple practices this week to ensure our readiness, so may not be til the weekend.

 

[the4thlast1]

Thats cool you starting to really dig it. It has a midrange that I would imagine to slice through a live mix and the effects loop seems to be transparent .

 

[Racerxrated]

I was jamming this again at volume last night while the Ms. was away. Man, I am digging this amp. Crazy how much opening it up makes a difference, but it really does. Thick, crunchy and warm british tones that are still tight and cutting. This is a great companion amp to my quick rod for live shows, if I feel like hauling 2 amps and 2 212 cabs, haha. Overkill, but I love blending amps.

I am pretty sure this amp is going to give my Ceriatone Chupacabra the boot, but I'd like to get another practice or 2 in with it before I make that decision. I still plan on doing some clips, but I'm drumming for a show next week with my other band and have multiple practices this week to ensure our readiness, so may not be til the weekend.

One thing I've learned is, only way to really judge an amp is to push some serious volume through it. Can't pass judgement until you do. If someone buys an SLO or a Wizard for example and can't push them a little, they'll never get a chance to hear the real tones of the amp.
Glad you're digging it.

 

[El Mariachi]

Thanks for posting honest thoughts about the amp.
Great points you make here.

 

[Rocker68]

Just found this thread. 6ca7 works as well as JJ EL34 L. Still rolling the preamp tubes to coax the right balance . Whole lotta amp. Would be difficult to sell.

 

[RockyStar]

The Bogner Helios Eclipse, IMO, kicks all kinds of ass in all modes. Give it some volume and it sounds great! The knobs turn both ways.