Preamp to compliment the Bogner Fish??

[bognerman]

Have been wondering if a second preamp could be cool to use with the fish.
Anyone do this using a Voodoo labs switcher or similar?

Thinking X88R, X99, Egnater ie4, M4, CAE 3+ ?

Is this totally redundant, or are there some tones in this other
units that would compliment the Fish or fill in the gaps?

 

[hunter]

I own an Ecstasy, not a Fish.

If I'd have to compliment the Bogner voice with something that is different, I'd probably go for an ADA MP-1, to have a more dry/tight sound for heavy styles if so required. Or maybe a Rectifier Recording preamp?

 

[ericsabbath]

ENGL preamps

 

[hunter]

Oh if you have loads of rack space left, go for the Mako Mak4 Preamp!!

 

[guitarslinger]

I would grab something with more low-mid gain flavour, and sharper, quicker attack on the higher gain stuff.

An M4 with

D/D
VX
EG5
SL2X

would be ideal.



Or maybe the mako if you have a shit ton of rack space.


IE4- Would be too smooth IMO. Sounds similar to Fish
CAE 3+SE - Would compliment the Fish really well, BUT I've owned one, and I don't plan on buying another. Not much in the mid gain category either.
Sound Clinic S3 - VERY Soldano-ey, VERY high quality parts. VERY rare
Soldano X88R - Would probably make a great compliment
Groove Tubes Trio - Would make a FANTASTIC compliment.
VHT GP-3 - would make a good compliment, but it has no mid gain flare.

 

[glassjaw7]

First one I thought of was the X88 pre. Or I would wait for Diezel's pre to come out. (who knows when that will be?) Bet it will be killer!

 

[guitarslinger]

First one I thought of was the X88 pre. Or I would wait for Diezel's pre to come out. (who knows when that will be?) Bet it will be killer!

I thought Diezel said the Customers were too stupid to have a decent power amp, and he didn't want spectators thinking Diezels sounded like shit due to user error.

 

[bognerman]

Oh if you have loads of rack space left, go for the Mako Mak4 Preamp!!

Is that out yet?

 

[bognerman]

I would grab something with more low-mid gain flavour, and sharper, quicker attack on the higher gain stuff.

An M4 with

D/D
VX
EG5
SL2X

would be ideal.



Or maybe the mako if you have a shit ton of rack space.


IE4- Would be too smooth IMO. Sounds similar to Fish
CAE 3+SE - Would compliment the Fish really well, BUT I've owned one, and I don't plan on buying another. Not much in the mid gain category either.
Sound Clinic S3 - VERY Soldano-ey, VERY high quality parts. VERY rare
Soldano X88R - Would probably make a great compliment
Groove Tubes Trio - Would make a FANTASTIC compliment.
VHT GP-3 - would make a good compliment, but it has no mid gain flare.

Thanks! That is a lot to chew on.

There is an X88 on ebay that I'm eyeing...

I also saw that a new M4 is about $2100. Does that come with any preamp modules at that price?
Do those modules sound as good as the fish or X88? (or do they all sort of sound the same, colored
by the same transformer, etc)

I can't wait to try the fish at practice tomorrow... going to run it through the 100B power section, and also
try it through a Marshall DSL and Orange Rockerverb 50. I'm curious what it will sound like through the 6V6 power section of the orange. The orange sounds great for "super high gain" but has NO usable mid-gain or clean tones IMO.

 

[bognerman]

How would you describe the X88R vs Fish sonically?

Is the X88 crunchier? (Could it do more of a Green Day sort of thing?)

If the Fish sounds like Alice in Chains,
then the X88R would sound like _____________ ?

 

[Sixtonoize]

Preamp to compliment the Bogner Fish??

I'd think that if you're using a fish, you'll get plenty of compliments without adding extra gear.

 

[hunter]

Oh if you have loads of rack space left, go for the Mako Mak4 Preamp!!

Is that out yet?

He is taking orders: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MAKO-AMPL ... 377?ref=ts

 

[guitarslinger]

Thanks! That is a lot to chew on.

There is an X88 on ebay that I'm eyeing...

I also saw that a new M4 is about $2100. Does that come with any preamp modules at that price?
Do those modules sound as good as the fish or X88? (or do they all sort of sound the same, colored
by the same transformer, etc)

I can't wait to try the fish at practice tomorrow... going to run it through the 100B power section, and also
try it through a Marshall DSL and Orange Rockerverb 50. I'm curious what it will sound like through the 6V6 power section of the orange. The orange sounds great for "super high gain" but has NO usable mid-gain or clean tones IMO.

X88R, IMO, they are almost always overpriced.

M4 for $2100 includes any four modules. Yes, The modules sound as good as the Fish or any other preamp. Yes, a lot of the modules have the same Dark, Smooth, Chocolatey, Smokey Egnater flavor, BUT.............The SL2X, for example is bright and aggressive, plus the M4 cleans and mid gains are DEFINITELY at the top of the heap of preamps.

If I had to pick one preamp for the rest of my life, it would probably be dual channel M4. It compliments the Fish well.

Also, the Fish should sound great through the 100B power section, along with the Orange and Marshall power sections.

 

[Shark Diver]

I have been running a X99 on one side of a VHT Classic and a Fish on the other. Now my Fish is modded, but I think they are quite different and a good compliment. I use to have a CAE 3+ and SE - I preferred the 3+. Great preamp.

I'm eyeing the same X88 on the 'bay. (I was the first bidder) Hopefully we won't get into a bidding war.LOL

Also the Axe fx is a great pre amp with a ton of tones. Might be easier to match up with the Fish if you are looking for something one of the other preamps doesn't have. Same with the Egnater.

A stereo power amp with different tube compliments on either side and running different speakers on either side - just with the Fish - will also give you a good mix. If you like the Fish's core tone that would be a good way to go as well.

It really comes down to if you think the Fish isn't doing something well, finding the preamp that does that thing well and mixing them. If you think the Fish is perfect, change up speakers and tubes on one side of a stereo rig for a little spice. IMO

 

[Shark Diver]

X88R, IMO, they are almost always overpriced.

:

Blasphemy!

Considering a new Fish was $3k, (and $2k used) a X88 is a steal.

But yes, if they still made them they would sell for a lot less used. Anything above $1,400 is getting on the high end. It's why I didn't "bin" on the 'bay one - it was $2k.

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

I got a Silver faced Egnater IE4 mint. $1400 shipped you won't regret buying it!

 

[kmstudio]

I've got a Fish, a Soldano X99, a JMP-1, Axe FX Ultra, and many others, and would recommend a Matchless GPR. Absolutely a perfect compliment to the Fish and takes pedals very well.

 

[bognerman]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

First results with the Fish.

Ran it through the Orange Rockerverb 50. I thought it sounded better than the stock orange.

Next, ran it through the Bogner 100B. Seemed a bit sweeter than the 100B, but I haven't ever changed the preamp tubes in that head, so that probably has something to do with it. I found the fish to be stiffer/tighter (no doubt the separate power section, etc.) It was almost like adding a little Diezel VH4 tone to a Bogner. The 100B head alone was more open sounding. The high end of the fish had really, really nice sweetness and shimmer to it, and it had maybe more high bass, and less low bass than the head.

It did sound extremely similar to each head. The power amps really seem to define the color of the tone!

Is there an EL34 power amp that gives more sag than the 100B that I should be look for? I think I it may be a "too stiff" what what we play. Note: also playing with V30's.

(It is making me reconsider the VHT 2150. If that amp is very stiff, I think I'm heading down the wrong path...)
I like some squish, and rubbery-ness to the tone.

 

[Shark Diver]

Doesn't marshall make a EL34 power amp? I've never tried it. The 2150 is worth trying. Great amp. I don't really think it is stiff, just more stiff than the 2100. I'd try at least 3 VHT models, the Marshall and a Mesa 2:90. I'm sure you would find one that you love.

 

[bognerman]

Doesn't marshall make a EL34 power amp? I've never tried it. The 2150 is worth trying. Great amp. I don't really think it is stiff, just more stiff than the 2100. I'd try at least 3 VHT models, the Marshall and a Mesa 2:90. I'm sure you would find one that you love.

Do you think one of those approaches "Bogner 101B squishy"?