Shiva 20th Excursion control and tube choice.

[ttosh]

Bogners site says the following regarding this:

"A power amp dampening control was added on the back panel. This control is labeled Excursion and is great to dial in a full sound at low volumes or to adjust the right balanced bass to a cabinet and room size. "

When I think of power dampening I think of lower the wattage of the amp for low volume playing, is this what the excursion on the Shiva does? Or does it work just like the XTC 20th and basically adds more lows so you get the low end at lower volume?

I guess attenuation is lowering the output and power scaling is lowering the wattage of an amp like on the Suhr Badger.

Any input on the excursion on the Shiva 20th is appreciated!!

Regarding tubes, can the Shiva be ordered from Bogner with 6550's instead of KT88's? I do not even need to try the KT88's to know I would prefer the 6550 or EL34 tubes. Maybe I am fooling myself, but I am pretty definite I would be adding more money for tubes and a tech to bias if I did not just get 6550's from the start.

 

[LP Freak]

The excursion is their term for a depth knob. As far as the KT88's, don't write them off. I wouldn't have expected to like them either but was pleasently surprised. If there's a way for you to try one out I would. I'm gonna check out a set of 6550's to see what the hype is all about for the hell of it though.

 

[steve_k]

The excursion is their term for a depth knob. As far as the KT88's, don't write them off. I wouldn't have expected to like them either but was pleasently surprised. If there's a way for you to try one out I would. I'm gonna check out a set of 6550's to see what the hype is all about for the hell of it though.

It will be like playing a totally different amp.

 

[ttosh]

The excursion is their term for a depth knob. As far as the KT88's, don't write them off. I wouldn't have expected to like them either but was pleasently surprised. If there's a way for you to try one out I would. I'm gonna check out a set of 6550's to see what the hype is all about for the hell of it though.

It will be like playing a totally different amp.

In a good way? What do you find different about it? Here is what I really want Steve so give me your input, we have discussed a few amps already so you kind of know.

I am wanting a dependable Marshall flavored amp. I like the Marshall karrang as I call it, but a tad bit lower of a mid structure does not bother me. The music I will be using the amp for will be a cover band that I hope will be playing the local casino circuit and some local dives. Music will range from 70s, 80s, 90s rock and hard rock. Not much metal and when metal comes in it would be like a black sabbath or maiden type tune.

I know the Shiva seems like a good choice for this type of application and the price is not sky high like the XTC, CCV, etc... that really do much more than I need anyway.

So for this application KT88, 6550s or just EL34's in the Shiva?

 

[RockStarNick]

Are you able to bias your own amp?

KT88 to 6550 does NOT require a resistor change/swap/snip, because they fall within the same general bias range.

KT88 to EL34 does require snipping of a resistor (I did it, it's not hard, but it's harder to reverse).

You'd need some sort of bias meter, etc. Well worth it's money if you want to make the investment.

 

[ttosh]

Are you able to bias your own amp?

KT88 to 6550 does NOT require a resistor change/swap/snip, because they fall within the same general bias range.

KT88 to EL34 does require snipping of a resistor (I did it, it's not hard, but it's harder to reverse).

You'd need some sort of bias meter, etc. Well worth it's money if you want to make the investment.

I have biased the amps I have had like the Herber with the bias points on the outside. I just have never taken a head out of the chassis to bias. Always a bit concerned about what not to touch....

 

[LP Freak]

Is there any way for you to try a Shiva out? I'm not sure if I would have bought one if I didn't first. It's one of the few amps that impressed me on the show room floor and I was able to check out quite a few boutique models.

 

[ttosh]

Is there any way for you to try a Shiva out? I'm not sure if I would have bought one if I didn't first. It's one of the few amps that impressed me on the show room floor and I was able to check out quite a few boutique models.

I need to check the dealer locations and see if there are any in Oklahoma or surrounding areas. I like the clips that I have heard best of the older Shiva than the 20th, but I like the features of the 20th. I would love to try them both out, problem is even if they have a dealer close by the 20th is not going to have 6550's or EL34s in it, and I have never liked KT88's in any amp as of yet!!

 

[glip22]

Is there any way for you to try a Shiva out? I'm not sure if I would have bought one if I didn't first. It's one of the few amps that impressed me on the show room floor and I was able to check out quite a few boutique models.

I need to check the dealer locations and see if there are any in Oklahoma or surrounding areas. I like the clips that I have heard best of the older Shiva than the 20th, but I like the features of the 20th. I would love to try them both out, problem is even if they have a dealer close by the 20th is not going to have 6550's or EL34s in it, and I have never liked KT88's in any amp as of yet!!

You may find the 88's different in the Shiva.

 

[ttosh]

Is there any way for you to try a Shiva out? I'm not sure if I would have bought one if I didn't first. It's one of the few amps that impressed me on the show room floor and I was able to check out quite a few boutique models.

I need to check the dealer locations and see if there are any in Oklahoma or surrounding areas. I like the clips that I have heard best of the older Shiva than the 20th, but I like the features of the 20th. I would love to try them both out, problem is even if they have a dealer close by the 20th is not going to have 6550's or EL34s in it, and I have never liked KT88's in any amp as of yet!!

You may find the 88's different in the Shiva.

Very true!! So far the clips I have heard and I know we cannot really judge much from clips, however in the ones I have heard the tone seems more (brittle) is the term I can come up compared to the original Shiva. No offense to the 20th Shiva owners that like the KT88's as I know in the room with an amp is totally different than clips, and one clip can differ so much from another.

 

[richedie]

A few of my friends converted their 20th Shiva to EL34s ane were much happier. I can tell you with my 20th Shiva that has EL34s we pull off everything from Rush to Van Halen to STP and Alice in Chains to Godsmack with the right cabinet and right attitude.
Love it.

The 20th Shiva was originally intended for EL34s and you can see that in the circuit. The KT88s were more an afterthought, but both work well. The shop where I bought mine, they had both versions in stock.

 

[ttosh]

A few of my friends converted their 20th Shiva to EL34s ane were much happier. I can tell you with my 20th Shiva that has EL34s we pull off everything from Rush to Van Halen to STP and Alice in Chains to Godsmack with the right cabinet and right attitude.
Love it.

The 20th Shiva was originally intended for EL34s and you can see that in the circuit. The KT88s were more an afterthought, but both work well. The shop where I bought mine, they had both versions in stock.

That covers a lot of ground. I have always been an EL34 fan more than 6L6, etc... I did like a Cameron Marshall with 6550's very much. I will say that I love the Bogner tone and think this amp would be perfect to cover the stuff I love to play.