Thoughts on the Bogner Alchemist?

[ejecta]

Here is a pic of the Alchemist bias point. I dont see the adjustment knob though.

 

[Hacksaw]

Looking for bias knobs.. (R9 and R10 One bias and one hum balance ??..) It is the brass screws in the blue cases.. as those are variable resistors, adjuster for bias. btw.. they take a lot of turns compared to a old style variable disk resistor..

 

[ejecta]

Looking for bias knobs.. (R9 and R10 One bias and one hum balance ??..) It is the brass screws in the blue cases.. as those are variable resistors, adjuster for bias. btw.. they take a lot of turns compared to a old style variable disk resistor..

I saw those and thought maybe they might be it but was confused by there being two. Thanks for your input. Im sure you could just call Bogner and ask if its R9 or R10.

I bet the reason for a range of reviews of good and bad are due to a wide range of tube quality and bias variances. Im sure the bias doesnt get checked once here in the states. I mean they are what they are and at that price point and numbers produced there are going to be ones that arent quite right.

 

[Variable]

Looking for bias knobs.. (R9 and R10 One bias and one hum balance ??..) It is the brass screws in the blue cases.. as those are variable resistors, adjuster for bias. btw.. they take a lot of turns compared to a old style variable disk resistor..

I saw those and thought maybe they might be it but was confused by there being two. Thanks for your input. Im sure you could just call Bogner and ask if its R9 or R10.

I bet the reason for a range of reviews of good and bad are due to a wide range of tube quality and bias variances. Im sure the bias doesnt get checked once here in the states. I mean they are what they are and at that price point and numbers produced there are going to be ones that arent quite right.

Who says they both aren't bias resistors? I don't know what else you'd use a second variable resistor for in the power section (especially when they're right next to each other). Maybe you could run two different tubes with different biases?...

 

[ejecta]

Who says they both aren't bias resistors? I don't know what else you'd use a second variable resistor for in the power section (especially when they're right next to each other). Maybe you could run two different tubes with different biases?...

I may call Bogner and see.

 

[Hacksaw]

Who says they both aren't bias resistors? I don't know what else you'd use a second variable resistor for in the power section (especially when they're right next to each other). Maybe you could run two different tubes with different biases?...

very true.. and the VR's are the same value.. would make sense they both could be for bias. They do look like its in the same circuit design as well. I do agree.

two tubes with two biases.. now thats old school.. HAHAHA

 

[ejecta]

Who says they both aren't bias resistors? I don't know what else you'd use a second variable resistor for in the power section (especially when they're right next to each other). Maybe you could run two different tubes with different biases?...

very true.. and the VR's are the same value.. would make sense they both could be for bias. They do look like its in the same circuit design as well. I do agree.

two tubes with two biases.. now thats old school.. HAHAHA

So you only use one to bias only each tube? Is that the way they used to do it?

 

[Variable]

Who says they both aren't bias resistors? I don't know what else you'd use a second variable resistor for in the power section (especially when they're right next to each other). Maybe you could run two different tubes with different biases?...

very true.. and the VR's are the same value.. would make sense they both could be for bias. They do look like its in the same circuit design as well. I do agree.

two tubes with two biases.. now thats old school.. HAHAHA

So you only use one to bias only each tube? Is that the way they used to do it?

And it's how some manufacturers still do it. You could get two non-matched 6L6s, for example, and just bias them accordingly. Or an EL34 and a 6L6 (assuming whatever pin is supposed to be grounded for the EL34 to not blow up is, well, grounded).

Does Bogner offer the option of using EL34s in the Alchemist? I think I'm going to download the manual...

Edit: Pg 7: "As always, biasing these tubes is a good idea for optimal tone". <-- So we must assume there is a means to adjust bias in the Alchemist. Didn't see anything that explicitly claims you can use EL34s in it.

 

[Variable]

I just spent a fair amount of time with a Bogner Alchemist head into the matching open-back 2x12" cab and I'm very impressed. Basically, my experience is different than a few posts in this thread. Like total opposite.

I thought it sounded badass. I thought the reverb and delay was excellent and not too "digital" sounding. I thought the FEEL of the amp was amazing! Real fun to play. I thought about buying it, then I realized there's a parallel loop. As far as I know, that won't work right if I want to put an EQ pedal in there for lead volume boosts. So that's a deal breaker right now.

I also had the Tourmaster 4100 rocking hard. Much better sounding than other times I spent with it.

How did the tones compare to the Shiva?

 

[ejecta]

I just spent a fair amount of time with a Bogner Alchemist head into the matching open-back 2x12" cab and I'm very impressed. Basically, my experience is different than a few posts in this thread. Like total opposite.

I thought it sounded badass. I thought the reverb and delay was excellent and not too "digital" sounding. I thought the FEEL of the amp was amazing! Real fun to play. I thought about buying it, then I realized there's a parallel loop. As far as I know, that won't work right if I want to put an EQ pedal in there for lead volume boosts. So that's a deal breaker right now.

I also had the Tourmaster 4100 rocking hard. Much better sounding than other times I spent with it.

See I'm not nuts. Ok maybe I am.


There is evidently some inconsistancy in the biasing and some are lemons.

Couldnt you just turn the parallel full wet?

 

[Variable]

I just spent a fair amount of time with a Bogner Alchemist head into the matching open-back 2x12" cab and I'm very impressed. Basically, my experience is different than a few posts in this thread. Like total opposite.

I thought it sounded badass. I thought the reverb and delay was excellent and not too "digital" sounding. I thought the FEEL of the amp was amazing! Real fun to play. I thought about buying it, then I realized there's a parallel loop. As far as I know, that won't work right if I want to put an EQ pedal in there for lead volume boosts. So that's a deal breaker right now.

I also had the Tourmaster 4100 rocking hard. Much better sounding than other times I spent with it.

Couldnt you just turn the parallel full wet?

From what I can tell in the manual, that would mean you would just have 100% effect blended with 100% dry, as the signal is split (hence the term "parallel") and then recombined. But I could be wrong. So you would have the EQed signal blended with the stock amp signal, which would probably sound weird?

 

[ejecta]

From what I can tell in the manual, that would mean you would just have 100% effect blended with 100% dry, as the signal is split (hence the term "parallel") and then recombined. But I could be wrong. So you would have the EQed signal blended with the stock amp signal, which would probably sound weird?

Yeah you are right. I dont use loops anymore since I use a W/D/W set up...... so I never read up on the loop in the manual.

 

[degenaro]

I just spent a fair amount of time with a Bogner Alchemist head into the matching open-back 2x12" cab and I'm very impressed. Basically, my experience is different than a few posts in this thread. Like total opposite.

I thought it sounded badass. I thought the reverb and delay was excellent and not too "digital" sounding. I thought the FEEL of the amp was amazing! Real fun to play. I thought about buying it, then I realized there's a parallel loop. As far as I know, that won't work right if I want to put an EQ pedal in there for lead volume boosts. So that's a deal breaker right now.

I also had the Tourmaster 4100 rocking hard. Much better sounding than other times I spent with it.

My head is still on back order but my 2x12 cab got here today and the cab sounds awesome.

 

[ejecta]

My head is still on back order but my 2x12 cab got here today and the cab sounds awesome.

I thought the 2x12 did too Ed. It'll be cool to see what you think of the head.

And you know I really like the looks of design he's done on them.

 

[Variable]

How did the tones compare to the Shiva?

Well, I'm not real good at comparing like that unless I have both side-by-side. I will say that the "quality" of tone to me was equal to the Shiva. I'm kinda wondering if I even liked the Alchemist more? Not sure.

After hearing "bartmccartman's" Quickrod last night, I'm back in the love/hate thing with the Shiva. I liked the Quickrod more. lol...

Heh, I hear you on that. There were a lot of amps that sounded awesome at the Chicago Ampfest this year, but I was lucky that none of them sounded better than my Guytron to my ears I'm dreading the day when that changes...

 

[ejecta]

How did the tones compare to the Shiva?

Well, I'm not real good at comparing like that unless I have both side-by-side. I will say that the "quality" of tone to me was equal to the Shiva. I'm kinda wondering if I even liked the Alchemist more? Not sure.

After hearing "bartmccartman's" Quickrod last night, I'm back in the love/hate thing with the Shiva. I liked the Quickrod more. lol...

Im still thinking I may do the video comparsion of the XTC Classic and the Alchemist this weekend. If I can get a decent tone with the Rodes mic in the room I'll do it.

 

[degenaro]

My head is still on back order but my 2x12 cab got here today and the cab sounds awesome.

I thought the 2x12 did too Ed. It'll be cool to see what you think of the head.

And you know I really like the looks of design he's done on them.

What I've heard o clips I think it'll be a cool head...we'll see. Gotta go check into that Line 6 M13 as well...

 

[ejecta]

My head is still on back order but my 2x12 cab got here today and the cab sounds awesome.

I thought the 2x12 did too Ed. It'll be cool to see what you think of the head.

And you know I really like the looks of design he's done on them.

What I've heard o clips I think it'll be a cool head...we'll see. Gotta go check into that Line 6 M13 as well...

I think both be worth a listen. Im still digging my M13.... the delays arent the greatest but for me having it all there in one unit and how the M13 functions I can live with the wierd top end on some of the delays. In a band and you never notice that anyway and I think we way over analize this shit anyway or at least I do.

 

[ejecta]

Im still thinking I may do the video comparsion of the XTC Classic and the Alchemist this weekend. If I can get a decent tone with the Rodes mic in the room I'll do it.

You should! DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, want a Shiva and cash for your Ecstasy? Crap, didn't think so.

If I do just ingore the crappy playing. I dont know any covers that anyone would recognize anymore so it will be just riffing off the top of my head or ones Ive done in my old band... so some may dig or not but it wont be flashy thats for sure. This board is full of guys who can eat my lunch.

Nah dont want a Shiva bro. Sell the Shiva and get back with me.

 

[Variable]

How did the tones compare to the Shiva?

Well, I'm not real good at comparing like that unless I have both side-by-side. I will say that the "quality" of tone to me was equal to the Shiva. I'm kinda wondering if I even liked the Alchemist more? Not sure.

After hearing "bartmccartman's" Quickrod last night, I'm back in the love/hate thing with the Shiva. I liked the Quickrod more. lol...

Im still thinking I may do the video comparsion of the XTC Classic and the Alchemist this weekend. If I can get a decent tone with the Rodes mic in the room I'll do it.

THIS I would like to see