WTF happen to the Bogner Ecstasy 25?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BigBellyRocker
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BigBellyRocker

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This amp was released recently but there are no info on the Bogner Amplification webpage of this amp and none for sale either. Being waiting for the release of this amp before choosing between this and the Friedman JJ Jr.
 
Yeah, it was released a few months back and I´ve seen a couple for sale both new and used, but it sure looks like they pulled the plug on it just as quick after that first batch. Maybe there was an issue with the amp or the shop building them in Macedonia that they need to address before going into full swing?
 
It wasn't loud at all, sounds were ok. But I think folks may have thought the Ecstasy 25 meant 25w, but it couldn't be with 2 EL84 tubes. Lots of money for a lunchbox any way you slice it.
 
I'm not sure whats going on with Bogner Amplification but their marketing/sales is pathetic. I don't know if its lack of funding, management or just "know how" but since Greg V has left there's been an obvious void.
 
snowdog":k6su0cn6 said:
EL 84s suck
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Yes, Dave Friedman chose poorly when he designed the Pink Taco, JJ Jr, Shirley Mini, and Runt 20. :confused:
 
In the right amp, EL84 are toneful, but they wouldn't be my tube of choice...clearly they work well for some folks.
But put a big iron amp with EL34 or 6L6 next to an EL84 amp and it's no contest.
 
UberschallEL34":2ogx5luc said:
In the right amp, EL84 are toneful, but they wouldn't be my tube of choice...clearly they work well for some folks.
But put a big iron amp with EL34 or 6L6 next to an EL84 amp and it's no contest.
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I used to think that way. Had to be big bottles to satisfy me in terms of thump, girth, and headroom. But a little amp by the name of Friedman Pink Taco Wildwood Edition changed all of that for me. I've been through six Friedman amps and the WWPT blew me away. I had it sitting next to the BE100 in the man cave, and the only reason the BE came out on top for me was the clean channel and boost. As far as thump, the WWPT sounded every bit as big as the BE. I couldn't believe/accept that for the longest time, but after daily A/B sessions I had to admit it. So my eyes were opened to what a good EL84 design can do. I've since owned other EL84 amps that have impressed. I see that you're an Uberschall fan. Great amps. I get it if you're doing metal with EL84s, they're not going to have the size or tightness of high-gain metal tones that the EL34s/KT88s/5881s/6L6s have for that stuff (assuming you're running them into one or more 4x12 cabs). But for everything right up to those tones, the EL84s can deliver when an amp is designed around them (same goes with 6V6s).
 
My buddy brought over a Pink Taco when they came out and we played it through a 4x12 cab. It sounded ok until we plugged in a 100w amp. For what those Friedman’s are, they’re cool...but I’d still prefer the bigger brother if it’s something I don’t have to lug around on a subway train :D
 
UberschallEL34":3miwvaav said:
My buddy brought over a Pink Taco when they came out and we played it through a 4x12 cab. It sounded ok until we plugged in a 100w amp. For what those Friedman’s are, they’re cool...but I’d still prefer the bigger brother if it’s something I don’t have to lug around on a subway train :D
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(Regular) Pink Taco was my first Friedman. Sounded small, since I'd been playing only 100 and 50 watt heads. Later-on, I got the Wildwood PT and had it parked right next to my BE100... it really did sound as big to me. Maybe not if I was playing an arena at high master volume, into a pair of 4x12s, but the WWPT into the Friedman 2x12, parked next to my BE100 into a 4x12... run in stereo, and then A/B'd... I kept going back to the WWPT, and eventually just plugged into it 95% of the time. And I play LOUD in the man cave. I have worn earplugs for practice for the past 8+ years or so, and still fight tinnitus... because I play so loud. I jam along with my PA in there at gig volumes. My wife has to crank the TV up in the living room to hear over it. Now she just cranks the TV all the time! :lol: :LOL: Seriously, I mean it when I say that I had little/no use for lunchbox amps and anything less than 50 watts up until that point. Lotta years gigging and preferring the headroom of big bottles. But the WWPT changed my whole amp world view. Now I don't care any more. As long as the amp sounds amazing, that's all that matters... though I have no use for anything less than 15 watts or so. You wanna talk about no bottom or headroom... that's a 5 watt amp. Plenty of volume, but zero real girth.

P.S. My Bad Cat Cub 15 III 1x12 combo with a Friedman BE Deluxe, Bogner XTC Blue, Strymon Sunset, OCD, etc pedals in front of it slays and sounds big (not for new metal though). I friggin love it. I'm gearing up for a live rock gig again and may just throw it in an Anvil case and haul that little pig around with my big pedal board... instead of a 100w head and 4x12. My three-surgery spine is getting to be over hauling around the rock star rigs. I used to haul stereo 100 watt halfstacks to all of my gigs. It's no wonder my spine is trash!
 
The only mini amp I’ve ever tried that sounded and felt like a real full size head is the Brunetti Pleximan, probably bcuz of the 34’s in it... Great amp!!
 
SQUAREHEAD":1yz1zs91 said:
The only mini amp I’ve ever tried that sounded and felt like a real full size head is the Brunetti Pleximan, probably bcuz of the 34’s in it... Great amp!!
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But the Pleximan is a 50w head, not really a mini amp.
 
Obvious answer is it turned into a US built 3534 with el34s. I had a 25 and have a 3534, both are awesome, I prefer the 3534.
 
These amps were built and designed by Rienhold Bogner and Baskim Zuta. About 200 were made and Bogner only took about 30 of them. My understanding of the issue was the price point of these amps within the Bogner lineup. Zuta Amplification is selling the rest direct, it’s called the LA25. I have a Bogner branded one and I love it. I also just received my Zuta GBG120 #002. Thank you Baskim! https://zutagroup.com/collections/amplifiers
 
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