XTC blanket effect

1

101B /^/

New member
I have a full stack xtc 101b composed of two matching Bogner cabs (4x CL-80,s in a straight cab & 2x V30 + 2x Eminence Governor’s in a slant). I play in my garage and virtually never play in a band setting. Way overkill? Yes, but whatever..

Often I find myself plugging-in to the low input of my amp to get more flavor from the power tubes. Also, from time to time I really like to punish my speakers by turning up to 11. I do this by facing an amp cab toward our garage freezer and then burying the cab in blankets/pillows. I, for one, love the “blanket effect” because of the dynamics & feel that comes forward (not that the xtc is a slouch at low-ish volume).

Short of building an isolation box in my garage, I’m curious to know what clever solutions others use to go about moving serious air through their speakers while also keeping things peaceful in the house and throughout the neighborhood. I don’t want to attenuate my amp.

 
The blanket effect is basically non existent if you crank up the presence knob. You have to almost dime it to Match the brightness of a Marshall JCM. You need to adjust the knobs on the Ecstasy with your ears no your eyes.
 
Killcrop said:
The blanket effect is basically non existent if you crank up the presence knob. You have to almost dime it to Match the brightness of a Marshall JCM. You need to adjust the knobs on the Ecstasy with your ears no your eyes.
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+1
I’ve had the amp for yrs and couldn’t agree with you more. I’m especially appreciative that the amp responds so well to different inputs such as pickups, power tubes, etc.
 
Without spending quite a lot on soundproofing you’ll need to find a house with a basement that is mostly below ground. Or if there’s a reasonably nearby rehearsal space, rent a room when you can to crank it up. Even with some sound isolation in a regular house, home made Gobo’s etc. the low end is going to permeate the area, like when a car pulls up outside with a powerful stereo.
 
Killcrop said:
The blanket effect is basically non existent if you crank up the presence knob. You have to almost dime it to Match the brightness of a Marshall JCM. You need to adjust the knobs on the Ecstasy with your ears no your eyes.
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Ya fr. Turn up the presence ! It woris
 
I used to think the clean channel was ‘pretty good’. Now, after learning how to dial it in to Fender spec (online), I know better - every channel is stellar.

Setting the amp clean/plexi/or low gain blue and just cranking it to roar is just, wow, but holy **** (lol). An underground basement’s def a good idea and great place to start for sure. Although uncommon some homes have garages with a car lift & pit for auto repair - pit in the floor seems a good place to stuff a cab. Sourcing a decent sized safe for cheap and lining it with basic acoustic panels might be a decent hack also.
 
101B /^/ said:
I used to think the clean channel was ‘pretty good’. Now, after learning how to dial it in to Fender spec (online), I know better - every channel is stellar.

Setting the amp clean/plexi/or low gain blue and just cranking it to roar is just, wow, but holy **** (lol). An underground basement’s def a good idea and great place to start for sure. Although uncommon some homes have garages with a car lift & pit for auto repair - pit in the floor seems a good place to stuff a cab. Sourcing a decent sized safe for cheap and lining it with basic acoustic panels might be a decent hack also.
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Not sure I understand what you think you’ll achieve if you have to lock the cab away to kill the volume getting out. What is the point of the exercise.? I mean, you won’t be hearing a glorious Tone or the amp performing in any way that the high volume gives it.
 
Killcrop said:
Everyone seemingly buys the Ecstasy for the hi gain tones but it also shines for low and mid gain tones. It’s an amazingly versatile amp.
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Absolutely. With the A/Ab switch, new/old voicing, bright cap switches and low/hi inputs you can really find tons of great low to mid gain tones in the Ecstasy.

And while it does have the signature Bogner low-mid growl, you can absolutely dial in some great Marshall and modded Marshall tones on an Ecstasy. Like you said; amazingly versatile.

My favorite Bogner and probably in the top 3 amps I have ever owned. I really miss my old Ecstasy...
 
VHTStark said:
Absolutely. With the A/Ab switch, new/old voicing, bright cap switches and low/hi inputs you can really find tons of great low to mid gain tones in the Ecstasy.

And while it does have the signature Bogner low-mid growl, you can absolutely dial in some great Marshall and modded Marshall tones on an Ecstasy. Like you said; amazingly versatile.

My favorite Bogner and probably in the top 3 amps I have ever owned. I really miss my old Ecstasy...
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I think my ecstasy is probably my close second favorite amp behind the Larry. It’s quite close
 
skoora said:
Not sure I understand what you think you’ll achieve if you have to lock the cab away to kill the volume getting out. What is the point of the exercise.? I mean, you won’t be hearing a glorious Tone or the amp performing in any way that the high volume gives it.
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Silly exercise contemplating (practical) cab isolation. When I bury the cab in pillows/blankets it’s generally just to keep the speakers breaking-in. Invariably, I’ll leave the cab covered for days on end b/c the amp just sounds (and feels) so good with the cab somewhat attenuated & isolated. For old school metal & thrashy stuff in particular it’s just unbelievable how good the amp sounds at volume. It’ll definitely reveal just how sloppy your playing really is, too..lol.
 
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