XTC with A/AB switch - benefits and who's using it a lot??

[Ventura]

Yo Fellow Bognerites...

Who out there has an Ecstasy with the A/AB switch? How often are you using it? What's its primary function and does it really make a difference tonally? Please, any feedback (no pun intended) would be greatly appreciated.

Peace,
V.

 

[TheMagicEight]

I've heard that it's a cool feature, but definitely not what you'd buy the amp for. Mine doesn't have it, though when I asked about it, I was told it's got a nice sound to it and is a nice alternative to running class AB. I don't know the exact tonal aspects - probably more compressed and "harmonically rich", if there was ever a loaded phrase - but I probably wouldn't use it, which is why I don't have it. If it's worth having the extra sound though, might be good for you.

 

[tom_h]

My XTC-20th doesn't have it, but I will eventually be sending to Bogner to be added. I used the feature on a loaner XTC-20th in the studio and I thought it sounded pretty awesome. You lose a bit of the clarity and openness, it's a squishier tone, but it has a different character than the normal mode, and in my opinion it's worth having. I just wrongly assumed it was a standard feature on the 20th, because the loaner amp I used had it.

 

[Ventura]

Thanks Magic8 and TomH... Good feedback. How much does Bog charge to retrofit the amp with the option?? Seems to me like shipping would be as much as the cost right from the get-go.

Nevertheless, I'm just toying between the 101B and the 20thA versions... Quite honestly, the soundclips off the Bog site do little justice to either amp, but even more so, I thought the 101B sounded better for the cleans than the 20thA did. For a high-brow amp such as this, I don't wanna be myself for buying the wrong one. Sure, sure, I like the white featured tolex and all that cutesy curb appeal shiznit, but it's how it sounds and plays that gets me excited, not the dress.

I'm doing a bit more recon work on these 2 versions and when I pull the trigger y'all will be the ones to find out first and foremost

V.

 

[roodboy]

Thanks Magic8 and TomH... Good feedback. How much does Bog charge to retrofit the amp with the option?? Seems to me like shipping would be as much as the cost right from the get-go.

Nevertheless, I'm just toying between the 101B and the 20thA versions... Quite honestly, the soundclips off the Bog site do little justice to either amp, but even more so, I thought the 101B sounded better for the cleans than the 20thA did. For a high-brow amp such as this, I don't wanna be myself for buying the wrong one. Sure, sure, I like the white featured tolex and all that cutesy curb appeal shiznit, but it's how it sounds and plays that gets me excited, not the dress.

I'm doing a bit more recon work on these 2 versions and when I pull the trigger y'all will be the ones to find out first and foremost

V.

Rather than spring for the a/ab on the 101b spend the extra $ on the 20th the cleans are better than the 101b and its nastier too.
I have had 101b's with a ab and wasn't crazy about it. For me a class a amp is about this small class a amp pop and I didn't notice it on the 101b. Now the 20th with 6l6's had it and I would say was a good addition on that amp.

 

[romvert]

I switched to bigger resistors (300ohms) and just got new power tubes, so I started using it here and there. The Lynyrd and Brian May songs is what I use it on sometimes, as I don't have time to switch in the middle of the set. It is a whole lot harder on the tubes though, so I choose my spots thoughtfully...

 

[Ventura]

I switched to bigger resistors (300ohms) and just got new power tubes, so I started using it here and there. The Lynyrd and Brian May songs is what I use it on sometimes, as I don't have time to switch in the middle of the set. It is a whole lot harder on the tubes though, so I choose my spots thoughtfully...

Good input and ya, it basically ramps up the tube use 100%... I like it in a smaller combo too, but hell, it seems to be an option, so why not. I think I'll have to do this on the 20th

Cheers,
V.

 

[romvert]

I switched to bigger resistors (300ohms) and just got new power tubes, so I started using it here and there. The Lynyrd and Brian May songs is what I use it on sometimes, as I don't have time to switch in the middle of the set. It is a whole lot harder on the tubes though, so I choose my spots thoughtfully...

Good input and ya, it basically ramps up the tube use 100%... I like it in a smaller combo too, but hell, it seems to be an option, so why not. I think I'll have to do this on the 20th

Cheers,
V.

It's an intriguing different perspective, and the 300's sound a bit different than the 250's, but with the quality and price of tubes nowadays, works better for me. On the meter it's a jump of about 20mA between the two, going through the tubes while playing. Besides at 250 most tubes will red plate after a while, with consistent use, of course.