20thA XTC Review - about 20 hours in...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ventura
  • Start date Start date
Im a "Clean" freak so the 6l6s fit me on this amp. The blue (Plexi) can nail Jimmy Page, and the Red channel, well for 6l6s I have never heard that growl ever come out of them on any other amp. Bogner is a Genius!!!! :2thumbsup: I definitely want an EL34 version to test drive. :yes:
 
TheMagicEight":277pwmx3 said:
Ventura":277pwmx3 said:
Well, from Bogner HQ the overall consensus is:

6L6 is brighter in the cleans, and perhaps more shimmer; more 80's in the gain; and overall good compression in the higher gains.
EL34 is more mid growly, has the signature Bogner "chewiness", loaded with overtones and harmonics, the cleans are a bit more classic with an edge (not as Vox/Fender like, if you will), and the gain to higher gain is all 100% pure overkill gnarliness.

Not to mention, that extra 20W of power tube handling is noticeable too...

Call me biased, but I had the choice of a 6L6 ready to ship, or a 2 to 3 month wait for an EL34 version. I opted for the latter.

No Regrets,
V.
Sounds like the 6L6 version is able to cover a little more ground, where the EL34s are more specific in application but possibly more proficient? I'd go for EL34s myself, but I'd imagine both versions are incredible!

It's like picking sand here man... So hard to summarize. But the 6L6's difference compared to the EL34's is that the 6L6 seems to have more shimmer in the highs - don't get me wrong, the EL34's sound brilliant as well, and the EQ will adjust, but the 6L6's are used in Fenders and Vox's for a reason, know what I mean?? The EL34's can get there, but the highs are just a little shaved off the top and more percussive.....hell, I can't explain it. BOTH cover IMMENSE ground that would keep ANYONE busy for YEARS (I'm serious!!). But the ground that the EL34 covers, covers it with better tone IMHO than the 6L6. But gotsta remember, TONE IS PERSONAL :D

V.
 
jlbaxe":7cw62ddj said:
Im a "Clean" freak so the 6l6s fit me on this amp. The blue (Plexi) can nail Jimmy Page, and the Red channel, well for 6l6s I have never heard that growl ever come out of them on any other amp. Bogner is a Genius!!!! :2thumbsup: I definitely want an EL34 version to test drive. :yes:

Been on Channel BLUE all day today - my goodness, how very, very true... Page is in MY house!! What the...?!?!? Playing my '57 goldtop darkback, and man, it's Zeppelin perfection....gritty, chunky with HUGE pick articulation!! Just the sound of my fingers rubbing on the strings is musical.

I think I'm going to marry my 20thA as it would seem this lil' rig is going to keep me happier for longer than most marriages work out (statistically speaking, of course... I am MADLY NUTSO :inlove: :shocked: :loco: in love with my woman, so there ain't replacing my "wife" wife, but if I could marry an inanimate object, it would be this amp).

Fingers are SO raw, but I HAVE to play more... :D
V.
 
Ventura":1ob5ejnv said:
jlbaxe":1ob5ejnv said:
Im a "Clean" freak so the 6l6s fit me on this amp. The blue (Plexi) can nail Jimmy Page, and the Red channel, well for 6l6s I have never heard that growl ever come out of them on any other amp. Bogner is a Genius!!!! :2thumbsup: I definitely want an EL34 version to test drive. :yes:

Been on Channel BLUE all day today - my goodness, how very, very true... Page is in MY house!! What the...?!?!? Playing my '57 goldtop darkback, and man, it's Zeppelin perfection....gritty, chunky with HUGE pick articulation!! Just the sound of my fingers rubbing on the strings is musical.

I think I'm going to marry my 20thA as it would seem this lil' rig is going to keep me happier for longer than most marriages work out (statistically speaking, of course... I am MADLY NUTSO :inlove: :shocked: :loco: in love with my woman, so there ain't replacing my "wife" wife, but if I could marry an inanimate object, it would be this amp).

Fingers are SO raw, but I HAVE to play more... :D
V.
Stop this MADNESS talk.......... :D

My Gas flames are RISING!! :lol: :LOL:
Sounds FN Awesome!! :rock:
 
Mailman1971":xtl0i9nl said:
Ventura":xtl0i9nl said:
jlbaxe":xtl0i9nl said:
Im a "Clean" freak so the 6l6s fit me on this amp. The blue (Plexi) can nail Jimmy Page, and the Red channel, well for 6l6s I have never heard that growl ever come out of them on any other amp. Bogner is a Genius!!!! :2thumbsup: I definitely want an EL34 version to test drive. :yes:

Been on Channel BLUE all day today - my goodness, how very, very true... Page is in MY house!! What the...?!?!? Playing my '57 goldtop darkback, and man, it's Zeppelin perfection....gritty, chunky with HUGE pick articulation!! Just the sound of my fingers rubbing on the strings is musical.

I think I'm going to marry my 20thA as it would seem this lil' rig is going to keep me happier for longer than most marriages work out (statistically speaking, of course... I am MADLY NUTSO :inlove: :shocked: :loco: in love with my woman, so there ain't replacing my "wife" wife, but if I could marry an inanimate object, it would be this amp).

Fingers are SO raw, but I HAVE to play more... :D
V.
Stop this MADNESS talk.......... :D

My Gas flames are RISING!! :lol: :LOL:
Sounds FN Awesome!! :rock:

For Sale:
Diezel Herbert, MUST SELL!!
 
I am not joking, not one iota of this is BS... This amp is off the hook. It's stoopidly perfect. I mean, c'mon...how the HELL did they DO this?!?!? I've got DEADRINGER tones of Page, Clapton, Slash, Cantrell, and - get this - SRV/Mayer!!! - coming through this amp... I've been on it since late morning, my fingers are raw, and I....CAN'T....STOP....PLAYING!!! :loco:

Fo'shitz'n'giggles I will plug the VH4S in tonight, I know I'll fall in love with it all over again, but this 20thA is just insane. I mean it. NO amp gas for a while fellow RT'ers, maybe, just maybe, never... :worship: :worship: :worship:

Back to it - avagoodnight!! :salute:
V.
 
Death by Uberschall":aocf9qc7 said:
So how you liking the 20thA XTC?




:lol: :LOL:
:shocked: :inlove: :jerkit: ... :worship:

Words can not describe...

V.

PS - and yes, those are dots behind me praising the amp is because it seriously makes me shit myself with glee...!
 
Ventura":35cg2xn8 said:
Death by Uberschall":35cg2xn8 said:
So how you liking the 20thA XTC?




:lol: :LOL:
:shocked: :inlove: :jerkit: ... :worship:

Words can not describe...

V.

PS - and yes, those are dots behind me praising the amp is because it seriously makes me shit myself with glee...!
I've been tossing around what might be my next amp purchase. It's 1 of these 3:

20thA XTC
Cameron CCV
Diezel Herbert
 
Its fun to play another amp then come back to the 20th A a few days later and it :shocked: :inlove: :rawk: :worship: \:D/ all over again. :yes:
 
Death by Uberschall":3suzp89e said:
Ventura":3suzp89e said:
Death by Uberschall":3suzp89e said:
So how you liking the 20thA XTC?




:lol: :LOL:
:shocked: :inlove: :jerkit: ... :worship:

Words can not describe...

V.

PS - and yes, those are dots behind me praising the amp is because it seriously makes me shit myself with glee...!
I've been tossing around what might be my next amp purchase. It's 1 of these 3:

20thA XTC
Cameron CCV
Diezel Herbert

Well, you've got quite the amp repertoire already man... I guess my question to you is, what do you play and what do you want? You've got a LOT of ground covered in the amps in your roster. The 3 amps you're pondering, hell man, no easy feat. It's all about what ya need, want and wish for. They're ALL stellar amps. Of the 3, I can only say that the 20thA is going to cover the MOST sonic territory, but whether or not the territory it covers is what you want, or if it covers it the way you want, is entirely up to you to find out. Does that make sense?

Herbert - people will gush about Channel 2-/+ but what about the rest of the spectrum? See, this is what I love about the VH4(S) - 4 channels, and I love each and every one of them for what they offer. Sure, Channel 3 is the money, but it's only the money if its implicit tone is something one seeks - in my case - I love it. But the rest of the channels are 100% pro in doing an amazing job at what they're meant to do, so it's not a one channel wonder...

Cameron CCV - 2 channel amp; great tones if the tones are what you're looking for. 2 channels...

20thA - well, 3 channels expandable to roughly 5 in total (plexi mode on channel 2 and 3), not to mention all the other features I've already talked about...retarded amount of features and tweaks. But all useless if this isn't your schtick.

Lemme see what I do know about what you've got:
SLO - 80's metal and does it aplomb!! I owned one and loved it, but I don't love 80's metal. Yes, it does other things quite well, but the tone was, to me, already done to death and although it was really good - it lacked some of the density and depth that today's amps offer (this is strictly me talking here).
HIWATT - hellfire man!! Do you know how many custom shops are trying to recreate the sound of a Hiwatt in todays' amps? You own a classic, and classics never die.
UBERSCHALL REV2 - you know what this is all about, 2 channel amp - the 2nd channel is candy.
TWEED DELUXE - got yer cleans nicely dialed there...
KNUCKLEHEAD TRE - Noicely done man!! Beauty amp.... I'm seeing some overlap here with the Cameron maybe...??

So - you're a high gainer with some boutique tones in mind. Bear IN mind, the XTC is one of the original high-gainers out there, but it was usurped by higher-high-gainers a la market demands, namely the UberTJ, Herbert, etc. It does everything up to the Uberschall TJ's saturated over-the-top gain with ease...and does it dripping in tone. But the question is, do ya want all that good stuff to the left of searing hot gain too?? If not, go for a high-gain specific amp (Herbert 1st, CCV second). If you do, than you've just bought the equivalent of 3 rigs, maybe more, in one package with the 20thA w/ EL34's.

Peace,
V.
 
Ventura":15mjvfdu said:
Death by Uberschall":15mjvfdu said:
Ventura":15mjvfdu said:
Death by Uberschall":15mjvfdu said:
So how you liking the 20thA XTC?




:lol: :LOL:
:shocked: :inlove: :jerkit: ... :worship:

Words can not describe...

V.

PS - and yes, those are dots behind me praising the amp is because it seriously makes me shit myself with glee...!
I've been tossing around what might be my next amp purchase. It's 1 of these 3:

20thA XTC
Cameron CCV
Diezel Herbert

Well, you've got quite the amp repertoire already man... I guess my question to you is, what do you play and what do you want? You've got a LOT of ground covered in the amps in your roster. The 3 amps you're pondering, hell man, no easy feat. It's all about what ya need, want and wish for. They're ALL stellar amps. Of the 3, I can only say that the 20thA is going to cover the MOST sonic territory, but whether or not the territory it covers is what you want, or if it covers it the way you want, is entirely up to you to find out. Does that make sense?

Herbert - people will gush about Channel 2-/+ but what about the rest of the spectrum? See, this is what I love about the VH4(S) - 4 channels, and I love each and every one of them for what they offer. Sure, Channel 3 is the money, but it's only the money if its implicit tone is something one seeks - in my case - I love it. But the rest of the channels are 100% pro in doing an amazing job at what they're meant to do, so it's not a one channel wonder...

Cameron CCV - 2 channel amp; great tones if the tones are what you're looking for. 2 channels...

20thA - well, 3 channels expandable to roughly 5 in total (plexi mode on channel 2 and 3), not to mention all the other features I've already talked about...retarded amount of features and tweaks. But all useless if this isn't your schtick.

Lemme see what I do know about what you've got:
SLO - 80's metal and does it aplomb!! I owned one and loved it, but I don't love 80's metal. Yes, it does other things quite well, but the tone was, to me, already done to death and although it was really good - it lacked some of the density and depth that today's amps offer (this is strictly me talking here).
HIWATT - hellfire man!! Do you know how many custom shops are trying to recreate the sound of a Hiwatt in todays' amps? You own a classic, and classics never die.
UBERSCHALL REV2 - you know what this is all about, 2 channel amp - the 2nd channel is candy.
TWEED DELUXE - got yer cleans nicely dialed there...
KNUCKLEHEAD TRE - Noicely done man!! Beauty amp.... I'm seeing some overlap here with the Cameron maybe...??

So - you're a high gainer with some boutique tones in mind. Bear IN mind, the XTC is one of the original high-gainers out there, but it was usurped by higher-high-gainers a la market demands, namely the UberTJ, Herbert, etc. It does everything up to the Uberschall TJ's saturated over-the-top gain with ease...and does it dripping in tone. But the question is, do ya want all that good stuff to the left of searing hot gain too?? If not, go for a high-gain specific amp (Herbert 1st, CCV second). If you do, than you've just bought the equivalent of 3 rigs, maybe more, in one package with the 20thA w/ EL34's.

Peace,
V.
Thanks, lots of good info. My only concern with the 20thA XTC is how much it might overlap with my Uberschall. The CCV and Herbert are different animals compared to the Bogner vibe, although I suspect there is a little Cameron in the 20thA XTC and a little Bogner in the CCV.
 
Having owned a Rev.Blue and a TJ, I can honestly say, there's little to no overlap. The tone of the 20thA is completely different...I'm not going to start in on the adjectives and descriptors, but it's just a completely different animal. Furthermore, it's way tweakable - today I spent playing with the amp tweaked to these settings:
- Class A
- Old
- Half Power
- Vintage

Definitely NO Uberschall in that tone today... As mentioned, it can get UP TO that point where the gain starts to take over, like in the Uber, but it doesn't cross that line. It breathes nicely when opened up, really nicely man...like a fine tuned engine being driven hard. It's all killer. So, I'd say no fears on the Uber and 20thA crossing over - no way. But the rest of them?? That's your call.

Peace,
V.
 
Ventura":3fmvhrql said:
Having owned a Rev.Blue and a TJ, I can honestly say, there's little to no overlap. The tone of the 20thA is completely different...I'm not going to start in on the adjectives and descriptors, but it's just a completely different animal. Furthermore, it's way tweakable - today I spent playing with the amp tweaked to these settings:
- Class A
- Old
- Half Power
- Vintage

Definitely NO Uberschall in that tone today... As mentioned, it can get UP TO that point where the gain starts to take over, like in the Uber, but it doesn't cross that line. It breathes nicely when opened up, really nicely man...like a fine tuned engine being driven hard. It's all killer. So, I'd say no fears on the Uber and 20thA crossing over - no way. But the rest of them?? That's your call.

Peace,
V.
I have to agree. I have the Cameron Mod'd Uber Rev Blue with added Boost and the Shiva Clean, Clean is brighter/pure not warm like the 20th A and Ch2 nails AIC and more. I have mine set up with an Egnater amp switcher, RG16 and GCP so I basically have a 10 Channel Bogner if you count the boost. Some songs I prefer the Shiva clean others I like the warmer clean on the 20th A. The 20th A does so much more but does not cross over the tones of the Rev Blue.

Kinda funny I bought a Marshall for that classic Marshall over drive and I use it mostly on the low sensitivity for the clean because the 20th does a better Marshall and more. :lol: :LOL: Play crazy train on the Marshall :rock: play crazy train on the Ecstasy :rawk:
 
Ya I dunno, whatever they've done with this 20thA, they've nailed it over-the-top. I still can't make it sound bad. At mid volume, it's one of the best sounding amps I've - ever - heard. Turn it up a wee bit, and it's THE BEST do all amp I've ever heard, had, or can imagine :dunno:

V.
 
JUST had to update this thread... So I picked up a Suhr Pro Series S4 the other week. My first serious foray into the bolt-on, Strat-proper style of ax's. We're getting along just fine, I'm happy to say... But the real deal here people, is that the S4, and I'd imagine any single coil able guitar, with Channel 1 of this amp, is just like stepping into the clouds of Hendrix Heaven. I am YET AGAIN blown away. The Suhr does have it going on though, the sparkly maple neck, and single coil mode of neck/middle pups is amazingly crisp and articulate. I've incorporated a clean boost for the single coil modes when playing to keep the volume the same (MXR/CAE Boost/Linedriver, super neutral stomp for sure!), and man, Little Wing hasn't sounded better in my life!!

I'm guessing it has a bit to do with the new maple neck, single coil-able ax, but folks, this 20thA is un-fkn-believable... THANK YOU REINHOLD!!!! :worship:

V. :salute:
 
Ventura":35smgyr6 said:
JUST had to update this thread... So I picked up a Suhr Pro Series S4 the other week. My first serious foray into the bolt-on, Strat-proper style of ax's. We're getting along just fine, I'm happy to say... But the real deal here people, is that the S4, and I'd imagine any single coil able guitar, with Channel 1 of this amp, is just like stepping into the clouds of Hendrix Heaven. I am YET AGAIN blown away. The Suhr does have it going on though, the sparkly maple neck, and single coil mode of neck/middle pups is amazingly crisp and articulate. I've incorporated a clean boost for the single coil modes when playing to keep the volume the same (MXR/CAE Boost/Linedriver, super neutral stomp for sure!), and man, Little Wing hasn't sounded better in my life!!

I'm guessing it has a bit to do with the new maple neck, single coil-able ax, but folks, this 20thA is un-fkn-believable... THANK YOU REINHOLD!!!! :worship:

V. :salute:

Mine is going to be here tomorrow. I'm PUMPED!!!! :rock:
 
DEWD":3bwvwtzc said:
Ventura":3bwvwtzc said:
JUST had to update this thread... So I picked up a Suhr Pro Series S4 the other week. My first serious foray into the bolt-on, Strat-proper style of ax's. We're getting along just fine, I'm happy to say... But the real deal here people, is that the S4, and I'd imagine any single coil able guitar, with Channel 1 of this amp, is just like stepping into the clouds of Hendrix Heaven. I am YET AGAIN blown away. The Suhr does have it going on though, the sparkly maple neck, and single coil mode of neck/middle pups is amazingly crisp and articulate. I've incorporated a clean boost for the single coil modes when playing to keep the volume the same (MXR/CAE Boost/Linedriver, super neutral stomp for sure!), and man, Little Wing hasn't sounded better in my life!!

I'm guessing it has a bit to do with the new maple neck, single coil-able ax, but folks, this 20thA is un-fkn-believable... THANK YOU REINHOLD!!!! :worship:

V. :salute:

Mine is going to be here tomorrow. I'm PUMPED!!!! :rock:

Aw DUDE!!! DEWD!!!!!!!!!!! Are you serious!?!?!? I'd be climbing the walls if I was getting a 20thA XTC in 24 hours knowing what I now know about it. Did you get the EL34 version?? Man, you are going to wet yer drawers m'man... I have never had an amp like this before. It's my end all, be all of tonequest satisfaction.

Let us all know how things go when you get it!!

Peace,
V.
 
Ventura":2z5isl39 said:
DEWD":2z5isl39 said:
Ventura":2z5isl39 said:
JUST had to update this thread... So I picked up a Suhr Pro Series S4 the other week. My first serious foray into the bolt-on, Strat-proper style of ax's. We're getting along just fine, I'm happy to say... But the real deal here people, is that the S4, and I'd imagine any single coil able guitar, with Channel 1 of this amp, is just like stepping into the clouds of Hendrix Heaven. I am YET AGAIN blown away. The Suhr does have it going on though, the sparkly maple neck, and single coil mode of neck/middle pups is amazingly crisp and articulate. I've incorporated a clean boost for the single coil modes when playing to keep the volume the same (MXR/CAE Boost/Linedriver, super neutral stomp for sure!), and man, Little Wing hasn't sounded better in my life!!

I'm guessing it has a bit to do with the new maple neck, single coil-able ax, but folks, this 20thA is un-fkn-believable... THANK YOU REINHOLD!!!! :worship:

V. :salute:

Mine is going to be here tomorrow. I'm PUMPED!!!! :rock:

Aw DUDE!!! DEWD!!!!!!!!!!! Are you serious!?!?!? I'd be climbing the walls if I was getting a 20thA XTC in 24 hours knowing what I now know about it. Did you get the EL34 version?? Man, you are going to wet yer drawers m'man... I have never had an amp like this before. It's my end all, be all of tonequest satisfaction.

Let us all know how things go when you get it!!

Peace,
V.

Yeah, I got EL34's and one that's loaded w/ all of the options. It's my first XTC so there may be a learning curve. :lol: :LOL:
 
Holy shit man...!! That's it - game over... The Class A/AB switch too? Oh man. Dewd...I've got this exact amp sitting in my studio - loaded with EL34's, A/AB, Old/New, Full/Half, everything...and it just doesn't stop - it's as though the heavens put all those amazing tones you hear in yer head into a box, covered it in optional white tolex and said "here...enjoy!".

Aw man...you're gonna be busy for, like, a month :thumbsup:

Peace Braddah - welcome aboard, this ride lasts a lifetime me thinks :D

V.
 
Back
Top