About to make a 'blind' purchase for a Bogner 20th Ecstasy..

[Brown Rug]

So I've been reasonably convinced over the years that the Bogner is what I want in an amp. The only thing that's holding things up is whether or to go the EL34 or 6L6 route. I really like the Marshall sound, so I'm sort of leaning towards having it loaded with EL34s. My question: is this amp designed around it having 6L6s in it? How is the clean sound with EL34? I'd like to play some blues and having a really good clean channel would be nice, but I'm not sure if the EL34s would be of any help.


Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Ventura]

Either. EL34 will offer more conventional chew in the tone, the 6L6 will mean the RED channel will get a little more metal'esque if you want it to. EL34 has piano cleans, 6L6 will have a little more sparkle. Either one will knock yer socks off. Guaranteed.

Mo

 

[RSRD]

So I've been reasonably convinced over the years that the Bogner is what I want in an amp. The only thing that's holding things up is whether or to go the EL34 or 6L6 route. I really like the Marshall sound, so I'm sort of leaning towards having it loaded with EL34s. My question: is this amp designed around it having 6L6s in it? How is the clean sound with EL34? I'd like to play some blues and having a really good clean channel would be nice, but I'm not sure if the EL34s would be of any help.


Any help would be appreciated!

If you like more marshall tone then el34s would be the way to go. 6l6's are the tubes the amp is made though. And 6L6s are better for an overall balanced tone whereas the EL34s will poke the mids out more AKA marshall tone.

Cant go wrong either way though! Good luck with the search. If you can't try the amp out first definitely buy used. YOu'll only lose shipping if you end up not liking it.

 

[squank]

Either. EL34 will offer more conventional chew in the tone, the 6L6 will mean the RED channel will get a little more metal'esque if you want it to. EL34 has piano cleans, 6L6 will have a little more sparkle. Either one will knock yer socks off. Guaranteed.

Mo

This.

I prefer the 6L6s because it makes for sparklier (is that a word?) cleans, and the dirty tones are more aggressive.

 

[GtarLover]

Either. EL34 will offer more conventional chew in the tone, the 6L6 will mean the RED channel will get a little more metal'esque if you want it to. EL34 has piano cleans, 6L6 will have a little more sparkle. Either one will knock yer socks off. Guaranteed.

Mo

This.

I prefer the 6L6s because it makes for sparklier (is that a word?) cleans, and the dirty tones are more aggressive.

Agreed

I bought both to try and preferred the 6L6 version for all around options. Sold the EL34 version, not because I didn't like it, but because I have other amps to cover Marshall tones (Splawn QR).

Buying a 20th, either version, is not a mistake, period. Also, as another mentioned, buy used and if you don't love it, there are plenty of people looking.

 

[spirit7]

Either will slay. If you like more mids, go EL34. If you want chimier cleans and more aggressive (but slightly more scooped) gain, go 6L6. I went 6L6 and couldn't be happier!

-C

 

[Brown Rug]

Thanks for the replies guys. Still a couple of things that I'm hoping you guys will chime in some more about...

I'm thinking more towards putting EL34s in them, because I have a Dual Rectifier and for the past 7 years I've been playing through a 6L6 amp, so having another one doesn't really make a whole lot of sense to me. My only concern with putting EL34s is whether or not putting them in will feel very 'after marketish' in that it will not sound the way it's supposed to (if that makes sense).

The other reason why I want EL34s in there is that I don't think 6L6s really fit into the kind of music I want to do. I'm not into alternative or metal at all, and plan on just playing straight up classic/rock ala AC/DC, The Gaslight Anthem, any other Marshall sounding bands, etc... you get the picture. So I don't need a gob load of gain and saturation.

So after all that, is going the EL34 route still good? Or should I actually reconsider getting a different amp, because of the fact that the Ecstasy is at it's core a 6L6 amp (and there's better alternatives if I want a EL34 amp)?

 

[Ventura]

Thanks for the replies guys. Still a couple of things that I'm hoping you guys will chime in some more about...

I'm thinking more towards putting EL34s in them, because I have a Dual Rectifier and for the past 7 years I've been playing through a 6L6 amp, so having another one doesn't really make a whole lot of sense to me. My only concern with putting EL34s is whether or not putting them in will feel very 'after marketish' in that it will not sound the way it's supposed to (if that makes sense).

The other reason why I want EL34s in there is that I don't think 6L6s really fit into the kind of music I want to do. I'm not into alternative or metal at all, and plan on just playing straight up classic/rock ala AC/DC, The Gaslight Anthem, any other Marshall sounding bands, etc... you get the picture. So I don't need a gob load of gain and saturation.

So after all that, is going the EL34 route still good? Or should I actually reconsider getting a different amp, because of the fact that the Ecstasy is at it's core a 6L6 amp (and there's better alternatives if I want a EL34 amp)?

It's definitely not "after marketish". There are many devout BoggyHeads who demand the 20th be in EL34 format - hence the reason it became available as a format. They're not snipped and modded amps - one is definitely for 6L6 and the other is definitely for EL34. They're both WIN. It's just up to you which you prefer. 6L6 will get more modern style of metal out of the RED; EL34 has more chewiness throughout. And taking no sides, it's true that - when I was choosing between them - I could have had one immediately, or, wait 4 or 5 months and pay full pop for the EL34 version. I chose the latter of the 2 and I'll never get rid of my 20thA. Not a chance. Ever.

So it is what it is. It's less about which one was supposed to be the real deal, and more so, which one is going to be the real deal for you and your ears. Either way? Can't go wrong in my humble opinion. They're both ridiculously incredible amps.

Uncle Mo

 

[gibson5413]

I bought the 20th 6L6 version blind and was very, very happy. I would never tell someone to do what I did but I couldn't have been more satisfied with a blind purchase.

 

[Ventura]

To the OP, have ya taken the plunge yet?

 

[21_guitars]

I bought mine blind and went with the EL34, it was damaged in shipping and had to send it back to Bogner. I won't think you would be dissapointed with either version. I made my decision after listening to the clips on the Bogner site many, many times.