Bogner: 20th Anniv Shiva vs. Current Production?

[lpaul626]

I play in a Top 40 band and my main rig consists of a 2009 Shiva EL34 head. With all I've read about the 20th Anniv. Shiva, I've contemplated jumping to the 20th. However, I'm not sure what I'd be gaining other than the additional gain flexibility.

My current Shiva has the updated FX loop, adjustable boost, and the bright and shift switches. When I need "more", I'll engage my BB Preamp (coupled with the OD) or Suhr Riot.

So would I have most of the options covered with my current rig that the 20th anniv. would offer? Am I missing something?

 

[squank]

I play in a Top 40 band and my main rig consists of a 2009 Shiva EL34 head. With all I've read about the 20th Anniv. Shiva, I've contemplated jumping to the 20th. However, I'm not sure what I'd be gaining other than the additional gain flexibility.

My current Shiva has the updated FX loop, adjustable boost, and the bright and shift switches. When I need "more", I'll engage my BB Preamp (coupled with the OD) or Suhr Riot.

So would I have most of the options covered with my current rig that the 20th anniv. would offer? Am I missing something?

I think the cleans are better on the 20th Anniv Shiva.

Otherwise, you pretty much have the bases covered technically. But I always think great amp gain is better than driving the front end of an amp. IMO, that's what the old guys did back in the day out of necessity just because there weren't any higher gain amps.

I prefer the higher gain on my Shiva 20th over any pedal distortion.

 

[RSRD]

No joke. The gain on the 20th shiva is MASSIVE. Or it can be if you want it to get there. The excursion knob helps you tighten it up or break out the thump too. The 20th is an amazing amp. But TBH sounds like from what you want the reg shiva will do the trick.

 

[LP Freak]

The regular Shive I had sounded like crap compared to my 20th Ann. The 20th is more versitile and the bottom definately holds together better.

 

[RSRD]

Interesting. my old shiva killed. I loved it for rock, hard rock and prog rock. The 20th just does It better and has a few nice extra features I really enjoy.

 

[LP Freak]

Interesting. my old shiva killed. I loved it for rock, hard rock and prog rock. The 20th just does It better and has a few nice extra features I really enjoy.

Who knows, maybe there was something wrong with it. It's long gone now.

 

[thegame]

Tried a 20th Anniv. Shiva last weekend. For tight focussed metal, among other genres, this amp shits all over the Uber.

Tons of gain, nice feel, no noise, and a few but well thought out voicing options make this amp a total winner in my book. Its not the be all end all, but this amp is tons of fun.

 

[Ventura]

The 20thA for either the Sheevs or the XTC is to me, the best of the best. Just IMHO and YMMV...

But Bogner really knocked it outta the park with his 20th Anniversary models bar none

 

[Little B]

Love my 20th anniv.Shiva..The cleans are better than the previous model..Absolutely no need for dist pedals- this amp has enough gain.Ive had tons of tone compliments on it.Used it for modern country/pop/ top 40, and some metal if needed...This amp is a home run.

 

[lpaul626]

Love my 20th anniv.Shiva..The cleans are better than the previous model..Absolutely no need for dist pedals- this amp has enough gain.Ive had tons of tone compliments on it.Used it for modern country/pop/ top 40, and some metal if needed...This amp is a home run.

So the cleans on the EL34 version are "better" than a standard EL34 Shiva?

Also, is the boost in effect another gain stage on the 20th? So you could effectively use it as a 3 channel??

 

[RSRD]

Love my 20th anniv.Shiva..The cleans are better than the previous model..Absolutely no need for dist pedals- this amp has enough gain.Ive had tons of tone compliments on it.Used it for modern country/pop/ top 40, and some metal if needed...This amp is a home run.

So the cleans on the EL34 version are "better" than a standard EL34 Shiva?

Also, is the boost in effect another gain stage on the 20th? So you could effectively use it as a 3 channel??

No the clean on the el34 is not better on the 20th then the on the reg. In fact most ppl say the opposite. I would say the clean on the original is a tad more 'woody' or 'organic' but man the 20th shiva cleans are very close and you can get the break up on the cleans that you cant get on the regular shiva. Either way both hve much better cleans then anything else ive ever played.

The boost is NOT an extra channel though I do use it as my 3rd aka lead tone. It has its own volumn and is a tad more liquid but that is all. The boost does not have its own gain or eq settings.

Im in agreeance that something about the 20th A models are just AMAZING. Everyone has their own ear for what they need but IMO these 2 are the top of the mountain. The original Shiva is a VERY good amp on its own though. A bit more simplistic so a tad more tone but less features.

 

[lpaul626]

No the clean on the el34 is not better on the 20th then the on the reg. In fact most ppl say the opposite. I would say the clean on the original is a tad more 'woody' or 'organic' but man the 20th shiva cleans are very close and you can get the break up on the cleans that you cant get on the regular shiva. Either way both hve much better cleans then anything else ive ever played.

The boost is NOT an extra channel though I do use it as my 3rd aka lead tone. It has its own volumn and is a tad more liquid but that is all. The boost does not have its own gain or eq settings.

Im in agreeance that something about the 20th A models are just AMAZING. Everyone has their own ear for what they need but IMO these 2 are the top of the mountain. The original Shiva is a VERY good amp on its own though. A bit more simplistic so a tad more tone but less features.

Thanks! Very helpful. So I guess it isn't fair to say that the 20th will basically do the reg prod. (plus much more) given the inherent tonal variations (i.e., "woody, organic . . . "tad more tone")?

 

[LP Freak]

I think everyone can agree that the loop on both equally suck.

 

[squank]

I think everyone can agree that the loop on both equally suck.

It's not the worst loop I've played through, but it's the one weak spot on the amp.

 

[LP Freak]

I think everyone can agree that the loop on both equally suck.

It's not the worst loop I've played through, but it's the one weak spot on the amp.

Maybe, but why revamp an amp and over look that? If the loop were good it would be a stellar amp.

 

[squank]

I think everyone can agree that the loop on both equally suck.

It's not the worst loop I've played through, but it's the one weak spot on the amp.

Maybe, but why revamp an amp and over look that? If the loop were good it would be a stellar amp.

Agreed. I do wish they had.

 

[jazzgear]

I think everyone can agree that the loop on both equally suck.

It's not the worst loop I've played through, but it's the one weak spot on the amp.

Maybe, but why revamp an amp and over look that? If the loop were good it would be a stellar amp.

Seems the loop is a weak point on most if not all Bogners. I've owned several Bogners, and all of the loops sucked (Shiva, XTC, Duende...)

 

[richedie]

Hi gain is better on the 20th Shiva, cleans are better and the overall gain is more open on the 20th. Only amp I have played recently that sounded really good with an OD pedal was the Mesa Electradyne and a Fryette. With the Shiva, I get all I need from the amp.

 

[LP Freak]

Hi gain is better on the 20th Shiva, cleans are better and the overall gain is more open on the 20th. Only amp I have played recently that sounded really good with an OD pedal was the Mesa Electradyne and a Fryette. With the Shiva, I get all I need from the amp.

The OD channel does take pedals well though if that's your thing.

 

[richedie]

I agree, it takes them OK, but the best modern amps I have ever used with pedals is the Electradyne, ST-50 and Deliverance.