DTP
Member
I have to agree with what a bunch of people here already said. I owned and A/Bd the Eclipse and the regular Helios and ended up preferring the regular version. Great fuckin amp
B
bubucci
Well-known member
The same about Eclipse vs 100. The Eclipse has lost the essential of the sound the original has. Not worth to have separate clean channel. The input/channel switch mod was enough for using cleans on 100W.
I also have Smallbox but for me it was not even close...not bad but somewhat flat, not so dynamic, boring after while...Helios have the essence of the old Marshalls and the punch of the amp is comparable to Wizard MC II I already had.
I also have Smallbox but for me it was not even close...not bad but somewhat flat, not so dynamic, boring after while...Helios have the essence of the old Marshalls and the punch of the amp is comparable to Wizard MC II I already had.
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MattQc
New member
I have the eclipse and I think its a really grat amp. Havent played the oh Helios and I also own a 20th XTC B.
I think Bogner missed the mark with the marketing of both Helios models, og and eclipse.
The eclipse is a totally different beast, it should have been rpesented as a 1 channel amplifier with 3 modes and 3 sub modes, with gain 3 and volume 3 on the back of the amp and with presence and depth on the front. They should have dropped the helios name and jsut go with eclipse. Anyway love the amp. chan3 Eclipse+ mode is a bit unusable though, i prefer chan2 eclipse mode.
Target audience is totally different too
I think Bogner missed the mark with the marketing of both Helios models, og and eclipse.
The eclipse is a totally different beast, it should have been rpesented as a 1 channel amplifier with 3 modes and 3 sub modes, with gain 3 and volume 3 on the back of the amp and with presence and depth on the front. They should have dropped the helios name and jsut go with eclipse. Anyway love the amp. chan3 Eclipse+ mode is a bit unusable though, i prefer chan2 eclipse mode.
Target audience is totally different too
DanTravis62
Well-known member
The Helios is my favorite Bogner amp - bar none.
Haven't played the snorkler, though.
IMO the Helios is far more "woody" and has more snarl and midrange character than all of the other Bogner offerings. I even prefer the helios to the Uber and UU for high gain - and I play metal.
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MistaGuitah
Well-known member
Had both the 50w and 100w Helios, both great. It's a highly tweakable amp so you kind of have to treat it like a Mesa Boogie in my opinion. Speakers make a big difference. If you don't keep the amp long enough to get familiar with each knob and switch, you do yourself a disservice. The volume level you're playing at also has something to do with how the other controls respond. In my personal experience, you kind of have to set it according to the volume you're playing at and step back to hear it from both corners of the room.
It doesn't have a "clean" channel but it's such a beautiful, warm, sparkly light gain that easily cleans up with the guitar and playing dynamics. It's so versatile. If you get one and don't keep it long enough yo get intimately familiar with all the controls and try a couple of different speakers then you never got to know it enough.
Bogner mids, in general, are overpowering for some people who are used to woofy plexis, Mesa Boogies, Fender amps etc. Some people like a more bitey, brittle high end but Bogners aren't like that. As it goes with any amplifier, expectation bias often kills the experience.
It doesn't have a "clean" channel but it's such a beautiful, warm, sparkly light gain that easily cleans up with the guitar and playing dynamics. It's so versatile. If you get one and don't keep it long enough yo get intimately familiar with all the controls and try a couple of different speakers then you never got to know it enough.
Bogner mids, in general, are overpowering for some people who are used to woofy plexis, Mesa Boogies, Fender amps etc. Some people like a more bitey, brittle high end but Bogners aren't like that. As it goes with any amplifier, expectation bias often kills the experience.
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jbru91
Active member
Do you have the 50W or the 100W? And I'm guessing it is just the regular version and not the eclipse you're referring to? I've always wanted to try a Helios. I love my 101b that I have.
DanTravis62
Well-known member
I don't own any of them, but, I've played the 50, 100 and eclipse multiple times. I have a bogner obsessed best friend.
Honestly there isn't a ton of difference between any of them except for the eclipse obviously has the higher gain mode - personally, I think the standard helios with a boost is the best sounding for high gain, but they're all really really close to eachother.
The 100w has a tiny bit more low end. The Eclipse has a bit more gain and is noisier.
IMO there isn't a huge difference between any of them. They all sound great and there isn't a ton of wild differences in tone or voicing.
J
jbru91
Active member
Thanks,
I appreciate the insight, it is helpful.
I appreciate the insight, it is helpful.
ZEN Amps
Well-known member
Yeah I ended up grabbing a 50 maybe 18 months back, cool amp. It's a little more traditional Marshall than an XTC or Shiva - never a bad thing.
You boosting it for metal?
DanTravis62
Well-known member
Yes I like them with a boost
The more traditional marshall flavor is what appeals to me about the helios - it's got alot more complexity and woodiness to the midrange, and combined with an 808 with a clean blend or more modern od like a KSR Eros that has the clean blend built in, you can crank the gain quite a bit and retain some clarity - just need to be conservative with the EQ to keep it from getting honky with some speakers