Ecstasy Classic

[Rdodson]

Soooooo...I played an Ecstasy Classic for the first time yesterday.

I've had 2 Shivas (both 20th), 3 Ecstasies (one 20th), a Helios - also VHT, Metropoulos, an outstanding Soldano SLO - and I'm speechless.

I'm hoping it was just me imagining things. I'm hoping it didn't sound as good as I think it did. I'm hoping.

Help me...it is calling me...

 

[russellconner]

I auditioned one with an Uber in 2004. I went with the Uber for two reasons, price and more modern high gain voicing. However, the blue channel on the Classic still haunts me as the most badass Marshall sound I've ever heard.

 

[Alex_S]

Soooooo...I played an Ecstasy Classic for the first time yesterday.

I've had 2 Shivas (both 20th), 3 Ecstasies (one 20th), a Helios - also VHT, Metropoulos, an outstanding Soldano SLO - and I'm speechless.

I'm hoping it was just me imagining things. I'm hoping it didn't sound as good as I think it did. I'm hoping.

Help me...it is calling me...

Wow, I didn't expect to read this from you, because I thought your deep in love with the Helios. I thought the Helios would be quiet close to the XTC Classic from reading the sound descriptions (never had the chance to play one unfortunately). How do they differ soundwise?

Ciao Alex

 

[GOHOINC]

I love my classic, I have been tinkering with the idea of swapping for a 20th because I'd love to have a boost option for plexi mode and the dual excursion controls. But I just haven't been able to follow through, too scared of "what if the 20th isnt as good as my classic..."

Did you get a chance to play with the options?

I've been running mine in Class A mode recently. Truly glorious. Also, I've switched to running it with 2 cabs, one loaded with V30s the other with greenbacks, both rear loaded. The greenbacks really added another dimension to the tone that I didnt get running just v30s. I'm debating on going x pattern in both cabs just so I dont have to lug both around...

I keep my blue channel in normal blue mode so I have three tone and six gain options available. It plays well with my pedal board too.

 

[Setneck]

I'm more than curious about the Classic, but these are totally rare in Europe.

So, in the meantime, until I'd find Clasic I'm buying another 101B

Andy

 

[Rdodson]

My problem is that I love every Bogner I've ever tried.

The Helios is a monster. No backing down from that.

Soooooo...I played an Ecstasy Classic for the first time yesterday.

I've had 2 Shivas (both 20th), 3 Ecstasies (one 20th), a Helios - also VHT, Metropoulos, an outstanding Soldano SLO - and I'm speechless.

I'm hoping it was just me imagining things. I'm hoping it didn't sound as good as I think it did. I'm hoping.

Help me...it is calling me...

Wow, I didn't expect to read this from you, because I thought your deep in love with the Helios. I thought the Helios would be quiet close to the XTC Classic from reading the sound descriptions (never had the chance to play one unfortunately). How do they differ soundwise?

Ciao Alex

 

[Alex_S]

Hahaha, I know what you mean looking at my stable ;-) It's good for me, that they are nowhere near to test drive and my most interested in (100b and xtc classic) are almost not existing here in Germany ;-) but your postings are not helping ;-)

My problem is that I love every Bogner I've ever tried.

The Helios is a monster. No backing down from that.

Soooooo...I played an Ecstasy Classic for the first time yesterday.

I've had 2 Shivas (both 20th), 3 Ecstasies (one 20th), a Helios - also VHT, Metropoulos, an outstanding Soldano SLO - and I'm speechless.

I'm hoping it was just me imagining things. I'm hoping it didn't sound as good as I think it did. I'm hoping.

Help me...it is calling me...

Wow, I didn't expect to read this from you, because I thought your deep in love with the Helios. I thought the Helios would be quiet close to the XTC Classic from reading the sound descriptions (never had the chance to play one unfortunately). How do they differ soundwise?

Ciao Alex

 

[supersonic]

You need to try a 100B now.

 

[Rdodson]

I a/b'd my 101b and that Classic. The 101b and Helios are more for me - while not taking away the great sound the Classic has.

I would love to try a 100b that is well-sorted. I think it would be fantastic from all I've heard.

 

[jamme61]

Second time around for me and I love the classic more then the 20th

 

[Rdodson]

After spending much time with all the models I would still love to try a 20th XTC with the new Sozo caps and 6CA7 tubes biased right (not cold).

 

[jamme61]

After spending much time with all the models I would still love to try a 20th XTC with the new Sozo caps and 6CA7 tubes biased right (not cold).

I don't think that's going to do much to the tone - IMHO
it is a good time to buy a used 20th cheap? you could change the caps yourself.

 

[Rdodson]

After spending much time with all the models I would still love to try a 20th XTC with the new Sozo caps and 6CA7 tubes biased right (not cold).

I don't think that's going to do much to the tone - IMHO
it is a good time to buy a used 20th cheap? you could change the caps yourself.

I had a 20th 6L6 and sold it to get a Helios. I liked the Helios but the XTC is just so versatile and I like the lower filtering in the power amp of the 101b circuit (more like a 12000 Marshall). My only issue was with the RED channel of the 20th - it seemed a bit smeared and boxy, a complaint some say has to do with the caps. The newest gen is supposed to be better in this regard.

Anyway, I'm just guessing.

 

[jamme61]

After spending much time with all the models I would still love to try a 20th XTC with the new Sozo caps and 6CA7 tubes biased right (not cold).

I don't think that's going to do much to the tone - IMHO
it is a good time to buy a used 20th cheap? you could change the caps yourself.

I had a 20th 6L6 and sold it to get a Helios. I liked the Helios but the XTC is just so versatile and I like the lower filtering in the power amp of the 101b circuit (more like a 12000 Marshall). My only issue was with the RED channel of the 20th - it seemed a bit smeared and boxy, a complaint some say has to do with the caps. The newest gen is supposed to be better in this regard.

Anyway, I'm just guessing.

Oh Ok maybe it would help. The 20th pictured is a 2013 when did they start using the new caps ? I had the el34 version 20th and thought it had to much midrange people told me I should have gotten the 6l6 version. Its tough and a lot of time and money to get what you want. Now I like the classic before I didn't like it- crazy. you could try and call bogner - get their opinion Good luck on the quest

 

[Rdodson]

I love my current 101Bs, a '97 with the transitional MM iron - so my quest has died down a bit. And yes, while the EL43 version of the 20th is a heck of an amp, I think the 6L6 version is much better. Same with the 20th Shiva - RB has really good ears and going with the way he's designed it is a winning formula.

I don't if they've switched to the new generation caps from SoZo or not. I get the feeling they buy caps in bulk but I don't know.

 

[amp maniac]

I have one of the very few Classics here in Germany
It´s a fabulous amp. I also have a ´95 SLO which I love. Both amps are great, but their feel is obviously completely different. The Classic has this organic, chewy tone to it. Maybe not suited for dropped metal tunings (don´t play that anyway), but it can get pretty heavy. The excursion and pre eq switches do A LOT in this amp. Played a 20th recently and didn´t fall in love with it. Has more features (the second assignable presence is nice to have), but less tone than the Classic. The 20th seemed a lot stiffer to me. I know for sure that I´ll never part with my Classic. Such a great amp.

 

[Rdodson]

I love my current 101Bs, a '97 with the transitional MM iron - so my quest has died down a bit. And yes, while the EL43 version of the 20th is a heck of an amp, I think the 6L6 version is much better. Same with the 20th Shiva - RB has really good ears and going with the way he's designed it is a winning formula.

I don't if they've switched to the new generation caps from SoZo or not. I get the feeling they buy caps in bulk but I don't know.

Charley emailed me to say the 20th Anniversary Ecstasies now are using the latest generation SoZo caps and the guys at Bogner love them. Definitely an improvement. Been in the amps since late spring.

 

[ibenhad]

The Ecstasy Classic is awesome. Did the Cameron mod to mine and it's even better. Personally I don't get all the love for the blue channel but I do love the clean and the red is to die for. Now it's not my Uberschall for the umph but that's not what it's supposed to be. Best three channel amp I have ever played.

 

[jamme61]

I think the clasic is the least compressed sound and feeling of all the xtc models IMHO for me its got the best clean and Plexi sound too IMHO The plexi sound is so good (for me blues classic rock old man) that I have to struggle not using the red channel so I can have the plexi mode which is a great meat and potato's sound for me . All IMHO- for me, my style and old ears - maybe not for you.

 

[born_hard]

I´m interested in the XTC 20th 6l6 also. Anybody know when Bogner switched to the the latest generation SoZo caps? And do you think an amp tech could change these caps on an older XTC20th amp?