Got Me Some XTC

  • Thread starter Thread starter peckhart
  • Start date Start date
P

peckhart

Active member
I bought the 20th XTC from Reza. I was only able to fire it up at low volume when the family went to bed last night so I really can't comment a whole heck of a lot.
That said, even just at low volume there is something really cool about how it feels and responds. I see a ton of useful versatility in the tone shaping options on all the channels. Running it through my Splawn SB loaded 4x12 for now. Think I might grab a used Bogner V30 4x12 from GC to see how they compare so I have the option to return if the Splawn works just as well with it.
Counting down the minutes until the Mrs steps out a bit and I can hammer out some licks with some volume. I have a gig tomorrow night, but I am not sure if I'll be comfortable enough taking it out just yet as I won't have a ton of time to mess with it.
 
That is a great amp. I wanted to buy it. I mistakenly sold my 20th XTC 6L6 a couple of years ago.

Run the GREEN channel master full up and use the gain to set the volume. I suggest B1 and the mids set to 11:00. Then set the rest to taste, but that is the basis for a killer clean tone.

The BLUE channel on B1, all the EQ set to about 2:00 and the GAIN about 2:00 is just a killer tone. I'd set the RED channel on B2, gain around 2:00 as well. Start with the EXCURSION on T. Everybody immediately wants to slam with the L setting, but the amp has more harmonic sparkle and give on T. Get that cooking and then you can mess around if you need more bass. But remember, increasing the excursion does decrease the upper mid give and take in the amp. If you like Marshall-on-steroids then go for T to start, and don't be afraid to lower the gain.

It is a monster amp.
 
Just let it rip for a bit. Pretty killer amp. This one is EL34 loaded.
Interesting you say B1 on blue and B2 on red. In very limited time it seems to me like the red channel is naturally a bit brighter.
Again...short time trying some things out, but I was surprised that the Excursion on L was still pretty tight and punchy...just a lot more massive in the low end.
 
The only reason I say B2 on the RED is that with a ton of gain it keeps it from getting muddled as that amp's only issue is getting a bit congested in the mids with a lot of gain. I don't know what year this one is - if it is a '15 or later they changed the signal caps and that issue was supposedly improved.

RB did change the excursion settings on the 20th but I have a regular ('97) 101b and with the MM transformers it gets boomy at L with any real volume.

Mine was 6L6 so the EL34s are less scooped. The SB speakers are tonally similar to a nice GB which I think is a great match.

Regardless, a real flagship amp that just kills. The notes really bloom in that circuit even better than in the regular 101b. Have fun with that thing!
 
I took it to my gig on Saturday. Smaller stage and a venue that is more adamant about keeping the volume down. My stage volume was just too low to start the night so I kept creeping it up. I went back and forth between blue and red and used a patch in the loop with the loop master set a little higher to volume bump for leads by turning on the FX loop.
Really enjoyed the feel and tone of the amp! If I am just dialing in one high gain rock tone...the XTC or Quickrod get it done in spades. For versatility the XTC is the clear winner. It really is easy to dial in and has a wide range of good usable tones.
 
Got to crank it with the band at rehearsal last night. Sounded pretty damn good.
On its own I was kind of concerned the blue channel might not have enough gain, but in the mix it has plenty of gain for the 80s Rock we do. Kicked it up to red for more modern stuff.
I did kinda feel like the red channel didn't cut quite as well, but it might just be me still getting through the learning curve.

I do kinda wish the Plexi mode could be assigned to the green channel. I don't use cleans in my main band and could make use of the Plexi there.

Really digging the sound and feel. I am still left wondering if there is anything to gain with the matching Bogner cab over my Splawn cab. I really hate to buy another 4x12 and find its not much of an upgrade.
 
peckhart":2zpklizt said:
Just let it rip for a bit. Pretty killer amp. This one is EL34 loaded.
Interesting you say B1 on blue and B2 on red. In very limited time it seems to me like the red channel is naturally a bit brighter.
Again...short time trying some things out, but I was surprised that the Excursion on L was still pretty tight and punchy...just a lot more massive in the low end.
Click to expand...

I thought I remembered Reza's having 6l6? Either way, thats a great score. I sold all my other amps and kept my 20th EL34 and my Classic. Congrats.
 
GOHOINC":2li236c5 said:
peckhart":2li236c5 said:
Just let it rip for a bit. Pretty killer amp. This one is EL34 loaded.
Interesting you say B1 on blue and B2 on red. In very limited time it seems to me like the red channel is naturally a bit brighter.
Again...short time trying some things out, but I was surprised that the Excursion on L was still pretty tight and punchy...just a lot more massive in the low end.
Click to expand...

I thought I remembered Reza's having 6l6? Either way, thats a great score. I sold all my other amps and kept my 20th EL34 and my Classic. Congrats.
Click to expand...

Nope, it's EL34 for sure. Previously mistaken identity.

What cab do you run yours through?
 
I ran mine through the Bogner 2x12 that is like a 4x12 cut in half. Scumback M75 65w. I run my 101b through that now. Awesome.
 
I run the classic through the matching bogner 412st loaded with v30s. I run the 20th through a bogner os212 with creamback 65 and 75, 8 ohms each wired in series for a 16 ohm load. Standing right by the cab the os212 cant compete with the 412 but if i get about 5 ft or so away its amazing how big a 212 can sound and when run them both its my version or perfect tone...
 
The thing's a sonic masterpiece... It truly is. Wait till you get the super chimey clean thing going on - you won't believe your ears (Ch.1/Green, MV dimed, use gain as volume, start with mids/treble at 10 o'clock, bass at 9 or so and move to taste...couldn't believe it after so long of having it, taa-daaaa, yep - not only amazing piano ringing cleans - but those crystal clear "shimmering" cleans...astounding. And I'm not a "clean" player kinda guy, but man, makes ya just wanna bust into some open scale bluegrass style weirdness!!).

Fuck I hate the verbiage we gear-nerds use to describe tone :lol: :LOL: "Shimmering", "piano", "percussive", "Vox-like", "Marshallesque" (the latter two always make me wonder why ya just don't buy a goddamn Vox or Marshall and be done with it...however, I digress). Whatever - words aside - the amp kicks ass like, at least in my humble opinion and experience, none other!!

Here's a little bit I wrote on it a couple years ago:
https://en.audiofanzine.com/tube-guitar- ... r_reviews/

Another solid cat here on RT kept nudging me on about the Gold Lion KT77s. In short - they are the bees knees and really just frames the Mona Lisa, for lack of a better description :D

Glad you got it - rock it hard - open 'er up on the MV and let her breathe. You'll spend at least a week or so on Blue if you do.

Rock Steady :rawk:
Mo
 
Oh, run mine through the matching 20thA 412 V30 16ohm cab. Incredible.
 
Rezamatix":3ej5mua9 said:
Turn the gain DOWN on the Red Channel, opens up and becomes WAY less congested, starts to breathe large. Congrats on the amp! I already miss it :(
Click to expand...
Should be said of all high-gain-capable amps... Volume up, gain down - teeth now available ;)
 
Rdodson":26ipbtpy said:
I ran mine through the Bogner 2x12 that is like a 4x12 cut in half. Scumback M75 65w. I run my 101b through that now. Awesome.
Click to expand...

That is known as the 212CB. I have one as well. Amazing cab in every way, especially with an XTC head. I have the Creamback 65s in mine. Love every sound I hear through it and it's so easy to transport!

:rock:
 
Yeah it is a great cab. My Scumbacks need some volume to hit their sweet spot. The only cab I've ever had that could compare is the THD 2x12 with slot opening.

I also agree with those who above said lower the gain on the RED channel. I run mine anywhere from 10:00 to 1:00, depending on where the excursion is set (and mine is pre-'04 gain increase).

PBGas":3gtbcs22 said:
Rdodson":3gtbcs22 said:
I ran mine through the Bogner 2x12 that is like a 4x12 cut in half. Scumback M75 65w. I run my 101b through that now. Awesome.
Click to expand...

That is known as the 212CB. I have one as well. Amazing cab in every way, especially with an XTC head. I have the Creamback 65s in mine. Love every sound I hear through it and it's so easy to transport!

:rock:
Click to expand...
 
I found a mint 412ST local for $700 and picked it up today.
Been running Red at around 10:00 on the gain. Sounds cool. I think I like the bit of extra bite I seem to get on blue for rhythm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top