Some further takes on the Ecstasy 50...
All I all I really like it and is definitely worth having. It sounds much like it's big brother. at least from what I can tell from memory. I can't say that about the first 3534. That amp sounded more modern and did't have as much of the woody tone and elastic, bouncy feeling that is characteristic of the XTC. This amp has that!
I don't have tons of other amps as a point of reference but I did a little a/b with what I do have.
Compared to my 4104's . There is almost zero common ground. Opposite ends of spectrum The 800 is brash and raw, Ecstasy is polished and refined.
DSL 50 . Ecstasy sounds much sweeter and way more versatile, but the DSL sounds like a hot rodded Marshall. Nothings does Marshall better than Marshall.
Mesa Mark IV. The Bogner holds up pretty well and is easier to dial in, but the Mark IV is it's own animal. If only it didn't weigh 80 pounds. It is for sale in the classifieds but after tonight's comparison, I may pull the ad. That amp is a monster.
SLO 30. Here is where I was very surprised. I had this amp before and loved it! I only sold it because I needed money at that the time. When I had it Velro Fly had a 3534 35 water.. we both thought the SLO 30 was much much better. Now a year or two later I borrowed his SL0 30 to compare to to the XTC 50.. This time around I like the XTC 50 much better than the SLO 30. This so weird because because as much as I love both Soldano and Bogner amps and played them since the 90's if push came to shove and I had to pick one, it was the SLO but it was a tough call. . In the case there is zero wavering... Just like like it was no contest when I chose the SLO 30 over the original 3534... I am curious to see if Velcro fly's take is the same or my ears are trippin'.
1966 Bassman. No surprises here... the Ecstasy 50 and the Bassman sound almost identical no matter how I twist the knobs......
Overall takeaway. I like it and it is ear pleasing change from Marshall, Marshall, Marshall all the time.. This amp is fun, versatile, easy to play and sounds and feels great at all volumes.. even very low speaking volume.. Comes alive and and opens up with some volume.. loop works great. ( loop Master is really handy). The onboard boost is nice but depending on amp settings, can get a little too fat and woofy, but it really helps add that extra chunk, especially on the blue channel.
I will make some clips if I find the time and motivation. .