Pre/Post 2004 Mods - back to back comparison.

[RockStarNick]

So last night, I decided to open up my XTC and do the pre/post 2004 mod. I was all set to do this, and make it switchable via mini toggle.

Had the chassis open. Carefully removed the resistor/capacitor combo that is the "2004 mod". (I placed tape over the adjacent WIMA capacitors, so I didn't bump into them and melt them...) I was getting impatient, and I said "f*ck it" and just put it back together, in it's pre-2004 state.

Sounds incredible. SO so much more toneful on Channel 3 (Red Channel). Less upper mid sizzle, less gain. You can clearly see that this is how the amp was originally intended to sound. Pre-2004 Red Channel sounds just like people describe it: a more natural extension of Channel 2.

I kinda feel like Reinhold gave in to the masses, and voiced the post-2004 Red channel for "brutalz rhythmz". I'm not even going to make them switchable, because I know that for my particular sound and style, I'd never use the post-2004 sound.

Bottom line:

If you play rock, and live on the Blue channel for rhythm, and want to use the Red Channel for leads: Pre-2004 all the way.

If you pay heavier styles, and want to use the Red Channel for higher gain rhythm: Post-2004 (or Cameron, I assume)

 

[Setneck]

Removing post2004 gain mod was the first modification I have done to my amp. I had prototype Marvel Mod installed shortly after (it containes original resistor and cap) but I barely used other voicing than pre2004, so I decided to remove it completely. XTC isn't the amp for brutal sounds, Uberschall was designed to do this. Ecstasy shines in rock patterns, the feel of this amp isn't comparable to any other. Although I have modded my XTC quite extensively I still keep the Bogner flavour in it.

To put it simple - get the hell rid of those post2004 mods guys and fell the power of REAL Ecstasy .

Andy