Bogner amps?

[Karl Winkler]

So I might actually jam with some guys coming up pretty soon. We're all classical musicians but also attempt to play rock. I haven't been in a band in a LOOONG time. The only amp I currently have is the Princeton 12W, and although it sounds fabulous, it just doesn't cut it against the drums in rehearsal. So I'm thinking about a decent combo for rehearsals and the eventual gig. One amp that's caught my eye is the Bogner Shiva 80W with EL34s. Anyone care to comment on this amp? Or offer an alternative? Mainly what I play is rock, influenced by Zep, AC/DC, etc. And then punk-ish stuff like Sex Pistols, Descendants, etc. So the amp doesn't have to be super versatile, but should sound tight and have a decent overdrive crunch to it. My favorite amp in the past was a Marshall JCM800 50W half stack. Man was that a killer sound.

Of course I know I have to try it, and I intend to do that - the local shop has one. But I'm looking for opinions, both good and bad, about this choice. Thanks!

-Karl

[Karl Winkler]

Update - Grandma's has a Shiva combo with 6L6 power tubes, and I gave it a try. Very very sweet sound! A little more top than the typical EL34 amp, and the clean channel is very sparkly.

Any other input on these amps? I'm very tempted! Gotta check the SAF (spousal acceptance factor) first, though...

-K

[Tom Knesel]

IF I were to buy a new combo it would likely be a Shiva. The few I have plugged in to were really nice - if anything I think they may have bit too much gain / saturation - definitely geared for high gain sounds rather than the more crunchy classic rock tones I go for but still a killer sounding amp.

Another amp you may want to look at if you are in that realm of amplifier would be the Fuchs ODS 30 or 50 combo...very "Dumble" sounding. I played one of these at the NAMM show and really liked it as well.

Finally - If you can find one around here - check out 65 amps:

These are modelled more on the older 18watt Marshall heads and combo (like the Marshall combo EC used with the Bluesbreakers). Another cool thing about 65 is that the owner is Peter Stroud who is Sheryl Crows guitarist. He definitely knows tone! Again - these would be ideal for a classic rock sound. From a wattage standpont look at the Soho series. 20-35 watts with one of these amps will definitely cut it for what you want to do. Also - lower power will allow you to really push the amp into break up sooner.

[Karl Winkler]

Hi Tom,

Well, I ponied up and bought the Shiva EL34 head and ported 112 "Shiva size" cabinet so it would be more portable. The combo is a great size, but too heavy for me to lug around. I'm surprised you found that the Shiva had too much gain for classic rock - I think the gain range is perfect for that. But what surprised me the most is the clean channel. Very "Fender-ish". Overall, I'm very happy with this setup.