1st Day with a Bogner Ecstasy 101B

[@LeonTodd]

Me after seeing the title - *HEAVY BREATHING*

[@GregSummersMusic]

Leon Todd I’ve had my 101B since 2001. Maybe I can get off my ass and do a video soon. I’m glad to see Michael doing a video on it.

[@iansomers5703]

You must get one and do a review!!

[@howtoshootstraighthtss4948]

Please get one to review

[@daveaufradern6658]

I worked in a music store and played a lot of amps over the years. Marshalls, Peaveys, Mesas, Fenders and amps that are considered "boutique". But the one amp that really stood out for me was the Bogner Ecstasy. It not only sounds great and is extremely versatile, it has a special feel to it that is so satisfying. You need to play it to know what it feels like. No other amp i have ever played had this feel to it. Probably the best production amp money can buy.

[@Squidz66]

Yes! The feels is great.. It's an amp you want to play. You actually "play" this amp.. It's so good.

[@goldensunspiral]

That's actually some of the best tone I've heard in my life. Just wow. I want this amp so much.

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

To those who dont own an Ecstasy, you have no idea how incredible it is. The sound, the touch sensitivity, is very unique and incredible. These YT reviews only give you a general idea. Ive owned tons of high end amps and this one is the best ever. If you play one, you will find a way to come up with the 2k for a preowned model. You have no idea how incredible the 101B is...

[@Squidz66]

Bang on. It's only when you play it. .. "feels" so good. I had to get one.

[@beatendownby]

Do you know if the 50w has that same magic to it?

[@jonluick]

Reinhold is a wizard at amp designs. I love all his amps.

[@edovinus]

Thanks for the demo! This easily is the most elaborate demo of the Ecstasy I've seen on KZbin.

[@Music_is_fun]

It’s probably the most elaborate amplifier too

[@MichaelGuy]

I have to say. This guy knows tone. There are only a handful of guys like this on the planet. Maybe half that. Super Talent!

[@hootowl6354]

How can there be a handful on the planet when there is a truck load in Nashville? 😉

[@paulmenard6219]

Easily my favorite amp of all time. Everything feels and sounds perfect through this amp. Just an absolute joy to play

[@RonynLoneWolf]

One of my favorite dream amps of all time. Congrats man!

[@patsmith7988]

I heard a Bogner in a studio my buddy had in late 1990s I was blown away by the amazing tone I still want one and even more after this video.

[@Walkerbjj]

This amp ended my tone quest. I've owned everything amp i've ever dreamed of owning. Once I got my Ecstasy, I was done.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

My god its amazing!!

[@Stoffendous]

I'm gonna shave you bald Robert. BALD.

[@MorGuitarz]

One of the best 5 amps ever assembled. A gigging guitarist's dream amp. Infinite sustain and as loose or tight as you need it. A crushing low end, if you need it... Or tight as a drum to cut like a sword

[@robertrogers2395]

What are the other 4 ?

[@PK22-b7v]

What are the other four?

[@febguitar2024]

@@PK22-b7v Marshall JVM410, Soldano SLO, Friedman Deluxe, EVH 5150iii and Carvin Legacy

[@sheriffdohboy]

I just keep coming back to this video….of all the amp videos I’ve watched over the years ….this one just stands out…can’t quite put my finger on it but your tone and playing is just the business here ……amazeballs…….

[@fattone]

Michael Nielsen On the Red and Blue channels turn the gain lower so that the bright eq switches will function more. At max gain they are pretty much inaudible. Red channel with gain at about 1o'clock with B1 and Treble at 1-2 o'clock starts getting cut like a modded marshall. Same with the Blue, you can go from JCM800 to a Lead models with the Bright caps on the Pre EQ switches. 470pf and 4700pf caps like the marshalls have. Treble pot is Audio not Linear so you will have to turn it up more for it to reach the same level as on a Marshall or Friedman to get similar cut. cut. On the Clean and on Plexi modes, crank the Volume and use the Gain as the actual volume and this will give you pristine cleans.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Awesome tip! Thanks!!!

[@joesantangelo1]

This video reminded of why this is my favorite amp ever. It literally does anything, my Metalcore/Tech Metal band’s album was reamped with one, and with the right boost, this thing can be turned into an absolute tight metal death machine from hell, but it still retains that beautiful open chewy midrange. Perfect amp.

[@Walkerbjj]

exactly. I play in a metal band with this amp. When i read forums saying this amp doesn't do metal very well, i laugh so hard

[@johnnyb3987]

It's funny how we always look forward toward new gear and things from back in the day that were awesome end up completely forgotten. It's a great amp. The recordings Steve Vai did with this amp were awesome! I didn't even know this amp existed until he used it. When I was a kid I had a hafler triple giant and that was the only thing I knew of from Bogner until Steve Vai used the Ecstasy. I used it with my jcm 800 that I sold my bike for and rode home on my skateboard with. Good times!

[@randalpink9311]

Michael you are easily one of my favourite guys to rely on for demos, especially on these higher end amps that are hard to try out before a buy. This video helped me pull the trigger on this. I have a small box and as much as I love it, I think tonally this may beat it. The plexi channel is just amazing and clear, maybe less gain as the plexi channel on the small box. The drive channels are amazing on both both the additional 2 channels on the Bogner (clean and red) really push it over for me. It’s too versatile and since I’m never going to be a rock star I’m relegated to playing covers lol , the versatility is invaluable.

[@JEL5150]

This video was put together so well with the annotations. Someone who has watched a lot of these you really put all the things i wish other people did in this video. Nicely done!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Thanks Jon!

[@cryptoskywalker6000]

That's a really versatile amp. At first I wasn't impressed. But then there was just one killer tone after another. Every slight adjustment seemed to bring out a new killer tone. There were some duds, but most of the tones you were getting were pretty thriller. I'm impressed.

[@kenr.b.891]

I'm pretty picky when it comes to a good overdrive sound, and to me this sounds great.

[@Henrikvikinghartfeldtjohansson]

That amp is a beast! Thanks for sharing.

[@90sPunkRockCovers]

Congrats on the new amp Mike, sounds great as always. I love my Ecstasy Classic, such a versatile beast.

[@jefflewis5546]

I always return to Bogner. I have Mesa Boogie , Black star, Marshall . Carvin but I always spend my time tweeking knobs. My Bogner is always ready to roll !

[@karolkozak64]

WOW sounds absolutely AMAZING!

[@JonathanBriseboisLamarche]

Dude you just made me get over Friedman completly. No offense to Dave's amazing products, but this is pure Ecstasy (pun intended!). Sounds so warm, so fat, but without sacrificing clarity. Amazing, this might be the amp that I was seeking.

[@tombedford7493]

Weirdest thing, I was at guitar center tonight playing a BE50 through a Friedman 4x12 cab. I was doing an A/B back-and-forth comparison between a Bogner Helios 100 watt head.and the BE50.At first I thought the Friedman was amazing but after a while it felt like it only really offered one idea and it did that really well. When I moved over to the Bogner Helios it did not have the same kind of heavy gain but I looked at the salesman and said the Bogner seems to have “more voice” than the Friedman. I walked out and pulled up KZbin for the drive home and this came up.

[@danielgrohl6971]

I had a friend that thought i made the wrong decision, and he is all about the Friedman BE 100 deluxe that just came out. This video makes me happy to have gone for the Bogner Ecstacy 101 B with EL 34's. Yes it may take 2 or 3 weeks to figure it all out, but this video gives me a great head start. When it comes to amps i want to be like Michael..

[@Alexisdc11]

Great video Michael!! The best presentation of this amp I've seen on KZbin.

[@raysmetaltracks6782]

Damn, what a range! Didn't hear a bad tone at all! Great demo, as always.

[@t-boog2173]

Great Tone! Now I see what all the fuss was about. The distortion has a lot of complexity. Almost to the point of sounding like more than one amp. And that's over KZbin. In that room, it must sound huge. Congrats Bro & Rock On!

[@mikesychr55]

My favorite amp!! I’ve had one going on 6 years now!!

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

The Bogner sounds amazing Michael, look forward to a proper demo soon and maybe compare it to the Friedman. You must be chuffed!

[@JayRoc17]

I've had the pleasure of trying one from the 2000 era way back and I found the tone was SO rich, organic and tube-like, unlike any other high gain multi-channel amp I've tried.

[@FastRedPonyCar]

They are killer studio amps. I had an XTC classic for a while but JESUS does it just get curb stomped on stage. A 50w DSL not only buried it volume output-wise but also in clarity and ability to cut through the stage mix. I played maybe 2 or 3 shows with it and sold it. Too expensive to keep just as a studio tool when I had a Kemper and nowhere near the balls on stage as my Splawn. Amp was operating 100% perfect though. 2 highly skilled amp builders both verified that there wasn't anything wrong with it to result in it not being as loud as I expected on stage. The voicing of the amp just doesn't lend itself nearly as well to being a stage monster the way the marshalls do. Hell, I bet my 50w Silver Jubilee could have smoked it. Like I said though... the XTC is a studio queen if I've ever seen one. TONS of sounds inside.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

From the short time I've had this, I can totally see what you mean. It's definitely not a sledge hammer cut through kinda amp. In a 2 guitar heavy rock band, that would definitely be a concern.

[@chrislestermusic]

I had one of these for many years and it is a bit overwhelming with all the knobs and switches but once you get it, the things smokes.

[@Music_is_fun]

That’s what happens with “do it all” things. Better not lose the book😂😂😂😂 it’s still one of the best investment for a gigging musician or a studio

[@viper1vols]

Would love a part 2 of this one actually. Great stuff 👍🏻

[@spark4039]

i got my xtc made for me in spring 2012, still have it and i love it as much now as the day i unboxed it

[@bmwm3cs]

I always come back and listen to this video. Great playing and great sounding amp.

[@HomeWreckerPickups]

Red and Blue through Plexi mode hit with a properly set Klon, it’s Ecstasy! Great demo Michael! This amp is super deep. Really takes years to get to know. You made it sound amazing upon first glance. The clean was the most particular to dial out.

[@Skoora]

If you set the presence high the high gain tones will cut just fine, it will even do proper metal. Better on post 2004 models which had the gain changed for CH 3. New....Pentode Old......Triode If you got it used and question gain levels check what pre’s are loaded. Someone may have put in an AT7 etc to lower gain

[@bjhale542]

Michael Man it's a year late to the party, I love my Bogner Helios and you have a stellar amp here! You have the Big Three of the amp world as we move through this era in guitar. Steven Fryette, Dave Friedman, and Reinhold Bogner. Are there many other great ones? Yes, certainly. But these artisans of amp technology are really something to behold and wield. Kind of like the current Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rafael at list in my mind.

[@serenacapiotto2276]

One of the more musical lead tones that I've heard, it seems that additional effects such as delay and reverb are superfluous

[@geraldhinson]

That 1/2 second shot of Bogner to prove your aesthetic point... LOL. But, geez, i completely agree. His amps are just righteous and the ecstacy is my favorite of them all. One of my all time favorite leads is a demo that was on the Bogner website that I downloaded and have kept ever since. Friedman's are nice too, but they have their own thing going on... almost sounds like there is a touch of wah in them sometimes. Thanks for the video as always.

[@THUNDERWORX]

I have a Zoom GN3 pedal with Ecstasy Blue as one of the amps. It sounded great on their digital emulation, so I thought I would search and see what the real amp was. I'm not very familiar with Bogner. That is a great sounding amp!!! Glad you posted this. Michael, you always know how to get the best sound out of any amp.

[@onewiththings]

That might be the sweetest amp I've ever heard.

[@dmitrymashkov9379]

Thanks man for the overview. I've never heard Bogner that close before

[@christiangauthier727]

Wow! Awesome tones! I just wish I could have experienced it live to really hear and feel this amp in all it's glory! I haven't heard that amp for 10 years. In college, one of the guitar teachers (sadly never had him) was always acting like a big shot, sunglasses and cigars even in dark freezing winter, big ego and all that and this guy had tons of high end gear but his main gigging & studio sessions amp was a Bogner Xtasy. He used to play for Celine Dion whenever she came back in Quebec (I'm from Montreal) and man... If I had that Amp, it would go a long way towards giving me the same kind of confidence, attitude and coolness that my college's teacher had going. Even with all-white hair early fifties and a little bit of a belly (well he always wore tight white T-shirts so it didn't help...), the guy really had something special going on and this kind of guitar tone surely had a lot to do with it!

[@onehotrocker99]

I watched your video on the Friedman BE-100D amp and, I gotta say, I've never heard anything more expressive than this Bogner amp. So much more character and harmonically richer than the BE-100D. Nice work Michael!

[@Slothclawcolseslaw]

Bogner vs Friedman. Pretty please?

[@achilleszaluar5825]

Yeah!! Please!

[@DestinationUnknownBandSinger]

Aquiles Zaluar BE100 ain’t all that great. I just played one the other day. Was so stoked! But, Was not impressed after playing. Especially for the price range they’re in.

[@youvsyou945]

@@DestinationUnknownBandSinger Respectfully, opinions vary.....the BE100 ended my tone search after decades. Not only does is sound killer, but it probably has the best feel of any amp I've ever played.

[@MyICONIC]

@@DestinationUnknownBandSinger Price is irrelevant. I got me a BE-50 Deluxe, worth every penny. I also had my eye on the 101b....

[@johnchase8510]

One of my favorite amps... Some day, it will be mine!

[@LucaMilierimusic]

What a beautiful thing

[@lukaszkrupa9677]

I own 101b xtc anniversary 6L6 and I Love it. Last month I bought 2525c for home practice on EL34 and also love it but when i plug it to bogner 4x12 i was missing something in sound. xtc has much richer and wider sound. blue channel for solo in any style is just a place where you dont wanna go anywhere else. I will hold on to Bogner for some time I think. One bad thing I can say is after not even one year of use i had to change led in footswitch and month later again.

[@guitarz]

Tight metal joy 🤘🏻 something we all need a little more of in the morning ☕️

[@lpgoog]

I thought Lukather sounded the best EVER when he switched to this amp. Not sure why he recently switched to another Bogner model. Never used one but enjoy having poor man Bogner Blue on pedalboard 👍🎸

[@rikshredder]

When he switched to the Ecstasy he was using a newer model that has a different gain stage. After 2005 Bogner changed the gain on the 3rd channel, made it sound more liquid, compressed. This one is a 90s Ecstasy so it'll sound different. Good but different.

[@dawnpoint]

Also, Luke uses a signature version of the ToneConcepts Distillery. That is a huge part of his tone. The blend of the two is just perfection.

[@robertwellington2616]

lpgoog Friedman is still better. Quieter. Better distortion too. Not that this is a bad amp. I’m sure it’s great. But I’m speaking of another Bogner.

[@2204JCM]

The Helios has more cut in the mix.

[@peevee605]

I talked a bit to him about it. He liked the Plexi tone of the Helios a lot and that was that. Luke sounds great through any amp. I dig both his first tones with the Exctasy and later the Helios.

[@rangerdoc1029]

More Marshall than Marshall. I built a 50w clone with Shiva clean and Ecstasy Plexi & Blue channels. It's the only amp that's ever "spoken" to me. Ecstasy blue is amazing. It's like the gain of a JCM with the soul of a Plexi.

[@russwilson2305]

Heph333 -Where did you get the plans for that?

[@scottanderson2550]

Please tell me more. I’ve been wanting something much like that.

[@MichaelBruceTaos]

jesus those tones are good man

[@zippy61]

Just ordered one of these today after my friend sent me this video. That blue channel sings man!!! Thanks

[@mohawkbear8768]

That lead channel is perfect!

[@208414]

I agree that it sounds like the amp has a lot of lower mids. It sounds really sweet and full. I was expecting more gain but I guess that's what the Uberschall is for.

[@jjnewbold]

This is my favorite amp vid on KZbin, thanks so much. Please do a comparison with the new Bogner 3534 if possible. :)

[@123lowp]

I saw a 90s cover band and the guitarist was using this amp and they sounded great. I liked it so much I had to buy a Bogner and ended up getting an Uber, which is now my fav metal amp. Uber is great for high gain leads also.

[@saintmovies7735]

I’ve had 3 versions of the Ecstasy: Classic, 101B, and 20th Anniversary (6L6), and by far the 101B was my fave - for that Blue channel that just isn’t the same in the others

[@danielgrohl6971]

i was going to go for the 20th anniversary model with the 6L6's, but your comment here changed my mind, and i am also happier with the EL 34 British Tone..

[@OnfloorAudio]

Im a die hard Marshall guy but that thing soungs bad ass . Nice Score !!

[@FlashGrover]

My tips - set 'pre eq's' 2 & 3 to N. Set gain boost to H. Structure to H. Plexi mode to 0. Pre EQ1 to B2. Gain boost1 to H. Presence B to 0. Excursion B to L. Excursion A to T. Adjust knobs to taste. Also note - the presence only works if the loop is engaged & the master volume on the rear is activated. A light will come on to show its activated. Luke used these settings when he was using the XTC.

[@Walkerbjj]

I own and love this amp. BUT i hate the pre eq set to N. Sounds dull as if there's a blanket over the cab. I have the matching 4x12 Bogner cab and i've tried it with other cabs. With that switch on B1 or B2, i LOVE it. I have mine set to B1 and it's glorious. Amazing amp

[@michaelstahl2967]

Best friend of mine (RIP unfortunately ) who got me into actually playing the guitar instead of just wishing I could play guitar always did the jaw thing like Mike. I think it's why they are way better players than me.

[@theblindsniper]

About time! I loved the one i had, it's a fabulous amp!

[@joerobinson6199]

Ooh looks interesting. Gotta watch. 👀 nice Mike as always. Enjoy it.

[@Avatar7x7]

@Michael Nielsen That thing sounds incredible.... You have the cab mic'd in another room or you're using a load box.. - Even the Kemper can't quite get the exact mojo that Bogner amp is getting... meaty and tasty !

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Thanks! I have a Bogner 4x12 mic'd up in the other room. And there's bleed coming in through the camera microphone as well. It's like having a "room mic" :)

[@Avatar7x7]

@@BigHairyGuitars Like your sense of humor - you're a pretty funny dude !

[@Macmax7077]

In Plexi mode you need to give it some gas in the volume to be able to cope out the Marshall Plexi sounds.

[@TheDogPa]

So now you need to get your hands on the new 25 watter...and demo it for us...as we'll never have one and we need to know...

[@legend71]

I still miss mine. I play a Shiva combo now for convenience but the 101B is the best amp ever to me of all time

[@legend71]

And today I am back in the game!

[@GregRickard]

That does sound nice, congrats on the purchase. Both clean and dirty sound really nice. That was amazing self-control on the unpacking. I'm usually tearing at tape and breaking it with my bare hands rather than waste time looking for a knife whenever I buy something.

[@julioguitarrista]

I own an El34 Bogner Shiva Head and it is the best amp I've ever played. Every time I plug in that amp is like the first time. Sounds amazing. I imagine how good the xtc is.

[@the_grube5782]

This brings back good memories of my 101B. They project like getting hit in the chest with a set of encyclopedias.

[@rangerdoc1029]

The neighbors agree.

[@nikolauseder]

My good God! This AMPLIFIER Sounds Amazing!! 🙏🎸🤩👍👏🏻👏🏻

[@cruedevil71]

I own the old big big box blue overdrive and its easily the best OD I have ever played so it makes sense this amp is glorious.

[@Millo1868]

Lovely amp. I see you grounded the Kemper against the wall, at the corner. Love this amp

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

Best straight up rock amp money can buy. Buck stops here. It’s the best amp built off the Plexi bloodline that I’ve ever gotten to play. Does it metal? Classic metal, sure! It just lacks the wiry tightness of like a Friedman or the super super compressed tightness of a Diezel to pull off modern stuff. The Ecstasy is great for late 90s Metallica instead of something like Meshuggah

[@JCB4021]

clean channel volume up to 2:00/3:00 and use the gain for your master.

[@TheGgreen100]

Wow. What an amp.

[@DaveyWoodford]

@Michael Neilson that’s SOME low action in that Lester ! I need this action in my life ! BTW .. the Ecstasy sounds killer

[@davidnuzzaci2459]

Congrats, awesome then and now!

[@JRP3music]

Love the little switches!

[@andrestube6719]

One of my dream amps! The best review of this monster I would like to see a review of Helios too

[@marchurds7646]

I’ve got four Bogner’s including a 101B as well as a Soldano, Friedman, Carr and Blackstar heads. My favourite? The 101B. It’s been my main amp for 12 years now. There was a mod you could get that adds a three way switch to the back panel which gives the pre 2004, post 2004 and Cameron mod red channel gain sounds. I’ve had that added to mine.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

HOLLY COW! REALLY!?! Do you know the name of that mod? Who does it?

[@marchurds7646]

Michael Nielsen It was called the Marvel mod, information (and pics) can be found here. www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=116020 I’ve no idea if the mod is still available or where you would acquire it from unfortunately (it bought directly from Marvel who created it off of the old Bogner forum, the information appears to have got lost when they changed forum providers).

[@marchurds7646]

Scratch that, I’ve found the guy that was offering the mod, it was marvelamps.com/ He also has a Facebook page under the same name. Although the mod is not directly listed on either page I don’t think there is any harm in contacting him. Some folks have said that they think the mod is subtle, but to be honest with the volume up I can definitely hear differences. The Cameron mod itself adding more definition and grit to the post 2004 overdrive sound. It’s a simple mod too, just the addition of a three way switch to the back panel and soldering two wires. I still got an amp tech to do it for me as I’m a wuss at heart though!

[@iansomers5703]

Mine has this as well. I found I preferred the post 2004 the best because it retains the original voice that Bogner wanted in the red channel but simply adds more richness in the highs and a good amount more gain.

[@Nig6tWalker]

cool amps in there buddy!!the Fryette is an awesome amp,mmm i smell some bogner profiles soon

[@wheresallthezombies]

Damn any chance of you playing the bogner, Friedman, and fryette next to each other in the same video?

[@BoyAditya]

The amp that I really wanted to try since pod XT era... Never had a chance to play 😔

[@tele0046]

Okay... I don’t know what I want first.. Bogner Ecstasy or a Cherry Sunburst Les Paul... 🤪 Awesome demo as always

[@123lowp]

I have the Uberschall EL34. It is great and I recommend it for metal riffs and leads.

[@jimmyw2802]

sounds like it works really well at low volume. could hear the strums.

[@FilBack]

It’s being mic’ed in a different room.

[@smokestackstudiosgem]

Hey Mike, did you know that Bogner do a mod to the plexi channel by adding the variable boost/gain rotary knob so the boost button on the footswitch will gain boost the plexi mode... and it sounds amazing, like havin a tubescreamer in front. Love ya work man🤘👍🎸

[@jamespowell1175]

On that Gibson you need just a hair more relief with the truss rod. Your E and B string are just before fretting out between 4, and 9, causing a slight sustain loss. I was the guitar tech for Gretsch from 92 to 95.5 no $hit!

[@darylambrous1050]

Beautiful tone and sound from that beast!

[@wabisabi6802]

Nice having room mics around. 👌

[@coreybray9834]

Yeah, it is nice when you can find an amp that handles the mid range well and also has a decent enough low end to complement. I’m listening through headphones, and it sounds great. I always wanted an Ecstasy to double up next to my Carvin Legacy.

[@dwb131313]

Awesome amp. I’d love to have one. I’ve got the ecstasy blue pedal and it’s the best od pedal I’ve ever had. That and the Bogner Burnley. Burnley is close to an actual distortion pedal though. Super awesome

[@freneticGTR]

Was dying...I have the same discussions with myself around new gear. Awesome! Sounds great.

[@tylernol8890]

Please do another demo!!!

[@FEAROWNAGE]

The blue channel has that *roar* 😍