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Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jan 4 2012, 05:19 PM

Still on my extended search for tone, after the recent completion of the Cockburn A.C.2 tube amp I am contemplating the purchase of a new amp for my birthday.

The A.C. 1 is a touch sensitive 12W blues amp
The A.C. 2 is a versatile 70s/80s 2W studio rock amp

I am looking for something that combines both of these and adds more gain, but I don't fancy building another amp just yet. The A.C.1 is very lacking in Gain, the A.C. 2 doesn't do cleans very well and is not very touch sensitive.

Here is a clip that I really like - its a touch sensitive lead amp from AX84.com, listen to the definition at high gain, and then the way it cleans up by rolling the volume back, I really like that

http://ax84.com/static/lead2-bs/Brian_S_LeadII.mp3

After some research, I think the Bogner Alchemist might be close to what I want. It has California cleans, some nice crunch and pretty high gain when cranked. I liked this clip, it sounds very touch sensitive too:

http://www.bogneramplification.com/sounds/AlchemistGain1_GregV.mp3

I know this is a cheapie Chinese Bogner, not the real deal but it was designed by Reinhald himself and sounds pretty decent to me.

So, my question is, does anyone have one of these and do they like it? Can anyone suggest an alternative in this price range (sub $1000 for a 2x12 combo)?

I want versatility both for gigging (if I ever do again) but also for recording - the Bogner falls down for this as it is a 40W beast and I will likely have to use an attenuation for recording. A lower power studio version of the bogner would probably be ideal as I could mike it up and put ti through the PA for gigs, but there is also something compelling about having a decently powered amp to play with

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 4 2012, 07:14 PM

Ouh, AC2 is done, that's very cool!

Indeed Bogner sounds cool in this clip. I tried the combo once, in the store, and didn't liked the overdrive sound, it was a bit buzzy, but I tested it very briefly. I bet it sounds great when cranked, it's a powerful amp.

Posted by: MickeM Jan 4 2012, 11:39 PM

I'm on the same hunt
Easy build, no frills, just one or two channels. Back to the roots.

I keep coming back to Marshall 1987 plexi reissue and the likes, on to Orange AD30 and then I'm lost. It's always like that, same story, seem endless.
Probably I should get both and be done with it
Likely that'll never happen


+ a nice OD pedal


A reissue or old school ideas, like the AD30 would be my option. I can't go chase gold nuggets on eBay. I just keep imagining the 70's, and late 60's as the age when amps were at their best and musicians were inventing solutions to distorted sound. Still amp makers strive for that sound but with different solutions. The 80's hard rock tone, easily accomplished with a modern amp - just dial and play. I don't care if the reissues has a PCB in them, it's still the right idea from a vintage perspective to force the user to push it to get rewarded (though the modern idea is to find the vintage sound and it's not really inventions like it was back then)

Anyway, for a creamy distorted sound that cleans up well that's where I look. And as it happens it's always british amps

Posted by: Mudbone Jan 5 2012, 09:04 AM

Definitely check out Blackstar amps. They now produce amps in just about every wattage, I'm sure you'll find something you'll like. They have fantastic cleans and articulate high gain tones.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jan 5 2012, 03:13 PM

Thanks for the replies guys, I'll add Orange, Marshall and Blackstar to my list!

Posted by: MickeM Jan 5 2012, 03:17 PM

I recall Audiopaal was sold on Reinhardt, wasn't that kind of outstanding Plexi like tone too - considering only the desired crunch here?
Don't know the price though.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jan 12 2012, 05:31 PM

Ok, I ended a little farther away from my starting point than I intended but it went this way:

I settled on the Blackstar HT1 as a really great little recording amp. Then I got a little extra money form an unexpected source and decided to go all out and get a Blackstar HT-50 CLub with a 4x12 cab!



The real reason is that I have no decent big amp. I don't really need one, but 50W is 50W! It has an emulated line out so I can record quietly, plus I have an attenuator if that doesn't sound too good. But .. at the end of the day, its my first stack, and that is worth something!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 12 2012, 06:35 PM

Oh oh, that is awesome amp Andrew! I just tested 20W Studio Blackstar head in the store and was really happy with it. Unfortunately, it's very expensive here, around 750-800$, but I'm considering it...

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jan 12 2012, 06:39 PM

Yeah, the more I dug into Blackstar, the more it seemed that they had the basics right, as well as extreme versatility. Here's hoping that their tagline is true and I can "discover the sound in my head" !

Posted by: MickeM Jan 16 2012, 09:29 AM

For voices I think you should have gotten a PA system


I seriously believe that club head is an amazing one. Nicely priced too. Great choice!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jan 16 2012, 01:43 PM

Thanks Micke, I value your opinion (I used to call him "The Amp Guy" back in 2007!)

Now, if only the voices will go away ...

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 16 2012, 11:26 PM

only thing that I had in mind when trying is that ISF feature is not changing the sound that much, it's very gentle. Possibly on another cab..

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jan 16 2012, 11:29 PM

Thanks for the heads up Ivan - I read that it only works on the lead channel anyway, so lets see!