The Classic kills the 101B! My opinion based on A/Bing through the same cabinet. I own both a 2002 Classic and a 2004 101B modded to post specs. While it has slightly less gain than the 101B, the Classic's channels flow into each other better, way better note separation and dynamics, the eq is more balanced and not as mid focused as the 101B, and the low end fills the room and engulfs you but you still hear every note ring out clearly in a natural stringy way not in a compressed snarl. Takes pedals better if you need a bump or cut here of there. You can hear the mid snarly nature of the 101B here in the vid which is cool though.
Pretty remarkable how well this amp pairs with literally every single cab and speaker shown here. Maybe the best example of this out of all the amps showcased so far. Great stuff!
This channel is amazingly well done, and this amp is one of the best flavors of Marshall ever made IMO. The Synergy module gets maybe 90% of the way there.
I have had a mid 90's 101b "standard" head for a number of years now and while I don't ever like to call something my favourite, my 101b is firmly in my top 3 amps of all time. It sounds great with just about any cabinet or guitar combo I have thrown at it and is pretty well my benchmark amp when I get a new guitar: if doesn't sound and feel great with my Ecstasy, the guitar likely isn't a keeper. It has great cleans and an amazing feel under the fingers all while staying pretty tight! It isn't just a rock amp: that red channel can absolutely do metal if you set it up right. I have owned all the big boy Bogners and my Ecstasy is the one I kept. Common questions are comparisons to the Helios 100 and Uberschall. It can hang with both, though the Helios is more raw with more true Marshall style upper mids. The Uberschall has more overall gain (although not necessarily more useable gain) and much more low end extension.
Yes!!!! You guys captured this beast well, which is hard to do with the bazillion settings in it. I’ve spent more time with the Ecstasy than any other amp, done shootouts with countless others, and I am constantly between thinking it’s the greatest amp ever made to being frustrated with how compressed it can be. Other things I’ve learned: (1) Blue channel, B1, gain wound WAY back to 9 am or 10 am does a more focused but still rich British Class A type sound. I actually prefer it on the Ecstasy to a certain 30-watter with a diamond grill. (2) Blue channel with B2 and a boost is like the funnest modded plexi ever. Not as much kerrang and sharpness as a Marshall, but so juicy and saggy and feels incredible. (3) THANK YOU FOR PLAYING IT WITH GREENBACKS! These always get put into V30 cabs, which are helpful for avoiding the “blanket over the speakers” with these, but Greenbacks’ unique brightness works beautifully. (4)Out of tons of amps I’ve played, there are plenty I would pick for punchy rhythm over the Ecstasy, but for legato leads, nothing is on the same planet. The liquid feel and compression, the swirl around the notes, how deep the low mids make it sound with single notes. Best soloing amp ever. There I said it.
@@zenamplification Mostly the onboard boost, but for a pedal, I really like the Pro Tone Cor Mid Boost: Pretty transparent but gives the blue channel just a bit more edge but still retaining its character and, best of all, the amazing feel.
Yep, that's what the 101's sound like. So refreshing to hear an Ecstacy through a variety of Celestions. The Marshall character & vintage vibe really comes out when NOT paired with V-30's. 👍 There is a lot of sonic landscape to explore & enjoy. The Plexi mode seems to work best when running 1/2 power.......and is cool to use with overdrives & distortion.
Agreed on the V30’s. Good speaker for a lot of things but for traditional Brit crunch an H or M is the ticket. Will have to spend some more time in Plexi mode, thanks for the tips 👍
Wow! I played a 101B and I wasn't impressed with it. After listening to this clip however and knowing the how well this channel exhibits an amps actual tonal characteristics, I'll be considering the 101B again and attributing my previous opinion of it to user-error. The XTC has a distinct tonal character: I hear a woody tone that's chewy but I also hear a darkness to it particularly with G12M- 65; maybe because the 101b is more lower mid focused? I've read that some XTC fans prefer the 20th Anniversary because it's more upper mid focused. I couldn't hear that darker characteristic when played through the G12M-70 nor the MESA cabinet. The XTC definitely can 'Shuck', 'Ratt' and 'Holt' better than I expected. I'll be checking this amp again.
I love all the demos in this video series, and as a Bogner fan, I especially love this entry! Simply stunning tones. And fantastic playing all around, too. But my “cool guitar slang decoder” seems to be on the fritz - what are “H” style tones? “M” style, I figured out (I’m slow, but can sometimes get there…). But “H” has me stumped. Anyway, fantastic vid - thanks for posting!!!
Well done! Loved the various guitars, speakers and settings comparisons. Very comprehensive of what the amp is capable of. I’m just curious did you guys use a Fryette Power Station or an attenuator of some sort? I noticed that the volume was set quite high. I own this very amo and setting the volume at noon is not possible unless you’re in a very large room.
I currently own 5 Bogner amps. A Helios 50, ATMA, Goldfinger 54, Shiva and my oldest Bogner. A non serial number Ecstasy 101b from the 90's. Its still one of the best amp out there and still one of the most versatile. Non of my current amps could dethrone it as my no.1.
Some RIP sounds in there, a tiny bit. Ecstasy came out in 1992 but there might've been similar stuff used for parts. Dave has said that Bogner pre-amps were around in the studio at the time
The Friedman 50 & 100 deluxe are very versatile - lots of gain and voicing options. The XTC doesn't seem to work for everyone that plays it, but we love ours. The Alta100 from Headfirst is also worth looking at, a mighty fine amp.
WOW the Amp and the Video !!!!!!!!!
✨👍✨🎸✨🔥✨
The first video that gives good info and none is talking forever... Thank you (I'm a proud Xtc classic owner since 2008 or so)
The Classic kills the 101B! My opinion based on A/Bing through the same cabinet. I own both a 2002 Classic and a 2004 101B modded to post specs. While it has slightly less gain than the 101B, the Classic's channels flow into each other better, way better note separation and dynamics, the eq is more balanced and not as mid focused as the 101B, and the low end fills the room and engulfs you but you still hear every note ring out clearly in a natural stringy way not in a compressed snarl. Takes pedals better if you need a bump or cut here of there. You can hear the mid snarly nature of the 101B here in the vid which is cool though.
Have we ever dreamed of objective amp comparison? This is insane.
That 335 is special. That guitar sounds incredible.
Pretty remarkable how well this amp pairs with literally every single cab and speaker shown here. Maybe the best example of this out of all the amps showcased so far. Great stuff!
Thanks Ed. Yeah we love trying out different cabs and the XTC certainly gets along with most of them!
Wow, what a well done comparison. Nice work guys.
This channel is amazingly well done, and this amp is one of the best flavors of Marshall ever made IMO. The Synergy module gets maybe 90% of the way there.
I have had a mid 90's 101b "standard" head for a number of years now and while I don't ever like to call something my favourite, my 101b is firmly in my top 3 amps of all time. It sounds great with just about any cabinet or guitar combo I have thrown at it and is pretty well my benchmark amp when I get a new guitar: if doesn't sound and feel great with my Ecstasy, the guitar likely isn't a keeper. It has great cleans and an amazing feel under the fingers all while staying pretty tight! It isn't just a rock amp: that red channel can absolutely do metal if you set it up right. I have owned all the big boy Bogners and my Ecstasy is the one I kept. Common questions are comparisons to the Helios 100 and Uberschall. It can hang with both, though the Helios is more raw with more true Marshall style upper mids. The Uberschall has more overall gain (although not necessarily more useable gain) and much more low end extension.
James and Leon together is just awesome.
Yes!!!! You guys captured this beast well, which is hard to do with the bazillion settings in it. I’ve spent more time with the Ecstasy than any other amp, done shootouts with countless others, and I am constantly between thinking it’s the greatest amp ever made to being frustrated with how compressed it can be. Other things I’ve learned:
(1) Blue channel, B1, gain wound WAY back to 9 am or 10 am does a more focused but still rich British Class A type sound. I actually prefer it on the Ecstasy to a certain 30-watter with a diamond grill.
(2) Blue channel with B2 and a boost is like the funnest modded plexi ever. Not as much kerrang and sharpness as a Marshall, but so juicy and saggy and feels incredible.
(3) THANK YOU FOR PLAYING IT WITH GREENBACKS! These always get put into V30 cabs, which are helpful for avoiding the “blanket over the speakers” with these, but Greenbacks’ unique brightness works beautifully.
(4)Out of tons of amps I’ve played, there are plenty I would pick for punchy rhythm over the Ecstasy, but for legato leads, nothing is on the same planet. The liquid feel and compression, the swirl around the notes, how deep the low mids make it sound with single notes. Best soloing amp ever. There I said it.
M greenbacks really are hard to beat for rock n’ roll, that’s for sure. What do like to boost with out of interest?
@@zenamplification Mostly the onboard boost, but for a pedal, I really like the Pro Tone Cor Mid Boost: Pretty transparent but gives the blue channel just a bit more edge but still retaining its character and, best of all, the amazing feel.
I love James playing!
Thank you! You just cured me from gas )
cool channel btw!
I always come back to this amp. Great demo, was pleased to ear other speaker than the usual GB and V30!
After hearing the second riff, can you imagine Chuck Berry getting his hands on this amp
Yep, that's what the 101's sound like. So refreshing to hear an Ecstacy through a variety of Celestions. The Marshall character & vintage vibe really comes out when NOT paired with V-30's. 👍 There is a lot of sonic landscape to explore & enjoy. The Plexi mode seems to work best when running 1/2 power.......and is cool to use with overdrives & distortion.
Agreed on the V30’s. Good speaker for a lot of things but for traditional Brit crunch an H or M is the ticket. Will have to spend some more time in Plexi mode, thanks for the tips 👍
Best reviews I ever seen. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Very cool. Took me back to my youth of the 70s, 80s, and some 90s. 😂♥️🤘
Great stuff. ♥️🤘♥️
Glad we did! For an amp introduced in the 90’s it sure does rule for 80’s rock 🤘
@@zenamplification Yes it does. ♥️🤘♥️
wow.....fantastic job on this video! one your very best Leon....
you are fantastic! Finally a good demonstration of the XTC 101b!
You’re pretty fantastic too Vincenzo, thanks for supporting our channel 🤘
Nice. I liked the Ecstasy, but the Uberschall killed it for me. Using the (affordable) Synergy system here.
I was listening along thinking meh, OK. Then Joel played that Ratt riff - oh, I get it now...
This is the best way to tell me: Get one! 🥰 Great work - love it! 👍
Do it. You deserve it.
Sounds amazing. Holy Holts
Yeah a shucking awesome amp all round!
Wow! I played a 101B and I wasn't impressed with it. After listening to this clip however and knowing the how well this channel exhibits an amps actual tonal characteristics, I'll be considering the 101B again and attributing my previous opinion of it to user-error.
The XTC has a distinct tonal character: I hear a woody tone that's chewy but I also hear a darkness to it particularly with G12M- 65; maybe because the 101b is more lower mid focused? I've read that some XTC fans prefer the 20th Anniversary because it's more upper mid focused. I couldn't hear that darker characteristic when played through the G12M-70 nor the MESA cabinet. The XTC definitely can 'Shuck', 'Ratt' and 'Holt' better than I expected. I'll be checking this amp again.
Yes certainly takes some tweaking, but it’s worth it!
Turn up the master volume on the back past midday and the amp opens right up. No blanket present
I love all the demos in this video series, and as a Bogner fan, I especially love this entry! Simply stunning tones. And fantastic playing all around, too. But my “cool guitar slang decoder” seems to be on the fritz - what are “H” style tones? “M” style, I figured out (I’m slow, but can sometimes get there…). But “H” has me stumped.
Anyway, fantastic vid - thanks for posting!!!
G12M and G12H Celestions. Thanks for the kind words btw!
Great channel, i would love to see an extended range section tho
As in some lower tunings?
@@zenamplification yeah, 7 or maybe even an 8 string
Nice video. Dude, if you like this, check out the 20th Anniversary Ecstacy. Takes it up a notch!!!!
Well done! Loved the various guitars, speakers and settings comparisons. Very comprehensive of what the amp is capable of. I’m just curious did you guys use a Fryette Power Station or an attenuator of some sort? I noticed that the volume was set quite high. I own this very amo and setting the volume at noon is not possible unless you’re in a very large room.
No, it was loud!
Fantastic video! Can you help me scratch my brain itch - what’s the song being played in the Laid Down section?
Lay It Down, and cheers 🤘
I currently own 5 Bogner amps. A Helios 50, ATMA, Goldfinger 54, Shiva and my oldest Bogner. A non serial number Ecstasy 101b from the 90's. Its still one of the best amp out there and still one of the most versatile. Non of my current amps could dethrone it as my no.1.
Nice! We could judge you for having so many amps, but people who live in glass houses...
Hope to see a demo of the Helios. Bogner's best amp IMO...
We don't have one in the vault but will see what we can do.
Nobody has demonstrated the clean tones for this amp on RUclips. Could you do it?
Yep, the next video will be just that 👍
Some RIP sounds in there, a tiny bit. Ecstasy came out in 1992 but there might've been similar stuff used for parts. Dave has said that Bogner pre-amps were around in the studio at the time
💥👌Gibson ES 345👌💥
She's a special one indeed.
This or a Friedmnan Be 50 Deluxe for Mastodon and AIC, type of sound? Mabye a bit of Gojira chug on top aswell :)
The Friedman 50 & 100 deluxe are very versatile - lots of gain and voicing options. The XTC doesn't seem to work for everyone that plays it, but we love ours. The Alta100 from Headfirst is also worth looking at, a mighty fine amp.
What’s the song played in laid down section?
Lay It Down 🤘🏼
What's the song at 9:40 / which riff is that riff based on (if any)? Been haunting me that I can't remember the song.
Lay It Down 🤘🏼
@@zenamplification Ahh, yes, tysm
👍🏻
05:04 Exodus style :)
Lukather used it before he went to helios
Cool amps but I’ll stick with my Ubers.
Doesn’t sound anywhere near as good in the Mix as any of the Wizards
Yeah the Wizards certainly have a sizzly quality that helps to cut through drums.