Sorry, Bogner Shiva...

[3-Dolla'-Bill]

your cheaper, Chinese-made cousin, the Alchemist, is better than you. I got to A/B these in a shop today, and the Alchemist is MUCH more versatile and sounds every bit as good. The Shiva was a closed-back 1x12 combo, so the lows were punchier, but other than that, I'd take Alchemist every day of the week.

[Melodyman]

China thanks 3-Dolla'-Bill for the endorsement

[Rev2S]

If the Alchemist floats your boat, great! :banana

[Traps]

your cheaper, Chinese-made cousin, the Alchemist, is better than you. I got to A/B these in a shop today, and the Alchemist is MUCH more versatile and sounds every bit as good. The Shiva was a closed-back 1x12 combo, so the lows were punchier, but other than that, I'd take Alchemist every day of the week.


How loud did you crank them? Chance to put to the real test (a band)?

[tennisplayer]

Just say no to drugs. Se kids, this is what can happen to you.

[3-Dolla'-Bill]

How loud did you crank them? Chance to put to the real test (a band)?

yeah, I brought my band and we set up right there in the middle of the music store!

[Traps]

yeah, I brought my band and we set up right there in the middle of the music store!


very cool.. now THAT's the way to test out an amp :band

[TNJ]

If the Alchemist floats your boat, great! :banana

Yep.

S.
j

[bluessyndicate]

The GC I shop at just has a hired band there 24/7, available to people who need to try the "band environment" test.

Of course with so many bedroom players around, the store band just sits idle most of the time, since who wants to confuse a bedroom player with a live band environment test, you know?

[Melodic Dreamer]

I think the Shiva is a great amp. The Alcha-who wasn't my cup of tea at all.

[kurtsstuff]

This thread will not end well:crazy:argue:crazy:argue:crazy

[3-Dolla'-Bill]

This thread will not end well:crazy:argue:crazy:argue:crazy

nah, it's no big deal. the guy--Bogner--is a genius. he set out to design a mass-produced product with lower-end components and inadvertently bested his own custom shop stuff. just goes to show that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts...

[tennisplayer]

+1 I thought that thread over in the pub was crazy until I read this.

I know. It's like saying.....my Ford Pinto is so much better than my Lambo.

[kurtsstuff]

nah, it's no big deal. the guy--Bogner--is a genius. he set out to design a mass-produced product with lower-end components and inadvertently bested his own custom shop stuff. just goes to show that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts...

If it sounds good,feels good and "you" like it..It is good!! And it doesn't matter where it was made or what with but...This is The Gear Page ya know......hehehe:banana

[gitarzilla]

I agree. I played a Shiva a few weeks ago pretty loud and didn't like it nearly as much as I wanted to. There was something in the voicing...I can't quite put my finger on it...but there was something in there that didn't do it for me. It was definitely a nice amp, but I wouldn't have brought it home with me.

Probably the V30.

[Lucidology]

Whatever. ... played an Alcha for a quite awhile last month at GC back in the private room
and found it to be lacking considerably in the clean department...
Especially when compared to a 6l6 Shiva

[bluessyndicate]

The 6L6 Shiva is phenomenal!

I'm dying to hear the 20th anniv Ecstasy with 6L6!

[michael.e]

nah, it's no big deal. the guy--Bogner--is a genius. he set out to design a mass-produced product with lower-end components and inadvertently bested his own custom shop stuff. just goes to show that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts...
Bested? By whose barrometer? Yours? Well! Then!!

notetoselfdonottrust3dollasearcuzihaveplayedtheakc hemistatvolumeanditfallswayflat.

[SgtThump]

I have quite a bit of time on a Shiva and I gotta be honest, I didn't really like it most of the time. Some nights were good, but most left me scratching my head.

I've never owned an Alchemist, but I have played them in the store a few times. I honestly think I'd like it better than my old Shiva. Yes, really...

But I'm not trolling like this dude... :)

[Squatch]

Hmmm... no one here is lying. OP liked the alchemist better for his style/sound... makes sense. I've heard some players sound like dog-turd through my Shiva... (cheap Les Paul imitations seam to suck through them!) But the Shiva works beautifully for most everything i want it to do.

Just played a backing piece to a gospel choir tonight (130+ choir 5 feet from me super quiet!) sounded amazing miked in the mix!

[Sniper-V]

Whatever. ... played an Alcha for a quite awhile last month at GC back in the private room
and found it to be lacking considerably in the clean department...
Especially when compared to a 6l6 Shiva

Really, I actually think the cleans are one of its best qualities. I've got the 1x12 combo and I'm using it as a beater, backup, and/or loaner for Church stuff and the clean channel takes pedals extremely well. The Mercury channel is a decent OD tone but I don't really use it much.

I wouldn't go as far as saying its better than a Shiva though...

[matt5150]

I really liked the Alchemist and got to gig with one but still prefer my Shiva.

More three dimensional and better clean and OD channels.

Matt

[Defendant]

I'd love a Bogner with the EL34 Shiva's clean channel and the Alchemist's overdrive channel, into a 2x12 with a greenback and a G12H30.

Even better would be a three channel amp that incorporated the mid-gain sounds of the 6l6 Shiva...

[thirsty one]

I demo'd the Duende and Alchemist side by side. The only reason I bought the Duende, was I found one for just a tad bit more than the Alchemist.

I have sold the Duende for financial reasons. I bought a Omega modded Fender HRD, but seriously considered getting a used Alchemist.

[* velcro-fly *]

This thread will not end well:crazy:argue:crazy:argue:crazy




Yeah, you'll end up trading your new PT-100 for an Alchemist :D

[Eagle1]

Has anyone done some good A/B clips?

[onemind]

your cheaper, Chinese-made cousin, the Alchemist, is better than you. I got to A/B these in a shop today, and the Alchemist is MUCH more versatile and sounds every bit as good. The Shiva was a closed-back 1x12 combo, so the lows were punchier, but other than that, I'd take Alchemist every day of the week.


Which Shiva did you compare, EL34 or 6L6 Reverb or NR, Bright Switches or not. Very different character, all these.

[Bad Juju]

Either way, Mr. Bogner is happy :BEER

Wouldn't mind having an Alchemist for a backup or quick grab and go combo...but if I could pick just one, it would be the Shiva.

[Flameout12]

Just say no to drugs. Se kids, this is what can happen to you.
So how do you like that Marshall Haze combo?

[3-Dolla'-Bill]

Just say no to drugs. Se kids, this is what can happen to you.

so you disagree?

[Telecaster62]

I'll chime in on the Marshall Haze. It sucks.

[ecbluesman54]

nah, it's no big deal. the guy--Bogner--is a genius. he set out to design a mass-produced product with lower-end components and inadvertently bested his own custom shop stuff. just goes to show that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts...

:roll
To each his own I guess, but not sure how it can happen.

[boogieplaya]

I was really underwhelmed by the alchemist. Frankly thought it was terrible. cleans and dirty.

[Senor Forum]

Well, one thing is for certain...

http://lemmycaution.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/successful-troll-is-successful.jpg

[cbguy]

I own botha Shiva (6L6) and a Duende and am very happy with both. I recognize (and appreciate) their differences. I have tried and tried to like what I have heard of the Alchemist. I think it would be cool, especially if the delay is decent sounding. Every video of the Alchemist has made me stay away. When I have gone to the Bogner site, I can listen to Greg V (great demos) playing on clips of the Alchemist and the Shiva and I think there is no comparison. The Shiva sounds much netter to my ear. What that means, of course, is that I want what the Shiva does and am not interested in what the Alchemist has to offer. That's all it means.

There are other amps I am considering acquiring (Dr. Z, Fuchs, Two Rock, Red Plate, Twister) because of what they offer. I just can't see myself becoming an Alche-holic.

[fatcat]

Once you've tasted fine wine ripple kind of sucks:love: