Killcrop
07-08-2010, 07:08 PM
I have been in the mood for a 3 channel amp. In years past I had an XTC Classic and thought it was a fine amp. However I have recently played a Boogie Mark V on several occasions and each time it gets better. Here is my take on the tow but I would love to hear others who have played both.
Clean- While the XTC Classic has the best of the XTC cleans that I have heard I think the Boogie's clean is really nice. There is a real sparkly quality to it that just about every channel switcher lacks. The reverb is a bonus on the Boogie as well. Perhaps its the 6l6s that give it that extra shimmer. Advantage=Boogie
Channel 2- Not many amps can match the complexity of the Bogner Blue channel. With the Plexi option this is worth the price alone with the XTC. The Mark V is no slouch though. This is Classic Boogie Mark I mode and if fluid gain and tight crunch is your game it doesn't get any better. I love the channel 2 on the Boogie but the Classic Blue channel is vintage Marshall and lush with mids. Advantage= XTC Classic
Channel 3- Both of these amps cover all I would ever need with the first 2 channels but every once in a while it's fun to let the 3rd channel blast away. The XTC red is a great channel. it picks up where the Blue leaves off but if you are looking for modern tight gain the red just isn't punchy enough. I believe the XTC is voiced to be vintage high gain and delivers the complex layers of mids but doesn't have the hammer. The Boogie with the flexibility of the EQ can be tight and punchy as it gets. With the variac and the tube rectifier it can also sag enough for the vintage high gains of the XTC. Ultimately ch 3 covers what the XTC just isn't capable of. Advantage=Boogie
I wish I had the ability to play both at the same time. I would love to hear comments from those who have. I don't think you can go wrong with either amp. Both are amazingly flexible and have great foot control over the features. The solo feature of the Mark V is wonderful. Same tone but adjustable volume boost. Both loops are great as well. The value of the Mark V is very tempting for me. Heads sell new for $2000. About $1200 less than the Bogner. I could get the Boogie and have money left over for a Route 66. The Boogie seems to hold it's value. used heads are selling for around $1700. The Bogner is about $2500 used.
After all that I have to say I am still on the fence.
Clean- While the XTC Classic has the best of the XTC cleans that I have heard I think the Boogie's clean is really nice. There is a real sparkly quality to it that just about every channel switcher lacks. The reverb is a bonus on the Boogie as well. Perhaps its the 6l6s that give it that extra shimmer. Advantage=Boogie
Channel 2- Not many amps can match the complexity of the Bogner Blue channel. With the Plexi option this is worth the price alone with the XTC. The Mark V is no slouch though. This is Classic Boogie Mark I mode and if fluid gain and tight crunch is your game it doesn't get any better. I love the channel 2 on the Boogie but the Classic Blue channel is vintage Marshall and lush with mids. Advantage= XTC Classic
Channel 3- Both of these amps cover all I would ever need with the first 2 channels but every once in a while it's fun to let the 3rd channel blast away. The XTC red is a great channel. it picks up where the Blue leaves off but if you are looking for modern tight gain the red just isn't punchy enough. I believe the XTC is voiced to be vintage high gain and delivers the complex layers of mids but doesn't have the hammer. The Boogie with the flexibility of the EQ can be tight and punchy as it gets. With the variac and the tube rectifier it can also sag enough for the vintage high gains of the XTC. Ultimately ch 3 covers what the XTC just isn't capable of. Advantage=Boogie
I wish I had the ability to play both at the same time. I would love to hear comments from those who have. I don't think you can go wrong with either amp. Both are amazingly flexible and have great foot control over the features. The solo feature of the Mark V is wonderful. Same tone but adjustable volume boost. Both loops are great as well. The value of the Mark V is very tempting for me. Heads sell new for $2000. About $1200 less than the Bogner. I could get the Boogie and have money left over for a Route 66. The Boogie seems to hold it's value. used heads are selling for around $1700. The Bogner is about $2500 used.
After all that I have to say I am still on the fence.