SyKrash
02-25-2011, 12:57 AM
Just got a new shiva 20th from the Bogner custom shop. Amazing amazing head, still gotta get it up to gig volume to really see what this baby can do. Big thanks to Jim and Charlie from Bogner.
I know there isn't too much information out there on these heads yet, so I wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I researched what little info I could before I made the plunge. I decided I'd take a chance without really hearing too many clips or reading too much info out there. Hopefully this can help shed some light on those out there on the fence.
I initially borrowed the KT88 version for a trial run of a week. Upon returning it I plugged into a standard shiva and compared the two. Then decided to go with the 20th anniv with El-34s.
KT88 - Great amazing clean. Took pedals well, except when using the bright switch. My overdrives got a little buzzy, but that's to be expected (they never sound good on the bright channels of any of my fenders). Headroom for days and very forgiving. Kick on the boost and turn up the channel volume and you get very close to a 4-input plexi, kerrang and all.
Very modern sounding gain channel. Gain and distortion for days. Perfect for rock players and heavy/high gain guys. Retains the tightness with very little buzzyness. Kick in the mode switch and you have a great warm fat lead sound with no high-end buzzyness.
El 34s - Clean sound reminscent of the old shiva. A little more vintage sounding. Still very fender-like. Haven't messed with the bright switch yet.
Gain channel - To me, basically from off to 1:00 on the (gain) dial, you have the classic El-34 Shivas. Warm, smooth plexi crunch. Afterwards you can get into high gain territory. With the mode switch in I was able to get a great warm fat singing lead tone. I personally don't need any more gain than noon with the mode switch in, and that was pretty much your standard modern hard rock (Alter Bridge, Seether, evenescence)
To me, (using the same cab) there is a very small difference tonally between the Kt88 and the El34s. I gig alot and in the context of a band, I would be hard pressed to find anyone who could really tell the difference.
However, one BIG difference in tubes is definitely the feel. The Kt88s are alot more forgiving as opposed to the EL-34s. Not saggy, but they can definitely cover up sloppy playing alot more than the EL-34s. The response on my amp (personally) is so much more articulate that really reminds me of old cranked plexis. I know I'm going to have to change up my playing a little to really take advantage of what the amp has to offer.
I got home relatively late and don't want to drive my neighbors bonkers. I'll keep posting more findings as I come across them. I have a couple rehearsals lined up in the upcoming week and I'll get to put this amp through it's paces.
For me, this amp does exactly what I need. Fender and Marshall in a box with a ton of versatility from the mode and bright switches. It can really give alot of flavors of fenders and marshalls.
I know there isn't too much information out there on these heads yet, so I wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I researched what little info I could before I made the plunge. I decided I'd take a chance without really hearing too many clips or reading too much info out there. Hopefully this can help shed some light on those out there on the fence.
I initially borrowed the KT88 version for a trial run of a week. Upon returning it I plugged into a standard shiva and compared the two. Then decided to go with the 20th anniv with El-34s.
KT88 - Great amazing clean. Took pedals well, except when using the bright switch. My overdrives got a little buzzy, but that's to be expected (they never sound good on the bright channels of any of my fenders). Headroom for days and very forgiving. Kick on the boost and turn up the channel volume and you get very close to a 4-input plexi, kerrang and all.
Very modern sounding gain channel. Gain and distortion for days. Perfect for rock players and heavy/high gain guys. Retains the tightness with very little buzzyness. Kick in the mode switch and you have a great warm fat lead sound with no high-end buzzyness.
El 34s - Clean sound reminscent of the old shiva. A little more vintage sounding. Still very fender-like. Haven't messed with the bright switch yet.
Gain channel - To me, basically from off to 1:00 on the (gain) dial, you have the classic El-34 Shivas. Warm, smooth plexi crunch. Afterwards you can get into high gain territory. With the mode switch in I was able to get a great warm fat singing lead tone. I personally don't need any more gain than noon with the mode switch in, and that was pretty much your standard modern hard rock (Alter Bridge, Seether, evenescence)
To me, (using the same cab) there is a very small difference tonally between the Kt88 and the El34s. I gig alot and in the context of a band, I would be hard pressed to find anyone who could really tell the difference.
However, one BIG difference in tubes is definitely the feel. The Kt88s are alot more forgiving as opposed to the EL-34s. Not saggy, but they can definitely cover up sloppy playing alot more than the EL-34s. The response on my amp (personally) is so much more articulate that really reminds me of old cranked plexis. I know I'm going to have to change up my playing a little to really take advantage of what the amp has to offer.
I got home relatively late and don't want to drive my neighbors bonkers. I'll keep posting more findings as I come across them. I have a couple rehearsals lined up in the upcoming week and I'll get to put this amp through it's paces.
For me, this amp does exactly what I need. Fender and Marshall in a box with a ton of versatility from the mode and bright switches. It can really give alot of flavors of fenders and marshalls.