Bogner Alchemist 112 Combo user reviews ( 8/10) - 5 user reviews

Users reviews

• 05/18/11

  iamqman's review "Not very great"

  Characteristics

  My first impression of this amp when I plugged it in was...eeehhhh...doesn't really feel or sound what I have know Bogner to be. Allow me first to say that I am a huge Bogner fan. I love just about every amp that I have heard from Reinhold and crew and even the Line 6 amps they partnered with sound pretty good. This amp just doesn't do it for me. For the only usable tone was the uber high gain mode which was not that good. The amp was very forgiving in its attack and presence, but the gain was really fizzy. I know that Bogner's tend to have a little fizz which is totally subjective in whether you like that or not. Even still I couldn't get past the one trick pony that makes this amp.
  
  
  
  
  
  Bogner Alchemist 112 40-watt Tube Guitar Amp Combo Features:
  
  
  
  1 x 12" open-back combo
  
  6L6 class-AB power section and five 12AX7 preamp tubes; selectable power section (40W or 20W)
  
  Channel 1 (gold): Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Volume, Crunch mode, variable Bright, Deep switch
  
  Channel 2 (mercury): Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Volume, variable Bright, Mid Shift
  
  Shared: in parallel, Reverb Type, Reverb Level, Delay Type, Delay Level, Delay Repeats (Feedback), Tap Tempo
  
  Premium Celestion speaker
  
  4-button footswitch included; functions: Channel Select, Boost, Delay, Reverb

  Utilization

  Details
  
  Type Tube
  
  Number of Channels 2
  
  Power 40W Class AB Power Section w/ 20W Variac Mode
  
  Speakers 1 x 12" Celestion Vintage 30
  
  Effects Yes
  
  Reverb Yes
  
  EQ Treble, Middle Bass
  
  No Amp Modeling
  
  Number of Tubes 7
  
  Preamp Tubes 5 x 12AX7
  
  Power Tubes 2 x 6L6
  
  Inputs 1 x Instrument
  
  Outputs 1 x Speaker A, 1 x Speaker B Out (8 ohm pair, or single 4 ohm)
  
  Footswitch I/O Yes
  
  Effects Loop Yes
  
  Height 21.75"
  
  Width 25.75"
  
  Depth 10.25"
  
  Weight 65 lbs.

  Sounds

  The amp was pretty easy to figure out. It didn't take me very long to get the best tone I could get from it, but for me the amp was very lacking overall. I never played it in a band setting so I am not sure how well it would cut in the mix, but the tone was not that pleasing to the ear.
  
  
  
  I used a Gibson Les Paul with the amp. It was a '59 VOS which was very nice and sounded great but it just couldn't get this amp to sound the way I wanted or thought a Bogner should sound like. I understand that this is on the low end for Bogners and I believe that these amps are made in China which is a big disappointment too.

  Overall Opinion

  Nothing about this amp made me feel like i was using a Bogner. I love the Twin Jet's and the XTC's but this amp just blew. It felt and sounded cheap. I couldn't dial out the cheap sound or feel to it. At new these amps come in at around $900. Not overly expensive but not worth the money either.
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• 03/08/09

  Audiofanzine FR's review

  Characteristics

  (Originally written by Nico66/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
  
  * Combo with one 12" speaker and open cabinet.
  
  
  
  * Class A AB power amp section (6L6) and preamp stage with five 12AX7 tubes. 20 or 40 watt operation.
  
  
  
  * Channel 1 (gold): Gain, treble, mid, bass, volume, crunch and bright controls plus deep selector.
  
  
  
  * Channel 2 (mercury): Gain, treble, mid, bass, volume, bright and mid shift controls.
  
  
  
  * Parallel effects: Reverb type, reverb level, delay type, delay level, delay repeats (feedback) and tap tempo.
  
  
  
  * High-quality Celestion® speaker
  
  
  
  * Four-button footswitch included. Functions: channel selection, boost, delay and reverb.
  
  
  
  Very convenient: Bogner quality preamp and amp stages. It's very appealing...
  
  
  
  Delay and reverb effects were conceived by Line 6. Also promising...
  
  
  
  Good manufacturing quality.
  
  
  
  Excellent-quality controls and switches.
  
  
  
  It's a serious product.

  Utilization

  Very easy configuration... First, I tried out the clean channel with all controls at 12 o'clock... Very warm sound reminding me of an old Marshall... Cool. I fine tuned the settings and got bright mids. It's like magic!
  
  
  
  Then I tried out the crunch sound with all controls at 12 o'clock... What a delight!!! I forgot to mention that I tested the 20 watts operating mode (40 watts are too much for me and it would force me to never turn the volume control beyond the first quarter, which makes it uninteresting!!!).
  
  
  
  And the crunch sound is already loud with the gain at 9 o'clock... I played a Clapton Strat to test it and it was wonderful... In this mode the amp produces a clean sound and the saturation comes from your fingers... it's almost as if you would play with two amps: a clean amp and a cranked 5 watt amp!
  
  
  
  It's terrific.
  
  
  
  The mercury channel is mind blowing...
  
  
  
  It sounds like a cranked old Jubilee Marshall, Soldano or Plexi... It's neither a US nor a British sound, it's more like both at the same time... It's simply magical, extremely powerful and it reminds me the first Bogner I tested!!!
  
  
  
  I didn't look at the user's manual...

  Sounds

  - Does it fit your music style?
  
  
  
  I play pop and soft rock and the amp is perfect for this music!
  
  
  
  - Which guitar, bass or effects do you use?
  
  
  
  I tested it with a Clapton Strato and the sound was great... I can't wait to play it with my Strat Custom shop and my PRS 513. I think it will be an explosive cocktail!!
  
  
  
  - What kind of sounds do you get and which settings do you use ("crystal-clear", "fat", ...)?
  
  
  
  I didn't have enough time to play it: the shop assistant kicked me out of the store after one hour... (it's the minimum for such an amp!!!)
  
  
  
  - Which sounds do you prefer / hate?
  
  
  
  Everything sounds good!

  Overall Opinion

  - How long have you been using it?
  
  
  
  I tested it at a shop for one hour and I didn't play my own guitar... But I didn't want to stop!!
  
  
  
  - Which features do you like the most / the least?
  
  
  
  No cons... Quality, beauty, high-class manufacturing, quality, Bogner sound!!
  
  
  
  Considering the price, it's ten times better than a Marshall!!!
  
  
  
  I give it an 8 because it's a pity that you have to choose between such nice clean and crunch sounds!
  
  
  
  A third channel would have been useful... With such great clean and crunch sounds Mr Bogner ought to make two independent channels instead of a switchable one! But it's only a switch... It can be customized!
  
  
  
  - Did you try any other models before buying it?
  
  
  
  Yes!! But so many that I can't list them all here.
  
  
  
  - How would you rate its value for money?
  
  
  
  Amazing... I owned a Spider valve and kept it only one week because I hated it! But this amp is a Bogner and Line 6 only added three reverbs (good quality) and an editable delay.
  
  
  
  You'll quickly get a killer sound!!
  
  
  
  This amp provides a high quality sound... One hour is not enough so I ordered it yesterday!!! I can't wait to get it!!!
  
  
  
  -------------------------------------------------------------
  
  
  
  I got it last Thursday and I don't want to change a single word of what I wrote. This amp is a bomb!
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• 12/31/10

  Eldiablo31's review ( translated ) Improve this translation "Try"

  Characteristics

  Amp lamps all with 7 lamps (5 12AX7 and two 6L6)
  
  The mine is Retube with electro harmonix tube grooves and gold
  
  40W switchable to 20 (in contrast to received ideas it gives a little more size but does not feel the dual power, AC can be no other sounds but still avoid a live AC powers a lamp and therefore the wear is not the top)
  
  
  
  Speaker output into 8 and 4 ohm
  
  XLR footswitch
  
  
  
  The controls certainly a little hard to operate but it's really me things that I love: the classic:
  
  
  
  Trebel middle bass, gain, delay and reverb (line 6, but the effect goes through the lights so its very very pretty far above the amp same categories) and a handy boost for solos
  
  
  
  the top is really useful and the switches that change something on the clean
  
  
  
  clean crunch, brigth (perfect for jazz sound), deep (ca adds depth)
  
  
  
  the saturated:
  
  
  
  normal punch (add to the attack), bright (adds an aggressive side that did not always necessary) mid shift (all the best medium for the switch hollow sound typed heavy 80's)
  
  
  
  Line 6 amp manufacture in China but all the rest is Bogner

  Utilization

  The manual then .... uh OSEF?
  
  
  
  Bogner is entered in the plug and play, it sounds after it has set an amp hard especially with all the little switch (but that I knew and that is one side which I love)
  
  
  
  So it's simple but complicated little thing so there have a balance between too hard to settle and lack of customization

  Sounds

  While the style of music I have a lot to say if the other plan to buy it I'm open to the MP I can make samples
  
  
  
  I finally play all my fingers all that allows me to play, I play on an Ibanez S320 in drop C and Vigier Excalibur Special mid or drop D (guitar amp great respect I was pay lespaul was yet another grain on the Bogner therefore ca foreshadows the quality of the amp in terms of amplification scheme we're not home marshall)
  
  
  
  effects at the original ones are really good, and I have a complete digitech GNX 3
  
  
  
  Types of sound?
  
  
  
  It depends on the guitar (I know why I insist), he must know that already are on the Bogner Bogner grain so it is not boosted plexi and is not an amp Californian c 'is a BOGNER
  
  
  
  So what it means Bogner? it means a sound quite right still defined précis.C is special but at least it has the good fortune to be neutral (that is also an amp that is totally awesome group we end up with a sort of wall frequency)
  
  
  
  the clean is a clean crunch celoni that attack with a pick (a high volume of gain 1 / 3) with switches to make a little intro metallica has a more blues see jazz worries with 0 0 complex ( there are the clean of Bogner shiva in this amp I know what I say I try 2)
  
  
  
  The saturated, there is a specific grain, relatively straight, defined not runny, enough to compress the same, the switches are still there but the really changes the personality.
  
  
  
  I still play mostly metal, for the fan of 80's very good amp, I play metalcore and the receiver shows these limits in terms of gain so I may be going through a DS1 to keep the grain Bogner, and take a pedals certainly in TN for quasiement add a channel to this amp more versatile.
  
  
  
  I love this amp all sounds, there's not very big but big plus parcontre least there's no AC is on
  
  
  
  at the équalo be aware that this is an amp or it must begin in the middle and ca be adjusted from -5 to +5 in the 5 with the middle and not from 0 to 10

  Overall Opinion

  It's now been two months that I use, what I like and what really are to remember with this amp:
  
  
  
  Quality scheme Bogner (we're on another planet I assure you)
  
  Versatility
  
  the effective switch
  
  
  
  I tried quite a model before you buy, notement Peavy 6505 +, Peavey XXX, mesa boogie express Laboga, Hugh and Kettner, line 6 spider valve (very good amp indeed since Bogner for helping amplification) marhsll JVM and JCM
  
  
  
  I hesitate to buy new and I could not find away from home for at least 2 times cheaper then what more?
  
  
  
  value for money it is simply a 10/10 especially at what price I got it (even on 112 you have the footswitch supplied with like no mesa boogie to 2500 € ....)
  
  
  
  With experience I would do without hesitation that choice and I would even like to know this amp before
  
  
  
  to conclude I'll finish with what are most important to my taste
  
  
  
  It has an amp there's no better trying to say ... People who are a fan of the marshall or mesa, and therefore sought a way past your grain, cons by all lovers of quality amps like a guitar amp their respects with a grain different from others I think is made Bogner for you, the alchemist can be a solution but there have Bogner else but not to 1000 €
  
  
  
  So I give this amp 9 / 10 because nothing is perfect but close to it.
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• 05/19/10

  jozz54's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  For characteristics, I refer you to notice NicolasD that is complete. Having bought this amp after multiple test shop (and many other amps) and after setting my needs, I have not had any bad surprise ...
  
  
  
  So 10/10

  Utilization

  By cons, here I'll be more, but I will speak of a''perspective''and not''user''musician, so no comments yet on the sound itself.
  
  
  
  I'll start with two flaws:
  
  
  
  1) the''modes''of channels: the channel Gold, you can have clean or crunch mode which are both beautiful to cry! and unfortunately, they are not foot switchable, but through a switch in the microscopic volume pot and that's really bad! However, this is a fault which I was fully conscious when buying (it's a 2 channel, not a 4!) And I would say there are lots of ways around (a TS- like upstream, lower the volume of the guitar to return to almost-clean ... etc.)
  
  2) The effects loop is parallel is described as a quality in the manual. Indeed, the signal never leaves the amp, so no loss or corruption''''signal ... But yes! Me that I have a serious problem using my JAMMAN ... I have a concern for signal level as well as it exits the amplifier to JAMMAN (too loud) when it returns from JAMMAN to the amp (too low) despite the settings JAMMAN .. . moreover, there is only one volume pot mix adjustment of the loop (and not one on one on the SEND and RETURN). Well, I'll work on it and see if I can find a solution ...
  
  
  
  Now the qualities (and there are many):
  
  
  
  1) the supplied footswitch! 4 buttons (channel, boost, reverb, delay): solid as a tank (to see over time), connected via an XLR cable (and thus replaceable): in a word: awesome!
  
  2) The settings are hyper-efficient, including EQ and 4 switches (2 x bright, deep and midshift) and sweep a large repertoire
  
  3) mode 20W/40W: very handy (there really, but it is only my opinion, a difference in volume)
  
  4) A standby, it sounds stupid, but the amps from 20 to 50 watts are not all filled ...
  
  5) connection to the cabinet expansion
  
  6) the presence of reverb and delay: super convenient! My pedalboard will be severely Reduce!
  
  
  
  Otherwise, the manual is clear and explicit, nothing to say.
  
  Do you get a good sound easy? See the next paragraph!
  
  
  
  So 6 / 10 for now, 9 / 10 if I can solve this history effects loop
  
  
  
  Update 08/20/2010: Okay, now for the famous effects loop, I managed to get used to it, but it is not obvious. Firstly, I had to adjust the volumes of input and output of my JAMMAN so "unbalanced" output volume to 3 / 4 and input volume barely half (it changes my uses earlier). Furthermore the effects loop can be used to "thicken" the sound (especially in crunch mode on channel gold): a ts-like or OD will make the sound fatter, more "full", in fact, not only was the original sound, but the sound through the OD +
  
  
  
  In short, I am much happier with the effects loop so that at first I was the score at 8

  Sounds

  Note: for now, I have not tested by repeating, I'll update when this will happen!
  
  
  
  So I play blues, hard rock, to rock, garage, a little pop. I love Led Zep, ZZTOP, jack white, but also lots of other stuff!
  
  I play on Start (Mexico) with noiseless pickups on my first electric guitar I've customized (one with 2 humbuckers Squier home GFS VEH) and also with a mini humbucker dbro. Some effects: TS-like, big muff, wah-wah ...
  
  
  
  I'll avoid giving you 8000 adjectives describing the sound: if you want to know how it sounds: you have to try it with your gear and your fingers!
  
  
  
  Personally, for me the clean, the switch''bright''makes pretty things.
  
  Crunch mode is my favorite: great, huge, living, terrible!
  
  Channel Mercury is currently less exciting: very dull with the EQ at noon, we must drastically cut the bass ...
  
  
  
  I'll update the review after a few Repeat '
  
  
  
  if I did note that the crunch, 9 / 10, but more generally: 8 / 10

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for 2 weeks and I will update my review when I had more experience with ...
  
  
  
  Before the purchase, I tried:
  
  Marshall JCM 900 dual reverb: Well, nothing to say!
  
  Kustom Coupe 76 ': terrible, but less versatile, and mostly sold at prices prohibitive to store (unlike Thomann ...)
  
  Fender Blues Deluxe edition reissue normal, clear sounds wonderful .... and then voila! ;-)
  
  Orange tiny terror: a crunch!! but nothing else!
  
  Vox night train: ditto!
  
  
  
  The value price is right, I paid € 830 in store (available for less at € 70 thomann), once again, I do this after a lot of research, so if I had not seen the correct value for money, well I will not get it made!
  
  
  
  For now 7 / 10 due to the effects loop, to do with a bit more perspective ....
  
  
  
  Update 08/20/2010: I use the effects loop finally meet me, I go back to the overall opinion 8. In addition, I planned a time to sell, well, actually not, I care! all that to say that it is not necessarily easy at first, it takes patience and a lot of testing ...
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• 11/30/09

  NicolasD's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Cute home, useless live"

  Characteristics

  Amp Lamps
  
  40 watts switchable to 20.
  
  5x 12AX7 in preamp
  
  2x 6L6 amp in
  
  The HP is a 12 inch Celestion Greenback
  
  A parallel effects loop
  
  2 channels with 2 modes each is 4 "sounds" different
  
  - Gold (Clean / Crunch) with Bright and Deep Switches (treble + / + trunk and low)
  
  - Mercury (saturated / saturated + punch) with switches and bright midshift (+ tweeter / Mediums dug)
  
  Everyone has gain controls, bass, mid, treble and volume
  
  They share a digital reverb with three modes (Plate, Spring and Hall) and a delay with 3 modes also (Duck, Analog, Tape) signed, Line 6.
  
  There is a tap tempo and a knob for the delay and a knob for the reverb.
  
  The footswitch allows you to change the channel to engage the boost, to activate the reverb and delay.
  
  It is independent of the amplifier and connects with an XLR cable, which is a very good point because the cables directly attached to a footswitch tend to deteriorate or even break away and complicate the arrangements.

  Utilization

  It is convenient and easy to use.
  
  The manual is fine, it's Line 6, pros-friendly manual.
  
  Oh ... and it's a matter of taste but I like his aesthetic, like an old radio but with modern bright points on the web that protects the HP, it's cute:)

  Sounds

  First, as with all my opinion, I'll try to be as objective as possible. I have 4 amps, so multiple comparison tools, and have the chance to play regularly on a lot of different amps.
  
  I also tried it with several guitars, cheap to the custom shop, single coils and humbuckers, active and passive pickups etc etc ... (See list of my gear). It gives the following:
  
  
  
  The ITS CLEAR is correct, nothing more.
  
  It is true that before I had a Twin Amp that when he was willing to walk, had no chest pain. In defense of Bogner of interest here, the Twin Amp was a 2X12.
  
  
  
  The ITS GOLD CRUNCH channel is very interesting. It reminds me of a fender bassman or early driven to desperation. It is unfortunate that we have access only a tiny switch on the front and not the foot but may be this was not feasible. We could have had a false 3 channel very useful in concert.
  
  
  
  CHANNEL MERCURY is very good. It is without hesitation think his "real" Bogner. Earnings do not bleed too much, even at the bottom, just enough for us to feel comfortable with our Legato rock:)
  
  Please note, this amp is not Ultra High Gain, the metalheads will be somewhat restrained. The sound is too thin and too tight for this style of music. We can pretend to have all but made for this amp.
  
  
  
  At home it is a treat, even at low volume.
  
  
  
  LIVE is something else. Even through all mediums thoroughly down low, we do not hear much. It's the same problem as the Mesa F50 and F30 and it's very frustrating. This is not a problem of quantity but of clarity because the amp is powerful but it does not allow the guitar to leave the group. Worse, he drives it deep in the mix.
  
  
  
  On all channels, the Alchemist is quite subtle and reacts very well to the shots picks. We can realize the videos posted on youtube by the manufacturer, which revealed quite faithfully the sound of the combo transplanted by microphones.
  
  
  
  The reverb and delay, even modeling, are excellent and not at all unnecessary on this type of amp. Ok, it's not as organic as a real tape delay or a reverb springs but at least we avoid the disadvantages (read my opinion on the twin amp).

  Overall Opinion

  Finally it's made in China and it is not bad.
  
  I do not know if it will take time but it's been two years since I have and I never had to complain (unlike some American brands, with products made in USA made, read my other reviews).
  
  
  
  It was still a few flaws:
  
  - The pots too close to each other (there grows often inadvertently)
  
  - 2-channel only (although we might be able to make a fake 3-channel, or even 4)
  
  - No tap tempo foot (shame that)
  
  - No activation loop effect at the foot
  
  - A little too wide, it is more portable amps, but maybe it's a blessing in disguise, cabinet protecting the rest.
  
  - The largest least live a popping sound that is not out of the mix.
  
  
  
  The price / quality ratio is still excellent, its prices have fallen sharply, he deserves throws one ear.
  
  It is very affordable and does a remarkable first tube amp for an amp amateurs and serious and not expensive for the professional.
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