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Le Taz « Spirits of ecstasy ... »
Published on 03/18/14 at 11:06100% amp lamps: 4xEL34 and 6x12ax7. Adjustable loop effect in parallel or in series, the volume to act as a general master volume. EQ for the clean channel (green) and for saturated 2 and 3 (blue and red) channels, volume and gain per channel. Possibility assigned a plexi mode, which is actually the fourth channel "hidden" from the amp, instead of channel 2 or 3. Presence two, one, or optionally assignable channel 1 or 3, or out of service. Two settings "excursion" (related presences) each with three mode. Expected to influence the movement of the cone (in fact, the volume difference is more than noticeable), they primarily affect the bass response. It also has a boost for the green channel, and another dedicated to the blue and red channel. Noted that the boost level is not adjustable, just disengaged. Finally, there is a switch "structure" that occurs on the nature of the saturation (blue and red) L is low, lower and more "soft", more "vintage" H is high, much more saturated, more modern and grainy . Finally, each channel has a switch with options N (neutral) B1 (bright one) or B2 (bright 2). They influence how the boost will react on the attack. They allow much work the grain, the definition of the attack that the boost level. B1 on the red channel is a bit like a treble booster on a vintage Marshall (well, more modern here) while B2 will be a little more subtle. This allows to adjust the attack based on its taste.
At the rear, in addition to the loop, we have the old and new style option that works the triode or pentode lamps. My model does not have the 50w mode.
In short, it is so complete that it tends to scare beginning!
UTILIZATION
The configuration is it simple? Well yes and no! Even Reinholdt Bogner has failed to make a standard textbook, concise, one must type the reading of his description from A to Z. .. Fortunately, the applications of each switch is audible, you end up very quickly dip the various interactions, as has already been said here. The problem is not to understand the amp and it's setting, but to make choices. I assure you, you can use this amp as a 3-channel bases, simple, like having an amp with 6 sounds underfoot. Of course, we must accommodate the common presets for each channel. This is where the plexi fashion becomes interesting, because if the equalization of blue or red channel is perfect for one of the channels but less effective for the other, you have the possibility to choose the crunch of plexi instead. Similarly, structure H (or L with a TS9 in front of) the blue channel can act as a lead channel, making the red channel less interesting: a phone switch, and presto, it is replaced by the plexi channel ... Anyway , the problem of choice and compatibility settings if we walk in equas weird or extreme. The amp is still very homogeneous, there is necessarily a configuration that fits the needs of the moment.
I will not go into the manual ... For sound, it is almost always good (matter of taste anyway).
SOUNDS
The green channel is the least plebiscited. Without boost, it can make a very good basis for a pedal-board and some exotic distos. With the boost, there is a clean very well made (not as a Shiva), who can venture on any terrain: jazz, funk, blues ... Well everywhere, without being great anywhere. Note that so far, this is definitely the best clear channel you can find on an amp 3 channels, with few exceptions.
The blue channel: So this, it is legendary for many people. This drive is the most copied in the world in the racks, multi-effects, etc.. Except that, as it is really produced by an amplifier, it has the body and the dynamics that goes with it. For those who like to shred, jazz-fusion, it is the dream drive. Although it sounds hot, I find it a little impersonal. Is pushed as I enjoy most is venturing into the world of a kind of JCM800 any clean, smooth, with a little more gain. Intermediate crunch have less impact on me. Matter of taste, it is for me too 80's California. With users of XTC 101b, it is one or the other anyway. As it is not too far from the red channel, it can act as rhythm channel, for example, or lead channel "spare", for example, playing single coil on the softer channel and double the red .
The red channel: less mythical, I just personally quite excellent. Less "boilerplate" and polished the blue channel, usually everyone finds it compresses much more. But as it is quite open, it has a bite that reminds me of the modified 80 plexi is wild, biting, singing.
Plexi offers a beautiful rhythmic crunch, a treat with simple. However, we will not have the "vintage" feel.
All these impressions are the fruit of my tastes and most importantly, how I set the amp for use ranging from blues to heavy rock. I prefer certain types of boost (see b1 and b2), rather like vintage that would be very very boosted.
In general, I noticed a certain kinship with Marshall provided without any defects you might blame the brand.
OVERALL OPINION
Ecstasy 101B ... an amp that made some guitarists dream! The fact that this amp is a quality of non-standard production (I did not feel it at that Soldano) which allows him to try to square the circle: to sound like a real amp all lights while being configurable as at will. You can venture into the mesa, in Marshall, to a lesser extent Fender, or create subtle sounds much more pronounced ... Not many brands that promise on their amps 3, 4 or 5 channels. But I've never tried one capable of much flexibility, while maintaining a very high sound definition, a dynamic light that would fade even some single channel. Side of the coin, even if he excels everywhere, it will never have the character of a twin, a plexi or JCM800 cranked. But all 3 channels, this is the one that is closest to their performance, it is transcribing a presence in the incredible mix.
So yes, it is very unsettling, so many possibilities, parameters to be set, but if you need 3 sounds available immediately, with the dynamics of a tube amp and not the plethora of channels 3 HiGain metal typed and while focusing on saturation Dante, in short, a 3-channel pro, then yes, this is the XTC you. It kills all the others in the mix (same amps too typed as the Tri-Amp Blackstar Series One or), retains heat and grain ... So no it will not do modern metal, but modern metal amps can not do a quarter of what this amp can do.
At the rear, in addition to the loop, we have the old and new style option that works the triode or pentode lamps. My model does not have the 50w mode.
In short, it is so complete that it tends to scare beginning!
UTILIZATION
The configuration is it simple? Well yes and no! Even Reinholdt Bogner has failed to make a standard textbook, concise, one must type the reading of his description from A to Z. .. Fortunately, the applications of each switch is audible, you end up very quickly dip the various interactions, as has already been said here. The problem is not to understand the amp and it's setting, but to make choices. I assure you, you can use this amp as a 3-channel bases, simple, like having an amp with 6 sounds underfoot. Of course, we must accommodate the common presets for each channel. This is where the plexi fashion becomes interesting, because if the equalization of blue or red channel is perfect for one of the channels but less effective for the other, you have the possibility to choose the crunch of plexi instead. Similarly, structure H (or L with a TS9 in front of) the blue channel can act as a lead channel, making the red channel less interesting: a phone switch, and presto, it is replaced by the plexi channel ... Anyway , the problem of choice and compatibility settings if we walk in equas weird or extreme. The amp is still very homogeneous, there is necessarily a configuration that fits the needs of the moment.
I will not go into the manual ... For sound, it is almost always good (matter of taste anyway).
SOUNDS
The green channel is the least plebiscited. Without boost, it can make a very good basis for a pedal-board and some exotic distos. With the boost, there is a clean very well made (not as a Shiva), who can venture on any terrain: jazz, funk, blues ... Well everywhere, without being great anywhere. Note that so far, this is definitely the best clear channel you can find on an amp 3 channels, with few exceptions.
The blue channel: So this, it is legendary for many people. This drive is the most copied in the world in the racks, multi-effects, etc.. Except that, as it is really produced by an amplifier, it has the body and the dynamics that goes with it. For those who like to shred, jazz-fusion, it is the dream drive. Although it sounds hot, I find it a little impersonal. Is pushed as I enjoy most is venturing into the world of a kind of JCM800 any clean, smooth, with a little more gain. Intermediate crunch have less impact on me. Matter of taste, it is for me too 80's California. With users of XTC 101b, it is one or the other anyway. As it is not too far from the red channel, it can act as rhythm channel, for example, or lead channel "spare", for example, playing single coil on the softer channel and double the red .
The red channel: less mythical, I just personally quite excellent. Less "boilerplate" and polished the blue channel, usually everyone finds it compresses much more. But as it is quite open, it has a bite that reminds me of the modified 80 plexi is wild, biting, singing.
Plexi offers a beautiful rhythmic crunch, a treat with simple. However, we will not have the "vintage" feel.
All these impressions are the fruit of my tastes and most importantly, how I set the amp for use ranging from blues to heavy rock. I prefer certain types of boost (see b1 and b2), rather like vintage that would be very very boosted.
In general, I noticed a certain kinship with Marshall provided without any defects you might blame the brand.
OVERALL OPINION
Ecstasy 101B ... an amp that made some guitarists dream! The fact that this amp is a quality of non-standard production (I did not feel it at that Soldano) which allows him to try to square the circle: to sound like a real amp all lights while being configurable as at will. You can venture into the mesa, in Marshall, to a lesser extent Fender, or create subtle sounds much more pronounced ... Not many brands that promise on their amps 3, 4 or 5 channels. But I've never tried one capable of much flexibility, while maintaining a very high sound definition, a dynamic light that would fade even some single channel. Side of the coin, even if he excels everywhere, it will never have the character of a twin, a plexi or JCM800 cranked. But all 3 channels, this is the one that is closest to their performance, it is transcribing a presence in the incredible mix.
So yes, it is very unsettling, so many possibilities, parameters to be set, but if you need 3 sounds available immediately, with the dynamics of a tube amp and not the plethora of channels 3 HiGain metal typed and while focusing on saturation Dante, in short, a 3-channel pro, then yes, this is the XTC you. It kills all the others in the mix (same amps too typed as the Tri-Amp Blackstar Series One or), retains heat and grain ... So no it will not do modern metal, but modern metal amps can not do a quarter of what this amp can do.