Bogner Alchemist?

prawnik · December 3rd, 2009, 05:15 AM

Background: I really need to get a decent amp, and the Alchemist is one of the few that is available where I live that is not unobtanium or stupid expensive. Importing an amp into Ukraine is a pain, as customs will hassle you when you bring it in.

Versatility is what I am looking for: in my living circumstances, I can't go around hauling a bunch of amps, each specialized for one thing.

Reviews of the Alchemist seem very mixed. People either sing its praises or hate it; probably the fact that it is reasonably priced and bears the "Bogner" name, but is also made in China by Line 6 affects some peoples' judgment.

That and the amp seem to have had QC problems, at least with the early releases. I don't know whether those have been sorted out by now.

The Bogner dealer in Ukraine sells for about what you'd pay in the US and will let you try before you buy, which a lot of dealers here will not do. He only carries the Alchemist, so I really want to like this amp.

moodus2006 · December 3rd, 2009, 12:35 PM

Had the 2x12 version. loud and heavy! Some real nice cleans and the drive channel is very usable. I got some crazy tube rattle and then got scared about serviceability with so much going on inside. Some cleans were so chimy and the bass was boomy. I had a tough tme finding "my" sound in there. So, I ended up going straight up Super reverb and rely on pedals for drive. Almost wish I still had it to a/b the fender?

Maxwell Street · December 3rd, 2009, 01:37 PM

demoed the 2x12 at a couple shops....liked the sound of the Vintage 30 with the Greenback....some of the amps sounded good.....others popped and crackled....quality issues?

prawnik · December 4th, 2009, 04:02 AM

@Maxwell: how long ago was this?

@moodus: Did you have the combo or the head?

moodus2006 · December 4th, 2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prawnik

@Maxwell: how long ago was this?

@moodus: Did you have the combo or the head?

2x12 Combo. Nice speaker compliment... VERY HEAVY!!!! Makes the Super Reverb feel like a practice amp!

bluzin · December 29th, 2009, 12:30 AM

I have this amp, the 212 combo. I have retubed it with all high gain jj's pre and power and love the tones I get, I can go from fendery clean to pretty freakin heavy and everything inbetween.

I personally love mine and after retubing it have not had any tube rattle at all, that could also be the lil bogner tube cage I took out that was causing rattle idk, it's gone and I'm loving life with this amp. I bought this over every other amp in the 1600 dollar range I could find so I really bought it because I like the tone not for any other reason but that

P.M me if you need to know specifics, I just seen this post, sorry

Del Pickup · December 29th, 2009, 05:10 PM

The local blues club has a sponsorship deal with one of the stores and we borrow an Alchemist for our monthly jam nights. I've played it and, although, it wouldn't tempt me to buy one as I find the controls too complicated, it sounds good in all its settings and seems very well made.

I think it could be described as a cheaper version of the Mesa Boogie Lone Star which has a similar array of switches, knobs, etc and is equally as versatile.

Shiro · December 29th, 2009, 08:30 PM

I have the 2x12 combo and really like it. It has a sound of it's own that I still can't put into words. It is heavy, but it comes with casters so there you go. And you are right in that reviews swing the full spectrum. You do need to spend some time with it to dail in the tones you like. I have no regrets at all with this amp.

December 3rd, 2009, 05:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
prawnik Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Kiev, Ukraine Posts: 584	Bogner Alchemist? Background: I really need to get a decent amp, and the Alchemist is one of the few that is available where I live that is not unobtanium or stupid expensive. Importing an amp into Ukraine is a pain, as customs will hassle you when you bring it in. Versatility is what I am looking for: in my living circumstances, I can't go around hauling a bunch of amps, each specialized for one thing. Reviews of the Alchemist seem very mixed. People either sing its praises or hate it; probably the fact that it is reasonably priced and bears the "Bogner" name, but is also made in China by Line 6 affects some peoples' judgment. That and the amp seem to have had QC problems, at least with the early releases. I don't know whether those have been sorted out by now. The Bogner dealer in Ukraine sells for about what you'd pay in the US and will let you try before you buy, which a lot of dealers here will not do. He only carries the Alchemist, so I really want to like this amp.

December 29th, 2009, 05:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,931 6 Photos	The local blues club has a sponsorship deal with one of the stores and we borrow an Alchemist for our monthly jam nights. I've played it and, although, it wouldn't tempt me to buy one as I find the controls too complicated, it sounds good in all its settings and seems very well made. I think it could be described as a cheaper version of the Mesa Boogie Lone Star which has a similar array of switches, knobs, etc and is equally as versatile. __________________ Someone told me that my tone is in my underpants. I'm not sure if that's good or bad...... www.myspace.com/delthomas

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December 3rd, 2009, 12:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
moodus2006 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Hampster Posts: 224	Had the 2x12 version. loud and heavy! Some real nice cleans and the drive channel is very usable. I got some crazy tube rattle and then got scared about serviceability with so much going on inside. Some cleans were so chimy and the bass was boomy. I had a tough tme finding "my" sound in there. So, I ended up going straight up Super reverb and rely on pedals for drive. Almost wish I still had it to a/b the fender?

December 3rd, 2009, 01:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Maxwell Street Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: chicago usa Posts: 1,005	demoed the 2x12 at a couple shops....liked the sound of the Vintage 30 with the Greenback....some of the amps sounded good.....others popped and crackled....quality issues?

December 4th, 2009, 04:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
prawnik Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Kiev, Ukraine Posts: 584	@Maxwell: how long ago was this? @moodus: Did you have the combo or the head?

December 29th, 2009, 12:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
bluzin Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: usa Posts: 168	I have this amp, the 212 combo. I have retubed it with all high gain jj's pre and power and love the tones I get, I can go from fendery clean to pretty freakin heavy and everything inbetween. I personally love mine and after retubing it have not had any tube rattle at all, that could also be the lil bogner tube cage I took out that was causing rattle idk, it's gone and I'm loving life with this amp. I bought this over every other amp in the 1600 dollar range I could find so I really bought it because I like the tone not for any other reason but that P.M me if you need to know specifics, I just seen this post, sorry

December 29th, 2009, 08:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
Shiro Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sonoma, CA. Age: 55 Posts: 314	I have the 2x12 combo and really like it. It has a sound of it's own that I still can't put into words. It is heavy, but it comes with casters so there you go. And you are right in that reviews swing the full spectrum. You do need to spend some time with it to dail in the tones you like. I have no regrets at all with this amp.

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