Bogner Ecstasy and Bogner Shiva..... need input from owners and users

[tonemonster]

I have been thinking about possibly buying an amp instead of another guitar. maybe.

anyway, I have a Splawn QR, and a Mesa Roadking, and a marshall rack setup. but I have always wanted to try a Bogner Esctasy or possibly a shiva.

what can you guys tell me about them?? I know there are some options when it comes to the ecstasy, 101a, 101b, classic, etc.... what ones are better than others??

same with shiva, different tube options, 1x12 or 2x12.

what can these be had for used??? can you buy a shiva for $1000 to $1500 used? how about the esctasy? $1500 to $1800 used??

I would appreciate any information you could provide. thanks!!!

[mr426]

I almost bought a Shiva last year.Great amp.The dirty channel was all Marshall and the clean was a Fender.Very cool and responsive. I would really like to take one to play with my band and see how it goes.The Shiva is not super high gain.I think the Ecstacy is though. I have seen Shiva heads around the $1200-1500 rage here and there. I may get one sometime, but I want a Mesa Boogie Electradyne first..

[roodyrocker]

I don't have a Shiva but I do have an Ecstasy 101B. The various versions of are the 101A which has 6L6 power tubes, 101B which has EL34 tubes, and the Classic which is more open sounding but still EL34 tubes. I like EL34's better personally so that explains me owning a 101B. The Classic is much more expensive and now discontinued by Bogner so used is your only option there. In addition, the Ecstasy is available with optional class A/ AB switch which mine has.
IMHO, the 101B is the best channel switching amp on the market. It has 3 channels and all sound fantastic! Many amps are good at either clean or distortion but not great at both, The 101B has a very nice clean channel then a good distortion channel and then a good lead channel. On top of that you have various switches for old/new, 1/2 power, Plexi mode, etc... The footswitch has a solo boost and even a mute switch!
The Shiva supposedly has an even nicer clean channel but the Ecstasy has better gain channels. Bogner used to have great clips on their website of all their amps and various channels. I don't know if they're still on there or not.
As far as price on used amps. An Ecstasy in nice used shape can be had in the low $2000's price range. The price will go up if it has the optional Class A/AB switch and/or Metal front grill. The Classic will be more yet. The Shiva should be cheaper than the Ecstasy. Of course you may occassionally find a killer dealer on an Ecstasy but I wouldn't expect one under $2K, that would be the exception not the rule.
I'd personally get the Ecstasy over the Shiva but both are excellent amps!

[lhrocker]

I had an ecstacy 101B and it was a really great amp. It does the hot rodded Marshall tone superbly and has tons of control over the tone. My favorite was the boosted blue channel. The price is usually in the low $2000's. If you see one for under $2k, I would jump on it.