Don't be fooled the 20th Anniversary model is not just a cosmetic change! Below is the History of the Ecstasy but if you want to go directly to the description click here.

To start I want to tell you a bit about the history of the Ecstasy. The first model the 100B was released in 1992, 17 years ago to date as of 2009. It was the time when most of the people where using external multi channel pre-amps to achieve a vast variety of sounds, some used multiple amp setups. Reinhold realized two things early on, a split system of pre and power amp can not give you the dynamics and response of a single circuit which incorporates both, second there is a need to make an amplifier head which covers a huge tonal pallet of tones but with the organic feel and tone of the good old amps from the 60's.
The end result was the 3 channel Ecstasy with the possibility for the user to customize the amp to her/his taste via the multiple switches in pre and power amp. At that time the Ecstasy was in a class by itself as the most flexible amplifier and defined the word boutique amp.
Eric Johnson a purist and the Godfather of multi amp setups tried the amp and bought one and took it immediately on the joint tour with BB King, it might be very well the only multi channel amp he ever owned. The Ecstasy became a favorite for every style and genre of music, Steve Vai, George Lynch, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Walter Becker of Steely Dan, Buddy Guy, Steve Farris of Mister Mister, Mark Goldenberg of Jackson Browne, Christopher Cross, producers like Dave Jerden (Rolling Stones, Alice in Chains), Michael Beinhorn ( Korn, Red Hot Chili Peppers), Silvia Massey (Tool), Mike Clink (Guns & Roses, UFO); you get the picture.
In 1995 the 101B was introduced with features never found in any guitar amplifier at that time; the channel assignable internal speaker cabinet switching system and power attenuator loop as well as the dual presence with our so called Excursion power amp dampening control. Further the clean channel was expanded with an additional gain stage as well as a boost function, next to sparkling cleans one could get the dirty tones of the small combo's of the 50's and 60's. Channel 2&3 got slight modifications with the possibility to now also choose the Plexi mode on channel 2, a structure switch which lets you choose a lower or higher gain mode.
The effects loop could be run in series or parallel with an added mix control. The internal load resistor was taken out as nobody seemed to use it, the variac switch had to go as it was not possible to sustain the current to switch all the new functions consistently but a switch was added to choose between class AB or A. Cosmetically the amp was now also offered with the for Bogner custom made basket weave grill.
All in all with no competition Reinhold raised the bar to a new level.
In 1997 the 101B was revised; rather then incorporate everything certain functions where offered as options. Available options where, Class A/AB, switch, individual line out controls for each channel, metal grill and the assignable speaker cabinet switching with the attenuator loop which was shortly after discontinued as there was no demand for it. The Chassis color was changed from white to black.
In 2001 the Classic option was introduced. Since only one hundred 100B models were built and the amp became rare Reinhold wanted to offer a model with slightly less features which sits somewhere between the 100 and 101B. The Classic has a chrome front panel and is still available to date.
In 2003 the red channel of the 101B received a gain increase which not necessarily was Reinhold's choice as it also made for a more compressed somewhat smaller tone but customer were asking for more gain with an easy to play feel. Since there was the choice of the classic option for the more open sound he decided to go for the customers wish.

ANNIVERSARY MODEL
Finally now in 2009 a new model is here to celebrate 20 years of Bogner USA, the 20th Anniversary model. We consider this the new "Flagship" in the Ecstasy line with the most organic and open sound yet. Check out these sound clips provided by Ervin Toucet.
Available as an option to the base model the amp has a plexi panel with gold background and is housed in a slightly larger head shell for the all familiar classic vintage vibe.In the past years. Dimesions: 11" height x 29.625" width x 10.375" depth, 48 pounds.
To celebrate 20 years Bogner they are offered in white with salt & pepper grill at no additional up charge which applies to the cabinet as well if ordered together. All other color and grill options are available for the usual up charge. The Metal Grill option is not available.
Please note the Classic and 20thA options can not be combined as they are their own circuits. In the past few years certain so called boutique capacitors came on the market like the Sozo brand with the focus on replicating the good old capacitors from the 60's.These are very expensive and mostly hand made. We bought all the available brands and went trough the Ecstasy's entire audio signal chain and started to incorporate these, the starting point was the pre amp of the Classic option rather then the standard model.Then the circuit needed adjustments to optimize the tone. So the 20thA model has its own pre amp circuit then rather being a boutique capacitor retrofitted Classic.
Now does this mean the other Ecstasies have lower grade capacitors? No not at all, we use the German made Wima capacitors, these are the best choice for pc mount in complicated circuits where space is an issue. Look into your old Vox and you will see the Wima branded capacitors.
Besides the above the following changes additions have been made:
The pre EQ's 2&3 have been shifted and a vintage modern style switch lets you decide the overall flavor of Channel 2&3, bypassed when in the plexi mode.
The plexi channel has slightly more gain and a foot controllable boost was added which expands the amp to have 6 sounds on tap via your foot. Boost is engaged with the same switch as for Channel 2&3.
The clean channel has been changed; special emphasis was taken to the boosted mode which gives you more gain with nice balanced frequencies and compression.
Power amp dampening was adjusted to compliment the new pre amp design, the Excursion switches so to speak.
The amp was designed and comes with 6L6 power amp tubes but other configurations are available as custom order.

20th Anniversary Ecstasy in vintage white with salt & pepper grill

20th Anniversary Ecstasy in vintage white back view

20th Anniversary Ecstasy in black with salt & pepper grill

20th Anniversary Ecstasy in black back view

To watch a video provided by Tone Merchants click here

Check out these sound samples provided by Ervin Toucet, these clips show you how touch sensetive this amp is, all have been played through a 4x12 with Celestion Greenback's except the last one which is Ervin's way to get a AC30 sound through channel 1 with a 2x12 loaded with Celestion Alnico Blue's

For more info read the: ECSTASY Manual

For tube layout: ECSTASY Tube Layout Info

For midi use see Medusa cable info: MEDUSA Pin Layout

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