Bogner Uberschall Head

This head was made in 2005 and is the "Revision Blue" model. I feel the 2 channel format is the best for me and keeps life simple. I feel this amp is more versatile then most give it credit for. It can spank single coil cleans pretty good. Of course most readers are concerned with the high gain mode. It has plenty of power and sounds good even at bedroom levels. It also has all of the basics: FX loop, adj. level out and relly cool bias check points so you can check without to much hassle.

I have been playing since 1978 and play PRS Custom 24's all stock, Gibson Les Pauls and a USA Jackson King V2(Mahogany)with WCR pickups "Iron Mans" installed. On a side note these WCR pickups have now become my favorite 22K wow! I also just received a Driskill wow! I run dry with no FX's. I play metal, both old Bay Area Thrash through Pantera. I also dig the older Dokken, Maiden, Sabbath stuff. I cant speak for all Bogner "Ubers" but this one is quiet IMHO for a high gain amp. Better cleans then my 2 channel Recto. This is where things change. Bogner seems to overate the lows that an EL34 based amp can deliver. My older Mesa "recto" and including my 1984 MKIII are both chunkier then this amp (think Master of Puppets). Now before I get yelled at this is a very high gain amp that sounds very good and in all fairness I am replacing the tubes because I think they are tired which might contribute to the moderate bottom end. I run it through an oversized Mesa 4x12 recto cab loaded with Vintage 30 speakers. I sold a 6L6 based 1992 Hot Rod Soldano 50 that is similar to this amp with regards to distortion. This amp is better but not as heavy as proclaimed. In summary I do really like this amp. I was looking for a heavy modded Marshall jcm800 and this is it. I am a bit dissappointed to its claimed "supersonic" 911 bass because I am not feeling it as much as the Mesa's.

So far no issues, this is a very heavy (53lbs) amp. Excellent craftsmanship. Open one up and one will see this is a very complex amp (I do not know why for a simple 2 channel amp) but there are four mini pc boards that make this thing tick. It is overwhelming! The only cheap thing is the Bogner name plate. Its cheap plastic which is insulting to a $2500 head! Also some metal or plastic corners would not hurt it either.

I E-mailed the company regarding buying a new footswitch (my amp did not come with one). They responded back within 12hrs! Excellent timeline, of course they wanted $135 for a two button switch!

Ok Ive been playing 30ish years, I own PRS, Gibson, Driskill,Jackson and a HR Giger Signature metal covered Ibanez. Amp wise I currently own this amp a 2 channel recto a 3 channel triple and a Mark 3 Mesa. Sold the Soldano which was excellent for classic rock (not metal enough to run dry) and Soldano has the best customer service!! Mike Soldano himself called me back to answer a question 1st class guy!!If this was stolen I would continue to play my Mesa's, I love the look and the quality, and the clean channel, which is odd for me. I also love the distortion very Marshally I just do not think it has the hyped up bottom end chunk I read about. Probably 80% of the Mesa's. Every utube sound clip that throws bass beware they are 7 stringers and dropped tuners!!!!!!! Again I will be receiving some new tubes SED Winged "C" El34s and pre-amp tubes so maybe I will feel and hear the "Uber" differece :)

This review is for the Bogner UBERSCHALL 'Revision Blue' which is actually wrote on the amp itself, its not a slang term.I mainly wrote this to discuss how diff brands of preamp tubes really make a big difference in sound in this amplifier. Since very few people have mentioned any specs at all?, I will mention its a 100 watt hi gain amp. It has FOUR EL34 and SIX 12AX7 tubes. It is a TWO CHANNEL amplifer and has a "A" channel that is primarily for clean and a 'B' channel that is for high gain. Controls are standard with a gain and master on each ch and 3 band EQ with presence control that works quite different than most amps I use. The amp has two speaker outs at 4, 8, or 16 ohms (selectable with switch) and a send return on rear with level knobs. The amp does not have low and high input, only one input.

Sound - I have played guitar for over 25 years and own 12 amplifers. The Bogner Uberschall is the most finicky amp I have ever used when it comes to preamp tubes. This is not a bad thing. I am speaking of this because when I first got my Bogner I liked it. It soon started to sound bad so I thought I had a bad tube. I eventually,(keeping this short) went through many different brands of preamp tubes (replacing all 6 of them) finding that each brand of 12AX7 tubes sounded very different. I realize Bogner reccomends Svetlana tubes and another brand and did not like the sound of those. I eventually went with 3 Tesla/JJ 12AX7 (standard 803S) and 3 generic 'Chinese' from ARS tubes (excellent prices). This was recommended to me by Bogner and the amp sounds like 'searing razor sharp hi gain metal' just as the guy told me it would. The 4 power section tubes are ARS brand.

The amplifier itself and cabinet are built extremely strong and sturdy and I consider it very road worthy, no problem. Take some extra sets of tubes just in case.

The amp has a standard one year warranty and I don't think I will need it.

Overall a excellent amp. If you want one and don't have the money or means to save up (or can't) get a ENGL Fireball. If you can't afford a ENGL Fireball I suggest a Bugera 333XL which are completely reliable the wiring problem with the transformer is no longer a issue and mine was fixed and back to me in 4 days time. A excellent amp for someone who hasn't the bucks for a Uberschall. If I had my 333XL first, I would not have bought this Bogner. The Bogner is a very high priced amp considering the other amps now available at lower prices. Is it worth it? I think it is, but wouldn't buy it again for 2100.00

Not sure what year the amp was made. i wanted a two channel, fairly simple head that gave me a good clean and good lead tone to use in addition or instead of, my soldano avenger.

2 channel and fx loop all controlled via a footswitch
individual channel volumes and overall master volume
looks pretty snazzy with the fibre optic illuminated front panel.

not the most versatile head, but good enough for what i want

im using a les paul custom with bareknuckle rebel yell custom set (hot alnico pups).

when the amp is in standby it hums pretty loudly. this doesnt happen with my Avenger which cost a fair bit less.
the lead channel is good, but has an annoying hi end fizz. the amp needs to be dialed in carefully and this takes time to get used to.

the clean channel is hard to push into break up, with no pedal in front of the amp you JUST start getting break up with the gain and volume maxed out. which for some people might be good, but it lowers the versatility of the amp. the clean channel is very clean though! but i wouldnt use the word sparkly to describe it.

presence controls are a little fiddly to get used to, given that they are not the usual kind of control.

not gigged with it. i have spoken to and read a lot of stories about peoples ubers breaking down. i even emailed bogner to get my serial number checking after hearing of a bad batch and they replied with a pretty hostile email that actually shocked me.
If i was to take this amp anywhere id need tube spares, and enough tools to get inside if i needed to do on the road repairs.

as above. emailed with a few questions about reliability and about putting my mind at ease regarding my own amp. i wasn't happy with the replies. pretty hostile and made me feel like an idiot. thanks bogner. i also enquired about a custom head shell and the cost was crazy for what it actually is. i just hope i never have to contact them for anything else. warranty is 1 year.

ive been played 12 years. i own a JCM800, dual rec 3 channel, and a soldano avenger. i use a les paul custom with BKP rebel yells and an LTD with BKP miracle man's.

sounds good, but for the money it leaves a little to be desired. difficult controls to get stuck into right away, hum when the amp is on standby, high end fizz. it doesnt blow a dual rec out of the water (but it is better slightly) and for lead tone the soldano avenger smokes it. the channel switching is silent, unlike the mesa! the mesa has a lot more features and can pull off having a high price tag

its GOOD ENOUGH for what im after. if i lost it id be upset cos its cost a lot of money, but i would replace it with something else.

this amp is very hyped, and i think the price reflects that. i have a cheaper soldano avenger that i love more, but it doesnt have a clean channel.

Vey first Uberschall head, before revision 1 even. Paid 2100, and it was and is dead mint with killer road case. Foot switch was included, also in perfect condition.

I use SH2 and SH13, some guitars have the BL XL500. Passive pups sound deadly through this amp!!!
I play metal and punk. For me this amp is God! Love everything about it, and every sound I get through it just make me love it more!
Not noisy at all! My pup grounds on my guitars are perfect, ecept for my Dime USAs and they have been rewired, so they are perfect too, nothing noise related coming from this amp!
I have not changed my settings on this amp ever. Clean and Dirty have been set, and thats where they have stayed.
Distortion is by far killer!! I have 3 other amps (JCM 800s) and like this amp the best. I run it through an ENGL V12 cab with vintage 30s and it is all that and a bag of chips!

Never has this amp ever broke down! I treat it like gold, as I really am in love with this amp!!

Chris modded this amp when he was with Bogner, and this is a special amp, they have communicated that!

Been playing long enough to be endorsed by a killer guitar company, and have many many USA Killer guitars!
If it was stolen I would KILL myself.
Love the simplicity and the sound of this amp! Its the ulitmate amp for what I play hands down!
Destroys ENGL in every way possible, sounds way better than my JCM 800s too.
I wish I had 3 of the exact same head!!!
Seriously best thing that ever happened to me and I love this amp more than my Mom!!

2006 revision blue model. This is a two channel 100 watt head. Four EL34 power amp tubes and six 12ax7 preamp tubes. Line out. Master volume. One of the best adjustable, tube driven effects loop in the industry. Channel one/two input and a effects in and out input. I use a Rocktron Replifex to control this head with switch 1, switching channel 1&2 and switch 2, switching the effects in and out. Match made in heaven! Rocktron for maintaining the true, transparent, unaltered, amplifier tone quality. Good luck finding one!
This head did come with a footswitch for channels and effects. unaltered

Channel One = Clean! Is it fender clean? No! Ask me if I want fender clean. No! Bogner clean? yes! Can I get my finger picking, slap and poppin' clean to little dirty tones? Yes! I put a tung sol preamp tube in V1 position. Very nice upgrade to my ears.
Channel Two = Oh My God!!!!! Sounds like one pissed off, king of the ******* jungle!
This is with the master at 3:00 and the gain at noon! Can this head be tamed? Yes! It has a gain control. I don't think the previous half wits and hockey helmet wearing retards knew that if you turn the gain control clockwise, you will get more gain, and if you turn it counter clockwise you will get less! Can I get ACDC type of gritty goodness from this beast? Yes! But you have to turn the knobs on the amp. It is not a video game, you can't just push a button and go!
Is this getting through to you? You have two channels. You can dial in a wide selection of tones on channel two, yes, yes, yes you can! Yeah! Here is the secret. Presence control knob! Give it a turn, you might like it. This amp is very quiet. A huge plus in my book.
What I love is the woody, singing sustain I get from this head! Oh yes, before I forget. You can't hide your poor techniques with this head.
How about a thank you, to Reinhold Bogner for being the master amplifier builder he is!!!!

No problems! None! Zero!
I am like any other tube amplifier owner and have had my amplifiers pop and crackle and sound mushy, but I am not retarded, so I change the bad preamp tube!
I also would be remise if I didn't address the genesis with the review dated 08/16/08. If you had a problem with your head (your description made it sound like you had some bad tubes) then you should have contacted the Bogner dealer and not Bogner. You can't purchase a Bogner without going through a dealer. So your a dumb-*** for not having any common sense and for not addressing your problems to the right people!

Called several times for info about other products, tubes, and mods. Always friendly, talkative, and laid back. You will not get any mesa boogie attitude here. One more thing. They always call back when I leave a message.

I have been playing for thirty one years now. I have played almost every amp made. I own several high end amplifiers. This is a hard rock, heavy metal, shred guitar, monster of a amplifier. The Uberschall has a very active eq panel, with every knob capable of changing the character of this head. You have to know what your doing to dial in this amp as well as many of the best amplifiers made in the world. Do not listen to the dumb-***** with their negative reviews. I doubt they can even play a guitar let alone know where to plug in their guitar.
I also would be remise if I didn't address the genius with the review dated 08/16/08. If you had a problem with your head (your description made it sound like you had some bad preamp tubes) then you should have contacted the Bogner dealer and not Bogner. You can't purchase a Bogner without going through a dealer. So your a dumb-*** for not having any common sense and for not addressing your problems to the right people!

I knew what I was getting when I purchased the amp.

Apparently quality control is a joke at Bogner.Do not order one of these amps online unless they offer money back guarantee.Play one at a music store because you might get a lemon.I have heard some that sound good and some that sound terrible.I have been playing guitar for over 20 yrs and have had several hi end amplifiers.I agree with the guy who said VHT Pitbull is better,and I have owned both.Its not even close.I would have to say your deaf if you cant tell the difference

I had problems since day one.Cracking noises and it sounded thin.Extremly tempormental.

I sent the amp back to them and they told me it sounded great.They tried to tell me what I wanted to hear and did nothing.I tried several guitars several cabinets.

It sucks that I payed over two thousand dollars for this sad excuse of an amp.

If you're looking for an inferno of an amp that is simplistic and easy to use look no further. I'm amazed at how people slam this amplifier, but I bought my amp new a year ago, and am constantly amazed at what kind of sounds I can dial in with a two channel amp, and what a towering sound comes from this thing. In Short the Uberschall does everything I want it to do.

The distortion is HUGE on this amp, but you can calm it down, the knobs are very responsive even to smaller movements, so it's an amp that is going to require tinkering as most amps are before you dial in a tone that suits you. The clean channel is very stale, and fx ready, I have several fx running through the loop to include an MXR EVH Flange, Electro Harmonix Small Clone, a boss DD-5 delay, and an MXR Phase 90. I'm not a huge FX person, but I leave the Chorus on all the time, and my clean channel is dialed to somewhat of an icy clean sound ala Queensryche "Mindcrime" era. Very icy. The distortion is again, a monster...you can dial in a midrange cruch, tweak the presence knob, pretty much do anything with this....I'm running it with a Carvin DC400W custom, also put my ESP's into it, I have a Kamikaze, GL56, Skulls and Snakes, and an ESP Flame Baritone, they all have passive pickups in them, and are a bit cooler than most pick ups, but the amp to me, is more responsive to me with that set up. I also use a Lynch Dragon Wah, and that's about it, very simple rig, I run an Amp Switcher with it(Voodoo Labs) that goes to my Reinhardt 18 when I want to dial a vintage sound in the middle of something heavy. But if you're into simplistic design, and a monster tone, look no further. I play rock, and metal, and it hooks me up with what I'm looking for in tone.

I have not blown anything up in this amp yet, but again, I keep my amps and rig in a Rock Hard Case to prevent any damage, and it's tougher to steal a box that weighs 300lbs than an amp by itself that is more accessible. hahaha. But it's very reliable, this amp is made for rock and metal, so if you're a jazz guy or maybe old school clean Marshall kinda person, forget it, this amp will be too much for you.

I had a biasing issue, and I called Bogner, and they talked me through it, and I had it back to where I wanted tone wise in about 3 minutes, they're very nice, and cool laid back California types, and I have had no issues. The warranty is for one year, but it's a tube amp, they last forever if you treat them right.

This is the amp for me, I think there are a lot of companies who draw influence from Bogner's 2 channel Uberschall and even some who copy it to an extent, but there's nothing like the original, and it smokes. My amp is only about a year old, and it's held strong for me, especially with the ability to switch amps live, which has gotten quite a quizzical response from other musicians wanting to know "What the hell kind of amp is this guy using!?" and that's because I switch between this and a Reinhardt 18, but I love them both, and wouldn't play anything else. I play them through Mesa Cabs because I like the punchy response Celestion V30's give me, although the Uberkab does use a different combination of speakers(V30,GT1275 I believe) I prefer Mesa for price and quality build and straight punch. I have enjoyed this amp, and plan on using it for as long as I can play guitar.

I'm writing this review because I'm apalled by the derogatory comments I've seen.
If you're looking to play any sort of hard rock or metal, this amp blows the rest away.
FX loop does the job, distortion is unmatched, and the clean channel is gorgeous.
It's perfect for gigging and its wicked durable.
And it's super sensitive, so if you want it to sound good, you have to work at your guitar playing. Fantastic.

PRS custom 22 with Dragon II pickups.
It screams. After every single show my band plays, I never hear "good set" or "nice job". It's always "that amp sounds so sick".
Metal Metal Metal.

I've owned it for about 3 years.
Only problem I've ever had was a tube that I blew.
And thats because I waited too long to replace the tubes.

Never really had to contact Bogner.
I called them once to ask a questions regarding the "Volume Cut" feature that so many people rave about, and talked to someone professional and helpful.
The guy actually called me back two weeks to make sure everything was still working right and that I was able to use that feature.

I've Played through a Fender Prosonic, JCM 900, JCM 800, Jubilee, Orange Rockerverb, Diezel Einstein, Peavey XXX, and every Mesa known to man, and nothing stands up. If you're looking for a brutal metal sound, then you better go pick this up. I'm waiting until I have another 2500 dollars so I can use the one that I have for my backup on tours.
Buy it.
Right now.

Not sure about the year, but i got it new in 2007, so it might be of that year

I play mainly metal, brutal death, detuned stuff and extreme grind! So i dont need versatility at all, dont need crunchs or cleans, i need extreme gain and palm mute suffering!. This amp is GREAT for this purpose, the best one i tried for this purpose indeed,

I use it with a 2x12 Oversized Bogner cab, the perfect match!

It has 2 channels, Clean and Uber Gain. Also it has an FX loop wich works perfectly.

WOW! When i first got it, I went directly to the gain channel and started to play. God??s SHIT! the most BRUTAL and INSANE gain i ve ever heard from an amp came to my ears and my neighbour??s. This amp has massive LOW end, so you will enjoy playing detuned stuff with it. Also, the clarity of the notes when playing at high gain levels is incredible, it has a very organic sound, no matter how you turn the knobs, there is allways a punishing sound coming from the speakers. I can not be happier with this amp. I LOVE THOSE GRINDING LOWS!!!!!!!!! EXTREME BRUTAL GAIN!!!!

The clean channel is indeed very clean, and quite versatile if you spend some time on it. Some say there is a lack of volume between this channel and the gain one. Yes there is, but it is not a problem for me. Just adjust the channel level and the gain in the clean channel and there you go.

This is the perfect amp for me, it suits my style perfectly, and it has no noise! believe me! if there is noise using yours, check your guitar, this amp is silent like a guilty bitch.

It is great at bedroom levels, i lve to turn it on in the morning and let my neighbours smell the napalm!

I ve never had a problem with it

I ve been playing guitar since 1994, i really enjoy this amp, it is what i was looking for, Now my BROOTAL amp search has finished. HAIL BOGNER for making such an insane head. Now i only need a shiva for the calmed stuff i play, and the orgasm will be eternal.


This is my first gear review here. No gear has moved me to make a review before this amp. It is just so aweome i must share it with everybody. Try one, you ll love it.

I have the blue mod Uberschall head with the Uberkab. I believe it's a 2005 model.

You all know the features, and what this thing does. Quite a simple amp. It does what I want it to, which is to sound huge.

I use this amp primarily in a studio setting, but do intend to use it live at some point in the near future. I play mostly progressive metal and jazz/metal fusion.

My setup is fairly simple, with a volume, and wah pedal, midi pedal for effects, and the channel/effects loop switcher. I use this amp in conjunction with another effects processor/preamp, power amp and extension speaker cabs for clean tones.

As far as sounds that come from this amp, I primarily use the distorted channel, as thats what this thing does best. I feel like it has the tightest, most focused distortion out there. It's not like a boogie tone, which seems kind of processed and synthetic to me, and is well beyond Marshall, which I've always felt was rather spongy. This Bogner just rips. This is the distortion I've been looking for for what seems like forever. Thank you Reinhold for building this amp!

I am not really that impressed by the clean sound of this amp, but that's not why I bought it. I have other gear for that purpose, as I mentioned above.

This amp has not broken down, or had any issues whatsoever, but then I've only had it about 6 months now.

I'm pretty sure I could trust it without a backup.

I've never had to deal with Bogner, so I have no opinion on this.

I have been playing guitar for about 10 years or so.

I use Fender, PRS and Ibanez electrics, both 6 and 7 strings. I usually run Rocktron effects, along with BBE, ADA, Alesis, and TC stuff. I have a Mesa/Boogie DC-5 that I use at times, but I love my Bogner enough that thr boogie usually sits unused.

If this amp were stolen, I'd be rather pissed as it was quite expensive! I would probably get an Ecstacy head for it's versatility if it were stolen.

I chose this amp due to the distortion sound as compared to other amps such as thr Triple Rectifierand what-not.