Anthony David
Experienced
Hey everyone, here is my first attempt at reviving the AOTW threads that Fabio used to do. However, I'm doing it monthly rather than weekly, as per Electron Pirate's suggestion. Hopefully it doesn't completely suck and can provide some insight into this wonderful amp or at least encourage someone to play around with it.
First of all, a little note. There are several models of the Shiva that Bogner have done over the years. According to the Wiki, the model in the AxeFX is the 20th Anniversary edition. This is incorrect and has been confirmed by Cliff via private messaging. The actual amp that's modeled is the 60 watt 6L6 version. I had to rewrite much of this post after noticing, so learn from my mistake: take any unsourced info on a Wiki with a grain of salt. I will provide info for the actual model in question, as well as the other editions because there isn't much info available on the 6L6 version. This post wouldn't be very interesting without it. I highly recommend changing the tube type to KT88 or EL34 for the best sound though. I vastly prefer the KT88.
The Bogner Shiva 20th Anniversary is a 90 watt amplifier renowned for its note clarity and huge sound. Here is a really nice review of the amp: Bogner 20th Anniversary Shiva and Ecstasy Amp Reviews. Page 2 goes into the Exstacy, but we'll save that for another time.
The 80 watt EL34 Shiva is sometimes preferred over the KT88 version. Here is a review comparing them: Bogner Shiva 20th Ann. EL34 Review - The Gear Page
The 60 watt 6L6 is a very nice amp as well, with a bit more low and high end than the EL34. General consensus seems to be that the KT-88 and EL34 editions are better sounding. However, I am quite content with the version in the Axe and a few parameter changes.
The original controls for the Shiva's clean channel are as follows: Bass, Treble, Presence, Gain, Master Volume and a Bright Switch. The controls for the lead channel are the same but with the addition of Middle, Shift and Boost.
The controls for the 20th Anniversary edition are the same as the others with the addition of Mode and Excursion.
The boost knob controls an additional gain stage which makes the amp sound more like a Plexi. The shift button shifts the EQ to reduce mids and make the amp sound more like a Fender. The mode button is to make the amps gain more aggressive. The excursion knob is a power amp dampening control, meant to provide a larger sound at lower volumes and adjust the amps bass response. This is all according to Bogner's website: Bogner Amplification | Shiva.
Some models of the Shiva feature a per-channel reverb. Unfortunately, I can't provide any insight into the reverb as I can't find any specific information on it.
These are just personal guesses as to emulating the parameters not modeled in the Axe. Hopefully someone with more knowledge can offer better advise for these. To emulate the boost knob, I would advise using input trim. Engaging the boost switch on the Axe reduces note definition to my ears, it's just too much. Keep in mind the boost switch is equal to input trim at 4.0, so I would keep it around 2.0 or 3.0. To emulate the shift button, I would start with changing the tone frequency, maybe fat switch. For the mode switch, there are quite a few ways to change the gain character in the Axe. My personal favorite with the Shiva is changing the tonestack location to Mid. This will add some volume and make the gain more 'modern rockish.' The excursion knob, I would play with depth for the bass response aspect.
The Shiva is intended to be used with V30's. My absolute favorite cab to use with it is the OH_412_MAR-CB_V30-CH_Studio-Modern IR, which is included in recent firmware updates for 2 owners. I believe XL users already have it in their devices. Almost any IR will do though, I haven't found many that don't play nice with the model.
Here are some very simple clips I made with the model. Don't judge the clips too harshly, I didn't exactly try to play my best, that isn't the point here. I had considered recording a DI and reamping while changing parameters to show their effect, but I decided to leave settings the same while playing differently, to show how the amp can react to differences in playing. I will include the presets I used as well, although you will need to select an IR. Hopefully the tone sounds good on your setups, it sounded amazing with my Mackie MR8s.
https://soundcloud.com/aziegler/aotm-bogner-shiva-20th
These clips are done with a stock MIM Telecaster. Of the clean tones, the first thing you hear is the bridge pickup using a very hard pick, then the middle pickup using no pick, then the neck pickup with a very soft pick. This is preset one, Amp X. Of the overdriven tones, first the bridge for the Metal Health riff, then the middle for the terribly cliche blues riff. The neck pickup on that Tele sounds awful with overdrive, so I didn't bother with it. This is also preset one, but with Amp Y.
The repeat of the overdriven clips is done with preset 2, which is set to make the lead channel more aggressive, just to my taste. All that's been done that's different from preset 1, amp Y, is to set input trim to 2.0, tone location to mid, preamp hardness to 4.25 and then use the Amp's master volume to control gain. Sounds beastly to my ears, but it doesn't really come across in the recording as it does in person. Try the patch and see if it works for you. I can't offer any advice for the clean channel except to max the master volume and keep the gain fairly low. It really opens it up, but it actually sounds good no matter what you do.
Here is a video of the 20th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks6HNPDBk1Y
Here is another: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f3ANIms07U
Here is a video of the 6L6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJz9CPytkSY
Here is a video of the EL34: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjqNQLp_f6w
As you can hear the Shiva is incredibly versatile and sounds amazing in the hands of a good guitarist. I don't have much else to add, so share with us your experiences with the amp/model plus any clips, tips or tricks you may have. Also, advice on future AOTM threads would be much appreciated.
First of all, a little note. There are several models of the Shiva that Bogner have done over the years. According to the Wiki, the model in the AxeFX is the 20th Anniversary edition. This is incorrect and has been confirmed by Cliff via private messaging. The actual amp that's modeled is the 60 watt 6L6 version. I had to rewrite much of this post after noticing, so learn from my mistake: take any unsourced info on a Wiki with a grain of salt. I will provide info for the actual model in question, as well as the other editions because there isn't much info available on the 6L6 version. This post wouldn't be very interesting without it. I highly recommend changing the tube type to KT88 or EL34 for the best sound though. I vastly prefer the KT88.
The Bogner Shiva 20th Anniversary is a 90 watt amplifier renowned for its note clarity and huge sound. Here is a really nice review of the amp: Bogner 20th Anniversary Shiva and Ecstasy Amp Reviews. Page 2 goes into the Exstacy, but we'll save that for another time.
The 80 watt EL34 Shiva is sometimes preferred over the KT88 version. Here is a review comparing them: Bogner Shiva 20th Ann. EL34 Review - The Gear Page
The 60 watt 6L6 is a very nice amp as well, with a bit more low and high end than the EL34. General consensus seems to be that the KT-88 and EL34 editions are better sounding. However, I am quite content with the version in the Axe and a few parameter changes.
The original controls for the Shiva's clean channel are as follows: Bass, Treble, Presence, Gain, Master Volume and a Bright Switch. The controls for the lead channel are the same but with the addition of Middle, Shift and Boost.
The controls for the 20th Anniversary edition are the same as the others with the addition of Mode and Excursion.
The boost knob controls an additional gain stage which makes the amp sound more like a Plexi. The shift button shifts the EQ to reduce mids and make the amp sound more like a Fender. The mode button is to make the amps gain more aggressive. The excursion knob is a power amp dampening control, meant to provide a larger sound at lower volumes and adjust the amps bass response. This is all according to Bogner's website: Bogner Amplification | Shiva.
Some models of the Shiva feature a per-channel reverb. Unfortunately, I can't provide any insight into the reverb as I can't find any specific information on it.
These are just personal guesses as to emulating the parameters not modeled in the Axe. Hopefully someone with more knowledge can offer better advise for these. To emulate the boost knob, I would advise using input trim. Engaging the boost switch on the Axe reduces note definition to my ears, it's just too much. Keep in mind the boost switch is equal to input trim at 4.0, so I would keep it around 2.0 or 3.0. To emulate the shift button, I would start with changing the tone frequency, maybe fat switch. For the mode switch, there are quite a few ways to change the gain character in the Axe. My personal favorite with the Shiva is changing the tonestack location to Mid. This will add some volume and make the gain more 'modern rockish.' The excursion knob, I would play with depth for the bass response aspect.
The Shiva is intended to be used with V30's. My absolute favorite cab to use with it is the OH_412_MAR-CB_V30-CH_Studio-Modern IR, which is included in recent firmware updates for 2 owners. I believe XL users already have it in their devices. Almost any IR will do though, I haven't found many that don't play nice with the model.
Here are some very simple clips I made with the model. Don't judge the clips too harshly, I didn't exactly try to play my best, that isn't the point here. I had considered recording a DI and reamping while changing parameters to show their effect, but I decided to leave settings the same while playing differently, to show how the amp can react to differences in playing. I will include the presets I used as well, although you will need to select an IR. Hopefully the tone sounds good on your setups, it sounded amazing with my Mackie MR8s.
https://soundcloud.com/aziegler/aotm-bogner-shiva-20th
These clips are done with a stock MIM Telecaster. Of the clean tones, the first thing you hear is the bridge pickup using a very hard pick, then the middle pickup using no pick, then the neck pickup with a very soft pick. This is preset one, Amp X. Of the overdriven tones, first the bridge for the Metal Health riff, then the middle for the terribly cliche blues riff. The neck pickup on that Tele sounds awful with overdrive, so I didn't bother with it. This is also preset one, but with Amp Y.
The repeat of the overdriven clips is done with preset 2, which is set to make the lead channel more aggressive, just to my taste. All that's been done that's different from preset 1, amp Y, is to set input trim to 2.0, tone location to mid, preamp hardness to 4.25 and then use the Amp's master volume to control gain. Sounds beastly to my ears, but it doesn't really come across in the recording as it does in person. Try the patch and see if it works for you. I can't offer any advice for the clean channel except to max the master volume and keep the gain fairly low. It really opens it up, but it actually sounds good no matter what you do.
Here is a video of the 20th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks6HNPDBk1Y
Here is another: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f3ANIms07U
Here is a video of the 6L6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJz9CPytkSY
Here is a video of the EL34: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjqNQLp_f6w
As you can hear the Shiva is incredibly versatile and sounds amazing in the hands of a good guitarist. I don't have much else to add, so share with us your experiences with the amp/model plus any clips, tips or tricks you may have. Also, advice on future AOTM threads would be much appreciated.
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