Friedman Smallbox or Bogner Helios 50?

[tallcoolone]

Was dead set on pairing my Twin Sister up with her brother the Smallbox but I’m intrigued by the reviews of the Helios. Anyone have experience with both?

 

[LAARS]

This is just my opinion, having played them both. I went with the Bogner Helios 50 watt for what I like.

It really depends on what you are after. I own the Bogner Helios 50 watt and its one of my favorite amps. I also own 2 Voodoo Amps V-plex amps, which are very close to the same type of amp. One of my Voodoo V-plex's is a stock plexi type amp. The other has been modded by Trace at Voodoo, to add a touch more gain, more bottom end, and less highs. The Bogner can cover both amps, and then go into high gain territory too. The Bogner Helios is a tweaked plexi (more bottom end in the plexi mode with a bottom dial in the back of the amp), with a bunch of Bogners mods at the touch of a switch....... Then the hot input is very 80s metal type sounds. More gain and compression.

The Friedman small box is a great sounding amp, but is not like a stock plexi. Its much easier and smoother to play, with more gain then a typical plexi amp. A plexi amp will show you every flaw in your playing. Its like playing naked. The more fizz, compression and gain you add to the amp, the easier it is to play. Most guitar players wont want to play through a plexi. The small box is closer to the Bogner Helios when the Bogner is in the HOT jack setting. Though they still sound a little different. Think of different voicings of the same basic amp.

If you've never played through a plexi, the Bogner Helios can be a lot of fun, and teach you to use a different picking technique. For most people I'd say the Friedman small box would be the choice between the two just because its easier to play. I would play them both, and see what you like.

Here is a great video explaining what a plexi is like.




This video is the 100 watt versions of the Bogner Helios and the Friedman BE 100. It may give you an idea of the two. Notice they only play the Bogner in the HOT channel, and it matches up to the Friedman.

 

[Ufoscorpion]

Well to be honest I would be really happy with either , which don’t help much I know , lol .

 

[tallcoolone]

This is just my opinion, having played them both. I went with the Bogner Helios 50 watt for what I like.

It really depends on what you are after. I own the Bogner Helios 50 watt and its one of my favorite amps. I also own 2 Voodoo Amps V-plex amps, which are very close to the same type of amp. One of my Voodoo V-plex's is a stock plexi type amp. The other has been modded by Trace at Voodoo, to add a touch more gain, more bottom end, and less highs. The Bogner can cover both amps, and then go into high gain territory too. The Bogner Helios is a tweaked plexi (more bottom end in the plexi mode with a bottom dial in the back of the amp), with a bunch of Bogners mods at the touch of a switch....... Then the hot input is very 80s metal type sounds. More gain and compression.

The Friedman small box is a great sounding amp, but is not like a stock plexi. Its much easier and smoother to play, with more gain then a typical plexi amp. A plexi amp will show you every flaw in your playing. Its like playing naked. The more fizz, compression and gain you add to the amp, the easier it is to play. Most guitar players wont want to play through a plexi. The small box is closer to the Bogner Helios when the Bogner is in the HOT jack setting. Though they still sound a little different. Think of different voicings of the same basic amp.

If you've never played through a plexi, the Bogner Helios can be a lot of fun, and teach you to use a different picking technique. For most people I'd say the Friedman small box would be the choice between the two just because its easier to play. I would play them both, and see what you like.

Here is a great video explaining what a plexi is like.

Oh, I've had plexis--had 2 50w V-Plex amps from Trace and I curse myself weekly for letting them go. Honestly if the 1987x wasn't so crazy overpriced here in the US I'd prob go with that--I enjoy those amps but not $3k enjoy.

I am pretty sensitive to high end--prob b/c of my love of Page's TSRTS live tone and I'm sure some to do with my old ears. I need bite and kerrang more than gain--I always have an od in front to tighten things up anyway. I was hoping these amps had the same 'feel' and response as a good NMV Marshall?

 

[ricksdisconnected]

you know what to do.

 

[LAARS]

Oh, I've had plexis--had 2 50w V-Plex amps from Trace and I curse myself weekly for letting them go. Honestly if the 1987x wasn't so crazy overpriced here in the US I'd prob go with that--I enjoy those amps but not $3k enjoy.

I am pretty sensitive to high end--prob b/c of my love of Page's TSRTS live tone and I'm sure some to do with my old ears. I need bite and kerrang more than gain--I always have an od in front to tighten things up anyway. I was hoping these amps had the same 'feel' and response as a good NMV Marshall?

The Bogner Helios is just like my Voodoo V-plex 50 watts, but with additional modes at the touch of a switch. I like tight low end, that sometimes you just dont get with some amps. The Bognerr has a low end knob in the back that you can dial in how much you like, from stock to thunder low end, to way too much....... It has a bright switch that you can click in but I find it has plenty of high end in the neutral setting.

I love my Voodoo V-plex amps, and they are my go to amps for giging, but the Bogner Helios is the best sounding stock plexi type amp I've found in a long time. In the plexi mode, it has just enough gain to break up (think Malcolm Young) then if you really want more gain, you have the high input channel. I run mine in Plexi mode, 70s style, with a Mojo Hand Rook for additional gain for solos. Almost NO GAIN, but tone for days. Most guitar players would cringe playing with that little amount of gain. If you loved your Voodoo V-plex amps, you'll love the Bogner.

 

[Zado]

Never had gas for a Smallbox. For the Helios, on the other hand........

 

[tallcoolone]

The Bogner Helios is just like my Voodoo V-plex 50 watts, but with additional modes at the touch of a switch. I like tight low end, that sometimes you just dont get with some amps. The Bognerr has a low end knob in the back that you can dial in how much you like, from stock to thunder low end, to way too much....... It has a bright switch that you can click in but I find it has plenty of high end in the neutral setting.

I love my Voodoo V-plex amps, and they are my go to amps for giging, but the Bogner Helios is the best sounding stock plexi type amp I've found in a long time. In the plexi mode, it has just enough gain to break up (think Malcolm Young) then if you really want more gain, you have the high input channel. I run mine in Plexi mode, 70s style, with a Mojo Hand Rook for additional gain for solos. Almost NO GAIN, but tone for days. Most guitar players would cringe playing with that little amount of gain. If you loved your Voodoo V-plex amps, you'll love the Bogner.

If you are gigging you def don’t need as much gain—I know I don’t. Once these amps start breathing a little you get natural compression and sustain, esp amps like the V-Plex. Thing is switchable channels make for much less tap dancing on stage and a much more flexible rig—can you switch channels on the fly with the Helios?

 

[tallcoolone]

Arite, just grabbed a mint 50w Helios off Reverb. Can't freakin wait.

 

[tallcoolone]

Def a unique amp. Some days I absolutely love it, others I want to sell it. First thing you notice with the Helios is the vol taper--I thought something was wrong--I had it up to noon on the vol and gain and it was loud but comfortable in the room. All of my other amps would be unbearable alone at those settings. But dial it up past 2:00 it kicks in. Useful and unique trait to be sure. IME anyway.

 

[FourT6and2]

Def a unique amp. Some days I absolutely love it, others I want to sell it. First thing you notice with the Helios is the vol taper--I thought something was wrong--I had it up to noon on the vol and gain and it was loud but comfortable in the room. All of my other amps would be unbearable alone at those settings. But dial it up past 2:00 it kicks in. Useful and unique trait to be sure. IME anyway.

Mine is pretty damn loud with the volume at 12:00. But depends which input and channel and mode you're talking about.

The 70s/80s switch kicks in some zener diodes (Jose mod). And a volume drop is normal. But yeah, it's a great sounding amp.

 

[tallcoolone]

I ended up trading the Helios for a Smallbox and don’t regret it. Helios is a great sounding amp but having a true ‘clean channel’ makes to SB much more useable for me.

 

[snakej200]

I just saw what LAARS said about the Helios 50 and the v-Plex. I had a Helios 50 and currently have a v-Plex 50. He’s spot on. The Helios is the best plexi style amp I’ve ever plugged into and the v-Plex is a close second and only because it’s a little more basic and lacks some of the options which may be a plus for some. I had a small box too. It was very similar to the plexi low gain input on the Bogner but didn’t get as much gain as either the Helios or the v-Plex. I didn’t care for the small box but love the other two