Vintage Vibe Meets Modern Bogner Engineering
Inspired by the unforgettable blues and rock tones of the 1960s, the Bogner Helios JB45 30-watt amplifier head marks a thoroughly modern reimagining of the tube amplifier’s golden age. This amplifier’s quartet of preamp tubes and two TAD KT66 power tubes fuel the Helios JB45 with dynamic overdrive bite and singing saturation, resulting in three distinct channel voicings: The plexi/tweed throwback bark of the Green channel, the full-bodied crunch of the Purple channel, and a Red channel that clones the Purple channel with a supercharged gain boost. A straightforward and intuitive global 3-band EQ, Presence knob, and two of Bogner’s signature “Schizo” voicing controls make it a breeze to dial in your dream tone from old-school blues rock bark to arena-ready sonics. You also get a superb set of channel-specific voicing switches to further tweak your tone. Cap it all off with a powerful series effects loop, a 2-position Variac switch, and a 3-position switch to voice your power amp, and the Bogner Helios JB45 represents a perfect marriage of classic tube amp tones and Bogner’s cutting-edge modern engineering.
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A trio of vintage-inspired channels to choose from
In stark comparison to the single-channel classics that inspired this amp, the Helios JB45 comes equipped with a trio of footswitchable channels that range from bluesy overdrive bark to all-out arena-rock extravagance. First up, the Green channel captures the raw-and-ragged growl that fueled the blues-rock revolution of the 1960s, equipped with a 3-position Bright/Hugh/Beano switch that travels between tweedy grit and plexiglass punch. Next, the Purple channel delivers a more aggressive and rock-oriented crunch, while the final Red channel represents a searing gain-boosted version of the Purple channel. What’s more, both the Purple and Red channels boast independent Brown/Classic/Breaker voicing switches, allowing you to instantly swap between tasteful classic rock crunch and more extreme levels of gain that come dangerously close to modern chug.
Expansive tone-shaping tools
Once you’ve explored the sweeping sonic possibilities of the Helios JB45’s trio of channels, this amp’s equally robust EQ section ups the ante even further with a myriad of tone-shaping tools. A global 3-band EQ and Presence control mirror this amplifier’s vintage vibe with a straightforward and intuitive sound-shaping experience. Still, a set of Bogner’s “Schizo” knobs prove this is no mere old-school replication. What does the Schizo knob do? As the name implies, this control dramatically alters the Helios JB45’s sonic personality, substantially shifting your signal’s girth, attack, and gain characteristics.
Packed with cutting-edge features
While the Bogner Helios JB45’s handsome vintage-inspired cabinet and relatively straightforward front panel are clearly inspired by the old-school amps of the past, a single glance at the rear panel proves this amp is a full-fledged masterpiece of modern Bogner engineering. From the variable impedance switch to the built-in 2-position Variac control to the 3-position power amp voicing switch, the Bogner Helios JB45 boasts a superb set of utility features to rival even the most forward-thinking amplifier designs. Furthermore, Sweetwater guitarists praise how this amp’s series effects loop with send and return effects facilitates seamless integration with your entire stompbox stable.
Bogner Helios JB45 30-watt Tube Amplifier Head Features:
- A 30-watt vintage-voiced tribute to the golden-age amplifier tones of the early 1960s and 1970s, elevated with a host of modern enhancements
- 4 preamp tubes and dual KT66 power amp tubes deliver rich, expressive, and dynamic saturation in spades
- 3 footswitchable channels to choose from: Green (classic early-era tweed/plexi roar), Purple (rock-ready crunch tones), and Red (same as the Purple channel, only with a supercharged gain boost)
- Green channel features a 3-position Bright/Beano/Hugh voicing switch, while the Red and Purple channels sport their own dedicated Brown/Classic/Breaker voicing switches
- Global 3-band EQ and presence control to fine-tune your tones
- 2 “Schizo” knobs dramatically alter the gain, attack, and girth characteristics of your signal
- Series effects loop with send/return controls make it a breeze to integrate stompboxes of all styles
- 3-position power amp voicing switch with Vintage Focused/Expand Loose/Big Modern settings
- 2-position Variac to tweak your tone’s sag and compression
- Variable impedance selector allows for a wide variety of cabinet configurations
