Line 6 Bogner Alchemist 2x12 Combo

Moving across to the taller Alchemist and its lack of modelling technology is an instant and it must be said, pleasant return to basics. Using the same Strat, the Gold (clean) channel with the Bright switch engaged is sparkly, rich and exceptionally clean. Wind the volume up and the tone remains clear and powerful with a tight bottom end displaying ample headroom where many an amp would begin to fart and splutter.
Taming the volume and selecting the Crunch switch introduces some musical compressed break-up and a little edge. There’s also a Boost which operates across both channels. On this channel it doesn't boost the volume as the name suggests, but slips in a touch more presence and thickens the tone.
Flicking across to Mercury (Ch2) pretty much picks up where Gold leaves off in terms of escalating volume and dirt. You can run this channel fairly clean with more volume on tap, and flipping the Punch switch adds a good wallop of gain and aggressive snarl. With the EQ set fairly flat and the gain at about two o'clock, adding Boost via the pedalboard doesn't boost the volume but cranks the gain and upper-mids. It’s not unlike a good Tube Screamer pedal in tone, and it's a great rock-blues solo sound.
Swapping to a Gibson SG and pushing the Volume and Gain results in a creamy, surprisingly modern tone with lots of sustain. Switching to 20W doesn’t reduce the power by 50 per cent, but it's a completely different mode with a much more compressed and pinch-harmonic baiting 'browned out' tone – huge fun no matter what your taste in music.

The Alchemist aims high and noble to offer boutique-style all-valve tone at a mass-produced price. It mostly achieves its goals, and the sounds on offer – including those in 20W mode – being exceptionally well-designed and developed. Players seeking Formula 1 performance at Formula 2 prices would be well advised to give this one a thorough spin.