new to Boogie (well, flux drive pedal on my board.) Have researched, read, and listened to every Boogie demo/review on the net. Was convinced the Lonestar Special was what I'd want. Big surprise when I plugged in. . . thought I'd share FWIW for anyone who does not yet own but may be looking. Spent 5 hours at my Boogie dealer today and played my guitar and pedal board through Lonestar special and Express+ 5:50. . . tried combo, cabs, open & closed backs. Here's what I found, YMMV:
*Forum advice to test play them is absolute ~ I heard so much you just don't hear on Utube. They sound quite different in person. Oh, and take YOUR guitar & rig 'cause that's what you know, eh? Spend the day, not a few minutes.
*LSS is a beautiful clean to warm break-up amp. Very round, warm, retro-casual kind of vibe. The Express is a tighter, more immediate, and focused sounding amp
*Express (I did not play the 5:25, just the 5:50) has a LOT more bottom end (much broader frequency spectrum) The LSS is very balanced, polite, it's great. . . it's the "old" Fender clean (chimey highs & full base.) But the Express into a closed back cab has bottom end that will knock you back a step. Definite difference in the two amps here. If you want base punch = Express. Mellow, retro, impeccably balanced = LSS.
*CLEAN: Both are pristine. Express can dial back the bass and pretty much match the LSS tone. But the Express can also match the Special clean with a HUGE breathy base punch added. When I ran the LSS into a closed back cab & pushed the base it sounded a bit tubby while the Express easily pumped a big articulate base into the room. Both cool amps, Express has a lot more reach into the bottom end here.
*GAIN: Special breaks up into a sweet blues vibe. Going beyond it's a warmer, softer gain sound that ends well this side of metal. The Express again has broader range. It will fairly well match the warm bluesy tones of the Special but easily moves WAY beyond into a full frontal assault.
*Overall, both are incredible instruments and I could be happy with either. The LSS has a more retro look, Express looks "markV-ish." Tonally I found the same thing, LSS more retro while the Express does retro to modern.
LSS is a beautiful instrument (country, blues, soft rock, etc.) The Express will cover those, just adds more range and versatility. FWIW, I took both manuals downloaded on my IPAD & tried to go through the amps "by the book" rather than random knob twisting. Sorry for long first post, great forum, and I've learned a lot here. Hope these impressions will help someone else down the line.
-Jazz
*Forum advice to test play them is absolute ~ I heard so much you just don't hear on Utube. They sound quite different in person. Oh, and take YOUR guitar & rig 'cause that's what you know, eh? Spend the day, not a few minutes.
*LSS is a beautiful clean to warm break-up amp. Very round, warm, retro-casual kind of vibe. The Express is a tighter, more immediate, and focused sounding amp
*Express (I did not play the 5:25, just the 5:50) has a LOT more bottom end (much broader frequency spectrum) The LSS is very balanced, polite, it's great. . . it's the "old" Fender clean (chimey highs & full base.) But the Express into a closed back cab has bottom end that will knock you back a step. Definite difference in the two amps here. If you want base punch = Express. Mellow, retro, impeccably balanced = LSS.
*CLEAN: Both are pristine. Express can dial back the bass and pretty much match the LSS tone. But the Express can also match the Special clean with a HUGE breathy base punch added. When I ran the LSS into a closed back cab & pushed the base it sounded a bit tubby while the Express easily pumped a big articulate base into the room. Both cool amps, Express has a lot more reach into the bottom end here.
*GAIN: Special breaks up into a sweet blues vibe. Going beyond it's a warmer, softer gain sound that ends well this side of metal. The Express again has broader range. It will fairly well match the warm bluesy tones of the Special but easily moves WAY beyond into a full frontal assault.
*Overall, both are incredible instruments and I could be happy with either. The LSS has a more retro look, Express looks "markV-ish." Tonally I found the same thing, LSS more retro while the Express does retro to modern.
LSS is a beautiful instrument (country, blues, soft rock, etc.) The Express will cover those, just adds more range and versatility. FWIW, I took both manuals downloaded on my IPAD & tried to go through the amps "by the book" rather than random knob twisting. Sorry for long first post, great forum, and I've learned a lot here. Hope these impressions will help someone else down the line.
-Jazz
