IMHO, Bogner Goldfingers are one of the best two-channel amps made. The reason I own a Bogner Goldfinger 45 was because of this post Steve Snider called: Bogner Goldfinger -- what a monster amp. So after all the rave reviews, I bought the current version of the Goldfinger 45. And, as many people have raved about, it's a great amp.
That said, I wasn't hearing the real beefy, yet clear tone that Steve was getting, and I noticed he has a slightly different model - an early model. So, I started looking around for an early-model Goldfinger 45 and found one. Steve helped me verify it was an early version close in serial number to his, so I bought it online.
As you see in the video below, I still have the two 2x12. As mentioned on this board, vintage 30's are not the best fit for the Goldfinger 45, so I just bought two 15watt Celection Blues, one 25watt Greenback, and a 30watt G12h 70th Anniversary to replace the vintage 30s, which is what I'm now using.
So, here's my results on the Bogner Goldfinger 45 shootout. The early model 45 has significant increase in gain and clarity. Furthermore, the deep switch really does what it says; it add some beef to the tone (hence the "deep" switch name). To me, the early model 45 has more gain in the regular 69 mode than the current model 45 does in the 80 mode dimed with the FX gain boost dimed. I was quite surprised by the difference. I really don't like the 80's mode in the early model; it seems muddy compared to the Loud 69 mode; however, the Loud 69 mode sounds killer so there's no need for the 80's mode anyway. In addition, I found the boost level on the early model can be boosted much higher/louder. The clean channels sounded almost identical. When I A/B'd them, I couldn't tell much if any difference.
Below is a shootout video between the new version and original version of the Bogner Goldfinger 45. Sorry for the non-pro mic'd shootout. I didn't bring the right cable to hookup my DI to my laptop, so I had to use my video camera.
I have to agree with Steve on his analysis/opinion, that the original 45's Loud 69 mode is "worth the price of admission." So, I'm now using just the early-model 45. My perfect two-channel amp search is over. If you can find an early model 45, buy it and never....ever.... sell it.
Tonefiend