Engl Artist Edition 100 HAS ARRIVED!

[napalmdeath]

Got it about 3:00 via FedEx. Excellent shape! Ran into a bit of a problem, however.... The standby switch didn't work! In standby, it made a loud hum, and you could still play - it wasn't engaging.. So, I messaged the seller, and he offered to take it back, or do a partial refund for me to take it somewhere.. I took $60, because I actually fixed it myself.

I pulled it out of the head shell, sprayed the connectors to the standby switch, and did some cleaning, problem solved. Amp was a bit dusty, but I went through it with a fined-tooth comb - jacks, tube sockets, etc. Amp sounded great, but for good measure, I re-tubed it. I had a brand new quad of JJ 6CA7's, so I went for it. The factory tubes appeared to be Chinese - you can tell because they're never the same length! Shorter, taller etc... PV on this was 430, I biased it at 35mA.
.
I experimented with preamp tubes - It had a TAD in V1, and Engl labeled ECC83's in 2, 3, & 4. The amp is VERY warm, no brightness here! It's just big, thick, and warm! So, I settled with a Tungsol in V1, a GE/JAN USA 5751 in V2, left an Engl in V3, and put a Sovtek 12AX7LPS in the PI. Really has nice clarity, yet still warm, & thick!

This amp is an F'in beast! It sounds very much like the Splawn Competition I have, in Gear 2, but more gain on tap, (as if you needed it), bigger, HUGE low end, more low mids, and just HUGE sounding! This amp literally just KILLS with very little tweaking! All the pots are extremely responsive - one notch makes a big difference. LOTS of fun! I'm extremely pleased with it, I love it! The effects loop works fantastic, and the onboard Noise Gate is pure brilliance! Works like a charm!

This amp is simple, and just punishing. And, it takes a boost like a champ! When I find a box big enough to ship the Splawn, it'll be up for sale and going bye-bye!

 

[ErikT]

Sick dude! Glad you finally got it and that it's crushing.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Cool...sounds like it worked out for ya.

I remember liking the AE quite a bit. Liked it more than the Blackmore, REALLY liked the F100, but the Savage 120 was king of the Engls for me. I've almost pulled the trigger on the AE many times over the years...maybe someday I will.

 

[skullfxr]

That's awesome! I have always wanted to try one of those. I bet it is a beast!

 

[napalmdeath]

Cool...sounds like it worked out for ya.

I remember liking the AE quite a bit. Liked it more than the Blackmore, REALLY liked the F100, but the Savage 120 was king of the Engls for me. I've almost pulled the trigger on the AE many times over the years...maybe someday I will.

Sounds like a Fireball with EL34's! It's VERY aggressive! More aggressive than the Splawn, and the Retro I had.

 

[braintheory]

Congrats! HNAD! I had an Artist for almost 3 years. Definitely one of my 3 favorite Engls and very overlooked for some reason

I remember doing AB comparisons with it at the shop I got it from with lots of other amps before I decided on it (that included a Diezel Herbert mkii, Diamond Nitrox, Fryette Pittbull UL, PRS Archon, Engl Invader II, Multi-watt Triple Rectifier, Roadster, Baron DHG). I liked the Artist best in those comparisons at the time. I’d played all those amps before at one time or another, but never had a chance to compare them like that, which is always super helpful

I remember it being like a more Marshally voiced Engl. I’d also sell the Splawn if I were you and maybe something like a Mesa mark III or IV or recto could be a nice contrast. The Engl Inferno was also cool and probably my 2nd favorite Engl. Was like a better version of the Fireball 100. Nice throaty, low mid growl

 

[Inearthed]

Did you buy this from someone in Washington?

 

[Fret-Shredder]

Its awesome hearing your excitement about the amp. Rock it in great health.

 

[napalmdeath]

Did you buy this from someone in Washington?

No, a store on Reverb.

 

[SpiderWars]

I've been wanting to try a Savage, Speeddemon's clips sounded killer.

 

[Devin]

the Savage 120 was king of the Engls for me.

In other words, it was the Kingl?

 

[PBGas]

And not even a pic of your new amp! Geeze......

Seriously though, nice work on fixing it yourself!

 

[skullfxr]

the Savage 120 was king of the Engls for me.

In other words, it was the Kingl?

KENGL would be more accurate. Lol

 

[jabps]

Got it about 3:00 via FedEx. Excellent shape! Ran into a bit of a problem, however.... The standby switch didn't work! In standby, it made a loud hum, and you could still play - it wasn't engaging.. So, I messaged the seller, and he offered to take it back, or do a partial refund for me to take it somewhere.. I took $60, because I actually fixed it myself.

I pulled it out of the head shell, sprayed the connectors to the standby switch, and did some cleaning, problem solved. Amp was a bit dusty, but I went through it with a fined-tooth comb - jacks, tube sockets, etc. Amp sounded great, but for good measure, I re-tubed it. I had a brand new quad of JJ 6CA7's, so I went for it. The factory tubes appeared to be Chinese - you can tell because they're never the same length! Shorter, taller etc... PV on this was 430, I biased it at 35mA.
.
I experimented with preamp tubes - It had a TAD in V1, and Engl labeled ECC83's in 2, 3, & 4. The amp is VERY warm, no brightness here! It's just big, thick, and warm! So, I settled with a Tungsol in V1, a GE/JAN USA 5751 in V2, left an Engl in V3, and put a Sovtek 12AX7LPS in the PI. Really has nice clarity, yet still warm, & thick!

This amp is an F'in beast! It sounds very much like the Splawn Competition I have, in Gear 2, but more gain on tap, (as if you needed it), bigger, HUGE low end, more low mids, and just HUGE sounding! This amp literally just KILLS with very little tweaking! All the pots are extremely responsive - one notch makes a big difference. LOTS of fun! I'm extremely pleased with it, I love it! The effects loop works fantastic, and the onboard Noise Gate is pure brilliance! Works like a charm!

This amp is simple, and just punishing. And, it takes a boost like a champ! When I find a box big enough to ship the Splawn, it'll be up for sale and going bye-bye!

So, JVM / 5150 / EVH levels of gain? And what does it feel like, liquid? Stiff?

 

[Beyond Black]

Cool...sounds like it worked out for ya.

I remember liking the AE quite a bit. Liked it more than the Blackmore, REALLY liked the F100, but the Savage 120 was king of the Engls for me. I've almost pulled the trigger on the AE many times over the years...maybe someday I will.

Sounds like a Fireball with EL34's! It's VERY aggressive! More aggressive than the Splawn, and the Retro I had.

And there it is. Bastard. I’ve always wanted to hear a Fireball with EL34’s. Now I have Artist GAS, thanks for that. Glad this all worked out for ya!

 

[napalmdeath]

Cool...sounds like it worked out for ya.

I remember liking the AE quite a bit. Liked it more than the Blackmore, REALLY liked the F100, but the Savage 120 was king of the Engls for me. I've almost pulled the trigger on the AE many times over the years...maybe someday I will.

Sounds like a Fireball with EL34's! It's VERY aggressive! More aggressive than the Splawn, and the Retro I had.

And there it is. Bastard. I’ve always wanted to hear a Fireball with EL34’s. Now I have Artist GAS, thanks for that. Glad this all worked out for ya!

Well, I've had a Fireball 100, and a Retro 50.. This is more in line with the Fireball, (cleans are on par). It has more of and attitude like the Fireball, and more low-end focused, and not as bright as the Retro, (can be).

It's got the Marshall vibe, but it is not spikey or harsh. Of course, putting JJ 6CA7's in it brought some girth, and a hint of 6L6 to it. Thickened up the low mids, for sure. Amp sounds big, and bold. It's got some balls, for sure. Mid-boost on is like a fat switch. Off, it's scooped and grainy. On, it's where the beast lives.

About 3:30 he starts to dial it in. Has the presence and treble too high though, noonish is perfect. This amp literally rips with everything at noon. I actually run the gain on about 12:00 - 1:00, and hit it with a VFE Dragon, run the bass about 1:00, mids about 1:00, with mid boost engaged.

This one's decent. Better idea of the voicing. Probably non-boosted.. I see the gain up a bit. Gives you an idea of how raw it can sound.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Man, congrats!!! I've been very interested in these for a long time, but a few things I didn't like: the size of the head and the size of the footswitch.

Regardless, I had a SPlawn Pro Stock and sold it last year; loved it, but moved on to Friedmans.

What else, besides more gain, is different and/or better about the ENGL AE over your Splawn Comp??

Cheers!

 

[Beandust]

Awsome! It's a tight mofo. I never was successful boosting it. I didnt have the right boost. With the amp mid boost or gain boost it seemed like a wash. Must have been user error or the wrong boost. Kick ass amp tho. The gate and feel of this amp are very good if you like heavy rock sounds. Congrats/enjoy!!! Thanks for the review and makin me want another one!!

 

[napalmdeath]

Man, congrats!!! I've been very interested in these for a long time, but a few things I didn't like: the size of the head and the size of the footswitch.

Regardless, I had a SPlawn Pro Stock and sold it last year; loved it, but moved on to Friedmans.

What else, besides more gain, is different and/or better about the ENGL AE over your Splawn Comp??

Cheers!

Sounds bigger! Big, fat, and juicy! Alot more girth.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Man, congrats!!! I've been very interested in these for a long time, but a few things I didn't like: the size of the head and the size of the footswitch.

Regardless, I had a SPlawn Pro Stock and sold it last year; loved it, but moved on to Friedmans.

What else, besides more gain, is different and/or better about the ENGL AE over your Splawn Comp??

Cheers!

Sounds bigger! Big, fat, and juicy! Alot more girth.

Sounds rad, man. From one of those clips is sounds like it can do some AIC pretty well. That's about as heavy as I go when playing live. I have the JJ100 right now, but am thinking of downsizing and trying something different.

Do you have the footswitch for it and how well does that work? ...Wish they made smaller ones!