Engl Artist Edition. Is it Marshall'ish?

[napalmdeath]

Yes, check out Fatbagg's demos and posts. I think he even has it for sale in the classifieds...

Yep. Looking at that one already. Never played an Engl and am concerned about some of the reviews on the other models saying that they are dry amps. I like the warmth and cut of Marshall type circuits most of the time. With the Artist being the amp that they worked with Doug Aldrich on I figured maybe it was in that camp.

I actually sold that to him. It's a great amp. Hell, if I had the money I'd buy it back but I just bought another amp and a Les Paul Custom so I'm tapped at the moment.

I'm a Marshall guy, my main amp is a stock JVM410 and that hasn't changed and probably want change anytime soon. I've been going thorugh amps just for the fun of it really and to find something that is different yet familiar. I only sold the Artist because he had a good deal on the Mezzabarba Trinity and I wanted to give that a try.

I've owned several Engls and the Artist is my favorite so far of those I've owned or tried. It's Marshall flavored, more so than any other Engl I've tried. I had concerns over the lack of Resonance as well but I didn't miss it once I dialed in my sound. It's still very much an Engl, tight lows, beefy, good gain but it does venture into the Marshall tone and feel. And it's a simple straight forward amp as well.

Anyway that's a good deal and they are fine amps. Btw/ I just bought a Fryette SigX which was yet another amp I wished I had not sold years ago, been chasing another one for a long time and finally got it. If I hadn't just bought it I would buy that Artist back. That's just my experience though.

Yeah, I don't get the "fixed resonance" talk at all. I own an Artist as well, and the EQ is extremely responsive, and will dial in as you wish. It's got some punch, but in a very good way.

I owned the Retro, (great amp), and 3 Splawns, which I've seen suggested here as well. The Artist is more aggressive, more responsive, and more dynamic than the Splawns. I love the Splawns, but the Artist has more mojo. It's alot juicier, and more dynamic. It punches hard, and has one of the best lead tones of any amp I’ve ever owned. Of course, like most amps, bias and the right cocktail of tubes really bring the goods.

I've owned 3 JVM's as well. The Artist has that voicing, a better loop, an exceptional noise gate, and is warmer, beefier, tighter, and more focused. I had the 205H 3 times. Loved OD2 Orange boosted, but the Engl has more balls, bar none.

On the JVM410 I live on OD1 Orange. It's pure modded Marshall tone. OD2 is more modern sounding but I don't get on with that as much. It looses some of it's tightness on OD 2 Orange and Red and that is what they put on the 210's and 205's. I'm kinda surprised Marshall did that but there are some eq pedal tricks or mods you can do to get those amps like the 410's OD 1. The thing I love about the 410 OD1 Orange is it just has tons of gain, hairy and a smidge out of control yet tight and beefy. I love that because I can control it. And it has that aunch...for lack of a better term. Back when I played live, of all the amps I owned I got more compliments over that thing than any other.

The Artist...side by side. It's still an Engl, after all that's their flavor but I dialed in very Marshallesque tones from it. It felt good. Plenty of beef, tight etc... Great loop, good noise gate if you want it which IMO, should be standard on all high gain amps these days and it looks cool as hell. I really liked it and I did not miss the resonance at all which admittedly I was surprised about. Like you said the EQ is very responsive. One thing I did do that I don't have to do with the JVM is I pushed the front end with an EP Booster. Made it a little more hairy for me which I like. I'm doing the same thing with the Sig X.

Seriously wish I had the scratch and I'd just buy it back.

I boost mine with either a VFE Dragon, or Savage Drive, and lately an MXR 6-Band. It LOVES a boost.

I put a 5751 in V2, and it really made a difference. The great thing about the amp is that it has PLENTY of gain, but the taper on it is excellent. It's not out of control at 12:00, like an EVH red channel, or JVM red channel on a 205H. I have mine at 1:00, and hit it with a boost. Absolutely ferocious sounding. Even with a boost and EMG81's, there's ZERO noise with the onboard gate at a conservative setting. I think I have it at about 10:00.

 

[napalmdeath]

Great feedback guys. I never play super clean. Always a dirt clean and roll the volume back a bit.

Still interested in comparisons to a Friedman. Cheers.

I’ve had the Engl Artist next to some Friedman’s (BE and Phil X). The Friedman’s sounded to me more organic, warm, but also darker, smoother and not as aggressive or sharp in attack. The Friedman’s tend to also have a lot more low mid presence that makes them pretty thick, while the Artist has this upper mid grind that I really liked

Interesting. Sounds like the Friedmans may sound "bigger/fuller"? Or no?

Also, I love the Friedman feel, saggy, but I am always boosting it and wanting it to be a little tigher, but I don't love super tight/dry amps in terms of feel.

Would you say the AE has some sag to it or is it closer to a Splawn?

Also, does the Gain boost engage diodes and drop the volume?

And it looks like the Gain boost is tied to Master B volume?

I owned a Runt 50, and that's my extent of Friedman experience.

Friedman = Polished, yet very articulate. Polished bothered me, actually. But an aggressive boost worked well with it, yet still not Engl aggressive.
Artist = Aggressive, meaner, more attitude.
It's really a different animal than a Splawn. It's got a sharper attack, and as I mentioned before, it has a superior lead tone, for sure. I can't really say what the Artist closely relates to. Maybe a marriage of a Marshall JVM and an Engl Fireball. In reality, it's really a Blackmore with EL34's, tweaked to have a more British flavor. Doug Aldrich being involved really speaks for itself, as does the fact that Gary Moore had it in his possession when he died. It's got some mojo, no doubt about it.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Great feedback guys. I never play super clean. Always a dirt clean and roll the volume back a bit.

Still interested in comparisons to a Friedman. Cheers.

I’ve had the Engl Artist next to some Friedman’s (BE and Phil X). The Friedman’s sounded to me more organic, warm, but also darker, smoother and not as aggressive or sharp in attack. The Friedman’s tend to also have a lot more low mid presence that makes them pretty thick, while the Artist has this upper mid grind that I really liked

Interesting. Sounds like the Friedmans may sound "bigger/fuller"? Or no?

Also, I love the Friedman feel, saggy, but I am always boosting it and wanting it to be a little tigher, but I don't love super tight/dry amps in terms of feel.

Would you say the AE has some sag to it or is it closer to a Splawn?

Also, does the Gain boost engage diodes and drop the volume?

And it looks like the Gain boost is tied to Master B volume?

I owned a Runt 50, and that's my extent of Friedman experience.

Friedman = Polished, yet very articulate. Polished bothered me, actually. But an aggressive boost worked well with it, yet still not Engl aggressive.
Artist = Aggressive, meaner, more attitude.
It's really a different animal than a Splawn. It's got a sharper attack, and as I mentioned before, it has a superior lead tone, for sure. I can't really say what the Artist closely relates to. Maybe a marriage of a Marshall JVM and an Engl Fireball. In reality, it's really a Blackmore with EL34's, tweaked to have a more British flavor. Doug Aldrich being involved really speaks for itself, as does the fact that Gary Moore had it in his possession when he died. It's got some mojo, no doubt about it.

Nice. Do y'all know if there have been an changes to it over the years like transformer upgrades like I read about in 2011 for the Savage? Or has it been pretty consistent since it's release in 2014?

 

[napalmdeath]

Great feedback guys. I never play super clean. Always a dirt clean and roll the volume back a bit.

Still interested in comparisons to a Friedman. Cheers.

I’ve had the Engl Artist next to some Friedman’s (BE and Phil X). The Friedman’s sounded to me more organic, warm, but also darker, smoother and not as aggressive or sharp in attack. The Friedman’s tend to also have a lot more low mid presence that makes them pretty thick, while the Artist has this upper mid grind that I really liked

Interesting. Sounds like the Friedmans may sound "bigger/fuller"? Or no?

Also, I love the Friedman feel, saggy, but I am always boosting it and wanting it to be a little tigher, but I don't love super tight/dry amps in terms of feel.

Would you say the AE has some sag to it or is it closer to a Splawn?

Also, does the Gain boost engage diodes and drop the volume?

And it looks like the Gain boost is tied to Master B volume?

I owned a Runt 50, and that's my extent of Friedman experience.

Friedman = Polished, yet very articulate. Polished bothered me, actually. But an aggressive boost worked well with it, yet still not Engl aggressive.
Artist = Aggressive, meaner, more attitude.
It's really a different animal than a Splawn. It's got a sharper attack, and as I mentioned before, it has a superior lead tone, for sure. I can't really say what the Artist closely relates to. Maybe a marriage of a Marshall JVM and an Engl Fireball. In reality, it's really a Blackmore with EL34's, tweaked to have a more British flavor. Doug Aldrich being involved really speaks for itself, as does the fact that Gary Moore had it in his possession when he died. It's got some mojo, no doubt about it.

Nice. Do y'all know if there have been an changes to it over the years like transformer upgrades like I read about in 2011 for the Savage? Or has it been pretty consistent since it's release in 2014?

Only difference I know of, is the first run in the U.S. didn't have the noise gate.

 

[PDC]

Splawn

This.

 

[PDC]

I get a Splawn. It will not disappoint

And this.

I’ve owned 4 - currently, a pair of 50 watt fully loaded models: 1 QR and 1 Nitro. I (foolishly) had my Nitro on the auction block for a couple weeks here lately. It was packed and ready for a shipping label. On a lark, I unboxed it and fired it up through my Greenback loaded straight front 4x12. 30 min later I cancelled my listings on all sites and forums.

 

[napalmdeath]

I get a Splawn. It will not disappoint

And this.

I’ve owned 4 - currently, a pair of 50 watt fully loaded models: 1 QR and 1 Nitro. I (foolishly) had my Nitro on the auction block for a couple weeks here lately. It was packed and ready for a shipping label. On a lark, I unboxed it and fired it up through my Greenback loaded straight front 4x12. 30 min later I cancelled my listings on all sites and forums.

Yep, Greenbacks are where it's at with a Splawn. Can't go wrong. However, I'm guessing those suggesting it never owned an Artist.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

I really liked my Pro Stock, but always had to use the Loop Volume and found it too picky with speakers. Still, everyone needs to experience a Splawn at full tilt: I agree, great amps. ...But I'm interested in trying a new flavor. I always seem to rethink Splawns, but maybe a 50w Comp with all the new options.

 

[napalmdeath]

I really liked my Pro Stock, but always had to use the Loop Volume and found it too picky with speakers. Still, everyone needs to experience a Splawn at full tilt: I agree, great amps. ...But I'm interested in trying a new flavor. I always seem to rethink Splawns, but maybe a 50w Comp with all the new options.

The Comp was my favorite of the bunch. I owned (2) Comps, and (2) Quick Rods.

If you want a beast of an amp on the cheap with a Marshall flavor, try a Laney GH100L. Loud as shit though, but a better JCM800. Or, maybe a Ceriatone. Hell, try a Jube! I had the 25 watt Jube, and it totally rocked!

 

[PDC]

Yes - I’d love a fully loaded Competition. I dig the more ‘classic’ look of the narrower control panel. I find I rarely use the clean channel on the QR / Nitro - even though it is respectable. I keep the gain around noon and roll the guitar volume back for a cleaner tone and hit the front end with a TC Spark Mini for leads. But I will say, the old/new and mid cut/boost switches make the amp far more flexible with a wider variety of speakers and cabs. I’ve got a G12EVH loaded straight 4x12 and a 2x12 with a pair of 30 watt Heritage - 1 75hz and 1 55hz. The 4x12 is noticeably darker/warmer and it shines on the ‘old’ style voicing with the mids engaged. The 2x12 is brighter and sounds better on the ‘new’ voicing with the mids cut.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

Best hot-rodded Marshall around is the 2555X. Replace the power tubes, bias it hot and boost it. Best sounding Marshall I've heard.

 

[peckhart]

You would have to push that $1500 a bit, but Bogner Helios?
I've been through Splawn, various Marshall, EVH, Henning, etc. My Helios 100 has been around the longest.

 

[skullfxr]

As far as Splawn I have the KT88 Nitro and Promod (KT88) both are pre loop volume. Every time I have put a KT88 Splawn against a EL34 Splawn, I have always liked the KT88.

Splawns are really speaker dependent which can be a massive pain, and they have to be pretty damn loud to sound good in comparison to other amps I own and have owned.

Also keep in mind that I have not had experience with the 'new/old' options. Mine are older, predating even the loop volume (both are around 2005-7).

The Engl AE I have not played. I have a Powerball, but that's pretty far off the AE, so I really can't comment a whole lot.

 

[skullfxr]

Fryette Pittbull / Deliverance could be another option.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

It's Marshall-ish... for an Engl. Yes.

Will it replace my Wizard MTL... hard no.

 

[PDC]

As far as Splawn I have the KT88 Nitro and Promod (KT88) both are pre loop volume. Every time I have put a KT88 Splawn against a EL34 Splawn, I have always liked the KT88.

Splawns are really speaker dependent which can be a massive pain, and they have to be pretty damn loud to sound good in comparison to other amps I own and have owned.

Also keep in mind that I have not had experience with the 'new/old' options. Mine are older, predating even the loop volume (both are around 2005-7).

The Engl AE I have not played. I have a Powerball, but that's pretty far off the AE, so I really can't comment a whole lot.

Absolutely agree - the earlier Splawns are finicky about speakers and you really need to push the power stage to get the full (wonderful) effect. The new switches do help the amp play nice with a wider variety of speakers and cabs and the 50 watt offerings get you where you need to be with power stage compression at more tolerable db levels. Of note, all 50 watt Splawns run on lowered plate voltage from the factory - sort of like Drop B+ by default. That’s why the 50 watt offerings seem to have more ‘feel’ than the notoriously ‘stiff’ (pre Drop B+) offerings.

 

[skullfxr]

As far as Splawn I have the KT88 Nitro and Promod (KT88) both are pre loop volume. Every time I have put a KT88 Splawn against a EL34 Splawn, I have always liked the KT88.

Splawns are really speaker dependent which can be a massive pain, and they have to be pretty damn loud to sound good in comparison to other amps I own and have owned.

Also keep in mind that I have not had experience with the 'new/old' options. Mine are older, predating even the loop volume (both are around 2005-7).

The Engl AE I have not played. I have a Powerball, but that's pretty far off the AE, so I really can't comment a whole lot.

Absolutely agree - the earlier Splawns are finicky about speakers and you really need to push the power stage to get the full (wonderful) effect. The new switches do help the amp play nice with a wider variety of speakers and cabs and the 50 watt offerings get you where you need to be with power stage compression at more tolerable db levels. Of note, all 50 watt Splawns run on lowered plate voltage from the factory - sort of like Drop B+ by default. That’s why the 50 watt offerings seem to have more ‘feel’ than the notoriously ‘stiff’ (pre Drop B+) offerings.

Interesting to note. I love mine and play with them all the time I don't mind having them turned up. It's just that I play a different amp if I don't want it to be loud. I like the raw and nasty unforgiving stiff, in your face cut, that I really have not found any other amp to match.

However, I would love to try the newer models. I am curious to see how they respond.

Mine are usually pushing Celestion K85's which do me well.

 

[Wayniac3]

PM sent

 

[braintheory]

It's Marshall-ish... for an Engl. Yes.

Will it replace my Wizard MTL... hard no.

The MTL is definitely the higher quality amp no doubt (I have a 2016 MTL myself), but they have very different strengths imo. The Engl has that upper mid grind that Wizard’s and other Engl’s don’t have and that more compressed, saturated, higher gain Engl sound. The only amps I’ve had that matched or slightly outdid the Artist Edition’s upper mid grind were a few modded Marshall’s I’ve had. It wouldn’t make sense for me to own one again, but was still one of my 3 favorite Engl’s and quite overlooked for some reason

 

[bubucci]

You would have to push that $1500 a bit, but Bogner Helios?
I've been through Splawn, various Marshall, EVH, Henning, etc. My Helios 100 has been around the longest.

Absolutely worth it ! Great clean, fantastic plexi (70's) and JCM (80's) tones and with little boost ultimate metal machine.
No Engl can touch it. I had them all and never heard pure Marshall in them. None of them is capable of dynamic, organic crunch. They sound very flat and stiff on crunch modes. They are more clean/higain and nothing between.
My sugestion for OP is to mod Randall RM100 for Synergy modules and enjoy new Bogner/Fryette line