ENGL E530

[GuitarGuyLP]

I used to have one, and I just bought another one locally to hold me of until I get the Mak4. i forgot how good this little 1 U preamp sounds. There are basically 6 sounds footswitchable. clean, clean boost, lead, lead boost, lead with contour, lead boost with contour. That and the 4 way EQ on the lead channel makes this a ver versatile preamp, and I got mine for $350 used locally

 

[zerohawk]

I'm really pleased with mine too! If you really want to get the tone cranking, throw a NOS RCA 12at7 in v1 and a Tung Sol 12ax7 rated for high gain in the v2 spot. It really makes the amp shine.

 

[IndyWS6]

They look interesting. Too bad none of the music stores in the cornfield where I live have one to try out. What's the difference between the lead / lead with contour and the lead boost / lead boost with contour (how does the contour affect the tone)?

Any idea whether it would take 3 or 6 loops on a GCX to switch through all of the channels? I'm reluctant to use one of the pre amps I have because it would burn 2/3 of my GCX loops and I'm too cheap to spring for another one, so that could be a reason for me to avoid it...

 

[oldmanmetal]

These are cool. I like my 520 preamps even better, but they are no longer made, and really hard to find.

 

[zerohawk]

They look interesting. Too bad none of the music stores in the cornfield where I live have one to try out. What's the difference between the lead / lead with contour and the lead boost / lead boost with contour (how does the contour affect the tone)?

Any idea whether it would take 3 or 6 loops on a GCX to switch through all of the channels? I'm reluctant to use one of the pre amps I have because it would burn 2/3 of my GCX loops and I'm too cheap to spring for another one, so that could be a reason for me to avoid it...

The contour is basically a mid boost, it helps to cut through the mix. The lead channel by itself gets up to about Metallica "Ride the lightning" gain. It feels a little dry and stays very tight and gives off a Marshall style vibe. Once you kick in the boost you can jump up to insane Djent style stuff. It is extremely modern sounding, and can do just about any type of metal. My friend and I a/b'ed his Savage with my 530 (powered by a Mesa 20/20), both boosted with a maxon od808, on a Mesa 4x12 Traditional, and we both agreed the 530 sounded alot tighter and meaner. The Savage had a bit more substance and an organic sound though.

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

They look interesting. Too bad none of the music stores in the cornfield where I live have one to try out. What's the difference between the lead / lead with contour and the lead boost / lead boost with contour (how does the contour affect the tone)?

Any idea whether it would take 3 or 6 loops on a GCX to switch through all of the channels? I'm reluctant to use one of the pre amps I have because it would burn 2/3 of my GCX loops and I'm too cheap to spring for another one, so that could be a reason for me to avoid it...

It would take three switches, one for lead/clean, one for hi/low gain, and one for contour on/off.

 

[ke2]

Could you use all "four" channels with a G-major, a stereo Y-cable, and two patch cables?

Do I see a reasonably priced stereo/B-rig..?

 

[lordriffenstein]

Could you use all "four" channels with a G-major, a stereo Y-cable, and two patch cables?

Do I see a reasonably priced stereo/B-rig..?

Yes, that should work just fine.

 

[IndyWS6]

They look interesting. Too bad none of the music stores in the cornfield where I live have one to try out. What's the difference between the lead / lead with contour and the lead boost / lead boost with contour (how does the contour affect the tone)?

Any idea whether it would take 3 or 6 loops on a GCX to switch through all of the channels? I'm reluctant to use one of the pre amps I have because it would burn 2/3 of my GCX loops and I'm too cheap to spring for another one, so that could be a reason for me to avoid it...

The contour is basically a mid boost, it helps to cut through the mix. The lead channel by itself gets up to about Metallica "Ride the lightning" gain. It feels a little dry and stays very tight and gives off a Marshall style vibe. Once you kick in the boost you can jump up to insane Djent style stuff. It is extremely modern sounding, and can do just about any type of metal. My friend and I a/b'ed his Savage with my 530 (powered by a Mesa 20/20), both boosted with a maxon od808, on a Mesa 4x12 Traditional, and we both agreed the 530 sounded alot tighter and meaner. The Savage had a bit more substance and an organic sound though.

Thanks for the info... I might have to snag one if I find a good deal.

 

[IndyWS6]

They look interesting. Too bad none of the music stores in the cornfield where I live have one to try out. What's the difference between the lead / lead with contour and the lead boost / lead boost with contour (how does the contour affect the tone)?

Any idea whether it would take 3 or 6 loops on a GCX to switch through all of the channels? I'm reluctant to use one of the pre amps I have because it would burn 2/3 of my GCX loops and I'm too cheap to spring for another one, so that could be a reason for me to avoid it...

It would take three switches, one for lead/clean, one for hi/low gain, and one for contour on/off.

Thanks for the info, sir...

 

[ke2]

Could you use all "four" channels with a G-major, a stereo Y-cable, and two patch cables?

Do I see a reasonably priced stereo/B-rig..?

Yes, that should work just fine.

Thx, Yoeri