ENGL Guys in here...

[metalmaniac93]

I currently own the Savage and I really dig the brutal sound of this amp. I like it so much that I started using it more than my Bogner XTC, which I no longer own. Only really use channels 1 & 4!!! I played the Invader, Powerball, and Blackmore, but none of them really impressed me as much as the Engl Savage. I have had it for about 8 years and it still sounds great for the heavier stuff.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I have owned most of the Engl lineup. I still own the EL34 SE. It is a pretty badass amp. Huge bottom end and enough mids to cut through in a mix. More options than amp really needs but can be controlled by midi. I think all amps should have midi capabilities but maybe that's just me. The Engl voice just sounds mean to me for the style I play. They sound great at lower volumes too which is nice when you are practicing in small space. One great feature of the SE is the built in tube bias. No tools required. Great for a guy on the road, no need for a tech, meter or anything.

If you were to order cabs I would stick with the pro series. I own an XXL pro and love it. I would also be interested in this.. 4 x 12" PRO Straight E412VG. Basically a standard size cab with V30's. Straight baffle and front loaded.

 

[rottingcorpse]

original powerball and savage se. loved them both. will score another one sometime.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I used to have the Morse. The mid matrix control on there is probably the coolest/most unique feature I've encountered on an amp

 

[racerevlon]

I used to have the Morse. The mid matrix control on there is probably the coolest/most unique feature I've encountered on an amp

^^^This. I've also played just about every contemporary model. Like Diezel, ENGL definitely has its signature sound, but for me that sound is too compressed and saturated, even with the gain backed WAY down. The Morse was the most flexible tone-wise due to the above-mentioned mid control matrix and really has its own personal character. Only one of the line I'd ever consider purchasing except for maybe the Gigmaster, and even then the Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister would probably win there...

 

[bananaladonpcp]

Besides me Diezel Herbert I use the Fireball 100 and a Engl standard 4X12 and the XXL 4X12.. The XXL is a better cab hands down but I changed out two of the v60s in the standard for two of the v30s in the XXL and it sounds wayyyy better. I love that stack so much. Engl products sound MASSIVE and the fireball 100 has a great dark tone that doesn't get muddy and cuts right through the mix when eq'd properly. I really love it!! Support really blows from engl though. All my interactions with them have always ended up with a question not being answered and them just blowing me off. It's really frustrating. But hey not everyone can be Peter Diezel

 

[squank]

I've owned the SE, Steve Morse sig, Victor Smolski sig, Powerball II, and have played most of the others.

The SE is nice but it's pretty dang pricey. The Powerball is the only Engl I still own. It's the most versatile, best sounding high gain amp available, imo.

 

[srommes]

I own the E570 preamplifier and matching 850/100 poweramp. I own/owned a shitload of preamps/poweramps and this is by far my favorite combo. No other p/p combo touches it for the brutals yet it is really versatile as well with a bell-like clean and nice mid-gain tones. May have to check out one of those cabs.

 

[squank]

Oh, and don't waste your time with Engl cabs. They are very heavy, expensive, and you can get better, bigger sounding cabs elsewhere.

 

[JCDenton6]

The second guitarist in my band has an ENGL Savage 120 that I play with on occasion and it rips, crunchy with great mids and good low end.

 

[zee1usa]

Oh, and don't waste your time with Engl cabs. They are very heavy, expensive, and you can get better, bigger sounding cabs elsewhere.

What are the better, bigger sounding cabs your referring to?

 

[rokket2005]

I used to have the fireball, and it was great for what it did. I have the Invader 100 and it's one of my end game amps, huge and tight, sounds awesome recorded. I'm using a couple of Emperor 2x12 cabs with emi swamp thangs in one, and a wizard and tonespotter in the other. Sounds great recorded with one track on the 3rd channel and one track on the 2nd. the 3rd channel is real tight and articulate, and the second has a warm midrange that complements the 3rd channel so well.

 

[squank]

Oh, and don't waste your time with Engl cabs. They are very heavy, expensive, and you can get better, bigger sounding cabs elsewhere.

What are the better, bigger sounding cabs your referring to?

Boogie recto 4x12s sound MUCH bigger and heavier in my experience. And they are easy to find (and affordable used). Also, they aren't the boat anchors that Engl cabs are. Plus Rectos come stock with good speakers. Unless you pay extra for the upgraded Pro line, Engl cabs come with terrible sounding OEM Celestions.

And even with V30s, the Engl cabs sound boxy to me. I've owned a few, and they were all a disappointment. They are pricey and they look great. But I wouldn't use one.

The best sounding 4x12 I've ever played is a Mills Acoustic.

 

[yngzaklynch]

Loved the Powerball that I had for metal but was not a fan of the crunch tones. On a side note Judas Preist have been touring with the Powerball II. I saw them last Sept and their tone was excellent!!

Jim

 

[RedB4Black]

Loved the SE and FB100. The PBII is a cool amp, but I've only played it for a few minutes. The Victor Smolski is one of the tightest amps I've every played. I'd like to hear that next to a PBII.

I wouldn't mind owning another SE, but $4k is too much and the 1 year warranty on all new ENGLs is weak.

 

[killertone]

Loved the Powerball that I had for metal but was not a fan of the crunch tones. On a side note Judas Preist have been touring with the Powerball II. I saw them last Sept and their tone was excellent!!

Jim

I had a PBII for a while (am getting another one soon) and the crunch tones are killer. Channel 2 on the PBII is awesome.

 

[killertone]

Loved the Powerball that I had for metal but was not a fan of the crunch tones. On a side note Judas Preist have been touring with the Powerball II. I saw them last Sept and their tone was excellent!!

Jim

Crunch tones on the PBII are killer. Channel 2 is a awesome and will go from crunch to munch easily.

Headed to the ENGL Hollywood Showroom right now.

 

[squank]

Loved the SE and FB100. The PBII is a cool amp, but I've only played it for a few minutes. The Victor Smolski is one of the tightest amps I've every played. I'd like to hear that next to a PBII.

I wouldn't mind owning another SE, but $4k is too much and the 1 year warranty on all new ENGLs is weak.

The Smolski sig is a modded PBII.

 

[sinfish]

I own and use the E530 preamp. I love the clean channel.
this is a very simple yet versatile unit. The thing is built to withstand a direct hit from a patriot missile. I have never owned a rack unit that is this solidly constructed. The built in 1.5 watt amp is cool but I honestly never use it. However I could use it if my poweramp ever died in a live situation. I like that the TC Gmajor does the switching I need for this unit. the fact that iit is a 1 space unit is a plus. The price is good for someone that wants the Engl sound but can't afford thousands of dollars to get into an Engl rig.

here is a sound sample (not me)

 

[killertone]

I own and use the E530 preamp. I love the clean channel.
this is a very simple yet versatile unit. The thing is built to withstand a direct hit from a patriot missile. I have never owned a rack unit that is this solidly constructed. The built in 1.5 watt amp is cool but I honestly never use it. However I could use it if my poweramp ever died in a live situation. I like that the TC Gmajor does the switching I need for this unit. the fact that iit is a 1 space unit is a plus. The price is good for someone that wants the Engl sound but can't afford thousands of dollars to get into an Engl rig.

here is a sound sample (not me)

I dig that a lot. Sounds killer.