ENGL Powerball/Amp Reccomendations

[Khaine]

Hey all, lurked here a bit but first time posting. I'm having a bit of an issue with my Powerball. I've had it a little under a month now and I'm having a hell of a time finding a setting I like. It feels like each time I turn it on I'm not happy with it and end up screwing with settings for 20 mins. The amp is super tight which I like but the gain itself sounds artificial I guess. It feels like it lacks warmth. Is this how they all sound? If I cant get something dialed in at some point I may just end up moving it. My dream tone is Horror Show by Iced Earth. Granted theres a lot of studio stuff going on I love that tone. But I dont have 7k to throw down for a Larry head. I like playin stuff like Iced Earth, Testament, Orden Ogan, old Tallica, Dark Tranquillity. I like that tight attack with a good bottom end. So if I do end up moving the ball, any thoughts on where to head next? I've had a 6505+ and wasnt a fan of it. Too dry and rough for my tastes. Appreciate any help.

 

[bubucci]

Hi,
these complains are quite ussual when Powerball is mentioned. It has kind of flat (digital, sterile ?? ) sound but can work in mix. Engl V30 cab is best fit for this head. Boosted Blackmore or Savage works better for tones You are looking for.
Iced Earth played VHT/Fryette stuff in the past so Ultralead or Deliverance get You there for sure. But if You call 6505 dry, VHT will like playing clean channel for You
imho dry amp can be always boosted but oversaturated amp like PB is hard to clean up.

 

[Khaine]

I know Jon from IE used an Uberschall on Glorious Burden but wasnt aware he used any VHT stuff. The 6505 I had, it felt like there just wasnt enough gain and it wasnt saturated enough. I like that good thick chugging sound and it definitely wasnt there. Maybe I just played one with an issue Another example could be some along the lines of the tone from Arch Enemy. I'm not sure what Michael is using anymore, I know he lefr Tandall awhile back. . And yeah you definitely hit it with sterile sounding on the Powerball. It has gain for days but it just lacks character and is soooo compressed.

 

[jsp]

The 6505 I had, it felt like there just wasnt enough gain and it wasnt saturated enough.

I don't know, dude, there might have been something wrong with the one you had

 

[Khaine]

The 6505 I had, it felt like there just wasnt enough gain and it wasnt saturated enough.

I don't know, dude, there might have been something wrong with the one you had

Thinking so. I was so stoked because I've heard nothing but good things then instantly I was disappointed. Like someone rolled the gain knob way back.

 

[bubucci]

even 6505 needs boost for tight chugging. And right bias setting of course, not factory cold bias. Triple X is tighter sounding and closer for those tones. Arch Enemy on Doomsday Machine is Krank with recto I think.
And what about Uberschall ? It seems to fit Your needs id money are no object

 

[Khaine]

even 6505 needs boost for tight chugging. And right bias setting of course, not factory cold bias. Triple X is tighter sounding and closer for those tones. Arch Enemy on Doomsday Machine is Krank with recto I think.
And what about Uberschall ? It seems to fit Your needs id money are no object

I love AE's tone on Rise of the Tyrant. Brutal as hell yet articulate. I'd love to get me an Uberschall. Budget atm is around $1000 if I end up getting rid of the Powerball.

 

[D-Rock]

Look for a used JSX or XXX, both will slay the PB. All the gain, saturation and compression as the PB, but with more cutting midrange and a richer, livelier gain voicing.

 

[napalmdeath]

The 6505 I had, it felt like there just wasnt enough gain and it wasnt saturated enough.

I don't know, dude, there might have been something wrong with the one you had

No shit..

To OP, I'd maybe look at a Fireball instead. Or, revisit the 6505 and a good boost pedal.

A sleeper to look at is the Randall Thrasher. I have the 50, and absolutely love it. It has a very aggressive attitude, and great clarity.

Of course, there's the old standby EVH. Many love them, but YMMV. I have a love hate with them. Love the great useable tones and lower volumes when needed, love the blue channel, hate the red channel. I've said it many times, the absurd amount of gain on the red channel is borderline stupid, and ruins it for me. I hope they one day re-tool it, and make it more usable.

 

[skullfxr]

I have a few thoughts. I do not like how the gain structure sounds on the powerball.

If you had a 6505+ what was the gain at?

You would likely really dig a Krank Rev+ i loved mine. For ME, it was like a jacked up 5150. You really have to watch where the mids are dialed in on it and it's pretty sensitive. DO NOT get the non "+" model. Killer amp. I miss it tbh.

XXX's are raw AF. That may be right up your alley. JSX's are another option. I like the JSX better than the XXX for MY uses, but you would have to give them both a test drive. I have owned both.

Fryette is awesome. I have a Sig:X and love it, but they are all great. A D60 or D120 is a killer amp. I have played both but owned neither. You will find them *REALLY* dry. Personally I dig it, but I am not sure about you. Try to play one.

Where are you located? How much cash are you willing to lay out? Is used OK with you?

 

[MetalHeadMike]

The 6505 I had, it felt like there just wasnt enough gain and it wasnt saturated enough.

I don't know, dude, there might have been something wrong with the one you had

I just received & fired up a 6505 last night and its probably the most gained out/saturated amp I've played to date. Must have been something wrong with the one you tried

FB100 and the Savage 120 might be right up your alley. They still have that ENGL compression & a little bit of a "processed" tone, but definitely can be set at the opposite end of the spectrum to be more raw and fairly open.

KSR would be another one you might dig. Gobs of saturation some compression, and quite articulate even at higher gain settings.

Uber Rev blue would be another. VERY articulate, loads of usable gain, and as much saturation as you'd want.

 

[shredhead7]

I had a powerball and have an SE now. They both have the same gain structure, and yes, they have that sort of digital sound. Having said that, Marty Friedman uses them (most Engls are variations of the same), so check out any recent youtube video of him, preferably at a clinic and you can see if it's the sound or the player or the amp.

For me, Channel 3, gain mid way at most, modern engage, mid button pressed. I don't remember at the moment, but the deep, deep bass boost I have off (it's not practical in a band setting) and I may even have the other one off.

Here's a clip of the SE, which again, is the same gain stage/structure as the powerball.

https://youtu.be/w60x8Qk3Cr4

 

[napalmdeath]

even 6505 needs boost for tight chugging. And right bias setting of course, not factory cold bias. Triple X is tighter sounding and closer for those tones. Arch Enemy on Doomsday Machine is Krank with recto I think.
And what about Uberschall ? It seems to fit Your needs id money are no object

I love AE's tone on Rise of the Tyrant. Brutal as hell yet articulate. I'd love to get me an Uberschall. Budget atm is around $1000 if I end up getting rid of the Powerball.

I think that album was all Randall.

 

[Rex Rocker]

You would likely really dig a Krank Rev+ i loved mine. For ME, it was like a jacked up 5150. You really have to watch where the mids are dialed in on it and it's pretty sensitive. DO NOT get the non "+" model. Killer amp. I miss it tbh.

I fear that if he found the 6505 too dry, the Krank would likely seem like a desert! LOL. Much like VHT's, Kranks are pretty dry and attacky too. JMO.

XXX's are raw AF. That may be right up your alley. JSX's are another option. I like the JSX better than the XXX for MY uses, but you would have to give them both a test drive. I have owned both.

I agree, the XXX is very saturated and squishy with a very raw and aggresive high mid voicing, especially on the Crunch channel.

 

[skullfxr]

You would likely really dig a Krank Rev+ i loved mine. For ME, it was like a jacked up 5150. You really have to watch where the mids are dialed in on it and it's pretty sensitive. DO NOT get the non "+" model. Killer amp. I miss it tbh.

I fear that if he found the 6505 too dry, the Krank would likely seem like a desert! LOL. Much like VHT's, Kranks are pretty dry and attacky too. JMO.

XXX's are raw AF. That may be right up your alley. JSX's are another option. I like the JSX better than the XXX for MY uses, but you would have to give them both a test drive. I have owned both.

I agree, the XXX is very saturated and squishy with a very raw and aggresive high mid voicing, especially on the Crunch channel.

I do agree that the krank ia a little bit more dry, but has a different kind of bite. Also the mids (still plenty) are more controllable which may be better for him.

I think he would dig the XXX tbh.

I don't know if OP is using the right words to describe the tone based on his description with the 5150 and all of our experiences.

 

[Khaine]

Honestly a Peavey tone isnt what I'm going after. The 5150 is more of a raw sound. I'm lookin for something a little different. I live in an area where all they sell around here is low priced Marshalls and Peaveys all day long. These clips are the kind of tone I'm searching for. Amp used is a Larry Dino 939. Love the amp but its also $7000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEhE_RkUHOw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAyjFYjuZq4

 

[skullfxr]

Honestly a Peavey tone isnt what I'm going after. The 5150 is more of a raw sound. I'm lookin for something a little different. I live in an area where all they sell around here is low priced Marshalls and Peaveys all day long. These clips are the kind of tone I'm searching for. Amp used is a Larry Dino 939. Love the amp but its also $7000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEhE_RkUHOw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAyjFYjuZq4

Then check out the krank rev+ it's similar just a little bit more bold, slightly more dry, with more definition, not as generic, and way more badass.

 

[D-Rock]

Keep in mind that the Peavey Ultra series tone is much different than the 5150 tone and the Ultra series can easily cop the tone in the clips you posted

 

[Khaine]

I saw a Powerball II in a price range I could get if I move my own Powerball. Anyone have any experience with em?

 

[Billelzebub]

I saw a Powerball II in a price range I could get if I move my own Powerball. Anyone have any experience with em?

I have zero experience with the Powerball I, but I recently got a Powerball II. It’s the amp that got me to move away from Mesa’s after using them for 25 years. The more I play it the more i love it. I recorded with it almost immediately after I got it. First time I’ve ever not had to use two different amps in the studio for my main rhythm tone. And I plugged straight into it. Zero pedals. Can’t say enough about the Powerball II