ENGL Savage vs. Invader 100 ?

[axeman81]

Hey guys,
I was wondering if any of you have any experience concerning the differences between the Invader 100W and the Savage?
I haven't tried either one, but I used to own a Blackmore and I'm gas'ing for an ENGL again. Most people say that the Blackmore and Savage are very similarly voiced. Obviously the Invader has EL34's, so perhaps it's a more mid-focused amp...I feel the Savage is a pretty safe bet for me as it is well tested through the years.
But I am intrigued by the Invader and what it can do, and I'm also drawn to it because the integrated MIDI would save me from the hassle of buying the external midi controller for the Savage.
Anyway, if you've tried or even compared them, give me your thoughts on which you prefer!!

I play heavy metal, so a really good riffing sound with defined attack is the most important thing. I don't want overly compressed, "sagging" or forgiving sounds. (think solid state distortion)
After that are good lead sounds and a good clean channel. I also like having access to two master volumes but that's not a deal breaker.
Will be using it with ISP Decimator prorackG, dbx compressor, voodoo labs GCP and GCX, various pedals, G-major2, etc.
My main amp now is the Diezel Herbert which I absolutely love. I have no problems cutting through the mix with it, but sometimes in band situations it gets a bit too dark so for those situations I preferred my Blackmore. (However, Marshalls seem to get too bright for my taste)
/end of rant

cheers!
- Rune

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I have experience with both. I was never 100% happy with the Invader because it needed a channel between 3 and 4. Could never get "my" sound out of it. The Savage will do everything you want and more. I ended up going with an EL34 SE and have been very happy. The Savage would be my second choice in the Engl lineup. It's a great amp for metal.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

For what it's worth I also own a Diezel Herbert. In a band situation I would go Savage or SE.

 

[rupe]

I spent quite a bit of time with each of those on my "amp quest" a couple years back. I loved the Savage and still wouldn't mind having one...it had a pissed off Marshall style tone that was simply mean as hell. The Invader was a lot smoother sounding and had more of a Boogie Mark series type tone. It was ok but a bit too sterile for my tastes.

 

[axeman81]

thanks for the input guys! (cheers from another JCF'er, Rupe I've been off the forum for a long while though)
Just got myself a black RR1 the other day from Matt's...I'll never get enough of these guitars

 

[hellaboogie]

I just got an Invader 100, I've had very little time with it but my initial thoughts are that I like it best with a boost pedal, it's really versatile amp real dynamic goes from clean to Marshall type tones to metal monster. it's a bit smoother on the high gain channels. If you need to cover a lot of ground give the Invader a shot.

I also have the Savage 120 which I've had for a while, to me it's either clean or a high gain beast not much in between.
I consider channel four the high gain channel to be the best in the Engl line up.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I just got an Invader 100, I've had very little time with it but my initial thoughts are that I like it best with a boost pedal, it's really versatile amp real dynamic goes from clean to Marshall type tones to metal monster. it's a bit smoother on the high gain channels. If you need to cover a lot of ground give the Invader a shot.

I also have the Savage 120 which I've had for a while, to me it's either clean or a high gain beast not much in between.
I consider channel four the high gain channel to be the best in the Engl line up.

Not trying to bust your amp's balls by any means. It's still a great amp. Corey liked it but ultimately sold it. It might be that I use EMG's and couldn't quite get the sound I wanted. Not too sure. All I know is that ch 3 on the SE is heavenly.

 

[duodecim]

I just got an Invader 100, I've had very little time with it but my initial thoughts are that I like it best with a boost pedal, it's really versatile amp real dynamic goes from clean to Marshall type tones to metal monster. it's a bit smoother on the high gain channels. If you need to cover a lot of ground give the Invader a shot.

I also have the Savage 120 which I've had for a while, to me it's either clean or a high gain beast not much in between.
I consider channel four the high gain channel to be the best in the Engl line up.

I agree, the Invader is quite smooth. I've played one for a few hours (the 150 watt version) and I don't think I'd pick it for metal. Obviously it can do metal, it's pretty versatile, but it wouldn't be my first choice. It has heavy attack, but it sounds like a large rubber hammer instead of a sharp axe, like a drummer using those cotton ball sticks. It sounds good, especially turned up, but not my thing. I don't think it's a typical Engl sound, and people that normally don't like the "Engl tone" should give it a try. If I remember correctly, Kreator's latest Hordes Of Chaos has the Invader on it, and I believe Enslaved has been using them too recently.

The Savage is an all out metal amp of course, lots of bands have used them. I've played a lot of Engls, but I don't remember playing the Savage in person, so I can't really give any details.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

I've owned/played all of them, and the Invader 100 & 150 are the 2 Engls I liked the least. Not the sort of tone I immediately think of when someone mentions the name "Engl". Too smooth (as someone mentinoned), too rounded, too refined, too laid back, and not aggressive enough for me. The Savage 120 is probably my 2nd favorite Engl behind the SE EL34. If you need versatility, and great tone from clean to mid crunch to mean, the SE craps all over the Invader. But if you are mostly into high gain and a decent clean sound every now and then, the Savage is great. Although, as someone else mentioned, mid-gain crunch tones are not really the Savage's strong suit either (however none of the Engls in their current line up really do these tunes well IMHO). For a simple straight up high gainer, with some Marshall flavor, lots of cut and plenty of volume, the Savage 120 is a great choice.

 

[romanianreaper]

How does the Powerball II fit in with the ENGL amps? I've seen a few reviews on it but not many. Is this a great amp?

 

[Robotechnology]

If you like the Blackmore, you'll like either the Savage 120 or the Special Edition even more. Go for the Savage if the SE is not in the budget. I've owned both before (but, not at the same time).

Question for any of you with ENGL experience, any opinions on the differences in tone one the SE EL34 vs SE 6L6?

 

[JimmyDoomsday]

i own the savage 120. it's VERY similar to the blackmore tone wise, but it has WAY more tone shaping capabilities and options. i got mine for an absolute steal on ebay ($1300, like new), however, poor packaging led to about $100 worth of damage during shipping, and i also spent another $300 to have the power inverted and all new tubes put in. totally worth it as i have never heard anything sound remotely close to the way this thing sounds now.

only drawback is that i have to run an ns-2 noise suppressor through the fx loop to kill the buzz from the dual gains (and i barely keep them both past 12 o'clock). but for the level of volume it's capable of, it remains crystal clear. clean channel is nothing special, channel two is fun to mess around with, channel 3 has a great classic rock vibe to it, and channel 4 is just an all-out, balls to the wall gain orgy.

compared to the invader (which i have played on, but never owned), i find it more versatile; plus it's way more likely to catch a random sick deal on a savage than an invader.