Engl Savage vs Powerball ii vs Triple Recto

[jayd41]

Hey guys, looking for some advice from guys who have played these amps.

I have a multiwatt triple recto and love it, but I have been bitten by the ENGL bug.

Unfortunately I have no local place to play any Engls myself.

How would you compare and rate these 3 amps?

I am looking for killer hi-gain metal rhythm, and something that can also have an excellent hard rock grind and 70's - 80's crunch.

Any opinions would be helpful...
I've watched the youtube videos but real world experience is more meaningful.

 

[PrestoDone]

I Own a Powerball II, but never played a savage or triple rec. It does high gain stuff really well, really tight and has a very nice crunch channel that does 80s rock perfectly. I personally love it. Maybe someone can chime in with the differences between all three.

 

[Viesczy]

I've never played the Savage.

I LOATHED the tones from the PBI. Just lifeless and sterile. After a week with it, I gave it back to its owner and thanked them for letting me borrow it.

Before I got my RKII 2 years ago I tried the PBII. Just didn't wow me for the cost, $2250 new + $250 then for a footswitch.

I mean a Mesa Roadster cost the PBII head amount but WITH a footswitch! I found (again) the Roadster tones more to my tastes. I fingered that if I was ready to spead $2500 for the lifeless sounding PBII, another $250 for the Road King II was a worthy investment as it gives the same awesome tones as the Roadster and has the option of the EL34 & 6L6.

I also find the build quality lacking on both PBs. For $2k+ it should look like $2k+ build quality.

Derek

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

I've owned all 3 and still have a Triple Rec Multi Watt. IMHO the Mesa has a more realistic unprocessed character to it. As long as you don't go overboard eq'ing the Mesa it will sound great - boosting is essential to get one to sound as heavy as the Savage as that amp is pretty darn good. If you're wanting a more compressed modern tone get the Savage. All 3 are good amps, but I like to boost with OD pedals and to me the ENGL's tone really take a boost or need one. Of course a good cab will go a long way when running either of these amps.