HNAD: Engl Savage 60...back after 10 years!

[Speeddemon]

A little more than 10 years ago, after owning a Engl Savage 60 head with the vertical 2x12 from Engl, I had to sell it to fund the purchase of the Invader 100 and an Engl 4x12.
While the Invader did everything and more that I was missing from the Savage, the last couple of years I've been wanting one back, to have a EL34 mid-wattage alternative for the EVH 50W (6L6).

Well, I found one. It doesn't have the stand-by switch that my old one did have, but can't have it all....
At first I though it was broken in the lead channel as it sounded a bit fizzy and thin. Turns out I was running the channel volume way too low; lowering the master volume and cranking the channel volume above noon fixed all that. Great tones with chunk, body and tube magic!
It's a tad more raw than the Invader's Channel 3 -which is the channel that comes closest to that great Engl high gain, tight tone.
What's nice is that both channels have their own Presence knob and depth boost buttons (which you need to engage all the time).

See attached image of the Engl family.

 

[misterspockyall]

Nice! quite the family you have there

 

[Speeddemon]

Thanks dude!

I noticed you have an EVH 5150III 50W as well;
I compared the Savage 60 to the EVH yesterday extensively; in terms of tone, the Engl wins. More complexity, openness, body, while being able to roughly get the same amount of gain (Rhythm Gain at noon, Lead Gain at 3 'o clock, Lead Boost on) as the EVH's red channel with the gain around noon. The EVH has this almost nasal thing in the mids going on and sounds more congested.
Powertubes in this Savage 60 are JJ EL34's by the way.
It's also harder to dial out the 'hairy' qualities of the EVH than it is for the Savage 60; Not only do you have the Treble and High Range Suppressor knobs to carefully tweak your overall highs, each channel has its own Presence control.

The downside of the Savage 60 is, that in order to get that level of brutal gain, the Rhythm channel no longer can be clean. The Rhythm Channel gain influences the Lead channel as well.
Furthermore, I'd like the Savage 60 to have a footswitchable fx-loop and a footswitchable lead-boost (which is now only a push-button).
So stock it's either a very clean Rhythm channel with a good thick hardrock/metal Lead channel, or a slightly crunchy Rhythm with a searing, tight, saturated Lead channel.

Then again, the EVH 50W's green/blue channel volume jump causes similar 'limitations' or compromises.
The EVH is quieter hiss-wise though. Their weight is the same by the way, 15kg (33lbs).

 

[misterspockyall]

Right on, thanks for the analysis. It's not really clear, but the amps I have listed in red are sold. I know what you mean about the EVH nasal mids on red. I always thought it sounded like it was coughing. Cool at first, but as you mentioned, you can't dial it out. It's just there.

I love the 100w Fireball and would love to try a Savage (preferably a 60w) someday. I feel like all amps have limitations, unless you go the route of a SE670 or Bogner Ecstasy, etc. One trick I used to do with the EVH, was run a "volume box" (volume pot in a box with I/O) in a midi looper. I used it to control the volume jump between channels, but you may be able to knock the edge off the gain for channel 1 cleans. With minimal attenuation, I didn't hear much if any tone loss. It's not elegant, but it got the job done for me.

At any rate, enjoy, and post a clip if you get the chance!

 

[Speeddemon]

I feel like all amps have limitations, unless you go the route of a SE670 or Bogner Ecstasy, etc.

Well, years after I got my Invader and still having GAS for an SE, I finally got to play one at a shop with a buddy, who was looking to upgrade from his Engl Blackmore.
At the time we tested I believe 7 high gain heads, Engl, Soldano and Diezel stuff. The SE670 was actually a bit of a let-down (hard to get that typical tight, grinding Engl sound from... kinda loose) and my buddy bought the Invader 100 on the spot. While the Invader can be loose (in Channel 2 and especially Channel 4, Channel 3's tighter than a nun's arse. But the Savage 60 (and most likely the Savage SE, which I played long ago and have great memories of) can be even more raw, yet open sounding.

 

[misterspockyall]

I feel like all amps have limitations, unless you go the route of a SE670 or Bogner Ecstasy, etc.

Well, years after I got my Invader and still having GAS for an SE, I finally got to play one at a shop with a buddy, who was looking to upgrade from his Engl Blackmore.
At the time we tested I believe 7 high gain heads, Engl, Soldano and Diezel stuff. The SE670 was actually a bit of a let-down (hard to get that typical tight, grinding Engl sound from... kinda loose) and my buddy bought the Invader 100 on the spot. While the Invader can be loose (in Channel 2 and especially Channel 4, Channel 3's tighter than a nun's arse. But the Savage 60 (and most likely the Savage SE, which I played long ago and have great memories of) can be even more raw, yet open sounding.

Nice to know. No more quality shops in my neck of the woods anymore, so I have to shop on Youtube reviews and faith... When I was ENGL hunting, the savage did seem to have the gain tones I liked the best.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Congrats!! I've never played the 60 but the 120 has been my favorite amp to date.

Every time I plug in I'm amazed at how thick, tight and aggressive it is and how much attack there is. No boost required whatsoever. A truly viscous sounding amp. Still love my F100 and it isn't going anywhere but have to say the Savage gets more play time as of late. Just an absolute beast of an amp for metal and also produces some phenomenal classic rock tones.

 

[sg guy]

-so the old 60 watter's ran 34's?... I'm getting ENGL gas again!!..

 

[Speeddemon]

-so the old 60 watter's ran 34's?... I'm getting ENGL gas again!!..

And you should!