I must be crazy...

[Dimebag11]

I have three lunchbox heads in my studio right now, and the one I prefer is actually the Engl Ironball. The Friedman JJ Jr, which is also a fantastic amp, just isn’t quite as grainy and brutal. Also, it has to be cranked a tad more than the Engl to sound its best. Not sure if I’ll end of keeping the Friedman, but I definitely dig it. It’s a bit wider and more open sounding, and may sound really good running alongside the Engl.

Last but not least, the PRS MT-15. I’m actually not digging this one much at all, tbh. To me it has all the qualities I don’t like about the Rectos and Uber’s wrapped into a fairly noisy lunchbox. Having said that, it can get loud as hell (louder than the other two).

 

[D-Rock]

I don't know, the MT15 with the right speakers, gain pulled back and boosted with a mid boost and then shape the front end with an EQ pedal...it's a glorious thing. The noise has dropped off after preamp tube swaps and about a year of use as well.

 

[RaceU4her]

nothing crazy about that at all man.

 

[Dimebag11]

I don't know, the MT15 with the right speakers, gain pulled back and boosted with a mid boost and then shape the front end with an EQ pedal...it's a glorious thing. The noise has dropped off after preamp tube swaps and about a year of use as well.

If an amp needs an EQ up front, along with a mid boost and a particular set of speakers in order to sound glorious...that’s typically a pass from me

 

[D-Rock]

I don't know, the MT15 with the right speakers, gain pulled back and boosted with a mid boost and then shape the front end with an EQ pedal...it's a glorious thing. The noise has dropped off after preamp tube swaps and about a year of use as well.

If an amp needs an EQ up front, along with a mid boost and a particular set of speakers in order to sound glorious...that’s typically a pass from me

I used to feel the same way and I own amps that I only plug straight into. I can go straight into the MT15 too without any complaints. But this thing is on another level when boosted and shaped up front.

 

[indespise]

I love the Engl sound and feel as well, nothing odd about that. It's not for everyone, and that's fine, contrary to the way lots of gear forum denizens seen to think.

 

[cardinal]

FWIW, pretty easy to add compression and gain with a pedal out front; much harder to take it away. Certainly if you dig the Engl more, don't fight it, just play it! But if you like the JJ Jr. also, you may be able to just boost it a touch to get where the Engl is, and then you have something that can be more open and wider when wanted but grainier and meaner when wanted too.

 

[ClintN667]

I don't know, the MT15 with the right speakers, gain pulled back and boosted with a mid boost and then shape the front end with an EQ pedal...it's a glorious thing. The noise has dropped off after preamp tube swaps and about a year of use as well.

If an amp needs an EQ up front, along with a mid boost and a particular set of speakers in order to sound glorious...that’s typically a pass from me

I used to feel the same way and I own amps that I only plug straight into. I can go straight into the MT15 too without any complaints. But this thing is on another level when boosted and shaped up front.

I'm at that point now. My modded Marshall I plug directly in and I'm happy. I can also do it with my Orthos but it needs to be pushed a little bit volume wise

 

[Dimebag11]

FWIW, pretty easy to add compression and gain with a pedal out front; much harder to take it away. Certainly if you dig the Engl more, don't fight it, just play it! But if you like the JJ Jr. also, you may be able to just boost it a touch to get where the Engl is, and then you have something that can be more open and wider when wanted but grainier and meaner when wanted too.

I may pickup an SD-1 and give that a shot.

 

[D-Rock]

I'm looking at a used Gigmaster 15 right now and the tones seem really nice.

 

[maddnotez]

FWIW, pretty easy to add compression and gain with a pedal out front; much harder to take it away. Certainly if you dig the Engl more, don't fight it, just play it! But if you like the JJ Jr. also, you may be able to just boost it a touch to get where the Engl is, and then you have something that can be more open and wider when wanted but grainier and meaner when wanted too.

I may pickup an SD-1 and give that a shot.

Makes me wish I never sold my Koko Boost. Grainy is the exact word I used to describe it by.

 

[Pentatonic Wanker]

Honestly this is why I love my 5150 III. I just plug in and it's magic. No boosts. No EQ's. Just magic plugged straight in.

 

[PBGas]

It's all about what your ears/brain like to hear.
I still say, you're nuts! LOL!

Love my JJ Jr.!

 

[Dimebag11]

It's all about what your ears/brain like to hear.
I still say, you're nuts! LOL!

Love my JJ Jr.!

After a day of playing at louder than whisper volumes, the Friedman just kills! Still think a boost could help it for metal metal so I’ll snag one soon. Gonna keep the Friedman, though.