Trade Mark V for Engl Savage?

[Anonymous]

Find a store that carries it and try one?
Try the proposed amp before you agree to the trade?

 

[rp108]

So, again I don't wanna hear anymore about the pre-2012 savages

Geez SORRY

Sorry for sounding harsh, but I don't need to hear more about an amp I've already played several times.

Since I owned both back to back I will add my two cents.

I personally would do the trade. I agree that the Savage 120 does sound a bit processed but I don't agree that it doesn't sit well in the mix. I used mine in a band setting with my brother who has a 6505+ and the Savage cut right through. There are a ton of tone options and it's not that hard to dial in. Clean channel is nice and the crunch channel is underrated in my opinion. I wish I had that amp back to be honest. I didn't realize how something worked and got frustrated and dumped it.

I should mention that I have owned four Engl's (E530, Powerball, Fireball 100, and Savage) and I owned four Mesa's (Dual, Triple, Mark IV and Mark V) and out of those amps I would take any of the Engl's over the Mesa's EXCEPT MAYBE an older two channel Dual Rectifier because I literally played one last night and it tracked very well.

Was your savage post-2012? Again, what I'm mainly trying to figure out is if the new savages sound that much different and if they still sound processed.

Mine was pre 2012 but dude, let's be honest with ourselves. Engls sound like Engls. If you aren't digging a pre 2012 you probably aren't going to be digging a post 2012. Unless it's a Savage II, I wouldn't believe it without trying it. Remember the post 2010 Rectifiers? Yeah they sounded the same.

You might want to consider an Engl Retro if you want an Engl but more of classic tube tone. I haven't played one though but that's how they are being marketed.

 

[braintheory]

So, again I don't wanna hear anymore about the pre-2012 savages

Mine was pre 2012 but dude, let's be honest with ourselves. Engls sound like Engls. If you aren't digging a pre 2012 you probably aren't going to be digging a post 2012. Remember the post 2010 Rectifiers? Yeah they sounded the same.

You might want to consider an Engl Retro if you want an Engl but more of classic tube tone. I haven't played one though but that's how they are being marketed.

I've played the Retro and didn't like it at all and IMO it didn't actually have a classic tube tone. And like I said already I heard that the post-2012 is supposed to be a huge improvement. The fact that the transformers are way bigger and whatever else they changed could make a huge difference. Also, like I already said the PBII and Blackmore actually didn't sound processed to my ears. So, I disagree about "Engls sound like Engls". Some of their models sound very different from each other. Hasn't anyone on this forum tried the post-2012 savage? It's been out for almost 2 years now.

Also, to my ears the post 2010 Recto's did sound slightly better, but not a huge difference, but that's not really a fair comparison because the from what I heard the changes to the savage are more dramatic.

 

[rp108]

So, again I don't wanna hear anymore about the pre-2012 savages

Mine was pre 2012 but dude, let's be honest with ourselves. Engls sound like Engls. If you aren't digging a pre 2012 you probably aren't going to be digging a post 2012. Remember the post 2010 Rectifiers? Yeah they sounded the same.

You might want to consider an Engl Retro if you want an Engl but more of classic tube tone. I haven't played one though but that's how they are being marketed.

I've played the Retro and didn't like it at all and IMO it didn't actually have a classic tube tone. And like I said already I heard that the post-2012 is supposed to be a huge improvement. The fact that the transformers are way bigger and whatever else they changed could make a huge difference. Also, like I already said the PBII and Blackmore actually didn't sound processed to my ears. So, I disagree about "Engls sound like Engls". Some of their models sound very different from each other. Hasn't anyone on this forum tried the post-2012 savage? It's been out for almost 2 years now.

Also, to my ears the post 2010 Recto's did sound slightly better, but not a huge difference, but that's not really a fair comparison because the from what I heard the changes to the savage are more dramatic.

Like I said, never played a Retro but by your description, I am guessing it sounds like an Engl.

I just find it very hard to believe that without some significant circuit tweaks that the different versions will sound that much different. I really don't agree with that an amp company doesn't have their tone. Marshalls sound like Marshalls, Mesa like Mesa, Engl like Engl, etc. Sure, different circuits, different voicing but unless I have dog ears, those companies (amongst others) have their signature tone in their amp line variations.

As for post 2010 Rectos sound, they sound a little brighter out of the gate but the way those things were marketed, I was expecting a significant difference.

The concern you are showing for the Savage, I would reconsider it. If you dislike the pre 2012 that much, it's a hell of risk to try a a slightly upgraded version of the same amp. Especially if you like your current amp.

I am guessing there isn't much on the topic because there isn't that much of a difference. Have you contacted Engl? See what they say. See if there were circuit changes and what the change in transformers were trying to solve, etc.

I can tell you that pre-2012 Savages are not underpowered and they cut fine. I used one in a band setting and a band I gigged with in March 2013 used one and they had THREE GUITAR PLAYERS. The Savage 120 cut through and sounded great and I know he got it in 2011.

 

[university81]

i'd also say No , lot more amp/tones in the Mark V

 

[metalmaniac93]

The Savage 120 is a great amp IMO!!! Owned one for a very long time (about 8 years) and was satisfied with it until I joined the RT ABYSS!!!

 

[Shawn Lutz]

keep the Mark V

 

[JimmyBlind]

keep the Mark V

 

[ke2]

my 2 cents -

I completely agree that the blackmore and invader are the only two engl amps that I totally loved when trying out. The PBII I tried and the savage 120 (KT88) my friend uses are (don't take me too seriously pls) more like your average bedroom amp for playing without a band although they are too powerful for that..

I mean, I loved playing both alone, but once I hit the full mix, I could not hear a thing even with mids maxed up full. The bass got consumed by bass guitar and high end was killed by drums and everything I remained with was nothing. Engls pump so much compressed bass and trebles that it does not sound like a guitar tone to me, more like a modeling amp.

The only amp I'm gassing for at this moment is EVH 5150 III (100w) which makes me consider selling my mk5, it's not a boutique amp but I don't care, it just sounds good and is a lot fun to play.

Weird, I gigged a Savage with a Metallica tribute band, and it kicked all kinds of ass
No problems being heard. But different strokes and all that