ENGL Powerball or Framus Cobra?

[Jarrott]

If it came down to choosing between these two heads, which would you choose, and why? I'm asking this because I'm considering ordering one soon with some settlement money I'm getting tomorrow and quite frankly, it is one hard decision. I love metal, I've always been a fan, and it's the only genre of music I play and I've heard such great things about both heads, it's just so hard to choose!

I play a '91 Standard Gibson SG with ceramic War Pigs, and I play all genres of metal dating back to Sabbath all the way up to Necrophagist :twisted: . Thanks for any help!

[noodleplugerine]

Both absolutely phenomenal amps.

Neither is weaker than the other as far as I've heard and seen - Maybe the Powerball has a bit more headroom?

Both are truly phenomenal amps.

If it were for me to choose - I'd go for whichever looked cooler.

And in that situation you'd have the exact same problem - They both look awesome.

I'd say give them both a try, and then make a final decision on just which one makes you sound more like a Metal lord.

[indysmith]

If it were for me to choose - I'd go for whichever looked cooler.

Wow that's sad.

I'd go for the Cobra because I've played it and LOVED it. It's the perfect metal amp. It manages to sound super-beefy whilst still being organic. A lot of bands i like use it, and manage to get GREAT tone on records. In fact, it seems that nearly every time i LOVE a bands tone, i find out that they used a Cobra or a Dragon.
I've never played a powerball, but from what I've heard it is extremely HEAVY, and strictly a metal amp. I believe the Cobra to be more versatile.

[Orkestra]

POWERBALL


and for what it's worth, the Powerball is just as versatile as the Cobra... they're designed around the same idea BUT one is 6L6 (the Powerball) and the other EL34 (The Cobra)... try them out for yourself... both tubes sound COMPLETELY different and add a totally different character to the sound even though both amps are basically voiced in similar fashions.

[gorath23]

I've heard some awesome recordings with the Cobra, The Absence comes to mind. It sounds pretty beefy and dark. Unlike the Powerball it also takes well to boosting. Generally Speaking the Powerball is said to be less tight sounding than the Fireball (which I currently own). As much as I love the FB I wouldn't want something that wasn't as tight. Overall I'd go for the Framus. Although personally If you aren't worried about versatility or a great clean sound I'd probably go for a 5150 instead of either of them.

[Mavet]

From what I've heard the Cobra sounds shitee at low volume, so if you are going to practice at home the powerball might be a better option.
and if you like more mids in your sound and willing to put in the extra cash, go for the engl savage.

[noodleplugerine]

If it were for me to choose - I'd go for whichever looked cooler.

Wow that's sad.

Why is it sad?

They're both amazing amps.

I don't believe it's even possible to be disappointed with either of them, and neither one of them is better than the other imo.

[Orkestra]

One last time...

EL34 vs 6L6

Also, you MUST try both out

[dave_mc]

i agree wholeheartedly with trying them out. I haven't tried the cobra, so i'm staying out of this one, unfortunately...

 :twisted:

[the_bleeding]

powerball. hands down.

Reason 1: CLARITY --> after extended use, the user will notice that the Cobra can get very very muddy. Powerball... its would be a daunting task to get mud out of it.

reason 2: Noise Floor --> cobra is very noisy, and some people liek to put a boost in front of it to clear out some mud. Boosting just makes it noisier  :roll:    Powerball on the otherhand has a built in noise gate :):):)

reason 3: tightness --> the powerball is rediculously tight and has amazing attack... kinda goes hand in hand with the lack of mud.  I dont believe that the fireball is tighter, it seems impossible to me hahahaha. I find the framus to be very spongy on the attack.

reason 4: EQ --> people complain about the framus being too bright... i wouldn't be able to stand that.

reason 5: price --> save a couple bucks goin with the powerball... and then blow it all on the footswitch hahahahahahah


As for powertubes, its all up to preference. I'd say go for 6l6's: more bass, more clarity, less compression.

[Orkestra]

one other thing with the powerball is that the power section is SO responsive to your playing!
Almost unlike any other amp I have tried...

I have the gain set about 4, but I max out the channel volume, it gives me this almost brown sound... so punchy an clear. People say my PB sounds completely different to theirs, so juicy and crisp... thats until I crank their channel volumes and send them drooling off to play with it.

Also the fireball is the same as a powerball, it's just 60 watts, so it saturates a bit earlier; thats the only difference apart from the channels.

IMO the only amp that comes close to my Powerball is the Bogner Uberschall, thats the only amp I would swap it with and when you look and compare the prices of the ENGL and the Bogner, you can't argue with that!

[robbo]

One last time...

EL34 vs 6L6

Also, you MUST try both out

Beyond true on both accounts.

[Alex]

I would choose the Powerball, hands down. Not because it's a better amp - a matter of taste and to be honest I'm not sooo picky about nuances - but because it's easier to deal with. Apparently the Cobra needs the right cab and the right guitar and the right settings.... not just plug & play like a Marshall.