Author Topic: Engl Powerball vs Framus Cobra (Read 2749 times)

Pale Rider · « **on:** November 06, 2007, 10:40:37 PM »

Hi guys!

Do they have the same level of tightness and clarity?

I'm interested in a clear distortion (string separation and all that), not fuzzy at all and tight.

I really like the voicing of the Cobra (more low mids) but I hear frequently that it's not as tight and clear as the Powerball and tightness with clarity in amps is one of my number #1s. So, I'm confused. I'd really like to try them both myself but I don't know any shops here as I'm new to York.

I'm interested in these two amps and can't decide. Has anyone used both and can compare them?

Thanks!

LazyNinja · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2007, 11:09:21 PM »

I've used neither amps but I frequently visit York so I can tell you a bit about the instrument shops there.

I'm afraid it's unlikely that you will get to try them out in York as the shops are all very small and have limited stock. There's 3 shops as far as I know. Banks Music, Mor Music and Rock Ola.

Banks music is a general instrument store next to the post office in town centre selling brass instruments, guitars, drums etc. There are usually about 3-4 Fenders and Gibsons each and about 10 epis and squires. They stock Orange amps but other than that you probably won't find anything interesting.

Mor Music is my favourite. You can get there by turning left at the bottom end of market square (the main street with fountain and toilets), past M&S, and turn right into a small street just where the hat shop and Subways is. They stock Laneys, Fenders, Marshalls and Randalls but no ENGLs I'm afraid. They have Marshall JVMs so that might be worth a try for you. Well chosen product range of Vintage guitars, Hamers, Fenders and Ibanezes. Nice little store with friendly staff.

Rock Ola is on the same street as Mor Music. Just keep following the road and it's on your left after you go past a small bridge. This is where you "might" have a chance of seeing an ENGL. I've seen a 5150 combo, Mesa Roadster, JCM800 and an ENGL Screamer in the pat there. They stock Maverick, Aria and Washburn guitars and a few others. Amp wise, I don't think they sell new amps. Sometimes an odd gem comes along used so it's always worth a check.

You could to ask the guys in Mor to get the amp in for you. But then you'd probably have to pay upfront so it'd be pointless I guess. Your best bet is to take the train and go elsewhere. Newcastle is about 1.5hr away from York and from what I heard have nice shops (Guitar Guitar?). No point coming to Leeds though I've never seen a new Framus or Engl here. Sound Control has Mesas and Peaveys as far as high gain amps are concerned. That's about it.

wow sorry for an essay:roll:

Good luck :twisted:

Pale Rider · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2007, 11:46:14 PM »

Hey, thank you very much LazyNinja! This was very helpful. I noticed Banks music but I didn't know the other ones.

I found Dolphin Music on the net and the site says that they have 3 shops that could have Framus in stock (no Engl though): Liverpool, Gateshead (near Newcastle) and Huddersfield (between Leeds and Manchester but nearer Leeds). Maybe I'll check them too if I find the time.

Thanks for the advice and directions! :D

LazyNinja · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2007, 12:01:11 AM »

There's a Dolphin Music in Huddersfield? Never seen that one. Must be out of town coz I worked in Hudds for a year. Drums n Bass in Hudds is a nice shop. Quality guitars like Gibsons, PRSs, Fenders, Ibanezes as well as good range of entry-mid level stuff. They have Marshalls, Oranges, Laneys and Fenders but again never seem an ENGL or Framus there. Train from Leeds is £2.50 if you have a railcard. Probably about £8 from York. Of course you could go even further and go to Manchester but I don't know Manchester at all. Twinfan will be able to tell you if there's any shop worth looking at.

Oli · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2007, 12:36:03 AM »

LazyNinja:

I was in a music shop in York a while back (i forget which, but it wasn't the one with all the classical stuff), and i asked if they stocked preamp tubes. They first looked at me as if i'd done something really inappropriate, then told me that you couldn't change preamp tubes yourself, because you'd blow your amp up due to it not being biased correctly! When i said that you generally didn't need to bias preamp tubes, they said 'well i've never heard of an amp like that before'! They were rubbish!

To the OP: I'd say the ENGL would be slightly tighter than the Framus, but only by a little.... don't think you could go wrong with either to be honest :)

Nolly · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2007, 02:01:45 AM »

Well, it seems like you're trying to make the same decision as me! I've tried the Powerball a few times, and it is indeed very tight, especially with the "focus" switch engaged on the high-gain channel. I was pretty blown away with the metal tones I was getting.
However, I've heard so many good things about the Cobra, and love the tones Killswitch Engage and other bands get from them, that I'm desperate to try one out. The nearest place to me that stocks them is in Bristol, so I'm going to try and make a journey there sometime in the near future.

LazyNinja · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2007, 06:58:32 AM »

Quote from: Oli

LazyNinja:

I was in a music shop in York a while back (i forget which, but it wasn't the one with all the classical stuff), and i asked if they stocked preamp tubes. They first looked at me as if i'd done something really inappropriate, then told me that you couldn't change preamp tubes yourself, because you'd blow your amp up due to it not being biased correctly! When i said that you generally didn't need to bias preamp tubes, they said 'well i've never heard of an amp like that before'! They were rubbish!

Fair enough I've never asked them any technical questions so I don't know how knowledgeable they are. They seemed friendly enough when I wanted to try out a few stuff. :)