Author Topic: ENGL Screamer GAS (Read 4840 times)

MrBump · « **on:** February 23, 2008, 10:13:30 AM »

... speaks for itself, doesn't it?

My quest for a new amp has brought me here. I've checked out loads of clips, reviews (in fact EVERYTHING except for actually PLAYING one!!!), and I think that the 50 watt head and cab might just me for me, when funds allow.

I've not heard many bad things about them. Please help fuel my GAS attack...

Mark.

hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2008, 10:57:18 AM »

Had one, pretty decent amp with loads of features for the money. But it doesn't even get close to the bigger Engls or some of the other amps I've owned.

I didn't like the clean (thin, flat) but had lots of fun with the distortion - from today's point of view though it lacked depth and substance.

Personally I would rather add a few 100 bucks and get a Powerball instead. That's a mean machine with lots of balls (hence the name I guess)

Did that help ?

:O)

MrBump · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2008, 11:01:15 AM »

Quote

Did that help ?

Kinda. Any perspective is useful...

I get confused with what's out there. The thing is, when you add everything up (head, cab, footswitch etc) it's in that £1500 bracket, and there's LOTS of stuff out there for that kinda money.

Maybe I should sell my Orange...

Adam.M · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2008, 11:24:44 AM »

I miss my screamer a lot now.

Though i've only had two valve amp's, i think it's a cracking amp, very versitile.

Though theres no doubt the Powerball will be better, more full and have more punch, because it's a head! and most probably going through a 4x12 not a single 12... unless hunter tried the screamer head ;) which is damned ugly!

Get out and play one man, it's the only way you'll know if it's for you or not.

hamfist · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2008, 12:15:08 PM »

I've been quite impressed with the Screamer. I played one in a shop for quite a while. Also, the other guitarist in one of my bands just bought one too. It did very well at a gig, although was obviously slightly limited by only having one 12" speaker. I'd like to try the head out through a decent cab.
In the end, when I was amp shopping it was just a bit modern for me. It's definately not a modern high gainer (although has a good stab at it), but I was looking for more vintage tones. I ended up with an AC30, so that lets you know the ballpark of where I'm coming from.
I felt the 2 channels, with two modes per channel were very well executed, and pretty much turned it into a pseudo 4 channel amp. Of course, you need to buy the expensive footswitch to be able access all this (about another £100). Also the two footswitchable master vols are nicely done.
I'd say that in it's pricerange it is one of the best amps on the market for folks wanting a reasonable quality flexible amp that does pretty good cleans, nice crunch and very passable high gain, for those who would only use those sounds occasionally. It's not a master of any one tone, but is very competent at many different ones.

sambo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2008, 12:34:44 PM »

I have the combo, and would agree with what others have said.

It's very versatile, and has it's own sound. However I am looking to sell mine soon as I want a more vintage no-frills rock sound. No fault of the ENGL; my preferences have just changed since I bought it.

It covers basically every base as a general-all-rounder. A jack of all trades if you will. And whilst it doesn't exactly master any one tone, it does a very good job of everything, for the price.

It depends on what you want really!

P.S. I'll swap your orange for my ENGL! :)

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2008, 01:06:20 PM »

I have one - Its superb.

Does most styles well, and is just a great no-frills plug and play amp.

MrBump · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2008, 04:02:47 PM »

Good stuff.

I was kinda thinking about the head plus 2x12, although when you add in all the ENGL branding plus the footswitch it's well over a grand... and then there are other amps to look at.

Hmmm...

Adam.M · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2008, 04:29:09 PM »

I would go with the combo and get a 1x12" extension cab (ENGL E 112V) but that's me...

Comes to £970 on thomann.

I hate the look of the screamer head, if i were going head i'd go for one that looks like a head should do.

MrBump · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2008, 04:38:32 PM »

Quote

I would go with the combo and get a 1x12" extension cab (ENGL E 112V) but that's me...

Comes to £970 on thomann.

Yeah, I just clocked that. There's a guy on Ebay trying to flog that exact setup for over a grand!

Good ol' Ebay!

dave_mc · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2008, 05:13:10 PM »

Quote from: hunter

Had one, pretty decent amp with loads of features for the money. But it doesn't even get close to the bigger Engls or some of the other amps I've owned.

I didn't like the clean (thin, flat) but had lots of fun with the distortion - from today's point of view though it lacked depth and substance.

Personally I would rather add a few 100 bucks and get a Powerball instead. That's a mean machine with lots of balls (hence the name I guess)

Did that help ?

:O)

agreed (though for the stuff i play, i'd rather have the blackmore).

screamer combo is good value. if you go the head and cab route, not so much, you aren't far away from a blackmore, or powerball, which are, as you've said hunter, better. in my opinion.

Quote from: MrBump

I get confused with what's out there. The thing is, when you add everything up (head, cab, footswitch etc) it's in that £1500 bracket, and there's LOTS of stuff out there for that kinda money.

Maybe I should sell my Orange...

yeah, that's what i'm talking about. the screamer combo goes for around £700-£800. the head and cab will, as you've said, be pushing £1500. i wouldn't buy a screamer for £1500. you could get a brunetti xlr-evo, nearly even a cornford if you could find a cheap cab. etc.

Quote from: sambo

IIt covers basically every base as a general-all-rounder. A jack of all trades if you will. And whilst it doesn't exactly master any one tone, it does a very good job of everything, for the price.

+1

Jonny · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2008, 06:11:07 PM »

Are ENGL cabs good? I know the Screamer is good (understatement) but I think you could save money if you get a different cab which may be better.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2008, 07:16:31 PM »

They're good - There may be better - And there may be cheaper - But they're by no means bad.

hamfist · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2008, 08:36:16 AM »

Quote from: Jonny

Are ENGL cabs good?

I owned an Engl standard 2x12 a while ago. To be honest it was the deadest, dullest cab I've owned. Extremely heavy too. The only really good thing going for it was the cool Engl grill and nameplate.
So - NO, I can't recommend them. I have heard thay are better at downtuned metal stuff, which is not my style, so someone else's experience may vary from mine.

Alan

gorath23 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2008, 10:41:54 AM »

For whats its worth, stay away from the combo's, I had a combo Thunder and it was ok, but it didn't sound nearly as good as the head + Engl cab version that I played afterwards, the definition and low-end just isn't there with the open-backed combo. I now have a Fireball head that I got for £500 with footswitch included off eBay, and then I bought the Framus V30 cab from Thomann for £200 = £700 compared to the £1500 that you were quoting. You need to search a bit harder, that price is wayyy off! :P If it helps, screw the Engl footswitch and just buy the latching Boss FS-2 instead which is cheaper. Saying all that though, if you can get an Engl cab it is definitely better than the Framus. eBay is your friend for Engl stuff.

EDIT: In response to the above about Engl cabs, they are great at what they do: Modern Metal, clean, mega-tight and almost sterile, which I love but its not really a vintage-sounding cab!