Should I settle for affordability?

[Nadz1lla]

Hi guys....crisis time! :(

So my local Axery has an Engl Thunder 50 Half Stack in, with an Engl 4x12 angled cab for £699 the lot. I love the tone of this amp, it's beautiful and everything I would expect from Engl. Problem is I've been GASing for an Engl Powerball ever since I heard one, and even more so since I was able to try one at another shop a bit further away.

So here's the question...do I save the £699 and settle for the Thunder...which IS an awesome amp, it has to be said... or do I wait much longer until I can scr@pe together the £1900 for a Powerball and a nice Engl Cab with lots of mids?

Might be worth mentioning I like my mids and the angled cab that the Thunder comes with doesn't have the same mid-range as one of the pro cabs. I'm kinda thinking I'll miss those mids.

I really REALLY want to record my band's first EP soon and I know I won't be satisfied with any of the gear I currently have if I use it to record. If I'm going to spend money on studio time I want it absolutely perfect and I know I'll get it with an Engl.

I really want to save the larger amount, but I know the Thunder is a really great bargain and it is seriously tempting.

HELP! :x

[noodleplugerine]

Unless its completely completely unrealistic.

Never skimp on the rig! imo ofcourse...

[ailean]

That's a tough one. If it were me I know if I bought the thunder I'd always be thinking 'I wonder what the powerball would have been like'. But I'm stupid with my money!

If you really want the powerball then I'd say wait.

[hamfist]

That Thunder half stack seems like a very good price. Why not buy it, and just consider it as part of your savings for the Powerball rig. It sounds like you would be able to sell it for pretty much what you would buy it for, when the time came to sell it and buy the Powerball.
  Also, it is my understanding that the Pro and Std cabs are pretty much identical apart from speakers. Buy a quad of V30's or Greenbacks and stick them in the Std cab, and now you have a Pro cab !

[kevincurtis]

I'm with Alan - that's a huge price gap which I'm guessing will take time to fill. Get the Thunder, upgrade the speakers when you have the cash, then at some point trade the Thunder for the Powerball.

[Twinfan]

What those guys said  ^

Get the Thunder, enjoy it for now, and trade-it for the Powerball when you can  :)

[Roobubba]

I agree with these guys, but also what about second hand? I know ENGLs don't come up very often (for obvious reasons!), but that doesn't mean that they never hit the market second hand. Or wouldn't you consider a second hand rig?

Roo

[Nadz1lla]

Ah yeah, forgot to mention the Thunder is 2nd hand, hence the great price, heh. Yes I always consider 2nd hand as money doesn't come my way as often as I'd like, hehe. Most of my Guitars are 2nd hand. :D

Thanks for all the advice so far, I think that trading it in when I have saved the difference later on is a good idea and hadn't thought of that. And thanks for the speaker advice too, sounds like and awesome way to get that "pro" tone.

I have decided then, as soon as I have enough to get the Thunder I'll go into the shop. If it's still there I'll nab it, but if not it wasn't meant to be and I'll keep saving for the Powerball.    :D

[dave_mc]

if it's second-hand, in good condition/working order, and assuming that's a good price (thunder is about £600 new, that cab about £400 i think, so it sounds like an ok price... not amazing, not terrible), with any luck you should be able to sell it on and not lose too much.

[gwEm]

i really like the Thunder! one of the few amps which i thought of selling my Marshall for.

its secondhand, and already lost alot of its value. i take exactly hamfists view - its savings for the powerball.

[Twinfan]

I hope you can get the cash soon.  If it's that good a deal, it won't hang around long....

[Roobubba]

Shame about your new avatar, twinfan :( Of all the guitars you've got, too :(

GL with the Thunder, Nadz!

[Twinfan]

Shame about your new avatar, twinfan :( Of all the guitars you've got, too :(

:lol:

It's superb, Roo.  You know you think it's cool really  ;)

[Roobubba]

On the plus side, it's difficult to see the offensive body shape due to the colour of the case lining! :D

[Twinfan]

:lol: