Engl Screamer or Thunder Combo?

[jay h]

Simple question: which one is better for hard rock and metal in the Lynch/Sykes/Campbell vein? While I dearly love the sound of my old Ampeg VL-503, I've grown tired of having it repaired. The Engls look like a good, affordable alternative, but the company's Web site is less than descriptive regarding each one's specific tonal characteristics.

Recommendations for other combos in the same price range (<$1500) are also welcome.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[hunter]

They are virtually the same but the Thunder has less features (Reverb, less switchable options etc). I don't think there is a big sound difference.

Other combos I would recommend are the Marshall VM series (the 2 channel ones, price wise). If you also want classic rock tones and not just modern scooped buzzbees, I would prefer those. Less versatile but great sounding would be a Rockerverb 50 from Orange, or even a Rocker 30 (sounds great). But they have an Orange character, so they are more Pearl Jam than Metallica.

[noodleplugerine]

They are virtually the same but the Thunder has less features (Reverb, less switchable options etc). I don't think there is a big sound difference.

Other combos I would recommend are the Marshall VM series (the 2 channel ones, price wise). If you also want classic rock tones and not just modern scooped buzzbees, I would prefer those. Less versatile but great sounding would be a Rockerverb 50 from Orange, or even a Rocker 30 (sounds great). But they have an Orange character, so they are more Pearl Jam than Metallica.

There is a BIG sound difference.

The thunder isn't as tight, and doesn't go nearly as gainy. Go for the screamer if you want to play any semblance of 80s metal imo.

[jay h]

Thanks for the feedback. I was considering the Marshall as well, but I was concerned it might not have enough edge for the more-modern stuff. The Screamer might be the way to go.

This might be a bit of a departure, but has anyone tried a Hughes & Kettner Switchblade? Musician's Friend has a scratch 'n' dent 100-watter on sale right now for just under $1500, which seems like a heck of a deal. The demo on the H&K site is quite impressive, but I'm concerned by the comparative lack of first-hand feedback on these amps.

[hunter]

Thanks for the feedback. I was considering the Marshall as well, but I was concerned it might not have enough edge for the more-modern stuff. The Screamer might be the way to go.

This might be a bit of a departure, but has anyone tried a Hughes & Kettner Switchblade? Musician's Friend has a scratch 'n' dent 100-watter on sale right now for just under $1500, which seems like a heck of a deal. The demo on the H&K site is quite impressive, but I'm concerned by the comparative lack of first-hand feedback on these amps.

I would give this a go. I had a screamer, and after a first wow, it ended up being lame. Think the Switchblade is a good amp but anyways, in MF you will have 30 days return, right?

[jay h]

That's correct, though I might have to eat the shipping cost. (I could be wrong about that.) Perhaps I'll give it a shot.

By "lame," do you mean it broke down, lacked versatility, just didn't sound good, or something else?

[dave_mc]

i really didn't like the switchblade i tried, i thought it sounded like a solid state. the screamer's not the best engl by a long shot, but it's still pretty nice.

I haven't tried the thunder, unfortunately, so i can't help you there. :)

[jay h]

Interesting. Has anyone tried the Bogner Alchemist?