Author Topic: Engl (Read 10313 times)

Dakine · « **on:** January 03, 2006, 11:59:01 PM »

OK
further to my posts of coming back to Ole Blighty and needing an amp when I get there.
I have just found out my local (nearest city) music store (new one on me but then been outta country for nigh on 6 years with few trips back) stocks ENGL.

Now, have heard mention of these amps on here a fair bit,soooo

Now opinions.

Laney VC or ENGL Thunder 50 Combo, Screamer 50 Combo.

Oh, they also stock Cornford Harlequin, Koch (one in kinda price range Studiotone), Rivera (pubster and clubster) and a Zinky Blue Velvet.

So, MORE OPINIONS PLEASE ;)

Nick

django5 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:01:21 AM »

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data/#man

chrisola · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:16:59 AM »

www.rocksolidamps.com

lots of ENGL sound clips on there (mostly death metal, but theres some REALLY good clips of the Thunder & Screamer doing Satriani and Vai stuff).

Cant go wrong with any of them, i have a Fireball and theres a couple of Powerball owners here, and Tim has a Screamer..

Never played a Thunder or Screamer, but i believe (from lots of research!) that the Screamer is a bit more vintagey sounding when not in balls out face melting gain territory and really versatile, and the Thunder is a no nonsense plug and play kick ass rock amp.

The Fireball strips wall paper with the gain on 10'o clock :P

Its madness!

Brilliant amps for the money :)

I didnt go for the Koch or the Riveras (i looked at them before buying my Fireball) they are nice but (for me anyway!) they arent the right amp, they arent really metal amps... the Koch does have LOTS of features, including an attenuator and recording outs... which may be what your after... not really a 'this is my only amp for everything' choice though imo.

Depends on what you need really, for the music you play. My money would go on the Screamer or Thunder from the choices, i wouldnt touch the Laney though... didnt like it when i played one!

They are all very good amps, but its down to what you want... as i said the Engls gets my vote, can do classic rock to death metal so you arent limited... are good value, and look really cool 8)

Dakine · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:26:19 AM »

Chrisola
thanks for the input.
Was what I was expecting actually, that ENGL RAWK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This may sound v.silly but got/still am very excited by finding out I will have engl so close at hand to try/buy when I make it back.
Engl are not common in US, yet. but have a "mojo" feeling about them and keep hearing their praise sung everywhere.
Love to hear Tim chirp in as I believe he actually has a combo.
Cheers,
Nick

HJM · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:09:43 AM »

I would go for Engl over Laney on build quality!

Laneys tend to be a bit bright. And the switching allways breaks!

willo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:46:54 AM »

you can get a 50W Screamer combo for £599 in the Sound Control/Sound Academy sale...

Ratrod · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2006, 01:14:52 PM »

I'd go for the Screamer. Great versitile little amp. You'll need to cough up some extra money if you want the footswitch.

I haven't tried it yet but I did hear it. Plug it into a cab and will be a monster.

Dakine · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:31:16 PM »

Yeah, soon as posted this and found out ENGL was kinda in my price range and local to where I will be moving back to I kinda figured it would be unanimous/no-brainer. Still love to hear Tims take on his ENGL combo though :)
Nick

dave_mc · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2006, 06:17:31 PM »

i haven't tried the thunder, but i've tried the screamer. I also recently bought a savage se.

I'd go for the engl over the laney. I haven't tried the VC, but i preferred the screamer to the Laney VH100r head (it's a lot more versatile than a vc), and i tried them head to head. It was close though. I suspect engls have better build quality, but you can't really tell this in a shop!

I haven't tried the cornford harlequin. I've tried the hellcat, it was nice, but dear for what it was, i thought (then again, it is hand wired...)

I've only tried the multitone from the koch stable, it didn't just have the range of tones of the screamer (didn't do metal as well), but it was a really nice amp.

Out of those, I'd take a screamer, but that's mainly based on the fact that i play lots of different styles (and the fact I haven't tried many of the others). Engls also sound really good at low volumes.

EDIT; as well as tim, MDV has a screamer combo, maybe he'll pitch in with a few comments.

MDV · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2006, 07:22:30 PM »

I have a screamer. Its got a massive variety of sounds in it: from fendery cleans through marshall crunch (but brighter) to extreme gain. Its way loud for 50W 1x12. It tends to sound open and clear with fat, tight bass set to 'metal', where I like it best :twisted: .

Edit, he he, just noticed the edit there dave...it seems you were right...

dave_mc · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2006, 07:53:38 PM »

^hehe, cheers, mark!

Dakine · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2006, 07:55:19 PM »

Thanks guys,
sounds like a screamer is the choice to go for.
Looking forward to ole blighty more by the day :)

Nick

dave_mc · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:47:28 PM »

^wait till you get here and see what the weather's like.

And what they charge for mesa-boogies...

Dakine · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:18:21 PM »

LOL
yeah well.
Weather is expected.
Actually miss FOUR seasons.
Texas is great but can get DAMN hot (read way over 100deg.!!!!!!!!!!!!).
The drivers here give me MASSIVE blood pressure.
The food is about same ole same ole.
Prices really are not HUGELY different than UK now for most things.
Quality stuff is NOT easiest to get.
VERY confusing. I.E. every State is like it's own country with different rules etc.
Blah Blah, anyway, due to my dad etc. time to come HOME for now.
Do'nt get me wrong. Love America esp. TX and all, but miss HOME!

Oh for a Cornish Pasty right now, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Nick

Dakine · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:21:16 PM »

Hey Mark,
so it sounds real good at low (non police called out on you) volumes too?
That would be a big plus also!
I have no idea if/when I will be good enough/willing/ready/able to gig but a practice amp that can sound good at home practice volumes but can gig well is a true find and what I really want.
SOunds like the screamer fits the bill.

Nick