Engl Gigmaster 15

[Sancho]

I'm looking at small valve amps for home and hopefully studio use.
The Engl Gigmaster has drawn my attention. It's affordable, simple and I've heard some decent sounding clips.
I'd like to know if anyone here has any experience with it?

[dave_mc]

haven't tried it but i don't think it's all-tube

[Sancho]

With only one pre amp valve, it's a hybrid circuit, yeah. I don't mind if the tone is there.
They should be in stock at our national Engl dealer, so I'll be able to put it through its paces.
I somehow doubt they're made in Germany as well...

[dave_mc]

i have no idea, but it's possible.

And yeah i mean if it does the tone you want, it's no problem. Just I have little time for how most of the hybrid-pushers skate around whether it's tube or not, hoping most players don't notice.

[Sancho]

You're right. Hughes & Kettner have a way of skirting the issue that doesn't sit right with me as well.
We'll see how it sounds, that's all that matters in the end.

[dave_mc]

yeah, h&k do it a bit too.

Blackstar is the king of it, though :lol:

[Telerocker]

I like the Tubemeister though, despite just two preampvalves.

[Sancho]

Blackstar is the king of it, though :lol:

I've yet to play a Blackstar I like...

[Crunch]

I've yet to play a Blackstar I like...

What's wrong with them?

[Sancho]

Not convinced by Blackstar's tones. They are too tight for my liking, not organic enough. I know, horrible cliché...
The ISF control is a posh way of saying a contour knob.
Many people swear by them, including Neal Schon, so it's probably me, but I don't get along with them.

For reference, the amps I've owned or own that I really love :
Marshall Jubilee
Marshall 2203
Peavey 5150
Laney GH100

[Crunch]

Not convinced by Blackstar's tones. They are too tight for my liking, not organic enough. I know, horrible cliché...
The ISF control is a posh way of saying a contour knob.
Many people swear by them, including Neal Schon, so it's probably me, but I don't get along with them.

For reference, the amps I've owned or own that I really love :
Marshall Jubilee
Marshall 2203
Peavey 5150
Laney GH100

Have you any experience with the Orange Terror series? Going by what you've said, you ought to love it for home/studio/club. If you want to spend an extra few bucks, the TH30 is my absolute favourite reasonably-priced reasonable-volume amp.

[dave_mc]

I've yet to play a Blackstar I like...

i've only tried the artisan 15 (which ironically is all-tube), and i wasn't too fussed :lol:

[Sancho]

Have you any experience with the Orange Terror series? Going by what you've said, you ought to love it for home/studio/club.

Played both the head and combo of the original Tiny Terror. I'm generally not much of an Orange guy, and the Tiny Terror did nothing to change my opinion. It's not a bad amp, but not my cup of tea.
I haven't played the TH30 yet.
To me, most Oranges sound nice for leads, but get too buzzy when riffing.

i've only tried the artisan 15 (which ironically is all-tube), and i wasn't too fussed :lol:

I've played several different models in varying wattages, and was underwhelmed by all of them.

[dave_mc]

yeah it didn't help that the magazines had been hyping them like all get-out. it's almost setting them up for a fall.

[Sancho]

Yep. There was no way they could live up to expectations.
It doesn't help their cause that I had one of their distortion pedals and really, really hated the thing. Terrible transformer hum coupled to average tone...