cheaper alternative for engl heads?

D

duckthesystem

New member
heyguys,

do someone know a cheaper alternative (max. 800€/1000usd)
for a engl powerball II or similarly engl amp?
i think about a laney ironheart
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

Yeah the Laney is a good start, and since you are in Germany maybe look at a Bugera TriRec ???
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

A used one. Aren't the ENGL Fireball amps cheaper?

Look into Blackstar. They seem to be priced right and have the tones you're looking for.
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

Yup, Blackstar is a good suggestion too. I just don't know what prices are like over there.
Look for a used Fireball 60 or 100 like mentioned too. Engl Blackmores are the same price as the Fireball here, so that could be an option too on the used market.
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

just looked the bulgera amps up, i just remeber the old one with all the issues, but now they are good copies, awesome THX
maybe i will buy the TriRec or do you know a engl copy(couldnt find one)
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

Bugera definitely makes some really good low priced high gain amps.
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

not bugera... get the real thing.

go to www.ebay.de, type 'engl' in the search engine and you'll get several engl amp options.
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

If you are willing, I indeed would go the used gear way and apply some patience, the right one will come up for the right price.
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

Supposedly an Engl clone (don't know which model) with the H&K Triamp's asthetics. I have the smaller Goldea 3200 lunchbox model (15W) & it's an awesome little amp..

But yeah, these cost $400 (mine was $155) + shipping from the factory in China :D

 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

tonelabequa said:
Hmm.. not expensive? It's €500 for a 15W amp...and by the way, it is a hybrid amp...

I played a gigmaster combo the other day, did not sound that great, I guess mainly becaus of the small cabinet....
Click to expand...

The price on them has gone up since the last time I checked them out, but it is still in line with other amps of that size. It's not much more expensive than the H&K Tubemeister 18 and the Orange Dark Terror, and it's cheaper than the Mesa offerings in that wattage rating. Considering what you get, I think it's a fair price.

I'm also not totally sure that it's a hybrid; it has a valve-driven preamp and two el84s in the poweramp. Having looked closer, I see that there is only one valve in the pre, so I guess you might be right.

But hey, if you played one and didn't dig it, then that's cool, it's not for you. :)

May I ask what you didn't like about it?
 
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Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

Kam said:
I'm also not totally sure that it's a hybrid; it has a valve-driven preamp and two el84s in the poweramp. Having looked closer, I see that there is only one valve in the pre, so I guess you might be right.

But hey, if you played one and didn't dig it, then that's cool, it's not for you. :)

May I ask what you didn't like about it?
Click to expand...

Well, it has one preamp tube (12AX7) + 2 or 4 power tubes (EL84 = 6BQ5), so at least the phase inverter is done in solid state... It also has a lot of gain on tap, which points to more than just the 2 gain stages provided by 1 preamp tube, so for sure there is a pedal-like clipping circuit inside.

Now, that is not a bad thing at all. The Gigmaster is just not an all-tube amp.

I guess I was trying to get metal tones from the amp, and was disappointed. I think I was playing the 15W combo with the 10" speaker, though. Mybe the 30W with the 12" sounds better.

BTW I compared it directly to the ENGL Retro Tube Combo, and liked the Retro much better...
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

I don't know what the prices are like in Germany, but a 6505 would get you some great tones. I take it you are a metal guy, and that 6505 will deliver in spades. They are relatively cheap used here in the states, not sure what they are like in other countries. It sounds like you want more than 2 channels, if that is the case the Ironheart would be worth looking at. I love my Laney GH50L, but it is only a single channel amp with a drive/boost function.

I have owned an Engl Fireball 60 in the past and while it did metal well, I wasn't fond of it. Way too compressed for me, but it works for others. I would recommend that if you get a used Fireball 60 definitely use an eq in the loop!

Good luck!

Cole
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

Blackstar would be my first suggestion, but Laney makes great amps. I wouldn't suggest Bugera to anyone as they are cheap as they come. I have heard the Laney Ironheart in person and it's a really great sounding amp. You can't go wrong either way.
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

Phantasmagoria said:
Supposedly an Engl clone (don't know which model) with the H&K Triamp's asthetics. I have the smaller Goldea 3200 lunchbox model (15W) & it's an awesome little amp..

But yeah, these cost $400 (mine was $155) + shipping from the factory in China :D

Click to expand...

Do you know where i can buy a Goldea amp for a cheap price ?
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

You don't contact Goldea ...they contact you.. :laugh2:

Seriously I had a hell of a time getting mine. Communication was a nightmare..but once they "okayed" the order things went really fast & they always stayed in touch.

At the moment...well...their website seems to be offline (wtf?). It's happened a couple of times before though...maybe just wait for a while & it'll reappear.

I'm assuming you're the guy who just emailed me about this...I'll reply with all the email/contact info I have...best of luck :)



I will second the Bugera recco's though. I have a 333XL Infinium and it will get you there & beyond..
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

Phantasmagoria said:
You don't contact Goldea ...they contact you.. :laugh2:

Seriously I had a hell of a time getting mine. Communication was a nightmare..but once they "okayed" the order things went really fast & they always stayed in touch.

At the moment...well...their website seems to be offline (wtf?). It's happened a couple of times before though...maybe just wait for a while & it'll reappear.

I'm assuming you're the guy who just emailed me about this...I'll reply with all the email/contact info I have...best of luck :)



I will second the Bugera recco's though. I have a 333XL Infinium and it will get you there & beyond..
Click to expand...

Yes.. i am the email guy.. :D so u are saying that Bugera 333XL are just as good as a Goldea Rex 6200 ? What i heard about 333 XL is that its not really a high gain amp, i am looking for an amp that i possible can use for metal without any pedals, just use the built in gain/boost knobs..

I got the email.. thanks alot.. :D
 
Re: cheaper alternative for engl heads?

You can get a used fireball for about £350 and used powerball for about £5-600. Just hang on and wait.
 
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