Rocker35
New member
There's a new Guitar store opened up recently near me, so myself and the other guitarist in my band decide to check it out.
While we were there we checked out the Engl Screamer 50 head and combo.
All I can say is that this amp blew us away!!!!! :32:
We've both known Steve, the owner, for may years (he used to work in a local store before working for both Fender and Line 6 ) and he was very accomodating, letting us try different cabs at decent levels!!! (very loud :cool3: ).
First, for those that don't know, the amp. Its an all tube 50w amp with basically two channels. However, with the optional Z5 footpedal, it becomes a four channel amp with a boost on each channel. You have a clean, crunch, soft lead and hard lead channel with the option of boosting each channel and switching reverb on/off. Very versatile!!!! Ok, the EQ is shared, but there is a bright switch for the clean/crunch channel, which can be used with the gain channels treble turned down a tad for different clean/OD tones. It is more hard rock orientated, compared other Engl amps, but still has enough power for metal if required.
First, we tried the head through a Marshall 1936 2X12 with G12-75'S.
The tone was a bit harsh with some ice picky type highs, but overall, not too bad.
Secondly, we swapped the standard 1936 for Steve's personal 1936 fitted with Vintage 30's. This gave a softer, more rounded tone, but still a little harsh.
Thirdly, we used the Engl 2X12 vintage cab with Vintage 30's. The construction of this cab is head and shoulders above the 1936 and it showed. The tone was much more rounded, with greater bottom and definition. The tones we got with this setup were just out of this world!! Fantastic chimy cleans and creamy overdriven tone that are the best I've heard period (and that includes Mesa's, Marshalls, THD's, fender's and even Cornford's!!!!).
The biggest surprise came when we tried the combo. This is a 1X12 version of the head and can come with a Vintage 30 or a G12-60. The one we tried was fitted with a G12-60 and the tones were just out of this world. I still can't believe that a combo could deliver such devastating tone as this baby. Think my description of the Engl head/cab but add a bid dollop of cream and your about there!!!. I can say that the combo was quite simply the nicest and most versatile amp I've played - you basically set the EQ (bass, mid, trb, presc) to 12 o'clock and your there!!! Fine tuning only adds to the pleasure!!!
The best thing about it was the price. We could have it on special deal for £599 (GBP) with the Z5 footswitch for £99 (GBP). Considering the normal price for the amp is £799 and the footswitch £150, this has to be the bargain of the century!!!!
That's Marshall TSL money for better (IMHO) than Mesa, THD, Cornford etc. tone.
If you get the chance, try one of these suckers out - you will not be dissapointed!!!!
Time to raid the piggy bank......................... :saeek:
While we were there we checked out the Engl Screamer 50 head and combo.
All I can say is that this amp blew us away!!!!! :32:
We've both known Steve, the owner, for may years (he used to work in a local store before working for both Fender and Line 6 ) and he was very accomodating, letting us try different cabs at decent levels!!! (very loud :cool3: ).
First, for those that don't know, the amp. Its an all tube 50w amp with basically two channels. However, with the optional Z5 footpedal, it becomes a four channel amp with a boost on each channel. You have a clean, crunch, soft lead and hard lead channel with the option of boosting each channel and switching reverb on/off. Very versatile!!!! Ok, the EQ is shared, but there is a bright switch for the clean/crunch channel, which can be used with the gain channels treble turned down a tad for different clean/OD tones. It is more hard rock orientated, compared other Engl amps, but still has enough power for metal if required.
First, we tried the head through a Marshall 1936 2X12 with G12-75'S.
The tone was a bit harsh with some ice picky type highs, but overall, not too bad.
Secondly, we swapped the standard 1936 for Steve's personal 1936 fitted with Vintage 30's. This gave a softer, more rounded tone, but still a little harsh.
Thirdly, we used the Engl 2X12 vintage cab with Vintage 30's. The construction of this cab is head and shoulders above the 1936 and it showed. The tone was much more rounded, with greater bottom and definition. The tones we got with this setup were just out of this world!! Fantastic chimy cleans and creamy overdriven tone that are the best I've heard period (and that includes Mesa's, Marshalls, THD's, fender's and even Cornford's!!!!).
The biggest surprise came when we tried the combo. This is a 1X12 version of the head and can come with a Vintage 30 or a G12-60. The one we tried was fitted with a G12-60 and the tones were just out of this world. I still can't believe that a combo could deliver such devastating tone as this baby. Think my description of the Engl head/cab but add a bid dollop of cream and your about there!!!. I can say that the combo was quite simply the nicest and most versatile amp I've played - you basically set the EQ (bass, mid, trb, presc) to 12 o'clock and your there!!! Fine tuning only adds to the pleasure!!!
The best thing about it was the price. We could have it on special deal for £599 (GBP) with the Z5 footswitch for £99 (GBP). Considering the normal price for the amp is £799 and the footswitch £150, this has to be the bargain of the century!!!!
That's Marshall TSL money for better (IMHO) than Mesa, THD, Cornford etc. tone.
If you get the chance, try one of these suckers out - you will not be dissapointed!!!!
Time to raid the piggy bank......................... :saeek:
