Engl
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ENGL is a German company that makes high end tube amplifiers for electric guitars. Over the years ENGL has succeeded in becoming a global player in this market. Nowadays the company competes with leading makes such as Marshall and Mesa Boogie.
Noted users include Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow and Blackmore's Night), Scorpions, Phil Campbell (of Motörhead), Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, et al.), Victor Smolski (Rage), Necrophagist, HammerFall, Nocturnal Rites, Dimmu Borgir, Paul Landers (Rammstein), Michael Romeo (Symphony X), and Chris Broderick (ex-Jag Panzer, now in Megadeth).
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[edit] Current amplifier models
[edit] Blackmore
The full name of the Blackmore is the Ritchie Blackmore Signature E650. The design is based on the Engl Savage 120 with modified voicing to suit the style of former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.
The amplifier head features 4 channels: clean, crunch, lead and heavy lead. There is a shared passive 3 band equalizer, mid contour switch, bright switch and 2 master volume controls.
There is one effects loop post preamp with a control for adjusting between serial and parallel operation.
The power amp section is a 100 watt class A/B design featuring one ECC 83 and four 5881 tubes. The preamp section features a further three ECC 83 tubes. It was the only signature model produced by ENGL, until very recently with the new Steve Morse Signature 100 Head. Humoriously, Steve Morse replaced Ritchie Blackmore in the legendary band, Deep Purple. Also, neither Morse nor Blackmore are high gain users, but both amplifier heads have high gain channels.
[edit] Classic
There are 3 models in the Classic range.
Classic Head E 355 C
Classic Combo 2 x 10" E 350 C
Classic Combo 2 x 12" E 358 C
[edit] Fireball
The Fireball E 625 is a 2 channel 60 watt guitar amplifier head. The design takes a no frills approach with less control options compared to similar products in the Engl range. Its lead and clean channels share a gain control and 3-band equalizer, which can make optimizing the sound of each channel at the same time difficult. It is favored by some, however, for its simplicity and ease of use, while retaining the tone that ENGL is known for. The amp is equipped with 3xECC83 Preamp tubes and 2x6L6GC tubes in Poweramp.
[edit] Invader
The Invader features 4 indepent channels, each capable of producing a wide range of tones, differing from traditional designs of having dedicated clean and lead channels.
The power amp design is 150 watt produced by six EL34 tubes with a depth and presence control, although a 100W version is also available.
The preamp features separate gain and volume controls for each of the 4 channels, each featuring a dedicated 3 band passive eq, powered by four ECC 83 tubes.
The amp also features 2 parallel effects loops and a noise gate.
[edit] Powerball
The Powerball E 645 is a 100 watt amp with four channels (Clean/Crunch/Lo-Lead/Hi-lead) These are divided into 2 main channels (channel 1-clean/crunch, channel 2-Lo-Lead/Hi-Lead), each with its own gain control and 3 band e.q (4 band in the case of channel one as it has independent treble controls for the clean and crunch modes) the 4 channels all have their own master volume, added to 2 master volumes (switchable only by footswitch) and the bottom and bright controls (adding bass or treble boosts respectively) for clean/crunch channels and independent bottom controls for the Lo-Lead and Hi-Lead channels. Poweramp presence and depth controls are also included, tailoring the poweramps high and low frequency response respectively. Furthermore, there is the option to switch between open mode, less pronounced mids giving a more vintage sound, and focused mode, a much tighter, more mid-rich sound - noticeably more modern sounding, that affect all channels (independent mid controls for these 2 modes are given on channel 2 - Lo-Lead/Hi-Lead).
It is equipped with 4 6L6 tubes and 4 ECC83 tubes.
[edit] Savage 120
Another seminal ENGL Amplifier head, and the basis for the Ritchie Blackmore signature amplifier. It is much more versatile than its successor the Blackmore, with much greater control over the 4 channels as they are divided into 2 main channels (channel 1 – clean/crunch 1, channel 2 – crunch 2/lead) each with eq controls, a common ENGL theme, also present on the Powerball and SE models. The 2 main channels each have their own gain control, as well as a further control for the crunch 1 and lead channels, to add extra gain and shape the tone further. There is also a further boost on the lead channel available. There are 2 switchable master volumes and 2 switchable presence controls. There is also a HiBalance control, tailoring the high frequency response even further in relation to the control on the relevant treble setting. powered by: preamp: v1-ECC83/7025 F.Q, v2/v3/v4-ECC83/12AX7 selected, v5/v6-ECC83/12AX7 standard poweramp: v7/v8-KT88 Matched pair
[edit] Savage Special Edition
The ENGL Savage Special Edition boasts a number of efficient features and operating modes: four channels, Clean, Crunch 1, Crunch 2 and Lead, which are assigned to two main channels, each featuring an individual voicing section. Four gain controls and a separate volume control for each channel allow for precision-tuning between channels. The Rough/Smooth mode selector for the Crunch 2 and Lead channels generates two completely different types of overdrive which produce two distinctive tonal variations: Rough for loads of upper-end grit and powerful bottom-end; Smooth for creamy mids with plenty of punch. This feature combined with the four channels lets you access six individual sound modes! Additionally, diverse switching functions allow you to shape the main channels' tonal characteristics to your taste. Furthermore, the two poweramp operating modes, Triode and Pentode, and the option of switching between two different speaker cabinets both enhance this amp's tonal spectrum. The poweramp's two voicing sections and two master volume controls have proven to be both practical and effective. These, along with the channels and a several other features, can be selected and accessed via the front panel, a footswitch or a MIDI switching system. By means of the ENGL MIDI Interface (optional), these features can be controlled via a MIDI pedal board and the settings for switching functions can be programmed in up to 99 memory locations. This amp also features a number of signal paths: a passive parallel/serial FX loop for each main channel or a switchable master FX loop, a variable balanced line out featuring speaker simulation and an overload LED, as well as selectable 4, 8 and 16 Z speaker outputs for numerous cabinet connection options. Yet another handy tool is the "ENGL Impedance Test and Cable Check System"; This unique feature helps you to check speakers´ impedances and cables equipped with 1/4" plugs. The integrated ECS (Emergency Circuit System) protects the amp from damage due to power tube defects/failure and allows the amp to continue to function at reduced power until the failed tube can be replaced. This model is discontinued and is now rare. It is powered by: v1-ECC83/7025 F.Q, v2/v3/v4/v5 -ECC83/12AX7 selected, v6-ECC83/12AX7 standard, V7, V8, V9, V10 -> 5881s or 6L6 GCs
[edit] Screamer
The ENGL Screamer 50 is a 50 watt all tube guitar amplifier. The amp sports the typical Engl heavy duty grill front and classic 'chicken head' knobs. The front panel comprises, left to right, input socket, Clean volume, Bright switch, Lead volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Lead Presence, Reverb Lead Volume, Gain Lo/Hi switch, Clean/Lead switch, Master volume, Standby and Power switches. The rear panel contains inputs for digital (eg Engl Z4 footswitch) and analogue footswitchs to control channel selection, reverb and, in the case of the Z4, a 'Solo' volume boost. Next to these are the input/output for a series/parallel effects loop, a variety of external speaker output sockets (2×4, 2×8, 1×16 ohms) and a Balanced Line Output panel. The amp has 2 channels but each has 2 separate 'voices' available through the switches on the front panel or a footswitch attachment. All four channel voicings share the same 3 band parametric eq (Bass, Middle & Treble). The preamp consists of 3x ECC83 valves and the powerstage valves are 1x ECC83 & 2x 5881(6L6). The amplifier is available in head and combo versions, the combo being open-backed with one 12" speaker.
[edit] Sovereign
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[edit] Special Edition
The ENGL Special Edition (E670) features 4 Independent channels: Clean, Crunch, Lead 1 and Lead 2, with modern/classic mode and "mega-low punch" options. It has 3 FX loops (1 Serial 2 Parallel) and a built-in noise gate. The poweramp section can operate in either 100w or 50w mode, running on either EL34 or 6L6 tubes depending on the model. It also features Master A/B, Presence A/B and Speaker A/B switches, and a Deep Boost button. The Special Edition also includes MIDI-Programmable functions for storing almost any combination of settings.
[edit] Thunder
The ENGL Thunder 50 is a 50 watt all tube amplifier available in head or 1x12" speaker open back combo form. HEAD: Its a 3 channel amplifier (clean/crunch/lead) but all channels share gain and e.q. controls and only crunch and lead channels have volume controls, clean is effectively always at maximum and can only be controlled relative to the crunch and lead channels via the master volume. Front panels controls are: Gain knob, crunch/lead selector button, bass knob, middle knob, treble knob/crunch volume knob, lead volume knob, clean/crunch selector button, master volume. Channel switching is done via the 2 selector buttons, the clean/lead controls the basic channel switching: from clean in the out position-LED is not lit-to crunch or lead in the in position-LED is lit- (crunch if the crunch/lead selector is out-LED is not lit- and lead if the crunch/lead selector is in-LED is lit). COMBO: The combo is available in 2 models, the 'drive' model-also known as the 'Sean Moffat' model, specifications as above, and the reverb version which sacrifices the crunch volume control for a spring reverb control, all other specs are identical. The combos use 1 12" Celestion Vintage 30 speaker. Footswitching can be done via a 2-way button footswitch (Engl make the Z-3 and Z-4 footswitches, the Z-3 being constructed of plastic and the more expensive Z-4 using a metal casing and also using status LEDs for both footswitch functions) the 2 footbuttons each correspond to a selector switch on the amp faceplate.
[edit] Current Cabinets
Most ENGL cabinets are covered in grey and black with the ENGL logo at the grill. Standard and Pro cabinets can be found as slanted and straight. All cabinets are loaded with Celestion speakers.
[edit] Standard models
Can be found in 1x12, 2x12 and 4x12 versions. All cabinets are loaded with Celestion v60 speakers.
[edit] Pro models
Same as the Standard cabinet models, except that they are loaded with the Celestion Vintage 30, or V30, speakers. Pro cabinets are more expensive than the Standard cabinet because of the more expensive V30 speakers.
[edit] XXL Pro models
This is essentially the same cabinet as the 4x12 Pro model, only larger.
[edit] Classic models
2x10 and 4x10 cabinets. Loaded with Celestion Vintage 10 speakers. White color cabinet.
[edit] Discontinued amplifier models
[edit] Squeeze 30
A two-channel, all tube, 30 watt combo amplifier with a single 12" Celestion Greenback speaker. The pre-amp uses three 12AX7AC4 HG valves and the power stage has two EL84-MRs.
