JJ Rodriguez
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I also just thought of an even better solution, stick to my VHT pre-amp ![lol :lol: :lol:](http://www.sevenstring.org/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/laugh.gif)
![lol :lol: :lol:](http://www.sevenstring.org/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/laugh.gif)
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Seeing as they are rarer than hens teeth over here, and as new cab costs, wait for it, 1000£ (1500-1600$) I'd say a used one, even with shipping may be worth it.
If you get a used one in let me know, as I would be interested(especially if it's a slant one, weirdly enough)
Trusting your description it seems they fixed everything I didn't like about the previous version (which was the only Engl I'd have got for myself). I'm really looking forward to trying one out.
I've got one odd question for you: how does the lead channel react to single coils/tapped humbuckers?
When are we getting the "this thread is worthless without clips" emoticon?![]()
I missed the point where he said he wasn't satisfied with his vht![]()
The FB100 was not out during your stretch of anti-VHT rants...
There's no VHT mythHe said himself he still loves the shit out of VHT and would keep it if it wouldn't be an extremely expensive backup amp
The UL is still my favorite head that I've tried, and while I haven't had a chance to try Engl's, every one I've heard in person (bands using them at shows) must have been set up like shit because they sounded fizzy and like garbage, and that includes an Invader. I equate that more to a shitty setup though than a shitty amp.
I'll be taking a trip down to the Axe Palace this weekend so I'll get to try some out finally.
And to think I got neg repped for this post along with some of my many anti-VHT rants. It is a bittersweet victory, but with Zim switching from VHT, it is clear that the final nail is in the coffin of the myth.
To be honest, VHT really isn't for everyone, it's a love hate amp, so I wouldn't rag on this too much, for instance some people love engl amps, whilst I really don't get on with the ice pick upper mids that every single one i've tried so far seems to have (either that or i find them quite lifeless) which isn't a popular opinion on this board either@the idiot bashing VHT and favoring Krank.
The SE preamp, well, one of my ex band mates had one, and I think we both just came to the conclusion after a while that it really wasn't worth the price tag on it which was a shame as I think both of us wanted it to be good.Since I'm a rack guy now I doubt I'd buy any Engl stuff anyways, since the SE pre-amp is supremely expensive, and people say the SE is compressed sounding like the Powerball, which I doubt I'd be into.
To be honest, VHT really isn't for everyone, it's a love hate amp, so I wouldn't rag on this too much, for instance some people love engl amps, whilst I really don't get on with the ice pick upper mids that every single one i've tried so far seems to have (either that or i find them quite lifeless) which isn't a popular opinion on this board either![]()
To be honest, VHT really isn't for everyone, it's a love hate amp, so I wouldn't rag on this too much, for instance some people love engl amps, whilst I really don't get on with the ice pick upper mids that every single one i've tried so far seems to have (either that or i find them quite lifeless) which isn't a popular opinion on this board either![]()
@the idiot bashing VHT and favoring Krank.
Zimbloth, how are the lead tones of the fireball 100 compared to a powerball? You said that they fixed some of the qualities you didn't like, including the ice-pick high mids mentioned in James' post. Would you say that the FB100 has a smoother high end?
Ok, awesome. Are the cleans any better than the original?
I do have an ENGL Fireball 100 arriving on Thursday just in time for band practice Thursday night. I will surely be adding my thoughts on it on Friday. By the way, I would totally have bought it from you Nick but I had this unused financing for a year with no interest with Music123 so I bought the last one they had in stock. Looks like you guys will just have to buy up from Nick now.![]()
Ah well, still, I thought i was the only one that thought that about engls, it just doesn't sit right with me. To be honest, the SE is pretty much just an overcomplicated powerball, very compressed and has that same upper mid thing going on. Also sounds very bland, a huge dissapointment for an amp that costs as much as a diezel herbert pretty much.James, I think people are ragging on him for being a miserable dude who has been leading a never-ending pointless crusade against VHT. The majority of his posts on this forum historically have been shitting on VHT om pme way another, including saying things like "VHTs have no gain". Absurd rubbish that everyone knows isn't true.
Everyone is allowed an opinion, but usually informed opinions in a somewhat civil manner is more effective than just being a jerk.
Anyways, I too don't like the ENGL qualities you're talking about James. It's why I didn't like the last 3-4 ENGLs I've owned. The Fireball 100 is really different, they really got it right. I love it![]()
Ah well, still, I thought i was the only one that thought that about engls, it just doesn't sit right with me. To be honest, the SE is pretty much just an overcomplicated powerball, very compressed and has that same upper mid thing going on. Also sounds very bland, a huge dissapointment for an amp that costs as much as a diezel herbert pretty much.
And definately let me know about any cabs as and when you get themI just know that now I'm going to be looking for one that none will appear in england at all...
Maybe may be able to get one of the new fireballs for tracking, co0ulod be cool to hear it in the studio and see if engl have got rid of that tonal thing I don't get on with
Yes, it's a much darker sounding amp than the Powerball but still crazy tight. The lead tones are much better IMO. Incredibly articulate and clear, but juicy and thick at the same time. It's not nearly as compressed and stiff as the Powerball. The amp is more fun to play.
It has more low-mid growl and fluid highs than the original Fireball or the Powerball. It still has some high mids but not abrasive or honky. It may sound crazy, but I think it's easily the best sounding ENGL they make, to my ears anyways - for metal rhythm/leads. I haven't tried the SE yet but so far I prefer it to everything else I've tried (Invader, Powerball, FB60, Savage, etc).
... that was sort of the experience I had with [the FB100] too. I didn't really love any Engls I'd tried previously, but the FB100 really blew me away. It sounds so much better than the other heads that are even twice it's price...
The SE preamp, well, one of my ex band mates had one, and I think we both just came to the conclusion after a while that it really wasn't worth the price tag on it which was a shame as I think both of us wanted it to be good.
...To be honest, the SE is pretty much just an overcomplicated powerball, very compressed and has that same upper mid thing going on. Also sounds very bland...
since the original fireball was the little brother of the powerball 1...
maybe the new powerball 2 will have the same tonality of the new fireball 100 dont you think?
I'm kinda late to this thread, as ever since I bought my Invader 100 I haven't even browsed this section of the forum because I'm not interested in different amps anymore.
As for the fireball 100, I'll have to give it a shot sometime.
Have you had a chance to check out the Steve Morse sig amp at all Nick? I think that one is EASILY the most underrated engl out there. You never hear about it at all, but I really thought it was a sick amp. In the end I had to choose between that amp and the Invader and I opted for the extra channel of flexibility the Invader offered. Not to mention there was this underlying sense of feeling awkward playing an amp with another guitarist's name on it....that probably has to do with why you never hear about it.
Anyway, definitely check out the Morse signature amp when you get a chance, that goes for everyone looking into engls. The flexibility in dialing in the mid range on the Morse is ridiculous.
As for the Invader 100 vs 150 debate. I played a 150 in the store and that completely sold me on getting an Invader. I got home and read into all the hype of the 100 being better and ordered the 100. Which is better? I'd say they are about the same, I haven't had a chance to play both at the same time in the same room or anything, but I doubt anybody would be discontent with either, assuming the Invader is their thing.
As for Engl customer support/quality control. I had an issue with the first Invader 100 I got that ended up taking around 3 months to get completely sorted out....it was a complete pain in the ass, but the store I was working with handled it well. Apparently every summer for like 3 weeks the entire Engl factory goes on vacation....and during this time, good luck getting repair help sent from the factory. The store attempted to fix the amps and VERY LONG STORY short it didn't work. In the end Engl ended up sending me a new head, and that one worked fine out of the box and I've been content ever since. The wait time of getting something directly from the factory to a US store is brutal though....especially when you're without an amp to play.