Engl Pre amp

[metalchurch]

I just bought one of these on ebay. It's an older model from the late 80's.
Has anyone ever played one? I guess they are an upper end company, comparable to Soldano, Genz Benz, VHT, and Bogner. They are based out of West Germany, and alot of players use them, ie; Scorpions,Richie Blackmore,Primal Fear,Marty Friedman,Iced Earth,Kreator,Hammerfall,Blind Guardian etc.....
Supposed to be like 'Diamonds and Balls' Crystal Clear top end, and a Heavy bottom end.
I guess I'll find out soon enough.
My never ending quest for tone is still on going...
I only paid $255.00 for it, which is cheap for what they normally go for.
Anyone ever heard of them?



Here's their web site:
http://www.engl-amps.com/index2.html

[metalchurch]

This is the 620 Model. It is equipped with 3 12AX7 Groove Tubes, so by all means it should rip. I can't wait to get it.
I started out trying to find another preamp for my rack for a backup.
I tried out a fair amount over the last few weeks, still undecided and I just stumbled across this one within a few hours of it's ending today on ebay.

I read some reviews, but I'm still curious if any of you guys had anything by Engl?

[old Skool]

Never played through any Engl gear but have always heard good things about them. Sounds like you've done pretty well there on the price. I've seen those preamps on ebay before, typically in the $300-$500 range. Some people say with the high gain of the Engls they are sometimes a little noisy but nothing that a Hush couldn't clean up. Always wanted to try an Engl Powerball head. I've read that they slam, lots of gain & balls. Looking forward to your review on this Joe!

[metalchurch]

Kenny, I'm supposed to get this on Saturday, and I'll have the whole day off to mess with it. I've been reading up on it and most people, including Engl say that it's a quiet unit, so I hope that is true. My MP-2 is noisy by nature anyway, and I'm sending a hot signal thru it and I'm sure that doesn't help.
I'd love to try one of those Super C's sometime.

I'm trying to figure out a way to hook both of the preamps up in my rig and A/B between the 2. That way, I can choose which one I want to use, without having to manually hook them up individually. I think I might be screwed on that one???

I've been getting such a good sound with the ADA, that I almost hate to set it aside and start over. It took me a few months to get my EQ and the rest of my settings where I want them.

[orangekick]

I had an Engl Fireball head for a little while. It was a really cool amp, good clean sounds and a killer gain channel. It was great for metal.

Check out the last two Dimmu Borgir records for examples of Engl tones. All the guitars on those records are Engl amps.

[metalchurch]

I bet that Fireball Head kicked some ass. Why did you ever get rid of that?
I'm guessing it is comparable to a JCM800, but of course nothing touches the 800. I've been listening to alot of albums trying to get a feel for the sound, but it will be different, being this is a rack preamp and my other rack components are somewhat uncommon to alot of players. I guess I'll see tomorrow. Was that Engl of yours quiet like everyone says?

Thanks for the reply.

[Team Transylvania]

Awesome, Orangekick, i was gonna make the comment about Dimmu using these amps, but you beat me to it! right on!

I cant wait to hear this amp in action, Mr Metalchurch.

[metalchurch]

Well, I just got back from emergency surgery, I had to get my face re attached after it being torn off by the power of this preamp.
Man, I'm so excited that I got this. The tone is so pure and yet in your face at the same time. Having 3 - 12AX7's instead of the MP-2's 2, makes so much difference. The Engl is a 2 channel, Lead/Clean preamp (with Master Vol.'s for each), no frills just the essentials. Having a simpler design allows me to concentrate on just the Gain and dialing that in.
It is so clear and yet brutal at the same time. My notes are clearer and I have to be careful, because it shows everything in my playing. (Have to tighten up my sloppiness). There seems to be more sustain, and my chords ring out better.

I am going to have to spend a few days tweaking some knobs and tuning into Tokyo with this thing to get it all dialed in, but I have to say, so far I have no regrets buying this, other than the health detriment caused to my face.

Ken, how's that for a review?

I'm going to be working on a myspace page soon, and then I'll be able to post some links of me ripping into some old metal so you guys can hear me. Kind of hard right now because I don't know anyone really, and only a few people on here have actually heard me play.

[bassist_25]

Oh no Joe, you've stepped into "I gots me a new preamp and I'm hooked, next comes the rack full of amps and Bradshaw Switching System" territory. That preamp looks hella-cool, and I agree with the comment about simplicity. Leave the fancy graphic EQs and shelving controls to PA equipment. Give me a musical parametric that sounds good when set relatively flat.

I saw Fedup last night, and Scott was using a rack system too. I was like, "Hey, when did Scott start using a rack system?" Racks are coming back! Oh, yes!

[onegunguitar]

Oh no Joe, you've stepped into "I gots me a new preamp and I'm hooked, next comes the rack full of amps and Bradshaw Switching System" territory. That preamp looks hella-cool, and I agree with the comment about simplicity. Leave the fancy graphic EQs and shelving controls to PA equipment. Give me a musical parametric that sounds good when set relatively flat.

I saw Fedup last night, and Scott was using a rack system too. I was like, "Hey, when did Scott start using a rack system?" Racks are coming back! Oh, yes!

Haha,first,thanks for coming out Paul! I'm always looking for something new,lol! I bought Digitech's (new on the market) GSP1101 preamp/processor and a Samson servo 600 power amp(300 watts/side) to run in stereo. I'm still dialing it in,it takes a little time and a few shows to get the eq'ing right,you know,getting the mids where they need to be. I still have my MetalHead,I just needed a change-haha!!!

[metalchurch]

Scott, racks are where it's at man! Glad you ventured over to the dark side with us!
So, what brought all that on anyway?
Digitech has some nice preamps. I tried the older 2101 tube preamp and it rocked too.
Is that tube driven or is it their COSM?
You need to get a tube Poweramp when you get the chance, nothin like 'em man.
I can't wait to hear that thing, you busy next week?
Got pics?

[onegunguitar]

Joe,they use what's called Audio DNA 2,it's sounds pretty good I think,simple as shit to program and use. I decided to keep my rack tuner instead of using the built in one in the GSP-mainly because I don't have to go to my rack when onstage,I have I preset muted so when I kick it in,I can turn around and tune silently from my midi board. I wanted to go w/ a tube power amp but didn't want to spend that much right now,I got the Samson from ebay for $180 w/ shipping so I went that route and my SKB case I got from ebay for $100 w/ shipping,didn't do too bad with those deals.

[Team Transylvania]

i use rack stuff too.

[Darth Biletnikoff]

rack em

[old Skool]

Awesome review Joe! You're dead on about the clarity of quality gear, you can't hide in the "mud". It's really cool too how a new piece of gear motivates you're playing & creativity. Ah let 'er rip, there are enough plastic surgeons out there to put ya back together!

[Killjingle]

You're dead on about the clarity of quality gear, you can't hide in the "mud".

When I started playing on better gear I had to relearn my guitar and quit some seriously bad habits I had developed. Mids are great when u wanna cut with a guitar, but cutting with bad technique or playing ability will find you outta work quickly.

If someones not that proficient maybe they are better to have bedroom guitar tone? I find the best tone at the mix board is the one u dont do anything with. It cuts on its own. I just ran for a band that I had to cut all the highs, high mids, and turn up the lows to cover a mess of tone... and at the end Im still not sure if if that even worked. I celebrated to myself when they were done only cuz I felt like I let them down; but ultimately I knew it wasnt my fault...

[metalchurch]

I think the main reason that my sloppiness was showing was more to the fact that I'm not using a Gate now. And also, the Engl has a 'Bright' switch, which is like more High end, and that also enhanced my faults. (it was on and I didn't realize, I'm a dumb ass I know.)

So, the above mentioned things would pick up even the slightest finger movements. I had to tighten up some of my chord changes. Especially the hold and release aspects of my playing.

Not sure if any of this makes any sense to anyone, it's hard to explain.

The ADA was and is a quality piece of gear. But the sound it has is somewhat dated, and more 1 dimensional, in that it isn't an in your face, high gain type of thing. To me, it's more of an 80's / brown sound. Which is why I ran my Boss MT-2 in front of it. (ADA was on the cleanest setting)

And that's how I'm running the Engl also. To me, the Metal Zone is the ultimate tone, but the stock EQ leaves you wanting more.

I've been messing with my 31 band trying to get my rig dialed in. I'm getting some good results so far. The Engl provides me with a better starting point for what I'm going for.

I'm having problems finding any info on this at all. Aside from a PDF manual, and user reviews.
I'm wondering what year it is, from what I gather it is late 80's early 90's.
It has the MIDI section on the rear labeled, but the holes are blocked off from the factory.
I've seen reviews stating 'Midi' and non 'Midi' version, like it was an option, or they offered 2 versions???

I wonder when MIDI pre amps were first introduced, does anyone know?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Maybe if I email Engl, they will help me?
But they are German, so who knows?
Wait, I'm half German

[old Skool]

Yeah don't get me wrong, ADA built some decent gear. Just not the same level as Engl, Bogner, etc. Usually (but not always) gear along those lines is much more responsive and "cleaner" even with higher gain settings. I totally understand what you say about changing your style to adjust to the differences. As best I remember the midi controlled stuff hit in the mid 80's or so. That's when the rack gear was going crazy. My first rack piece was an ART SGE, probably around 1987 or so. At the time to me it was the most amazing piece, preamp & effects all in one. No more channel switching and dancing on stomp boxes. Just hit one button and everything changed. Now that SGE ranks up there with a Commodore 64!

*Disclaimer- You don't have to have top end gear for good tone. I'm sure someone here has a Gorilla 10" combo that just rips & that's cool! Just stating things from my experience. Thanks!

[Killjingle]

u r right Kenny, and there are so many variables...

[metalchurch]

Yeah I would have to agree with both of you on that one for sure.
It doesn't matter what you got, it's how you use it. And I know for a fact that everyone has their own idea of what a good sound is, and that's definitely a good thing. We wouldn't want everyone to sound the same, that would be boring.
That's what's fun about gear, all the mixing and matching, and trial and error.
Although very frustrating at times, it is one of the things I have fun with.
You'd think that with all the gear out there, that we'd have no problem getting our sound the first time, but of course $$$ is always a factor.
I'd love to just be able to get whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, but I gots bills to pay, and a girlfriend to keep me in check, otherwise, I would be on the streets by now. LOL!