Engl Fireball Head

2008 ENGL E625 Fireball Guitar Amplifier purchased from
HOUSE OF ENGL a authorized ENGL DEALER in the USA,
Jeff Tasch is the President and owner, a great person to do business
with who went out of his way to assist me in my purchase.

Front Panel Knobs and Controls (dial knobs unless noted) :
Input for instrument (one socket,no low and high, Not a bad thing)
Gain
Bright switch (on/off)
Depth switch (on/off)
Bass
Middle Treble
Presence (for Paul Gilbert fans this is the 'presents' knob)
Ultra Gain switch (on/off)
Master A
Master B
Power Tube Monitor V1 (led on/off)
Power Tube Monitor V2 (led on/off)
Stand by switch
Power ON/OFF switch

This amplifier has a more than adequate design. I find that there are very few guitarists who have the need or can properly perform while using 28 knobs, switches and 4 channels. The amplifers built that way are overthought and it shows in thier output. My theory is to have the least amount of equipment betweeen my guitar and the speaker, to get my desired sound. Not the opposite. For the intermediate to pro metal player, this amp is supreme. It has the ability to give you the Pantera, Master of Puppets, Devil Driver, Lamb of God, EQ'd type sound or down and dirty midrange hardcore punk sound RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, no B.S. This amp does it and that is FACT. With a street price around 1400.00, if you can find one, buy it. If you get rushed and buy something common that costs more, its you that has to live with it. Make your decisions ones that count. Its a inexpensive amp, but 1400 is still a lot of money for most guitar players who are not making millions with a band we play in...yet.
Also when reading reviews...look...think. If the reviewer can't spell the type of pickups they have in thier guitar, and reference music styles that have nothing to do with your tastes, do not give their review any consideration. I grew up listening to hardcore punk in the late 80's and played in bands. In the 90's thru today, 2008, I am only involved and interested in death metal, speed metal, thrash and other hard, technical, tight, shred type of riffs and leads, songs and performances. If this is not your type of guitar sound(s), don't waste your time with this review. With that out of the way, Fireball sounds...

The ENGL Fireball has a very dynamic and tight crunch that is similar to mesa and other similar amplifiers but has much more clarity. Double picking at high gain, shredding, arpeggios, tapping, this amplifier will give you excellent sustain and DEEP THICK THICK HEAVY CRUNCH. Every time I turn this amp on I get a big rush and smile and am so happy I purchased it. As for amps, its the best amp I have ever bought in 17 years other than my ENGL Thunder (more portable, the Fireball is a BIG HEAD). Death Metal, Speed Metal, Tight Technical Guitar work at high gain, this is the amp. As far as the 60 watt rating, don't even pay attention to the specs, this amp is as loud or louder than a 100 watt JCM800 or Mesa Rectifier. No problems at all with sound level. The 50 watt Thunder has the same great level, just not the exact same crunch of the Fireball. The crunch of the fireball is what you hear on albums and have never heard a amp put out live, ever. Its the perfect metal amp.

This amp is in a BIG *** CABINET. Really, its a long head. No problems though. Like another reviewer said, it allows access to the tubes, and would allow access for a technician but you won't ever need it worked on, it won't crap out on you. German made, high quality control, I own 2 ENGL amplifers. The Fireball is made better than any amp under 4000.00 that I have used. And sounds better, that is the most important. But if your amp is in the shop all the time, you have no sound at all.

ENGL Customer Support. Two issues here, purchasing and customer support. I couldn't have had a better company/person to purchase from than Jeff Tasch at House of Engl amps in the USA. The amp was on my doorstep (in the morning) in TWO DAYS guys! Want it now? His prices are more than competitive and he is very pleasant and he was able to put up with me. That is enough of a reason to buy from him. Jeff is the President of the Company. IF you call the '10 thousand amp sales a week' dealer will you get to speak to and buy from the President? Call Jeff Tasch at House of Engl amps. Go*gle 'House of Engl' and you will get everything you need. He answers email the same day, he takes phone calls instead of blocking you with voice mail, and he is honest and fair. Also, I used Jeff Tasch's name and company name with HIS permission.
About customer support through ENGL official website...
I have read that ENGL didn't return emails. Sorry, I find this hard to beleive. ENGL not only responds, they respond quickly. My question was about the two foot pedals available for the amp. Note about those, one is 115.00 and plastic with only A/B switching. The other is metal and about 100 dollars more with lots of functions. Don't buy the plastic one. this amp will be around a LONG TIME. You need the pedal board with it. Save your pennies up and get one. OR quit smoking and buy one much faster, then you'll be around to play longer. If that is a good thing?!

Overall rating of this amplifier is 9.5 I don't have anything to deduct, I am just reserving the 10 for something that hasn't been made yet. Ten ratings are given out too much, too quickly and unfortunately you can't edit these reviews later when the 'new' wears off.

If you want to know about the features just go to :http://www.engl-amps.com/index2.html

I just want to say this about amplifiers. If you want your amp to have a million guitar sounds, how do you expect to find YOUR sound? I have found MY sound with this amp. I come from an era where guitar players could be instantly recognised by their guitar sound and that is what I wanted to achieve. So yes, this amp is a one trick poney but it is versatile enough that two guitar players using the same exact gear won't have the same tone dialed in.

Moving on, the clean is amazing. I am using a Les Paul Custom and a G&L ASAT special semi-hollow body and both sound great. The distortion chanel is killer. Don't expect to get a light crunch sound like you would get with an Orange amp though. With the distortion set to about 2 or 3 you can peal the paint off of any walls (which could be handy sometimes). The one thing that has impressed me the most is that if you dial in a sound with the volume set a 2 and you cranck up the volume, your sound does not change. Most amps begin changing your sound when you go past 12 o clock, but this amp remains true to the sound you dial in no matter what volume you punch in. This is the first time I experience this with ANY amplifier.

If you want to hear this amp in action go to:

http://www.engl-amps.com/index2.html

watch the powerball video ( the powerball and fireball have the same distortion sound)

or go to my myspace to hear my album and the guitar sound I have dialed in for the recording using a Fireball.

www.myspace.com/daedaleancomplex

I have had this amp for a few months now, but it does the job very well. We are having a gig this coming month and I will be using the Fireball with no backup.

I have not used it yet.

I have been playing for over 20 years now and I have used a ton of amps and effects in the past to try and dial in my sound. I have found my sound with this amp. It is very responsive and dynamic and responds well to player who down-tune their guitars to drop C (like me) or lower.

If anything happened to this amp I would sell my nuts to get another Fireball (nuts, balls..).

What I love the most about this amp is the tone. I get a weird frizzled sound when I do black metal type picking on the high strings and it is absolutely killer. The one thing I dislike about the amp is the noise. Pluging a noisegate or a Rocktron Hush in the effect loop pretty much kills noise and humm and bugs too.

I compared this amp to a 5150, a Bogner Uberschall, Mesa Triple rectum fire and a few more amps. This one in my opinion was by far the most supperior product. And the price was very competitive.

made in germany Engl Fireball Head, 65 watts, 2 channels, only 1 gainknob but i dont need more if u just want to play metal. it has an effectsloop and a footswitchjack.
its all tube and looks killer.

i'll give it a 7 because its "only" a metal amp, u cant play anything else with it.

i played it with an esp ltd mh-250 with SD invader pickups.
this amp has the most brutal distortion i've ever heard so far.
although engl amps have its own character. is doesn't sound sterile and cold like a mesaboogie.

the ultragainchannel cuts through very well. no problem during bandrehearsals, u always gonna hear this amp. the eq has a wide range of different sounds, u really dont need more knobs, if u just want to play metal. the engl fireball has a very fast and direct response. and u can hear every mistake when u play, this amp amplifies how u play ;)

the cleanchannel also sounds great, u can hear every single string.

every part seems to be high quality, so i guess its ok to gig with it without backup

very helpful, one tube was broken and engl replaced it very fast for free. i had 90 days warranty on the tubes and 3 years on the amp.

i play for 8 years, tried many amps. i wanted a brutal distortion amp for deathmetal with its own character and thats what the fireball delivers. if it were stolen i would buy it again or save money for the engl powerball. i just found my dreamamp.

It has what it needs. It's a killer head for hard rock/metal.

I have yet to find an amp that does all things for all people (and modeling amps are garbage...if, of course, you value your ears or the ears of anyone around you).

If you want a fast car, buy a fast car. If you want a luxury car, buy a luxury car. If you want to tow something, buy a truck. Any rational person understands that you can't buy a pick-up that rides like a Lincoln and drives like a Corvette.

The same applies to guitar amps. If you want to play Jazz, buy a Roland or a Twin. If you want to play classic rock, buy a Superlead or an AC-30. If you want to play hard rock, buy a JCM 800. If you want to play metal, buy a Mesa, Bogner, (enter any number of amps here, including this amp)....

Unbelievable, really. I bought a new Dual Rec about 3 months ago, and I love that head. But, I bought this head used about a week ago for half the price, and still can't believe the tone. Sounds very much like the Mesa, but "tighter" (for lack of a better word), and produces harmonics with ease (more so than the Mesa). Every note articulates clearer, and that's with heavy distortion.

If you're considering a Rectifier, you should try this head first. I have it connected to a Mesa cab with vintage 30's. I've tried it with number of guitars, but prefer (hands down) a telecaster with a Hotrail in the bridge (playing through just the neck pick-up (for solo's) is tone heaven too).

If you play hard rock/metal, you can't lose with this head. I also have a JCM 800 and a 5150. Each head has it's strength. But, the Engl is a must have in my opinion. Overall, it's just excellent.

Don't know. Just got it.

Don't know, just got it.

Excellent. A must have (I would say) if you play hard rock/metal.

Brand new Engl bought from rocksolidamps. Made in Germany, der land of incredible brutality.

Features are easy: Two channels and an effects loop. That's it and I'm happy with it. If a lack of "features" like effects or tons of channels (like the higher priced Engls) is unappealing, steer clear of this baby. It's got your basic EQ set up of course, shared between the two channels but separate volume knobs for each. There's a bright and depth switch as well. It's 60 watts, you probably won't need the volume past 5 for anything, really. And like others said, you DON'T have to crank it up to get a good tone, which is a plus! All tube (6L6).

The features are fine for my music, which employs tones ranging from clean to heavy distortion. Although this amp may seem the wrong choice for versatility, I use and eq and an overdrive to basically add extra channels. Call me crazy, but I like using pedals.

I give an 8 because it's not lacking anything I feel it essential, but reverb wouldn't hurt, and the footswitch is not included and is too expensive for 2 buttons.

I use guitars with SD and EMG pickups (prefer the SD). It shines with both. I really feel that Engls have a unique distortion sound, which I love. It's not Mesa, and it's not Marshall. Now, let me talk about how I use it and work with the flaws.

First, yes it is possible to get both a great clean and great distortion setting with the shared EQ. And it's a true clean, very beautiful. The distortion is of course well known to be as intense as you want it to be. My gain setting? Three! Yes, three. With no effects on, it is already a pretty heavy tone, unless you are one of the "gain=heaviness" crowd and wear corpse-paint. It sounds similar to Alice in Chains tone ala Man in the Box (in terms of the gain anyway). I like the gain low like this, it is already a HIGH GAIN amp and with less preamp distortion it is incredibly organic. Now, for the true metal territory, I employ a Maxon OD9 set to the classic "boost" EQ (volume:10 drive:0 tone:0-3). Boom, now I've got an extra channel that can destroy small villages. I can also roll down the guitar volume w/ the OD on for are more crunch sound or take the OD off for a cleaner tone.

My only real problem with the tone is the highs, which I've never been able to tame with the onboard EQ. They sound ok for rhythm, but on leads it's like a wailing she-demon shrieking in your ear, and not in a cool metal way, more like an Ann Coulter way. Enter the MXR 10-band EQ (I use the Kerry King version for the extra output). It is set VERY MODERATELY. The only thing that is changed are some bass frequencies (boosted for extra thunder) and, more importantly, the highest frequencies (cut for less Ann Coulter). Perfection! I can leave it off for during rhythms, but I usually leave the pedal on all the time because it is set so moderately it sounds great.

The clean channel stays clean at usable volumes, and there is very little noise (again, gain set on 3), but I do use an ISP Decimator (everyone should have one) to keep things clean since I have a few pedals and such. Especially my wah which adds a ton of noise.

And again, the tone is unique you just really have to hear it.

Haven't had any problems, but I don't gig very much. I would use a backup if I could afford it (who wouldn't?) but I can't so I don't.

Haven't dealt with them, just Derek B., who is the ****.

Been playing for about 8 years, this is the best amp I've owned so far. If it were stolen, after a long cry I would probably try other amps but most likely end up with the FB or another Engl. Their amps are unstoppable. I love the uniqueness of it, they are not too common in the States. Oh yeah, and the tone kicks ass! I wish it had a spring-loaded boxing glove that would launch at the nuts of any would be thief.

I give it a nine because nothing is perfect.

Effects loop, 2 channels with 1 shared EQ.

I wouldn't mind a seperate gain knob, and also some reverb on tap so I'll be giving it a 6 for features.

Using an RG1570 with Dimarzio Breeds.

This amp is chug heaven. Pinch harmonics come easily.

I do tighten it up with a TS9 though, as it gives the ultra gain channel a bit more bite. Leave the TS9 on and switch to the clean channel and you get a nice bluesy crunch.

Can be a bit noisy (even with guitar volume on 0), so I've also had to invest in an ISP Decimator.

I agree it can be a bit of a 1 trick pony, but that is why you buy this amp, for it's metal heavenliness. I'll probably get a Marshall DSL down the line for classic rock.

I haven't had a chance to crank this amp with a band, but I've cranked it on my own (well volume on 3!) and it nearly blew my face off. Very loud!

If you like metal just get this.

I bought it used and the other guy had it a year and it still sounds/works fine.

N/A

Been playing 5 years, and gone through a few amps to find the one.

Had a DSL401, an Orange Rocker 30 and a Laney LC30 then decided I'd go and get an amp that doesn't need to be boosted to Pluto and back to sound good and heavy.

If it got stolen I'd probably get it again, although I'd try out a DSL50 just to check that isn't the one!

2007 Model ENGL Fireball.

I use this amp entirely for one sound. That absolutely crushing, brutal metal sound that ENGL does so well. The amp has two channels that share gain and EQ settings, but even when it is set to a crushing metal sound on the Ultra Gain channel, it cleans up nicely on the clean channel.

I use it in combination with a Mesa Stiletto for all of my cleans and low gain sounds, and between them its an extremely versatile rig.

Some people might say this amp is a bit of a one trick pony, but it is one hell of a trick.

Using an Ernie Ball John Petrucci 7 String.
Suits metal perfectly :)
The amp is very quiet, even on extreme settings, can't hear the hiss over the sound of the fan in the stiletto.

Don't know yet, haven't had it long enough to judge, but it seems like its built well.

Never dealt with them.

If this was stolen or lost I would definately buy another. I compared this with just about every Mesa, Marshall, and other ENGL, and to my ears this sounded best. Would have liked to compare to a Diezel, but couldn't get one.

I payed 1500$ for my new ENGL Fireball.
Ordered from Germany.
It's a two channel amp with 3 eq knobs, depth and bright switches.
This amp has tro separate Master controls, but share one and same Gain knob for both channels.
Some people may think it's damn stupid. I think it too, but it's not a that huge problem. I can still get some clean tones after switching from Ultra Gain to Clean.
It has also a f.x-loop and 4 cabinet jacks.
But no headphone jack!
Cool design with shiny metal and red glow inside. Looks like the 6L6 tubes glow red neon, but it's not the tubes.
Looks really brutal.
I give it a rating 8 only because both channels share same Gain control.

The amp is a Metal beast! I ise it with my Epiphone Les Paul Custom.
It can deliver some really brutal Gain even at the gain settings at 12 o'Clock.
Some might say that the amp has too much gain at full settings - Even the most brutal metalists.
At the gain at 11 or 12 o'clock you can get some really heavy sound and also a clean tone when switching to chanel 1.
It deliver good lead tones with much sustains. Add some reverb or delay, and you have a good solo sound! btw, the amp deliver more modern metal sound. If you want a vintage sound, get another amp.
I play Metallica, Pantera, Children Of Bodom, Opeth ++ And the amp cover all my needs.

The amp has very good cleans, even thoght it's a Metal amp.
I use it with my 4x12 Hughes&Kettner cab with Celestion v30 speapes.
The amp likes v30 speakers! Really tight metal tone and warm clean tone.

People says the amp also like Celestion GT12-75 speakers if you want something cheaper. But I haven't tried them.
In my ears, the Fireball sounds really great.
It can deliver good sounds in bedroom levels and band practices.
Very spesial ENGL'sh sound. It has its own characters. And that is good.

I haven't had any problems with this amp. And I hope I won't.
I love this amp, and I think my next amp will be another ENGL. (Maybe)

No experience.

I've been playing for 5-6 years.
I play Metal and this amp delivers all the Metal sound I need.
I with the amp had separate EQ, or at least separate Gain controls for each channel. And maybe a reverb channel?

If it had two saperate Gain controls, i would give this amp rating 10 of 10.
But I can't. I'll give it a 9/10 because I love this amps sound! (and it's designs)

I bought it from a guy who ordered it from Germany.
Payed 8990NOK = 1650 bux.
Usually they cost 2000$ here.

This amp cover all my needs. It has a brutal distortion, and good cleans.
I miss two things with this amp:
- Separate Gain controller for each channel!
- Reverb!

I can add reverb with a pedal, no problem. But it would be cool with a little reverb controller in the amp. Many amps got it.
I only use the gain at 12 o'clock. SO I can get a good clean sounds and distortion without turning the Gain knob all the time.
But I would still prefer two separated Gain controllers.

(If you want this amp to be perfect, buy a ENGL Powerball. But the Fireball cover my needs. So I'm happy! And it's easier to use at 60w in a bedroom and you can still use it for gigs and bandpractice)
Good thing: It has two Master controls.
But this is the best Metal amp you can get for that price. I even think the price is low, considering the amp is that great.
All-tube 60 powerful watts!

For that I'm giving the rating:

The amp can deliver a pretty good clean sound - Even thought it's a metal amp!
But the amp is best at channel two. The Ultra Gain channel.
I play the Epiphone Les Paul Custom. I've tried the amp with LTD Deluxe, but the Epi sounds much better with this amp!
Is has more bass, sustain and warmth.

The Distortion sound is brutal! Even at 12 O'Clock. The amp has plenty of gain. If anyone says it has too little gain, you'll have to polish your ears. Or take a hearing test.

I play it with my Hughes&Kettner 4x12 Celestion v30 cab. And it deliver a very tight tone with the bridge pickup and lots of sustain with the neck pickup.
I have a Metal Zone, MT-2 Distortion pedal from Boss. I'vealways been satisfied with it. But now I don't need it anymore. The ENGL deliver all I need of gain.
I have the volum knob on 1/2 of 10.
This deliver a low volumes and the amp doesnt loose it's amazing sound!
But when you turn the knob at 1, it sounds too loud for my bedroom! And the amp likes the high volumes best.

At last: This amp can deliver all kind of distortion from Opeth, koRn, Metallica's Justice For All album, Black metal and death meatl sounds.
Not that good for oldschool rock. But if you drive it with higher volumes and low gain settings, I bet the amp will deliver a good classic rock tone too.
But Metal, is what this amp is best for.

ENGL + Hughes&Kettner 4x12 with Celestion v30
= TRUE_

This is the best Metal amp you can get for that price!
Tube sound is amazing. I've palyed many transistor amps. No of them can compare agains this amp!
'
You who haven't tried this amp, go and visit your local gitar store and try any Engl! You will love it.

I've only had the amp for 2 days.
So I hope I can depend on it.. I know I can depend on it.

Only had it 2 days.

Fantastic amp.

I use it ith my
Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Hughes&Kettner amazing cab with 4x12 Celestion v30
No pedals. Even though I have distortion, overdrive, POD pedals.
I dont need them anymore! The amp deliver all the Gain I need.
It sounds like Metallica's And Justice For All sounds when you use much gain.

Try it!! And have fun ;p


Cheers, from ExcaliBur (Youtube search for Black Hole - ExcalibuR)
I'll upload some soundclips and video later!

2007 ENGL Fireball head, E625. 2 channel amp with footswitchable master volumes. Shared gain and EQ for two channels. Single global presence control, which is absolutely necessary to tame the harshness of the high gain sound. Adjustable effects series effects loop.
This amp is supposed to be boiled down, stripped of excess features. In this goal it seems most comparable to the VHT Deliverance heads. The Deliverances are cool amps as well, but they DO NOT HAVE AN EFFECTS LOOP. This makes them worthless in my opinion, and VHT makes some of the best effects loops in the biz! WTF Steve. Worthless.
ENGL Fireball is meant for players like me who hate fiddling with dials. I like to dial in one tone for high gain, one tone for clean, and work from there with the guitar.
Although having few features is in essence the main feature of this amp, independent EQ and gain are a must. The dual master volumes is great, because you can use them as two different channel volumes via the footswitch, or as a solo boost for your leads.
I think the VHT Deliverance would get a 3 for features, and the Fireball gets a 5. This isn't the amp's strong suit. If you want adjstability, get a Powerball. If you want versatility, look into the Blackmore.

I play almost every sort of guitar music conceivable. That being said, I'm not good at any of them, except for mild skill at rock/metal/shred. I bought this amp for death metal. For that I use my RG7 dropped to A, and my Jackson Rhoads which is in drop C, with EMG HZ H4 pickups. I also tried my JEM7VWH through it, with suprising results. More on that later.
This amp was made for super tight, responsive, defined attack. The transformers and power section were specifically designed for that. The response is incredible. If you play straight into the amp and don't like solid state distortion, you will love this amp. I hated my modded 5150 because it was not defined enough at all to play tight death metal. Flabby, muddy, woofy low end. That's why I don't like Mesa Boogie amps either. No definition. The ENGL Fireball is GREAT for metal rhythms. It leaves nothing to be desired as far as rhythm goes for me. With the gain at 12 o'clock, it sounds great. Tight attack, fat distortion, lots of low-end crunch. Palm mutes leap out. This amp SLICES through the mix. This is the most aggressive amp I have ever heard.
The lead tones are harsh. I roll back on the mids and presence to remove some bite from the sound. The higher you go on the fretboard, the sharper the sound gets. This amp wasn't made for lead, so if you are an exclusive lead player, I would try to find an amp that is less harsh. I understand, however, that this is a by-product of this amp's focus on fierce attack. That being said, rolling back on the mids and presence makes the sound softer. With ultra-defined metal amps, it's often hard to play lead because the sound is so dry. I hear the G-100-UL has this problem. The ENGL shreds like a bat out of hell. Alternate picking sounds great, as does sweep. You get a real deep pick sound, which adds a percussive element to shredding. Easy amp to play shred on!
The cleans were a total shock. Never had I expect cleans this glassy from a high gain amplifier. The cleans are pristine, do NOT break up at any volume, and offer great warmth and clarity. Fantastic for a 6L6 amp. I generally prefer the twang of an EL34 amp, but the cleans here were a total shock. 9.8/10 for the cleans simply because it's not perfect. Best cleans I've heard from a high-gain amp.
Trying my JEM with this amp yielded a strange surprise. On the lead channel with gain at 12 o'clock, rolling back on the volume almost entirely on the guitar and using the single coil and neck pickup together gave a SWEET twang sound. Totally unexpected! Sounds like Richie Kotzen's Cornford! Country heaven! Total SRV twang, responsive to pick dynamics. Strange to get this out of such a high gain amp! I will certainly use this sound live.
5150 had s****y cleans and was muddy throughout the lead channel, even with lots of modding. The ENGL is everything the 5150 should have been. I'm happy with this for my 6L6 metal amp.

I've been playing for 7 years, intensively. I play every genre of guitar, and own tons of guitars and equipment. This is the best death metal amp I've tried. You would really be hard pushed to find an amplifier more appropriate for tight death metal. This amp is simply made for that type of music. If you want an amp like this that could also do sweet rock sounds and other tones, you'd have to get one of those ultra-versatile boutique amps like the VHT Pittbull Ultralead, Mako Amplification Custom MAK4, something along those lines. I think a cheaper solution is to have multiple amps that are specialized. For death metal, this amp SLAYS. The sweet twang tones and glassy cleans are a huge bonus.
This amplifier is not for tweakers, who are often floored by versatility. It's my impression that those types (who I do not see eye-to-eye with at all) would be happier with the Blackmore, which has more channels and more sounds, but is less focused on the tightness and aggression.
Great amp for death metal. A rating of 8 is great. 5150 would be a 4. If this were ultra-versatile, I would give it a 9, and less harsh lead sounds would please me as well.