Engl Powerball 100 Head

Everyone else has answered this; Engl have thrown in TONS of features. Those wanting to use the amp with a MIDI controller should know that it CAN be done, but you'd need to customise a cable - midi controller output to D-sub9 input to go into the port usually used by the foot controller.

Oh, and it looks SERIOUS. I'd be terrified of running into this amp on a dark night.

Used with Parker Fly Deluxe, Wolfgang and Les Paul Custom.

Ok, let's get one thing clear. DESPITE all the features, this is an amp for heavy modern rock. It's VERY good at it.

Four channels:

channel one - crystal clear very sharp clean; a bit sterile if you need expressive jazzy runs
channel two - tries to impersonate 70s rock but in fairness is too cold;
channel three - excellent for thrash, nu-metal etc
channel four - is this much truly savage distortion ever needed??? who cares, it's FUN!

I think the problem here is that all the channels are very cold sounding, which immediately pigeon-holes the amp, despite its plethora of features. Don't be fooled, lots of features don't always equal one-stop tonal shop.

Now, I play jazz, funk, metal (of course), rock and all sorts. Bottom line: PERFECT, 10/10 for metal after 1985; but a 7/10 for 70s rock as it's just very sterile and cold, not quite sweet enough.

Oh, and 0/10 if you want it for jazz. But if you are, why are you looking at this amp?

I'm going for a 7 here, purely because with the number of featuures it has, I think it could do better.

On the plus side, it definitely has its own sound, and if you're looking for a death metal amp with Recto-eating distortion, bring it on...

Oh, one word of warning. It feeds back a LOT at volume, even with humbuckers etc.
Use a noise gate.

If this thing is well cared for and breaks down, I'll eat my labrador. (Figure of speech, don't worry Fido...)

Gig this without a backup? Well, I'm a paranoiac, but this is as close as I'd come to saying "yeah".

Never dealt with them. See "reliability".

Been playing 10 yrs, played through Soldano, Line 6 AX212, Hughes and Kettner Triamp II, Mesa Lonestar, Fender Ultimate Chorus (you have to start somewhere, and I was into Nirvana...), TC G-System, couple of Snarling Dogs pedals, Electric Mistress, Soldano GTO Supercharger, and more effects as necessary...

This is a fantastic (and good-looking) metal amp, but there are better choices if you want classic rock or warmer cleans. Built to last, and very keenly priced.

I bought this amp in January 04'. It's a tube amp. 12ax7 pres and 6L6 power tubes. 100 watts, 4 channels, has an effects loop that I use which has a wet/dry blend knob so you can blend it to your taste. I love the noise gate. You can set the threshold to however sensitive you want it to be. It is especially handy in high gain situations. The amp is internally backlit by red led's behind the tubes. It looks wicked awesome. One of the coolest features it has is led indicators that tell you when a tube goes, and which one it is. The only reason I'm giving it an 8 here is because I wish it had reverb. I did buy the optional upgraded footswitch, which is almost essential if you wanna use this thing live.

I play modern rock with my band, the Shard Project (www.shardband.com). I am using a custom 4x12 cab made for me by Scott Splawn, who does excellent Marshall mods btw. The cab has 2 celestion vintage 30s and 2 G75Ts in an X pattern similar to the setup of the Bogner Ubershall's cab. I'm using a Rickenbacker 650D (excellent guitar), and I am thrilled with the sounds I am getting. This amp has got some serious balls. I like the way this thing sounds different with different guitars, unlike some amps, but its always sounded good no matter what I plugged into it. This amp will move some air. It really feels alive and responsive. It is very honest though. It will make you become a better guitarist, because it will amplify your mistakes too. It picks up little subtle thing about my playing not heard on other amps I've played

Channel 1- The clean channel is the best i have ever heard on a high gain amp. This is a must for me, because I need that kind of versatility. The cleans are sparkling and chimey, and will break up very smoothly if you push the pre gain. Takes effects very nicely.

Channel 2- The overdrive channel is pretty good, although it shares the same gain control setting as channel 1, so sometimes you are limited here. This channel can go all the way from smooth break up to a pretty good crunch sound, depending on where you set the gain. You can nail some classic rock tones with this channel.

Channel 3- This channel is heavenly. It's the reason I love this amp so much. You can easily get modern rock and metal tones from this channel. More gain than you can imagine. In fact I keep the gain on this channel at about 12 o'clock, and it is still crucial. This thing eats a triple rectifier for breakfast. It's got a much tighter bottom end than the flubby muddy mesas do. This thing really has clarity in the lower frequencies. You can really tell this when palm muting. It puts a smile on my face everytime. It doesn't sound buzzy or barky in the mids and highs like the mesa either. A very pleasant tone here.

Channel 4- I don't use this channel much. It is similar to channel 3 but more compressed, and slightly more gain and bottom end. This channel is really more than I need. I actually only use it to play solos

I have never played or heard a better sounding amp for high gain work. Everytime I play live, I get tons of compliments from other guitarists, and it always draws some attention. I can honestly say that out of every gig I've played, I have a better sounding amp than anyone in the building. This amp is definitely suited for heavy styles of music. This thing even sounds better than the tones I heard in my head, so it has even exceeded my expectations.

It hasn't given me any problems yet, but it is a tube amp. I have gigged it without a backup, because it's all I have that can do what I need right now. I haven't had to replace the tubes yet, I'm going to buy some spares to take with me. It's made in Germany, and seems to be built with top quality materials and craftsmenship. I'm giving an 8 here because while it has given me 100% trouble-free performance, it is a tube amp.

never dealt with them. Haven't needed to, but I hear they are good. Its a small company in Germany

I've been playing for almost 6 years. I have played Bogners (nice but expensive), Soldanos (also expensive), Marshalls, Mesas, Peaveys, and the like. None of them can compare. The only amps I have heard that do hold a candle to this are the Diezels and the Framus Cobra, but the diezel is almost 3 times the cost, and the Framus is almost double. At around $1600 this amp is an exceptional value. I would replace it in a heartbeat if it were stolen. It has served me well, and given me an awesome and unique sound. If you don't want to sound like everyone else, and are tired of run of the mill stuff, then try this. If you like high gain distortion, I garantee this amp will make you happy. I don't see how these other reviewers can honestly say it sucked. Easily the best I've played.

This amp has everything I need! It is so crisp and loud and the cut-through is absolutely amazing. I owned the Marshall Slash Signature JCM800 and the Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier (modded by Voodoo Amps). And I have to say this amp blows every amp I have ever owned, played, or heard completely out of the water! The clean sounds really warm and great for jazz. The distortion is so intensely brutal it is like a mix of Cannibal Corpse - Galley of Suicide era meets Fear Factory - Obsolete era tone. I cannot praise this amp enough! I have EMG 707 in my Schecter Custom 7-string and the clean sounds crisp and warm through those pickups, normally cleans through those pickups tend to distort. The clean sounds like a Fender V-Twin. I shit you not!

I use a Schecter Custom Shop 7-String with dual EMG 707's. I play grindcore/metal/tech and this amp has made my band (The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza) about 3 notches heavier than before. I bought the ISP Decimator pedal to keep down on the noise because it is an extremely high gain amp and I do recommend it. When I tap or hit sweep arpeggios in the midst of all of the chaotic shit my band goes through, the notes cut through! The distortion is the most brutal distortion I have ever heard in person!

I have only had this amp for about a week now but it seems to be built like a tank. Extremely heavy! It is even heavier than the Mesa Boogie Triple Rec and the Recto extended cab. It is a biggan!

I have not had to deal with Engl yet and I hope I dont have to. But I am sure if I do have a problem I will call Derek from Rocksolidamps.com. He was extremely nice and patient and gave him his recommendations and worked with me in the price category.

I have been playing for 10 years now and I am a tone and gear freak. I for once I can say I am completely satisfied with my setup. If this amp was stolen like my last was..... I would be heartbroken. But I would buy it time and time and time again and again and again. IT RULES IN SO MANY WAYS!

100 Watt, 2/4 Channels (clean & crunch, lo & high gain), 2 Switchable master volumes. All tube, Switchable low boost (both channels) and high boost (channel 1). Built in noise gate on lead channels, effects loop, global presence and depth controls (great for if you are using different cabs if you go on tour). This is a proffesional quality amp, and I don't think I will ever part with it.

The only other thing I would like to see is some kind of stereo capability (but this is only because I recently bought some stereo effects).

I play a variety of styles, mostly hardcore (melodic crust/thrash) occasional metal/ metalcore, a lot of blues and jazz, and the occasional shoegazer noise/ drone thing.

Mine was made in '03. I would have to say this is the most versatile head i have ever used. I have used it in the studio, on stage, and in my loungeroom.

Oh yeah, this amp is LOUD!

This predominantly gets used with my Ibanez AXS32 which has been completely customised with a Mastertone SPA-2 in the bridge position and an EMG81 in the neck. I play through a standard Marshall 1960a cab. With this particular guitar and amp combo I have had people walk into the rehearsal room that I was in just to see what I was using.

For heavy atypical sounds, this amp is amazing. I can't approximate the Marshall sound, I have found that I can't pull out the midrange woofiness that Marshalls have, but this amp is it's own unique machine and I think it will be a benchmark in years to come. I prefer to have a unique sound, and this amp delivers, complex chords don't turn to mush in (extreme) high gain situations, fast runs sound fluid and the distortion is a thing to behold. The only problem I have had with this setup is that I can get a really annoying microphonic feedback if I'm palm muting a lot. I have learned through trial and error how to solve this problem and it's more to do with my proximity to the amp than anything else.

The cleaner channels are fantastic for blues, I use my '74 Hagstrom Swede and a Line 6 Flextone 2x12" cab and I can nail a 50's Chicago Blues kind of tone with no drama. If I had a criticism I would say that the clean sounds of this amp are not quite warm enough for jazz, though I think that if the amp was warmer sounding, it would become mushy sounding at high gain.

I've never considered the need for a backup for this amp, I've opened it up and had a look inside and it's a work of art, very clean and precision made throughout. I hasn't broken down, but I like tube amps for the fact that they are generally easy to repair.

Warranty on this amp is 12 months. I've never had to deal with the company regarding my amp, but I have dealt with them on behalf of customers and they were really helpful.

I've been playing for 14 years, and I have the gear mentioned above (Hagstrom, Ibanez, cabinets) and a Boss DD-6, Line 6 Modulation Modeller, Pacifix LTD Stampede SDT-1.

If this amp was stolen, I would definately get another one, I tried about 20 different amps (Marshalls, Fenders, Mesas, Peaveys, Laneys, Crates) to get the sound I wanted. In the end I used a Mashall TSL100 with a rack compressor and 31 band EQ. I took the ENGL and the marshall & rack to practise, and the next day I traded the marshall and the rack in and I've never looked back.

This amp has all the power and tone I think I will ever need, and I am completely satisfied with what it has to offer.

The closest comparison I can get is a Dual Rectifier, but they are very difficult to get a good sound out of and are really inconsistent. This amp is $1000 dollars cheaper than the Dual Rec in Australia, and I was not that impressed to shell out the extra just to get a "name" amp. If I was offered a choice, I still would have chosen the Engl, because it sounded great straight away, whereas I have seen people struggle with the Mesa for half an hour and still not be satisfied. I also think that the construction of the Mesas leaves a lot to be desired. I also looked at the Engl Ritchie BLackmore, but I really liked the seperate EQ's on the Powerball. This amp has a unique sound, and subsequently, you will either love it or hate it, but as far as I am concerned, it is really hard to make it sound bad.

I bought this amp new in the summer of 2003, plus the matching Engl Floorboard Z 5. It has 4 all tube Channels: Clean, Crunch, High Gain 1 and 2. You can also select between two Master Volumes and you can add some more mid punch. So - as I play rock with some excursions into fields like funk, blues and even jazz - it gives me all I need. I mostly use it to play live in clubs and open air festivals and of course in our rehersal bunker.
On the backside of the amp, there's the usual stuff, effects out/in, and a noise gate that works well enough, even with high gain sounds - at least for my kind of music. I do not use this amp at extrem volumes in some kind of high-end-audiophile setup at home. So I do not care if there is a slight hum at volumes that blow your eardrums, because people wouldn't notice anyway.
The only thins that would be nice (on the floorboard) is an on/off switch for the effect loop.
With its 100 Watts (tube) is has more than enough power for me. I paid about 1600 Euros for the head incl. the Z 5 footswitch.

I tested this amp against an armada of other heads. I wanted brutal yet defined high gain sounds, cutting crunch sounds and crisp clean sounds even at unbearable voumens and an easy handling for somebody who likes to play and is no electronics wizard. In the end it was a tight race between the Engl Powerball and the Diezel Herbert. In the end Engl was the winner (does that tell you enough).
I use it with all kinds of guitars, from an ES 335 and various Hamer, Ibanez, Heritage, Gibson guitars of all styles to my beloved Frankenstein-Fenders, set up with Tozz-Humbuckers (bidge) made by german pickup-genius Harry Haeussel.
As I said, I play Rock and Metal with a wide variety of influences, and the Powerball can do it all. If you want more variety, I guess you have to get one of those modeling amps.
Oh, and bay the way: If you want, the distortion is brutal. Very much so. If you push one of the extra-bass-buttons on the frontside of the amp even more so. And if you turn up "depth punch", there's even more brutality.

I had it for 1 1/2 Years. This is my main amp, I use ist always, almost every day, I take it to gigs, and it has never let me down.
It looks extremely well done. First I could believe what I saw: A versatile, loud, great sounding amp handmade in Germay for this price!!!!!

I guess the amp will not break down, so I hope I never need the Engl people. But from my experience and waht I heard about the company, they are supposed bo be as helpful as their products.

I have been plying in bands for about 20 Years. In the last 1 1/2 I used the Powerball exclusively (well, if I do a little blues or jazz session at somebodys home, I usually bring something smaller. You don't go duck hunting with a bazooka.
If sometbody would steal it, I would find the guy who did it (and i WOULD bring the bazooka) and get it back.
So far, I haven't seen a guitar player whose equipment made me re-think my decision to buy this amp.

The Powerball is very versatile!!I`ve been playing with Line 6 flextone for several years and this amp Rocks!!

The sound really cuts through!I could`t make it with other amps I`ve had.That`s really where it's at!....Mesa Boogie?...very good..but a little overrated...Bogner?...too harsh...Soldano?...overpriced...I think ENGL have produced a great amp at a reasonable price.It's good to know we have great amp makers in europe!

Exellent!It's made in Germany....Perdiod!!!

This is my complaint....I've asked for certain specs and had to wait one month for a reply!..I hope ENGL will improve their customer service!!

I think the Mesa dual rectifier finally met its'match.It's almost double the price (in europe).Great amp at a reasonable price!

4 Channels, 2 Channels to an EQ, 2 master volumes, presence and depth controls. I love all the options on this amp.

Channel 1 is crystal clean! I never played on a fender but I think this could run head to head with one for cleaness. Channel 2 has a warm soothing overdrive, good for blues and classic rock. Channel's 3 and 4 are pretty much the same. 4 seems to be a bit more metal like. But anyways if you want high gain this is your amp. I played on all kinds of marshalls, crates, line 6's and the all mighty triple rectos, I love this amp. In my opinion it walks all over them. The only amps that will touch ENGL are names like Hughes&Kettener, Bogner, Soldano, Dezel, VHT ect. Don't waste your time on medocer amps, you will only be unhappy. The best EQ setting I came up with is maxing out the bass and treble and pushing the mids to about 6-7. Put the depth on about 6 and keep the presence pretty low. This seems to create a massive wall of guitar! I usta scoop out all the mids but as I matured I realized how awesome mids really sound. I am also using a vintage 30 cab I build myself. I tryed many types of speakers in it but selected the vintage 30's.

Never had any poblems

I have not needed support

$1600 you cannot go wrong. Its the same price as a mesa recto but recks it. The only other amps I'm going to buy in the future are in the price range of $2000-$4000. I am totally happy with this one now. I spent about 2 years looking for the ulimate tone and I am pretty damn close with this amp. Feel free to E-mail me to talk about amps and tone!!!!

Firstly I have to say I don't know a lot about the technical side or mechanics of amps, this is from just a guitar players view. Another thing, I only played it in the store.
The amp has 3 channels, clear, 1 distortion but you can boost it for solos. No reverb. Has EQ for both channels and a few buttons for extra eq

Yes it does have an amazing clear sound, the best I've heard for sure I couldn't believe what I was hearing. After hearing the clear channel, I was a little disappointed with the distortion. The Distortion channel has a lot of gain on it but can sound a little too fuzzy when cranked up and a little too weak if turned down. I've always been plagued by a fuzzy sound in the studio and the engineer played me some stuff done by the powerball and it sounded very smooth, with very nice tones, so I was kinda confused by this. The mid range EQ knobs don't seem to have much range, I could hardly notice anything when you change them compared to other amps. Yeah it has some power to it and I'm sure if I had more time with it I could get something much better out of it. Well at least you know it'll sound good in the studio, either that or Mark is a genius.

Well I didn't really have time to really get into it but I just wanted to put up a review without loads of tech talk so beginners or people who have only concentrated on playing could understand. It is a nice amp, the clear channel saves it but I hardly ever use clear channels so this amp's not really for me but I know a lot of other people who would love this amp. It's definately worth trying out if you come accross one.

First off I'm really pissed that the guy below me reviewed an amp after playing it for 3 hours. A big FU very much for your devine input and vast knowledge of an amp you can't afford. The sound and character of an amp are brought out by the player, the guitar, the environment, and volume...all of which you didn't change.

God Damn people are ignorant...

Noise gate is cool, however the threshhold needs a bigger max.
Built in reverb would have been cool for the clean channel.

The cleans are absolutely increadible...I've never heard a better clean channel in all the amps I've owned or played through and that is with any guitar or cab...it always sounds perfect to me for some reason. I'm a big fan of that mid scooped clean tone with enough gain to the point of breakup from the power and pre tubes being pushed...

The second is stellar for blues and lighter gain applications, but I use it the least.

This amp is has incredible distortion if it is matched with the right gear. That goes for really anything, but I have 4 cabs and multiple guitars...It is average with everything except two of the cabs and nothing else but an 93 Gibson LP classic with a 500t in the bridge. I mean incredible. If you are looking for punchy, heavily distorted modern heavy metal sounds, you are going to want to use an axe that is thick with a dark body tone wood (ie why the LP sounds so good). Believe it or not, pickup choice is almost not as important as the forementioned. As an example, I also have a 500t in an SL1 of mine that sounds like shit in comparison because of the difference in the guitar the pickup is placed. Find a cab that is sealed very well if you want directional punchy sound. Bottom cabs are the best in my opinion, don't go for the slant.

The third is where its at for live work. If you want a lot of gain and perceived volume with complete clarity in the mix, this is the channel for you. You can even jump the mids pretty hard and still cut through well enough to here your self in the mix without being louder than you should be.

The heavy lead tone is killer for death metal. If your into that Metal Zone crazy distortion without all the solid state crustiness, find a way to try this amp out. If you are disapointed, the resale is just about what you buy it for new. I can't think of what could seriously make this amp sound better than it does right as it is. I'm about to buy a savage se to see how if compares! If It's good, I'm getting rid of the 200lb rack...=)

Haven't had a problem in the last 6 months...Been using it heavy for 2 days a week, about 10 hours a week.

So I've heard, very good but I have yet to need it

Stellar. I hope the rest of their products are as good. I have a feeling these guys will be the next Mesa in the future. Which is disapointing. =P Then I'll have to find another obsure company to buy an amp from.

I was all excited about trying this amp out when I read all the good reviews on it. I have to say that it wasn't all that. I spent about three hours with it. I could not dial in a good heavy sound. THere was very little bottom end to it. This amp has a lot of gain . THere was also a lot of feedback which was a little out of control. It didnt really sound like a tube amp to me. I then plugged into a 1970 marshall 800 head. This amp had a pure uncompressed tube sound to it. So when I plugged back into the Powerball after that it sounded lifeless and way compressed.
The clean channel was alright but nothing too great. I tried it through a Mesa traditional cab and also through a Marshall with Celestion 70 watters.
I played my gibson Les Paul studio and my Gibson Explorer (dirty finger pickups).

Overall this amp is alright but it sounds like it is geared just towards speed metal players. Too much gain, sounds solid state to me, and way too compressed.