Engl Savage 120

See Engl site for Features
Would be nice to have a noise gate since this amp is a bit noisy

Guitars used:
ESP Eclipse with EMG 81,85
ESP Kirk Hammett
ESP Alexi Laiho
ESP Horizon FR with SD JB, 59
Gibeson LP Custom with EMG 81s
PRS CU 24 with stock pickups
Ibanez RG2550E
Ibanez RG2570E
Ibanez S5470

I play mostly metal but sometimes classic rock and blues too.
This amp KILLS live, i have played shows several times with this amp and it has not let me down. I have people asking me my settings and what amp i use. Some people think this amp does not sound as good as the Framus Cobra, but I've had 2 other guitarists who wanted to trade me their Cobras for my Savage, my answer was no. It sounds ok low volume, but it will kill babies when turned up. I don't like the other channels but i like channel 1 (clean) and channel 4 (Lead) Channel 4 sounds good with EMGs, SDs, PRS pickups, and Dimarzio Tone Zones, and X2Ns.

I've used this for 2 years and it has not let me down once

never had to deal with them

Overall this amp is a very nice amp but Id like it if it had a noise gate. But i have a decimator so thats not that much of a problem

This is a newer Model with led backlighting. It could use a built-in noise gate, but I just use my rocktron expression's noise gate in the loop AND now it's programmable so I can have no noise gate on some settings if I like. The effects loop is awesome. Channel switching is pretty good, I use the Amp Gizmo to switch things via MIDI. With the Amp Gizmo my rig is super flexable and powerful. I consider this amp to be... 2 1/2 channels. Clean is awesome, Crunch is pretty good just needs s touch more gain, and the high gain lead is unbeatable.

First off I mainly play death and black metal. So heavy, clear, balanced, and beautiful metal tone is really all I care about. But this amp nails that and much more. It does it all.

I mainly use an ESP HB-300 Baritone tuned to B with EMG 81 in the bridge and EMG 85 in the neck, I also only use flatwound guitar strings D'addario Chromes. Not Roundwounds, Flatwounds. Yeah I know, but it works for me flawlessly with this particular amp, go figure. I am done buying amps and speakers and pedals and eq's this is the one! The Holy Grail! The EQ is just awesome you got all kinds of things to adjust if it's set just right you can smash an SM57 into your Vintage 30's and it still stays tight. I'm sold. I never had any other amp that records like this one. I leave the Depth Boost OFF for close miking, and the bass at like 10 or 11 o'clock. To get a great sound in the room I turn the bass up a bit more sometimes to max - close-miking boosts bass with proximity effect. Again, for my playing style this amp requires I use flatwound strings. *shrugs*

Well... I've only brought it to a drummers house and back twice now. Travelling with it makes me feel guilty. It's a really beautiful amp. But at the same time it's like bringing a hot girl out with you and showing her off to your friends.

I don't think I've had this amp long enough or abused it sufficiently to really give a valid rating. So far it works perfectly every time I turn it on. Oh yeah, one of the Depth Boost Knobs buttons feels a little "funny" it works perfectly fine but when you press it in it doesn't feel right. I'm just giving a thorough review, it's pretty irrelevant really.

Never spoke with them, but I think I'd like to ask Horst about what mics and miking techniques he recommends, just for fun. And maybe ask him for some sample settings to play a round with as well.

I've been playing 18 years now, since I was 15.

If this amp were stolen I'd almost certainly get it again. I might check out some other amps but chances are I'd end up with the savage 120 again. It's absolutely amazing.

I love the tone, I love the effects loop quality, I love it's looks.

I don't really hate anything, but I wish the crunch sound could get a little more gain. Also 3 or 4 sets of EQ knobs, one for each channel might be cool. But I'm still pretty satisfied.

Check this amp out if you have the chance. I reccomend an EMG 81 in the bridge and Flatwound strings! Especially if you play really hard tremelo-picked palm mutes like I do. It takes off some of that grinding noise.

As stated many times, this amp has a lot of features, however no noise gate as in the Powerball and other higher end Engls. I really view it as a two channel amp regardless of what others will say.

Its loud, distortion is pretty much where it should be for Metal, Amp sounds good at the 12 oclock position on all settings, but that has been said here many times.
The amp is a little noisy. But then again, usually all amp with high gain are, especially without a gate.
I dont play the clean channel, so I have no idea what it sounds like over there?

Ok here goes.
Garbage. I blew my power tubes after 10 hours, this did not cause the fuses to blow but instead burnt out the screens or diods and also the board filling my house with a ton of smoke.
I took the amp (which is under warranty) to my tech., that was when I realized these are built like crap. The pots are all cheap, the tube design is pathetic at best, and basically it looks like a new mesa boogie inside. The only nice part of this amp is the case, well built and bullet proof to protect all of the poor quality inside of this piece of crap.
Now I would have not freaked out if it was the tubes, as tubes blow, but this is the making of a non roadworthy amp, just like a new mesa. I am sad to say this as this could be a good product if they didnt take short cuts.

Whatever, I paid for it myself. I am not going to shit this POS around the world to get it fixed.

Been playing awhile. I own 16 custom shop BC and Bernie Rico's, all killer!!
If it was stolen, whatever couldnt care less.
I hate this POS, it will be replaced by a Diezel. And ya I know its more expensive and I cant compare based on the price range but a good product is a good product and this is not.
I wish it wasnt built by a bunch of accountants. Put good pots in it, fix the power tube configuration, and be proud to be German when they use to build good amps.
These guys are so screwed now. Wow, I would never do it again. Point to point baby!!

My Engl Savage 120 is a 2006 model with leds instead of the bulbs as back lights behind the tubes. I have owned an older savage 120 with the bulbs and found the new ones to be a bit less noisy.

Preamp:
4 channels, Clean, Crunch 1, Crunch 2, Lead, 2 EQs, Sensitivity switch, Bright switch, 2 FX loops (both parallel to serial adjustable), Lead Boost, Contour switch, Rough/Smooth switch plus Hi Balance control, 5 x ECC 83
preamp tubes.


Master Section:
Presence A/B, Master A/B, Depth Boost,
120 watts (1 x ECC 83, 2 x 6550 power amp tubes)
ECS tube protection


Outputs:
Balanced Line out, frequency-compensated, adjustable, overload control, speaker outs (2 x 4, 2 x 8, 1 x 16 ohms), 2 FX loops, Z-3/Z-4 footswitch jacks, MIDI interface port, Z-10 footswitch port


Dimensions & Weight:
71 x 27 x 27 cm, 20 kg

As far as features I wish it had, I would want it to have a built in noise reduction like the powerball, SE and the Invader have.

The Savage 120 is extremely versitile. The clean stays clean even at extremely high volumes. The crunch starts out as a slightly broken up sounding clean to classic rock tones. Soft lead picks up from the classic rock tones and goes into early 80s metal tones with a little low end whomp. The heavy lead is where its at. This channel starts off as 80s thrash, then can go into black/death metal territory with ease. The key to this amp is having the right pickups and the right cab. I use an engl pro V30 cab. I have medium output pickups in my jackson kv2 (duncan 59 in the neck and patb3 blues saraceno in the bridge) which allows my tone to stay articulate even with the gain dimed. With my baritone (duncan jb bridge and 59 in the neck), I use far less gain, but can still get an articulate and thick sound. I highly reccomend a noise reduction unit like an ISP Decimator with this amp or any other high gain amp. It will clean up that white noise if used correctly in the loop or pickup hum if used in front of the amp. Overall, I don't think the newer Savages are nearly as noisy as the older ones.

This amp has been around for many years and has proved itself time and time again. It has never broken down. It has a tube security feature that a lot of engl amps have that shut down a bad tube before it blows while the other good tube continues to power the amp.

I bought this amp from Derek at rock solid amps. This guy goes out of his way to help his customers. I had a small issue with the amp making a popping sound when I switched between presences. I got an email the next day from Horst at Engl Amps in Germany and the problem was fixed upon reading his email and taking corrective actions. I have talked to Horst on many occasions. He is not impossible to reach like most people say he is and is quite friendly.

I've been playing guitar for 15 years and have owned amps by: Engl (SE, powerball, older savage 120) mesa, marshall, peavey, vht, fender, and framus. I have played bogners, hughes & kettner, orange, rivera, splawn(very impressed with these), randall and may others. The Savage 120 is the tightest sounding Engl amp ever made and will cut through the mix. Its the tone I've always wanted. If they are good enough for Primal Fear, Dream Evil and Dimmu Borgir, they're good enough for me. You should test this amp out in person before judging it. Some of the sound clips may sound thin, but in person its a different experience especially if you can crank it.

This review is for a new ENGL Savage 120.

I've been reading some crazy reviews for this amp. I think that there are some people out there who 1) have only spent a few minutes with this amp and/or 2) simply have no idea or are very innexperienced.

I'm 24 years old and have been playing guitar for 17 years now, various styles over the time (flaminco - metal) but have been heavily into heavy metal the last 8 or so years, now playing in a metal band.

I previously owned a Mesa Dual Rectifier which was also a great amp although a major source of frustration for me. It was not 'tight', responsive, or articulate enough (some people like this about the recto) and did not respond well to fast/aggressive metal rhythm/lead styles without the use of a boost pedal (among other nagging issues...).

I sold the Rectifier after 6 MONTHS of research and hours testing out a HUGE variety of premium 'metal' amps (including the Framus Cobra which ran second, aswell as the Peavey 6505+, ENGL Powerball V2, H&K Triamp MII,VHT Pitbull + Ultralead, Mesa/Boogie MIV, and others.

My search led me to ENGL and finally to the Savage 120. I was also lucky enough to take a Savage home from the music store (derringers music, Adelaide) for 4 days to fully run it through its paces prior to purchasing. I made a very informed decision in purchasing this amp.

I have owned the ENGL Savage 120 for only 2 months, it continues to impress me everyday and I am always finding new GREAT sounds. It is VERY versatile. Awesome METAL AMP, simply devestating, but also very good at any number of styles depending on how you make use of the amps features and what you plug into it.

SO.... Yes. The Savage has a load of great features. You should all know them all by now, if not then search through the other reviews. I love the 2 effects loops. MUCH MUCH better than the MESA effects loop or any other I have tried so far.

It could be improved if it came with a built in noise gate (as in the Powerball) but this is not a big deal as I purchased an ISP Decimator which solves the problem of any noise/feedback without affecting the tone. It would also be better if it had 4 independant EQ's. But no big deal. If you want more features spend more $$$$ and get the ENGL SE.

I have a variety of guitars but mainly use Gibson Les Pauls with EMG 81's. The 81 was a necessity with the Recto but not with the Savage 120. Still, I like the sound of it with the EMG 81.I'm playing it through a Marshall MF400 oversized cab (with Celestion 100 watt speakers).

It RULES FOR HEAVY, TIGHT ARTICULATED AGGRESSIVE METAL!!!! SAVAGE!

It can be noisy at high gain settings but so will any amp. EG. The Framus Cobra is renouned for being extremely quiet yet I would still need to use the ISP decimator (noise reduction) with it. No big deal. Its no noisier than any other amp capable of extreme high gain. Still quiter than a Peavy 5150 though imo.

Ch.1 = Great cleans. Even better with some reverb/chorus etc. running through the effects loop (independent loops!). I was amazed at the clean, and it STILL amazes me. Yes, I'm sure there are VINTAGE FENDER amps and the like out there with better cleans, but who really gives a shit? can vintage fender amps do death metal?


(I'm still getting to know ch. 2 and 3 but so far...)

Ch. 2 = (crunch) sounds incredible with single coil pickups (not that it doesn't also sound incredible with humbuckers..). I love it for Hendrix type playing. Very nice.

Ch. 3 = responds VERY well to boost pedals (not that they are needed), giving excellent creamy lead tones with the gain backed off bit (smooth character). Gives a nice 'in between' distortion sound (between ch.2 and 4). Can also sound quite aggressive, great for AC/DC type 'grit' rock distortion depending how you set it up (rough/smooth/contour/gain/ EQ etc.) there are so many possabilities.

CH 4. = Well, simply put. THIS IS WHERE IT's AT!!!!!!! wicked distortion. Loads and loads of crushing, brutal, evil, fat, kick you in the chest, tight SAVAGE distortion. But yet again, very versatile depending on how you set it up. (rough/smooth in conjunction with the prescence and treble controlls make makes a massive difference in your sound). Capable of nailing ANY ROCK/METAL TONE you should ever desire imo yet with the ability of providing you with your own 'signature' sound if you desire. GREAT TONE!!!!

What I love about this amp the most is that is is a VERY TIGHT and defined amp with arguably the BEST METAL distortion tone around. It responds extremely well to your playing, you can play incredibly fast and it will track right along with you with brilliant tone, it's truly a pleasure to play. It does not work againt you as other saggy, undefined amps can while playing hard and fast.

It's also very cool in that it sounds awesome at ANY volume (due to the fact that alot of it's tone comes from the pre-amp section). It can be barely audible yet still sound fully alive, tight and brutal as all hell. I have never played any other TUBE amp that can do this so well (besides other ENGL's).

I was also pleasently suprised while testing it out with my band for the first time, and continue to grin like a mother f***er every time I fire it up with the band (oh, by the way, they absolutley love it too). It is VERY loud and sounds just as clear and articulated when cranked, if not more so. IT also cuts through the mix VERY WELL meaning that you don't really have to crank it up too much which is great because you still retain heaps of headroom and feel confident, knowing that if you have to, you can crank the amp further and blow the roof!

I love this amp.

NO problems so far.

It seem to be well constructed (heavy as hell!!!). I have heard that the early models sold here in Australia had faulty or poorly selected Power transformers but the newer ones (like mine) have different transformers that DO NOT malfunction as the old ones did.

I havn't had the amp for that long so I won't give a score here but it seems very reliable.

They dont reply to e-mail.

Well I havn't really needed to contact ENGL for any serious reason but I did try to e-mail them several times when trying to decide on which amplifier to buy (I was also interested to see if they were updating the ENGL Savage 120 as they recently did very successfully with the ENGL Powerball and include a built in noise gate etc.) and left messages on their message board. They NEVER got back to me despite SEVERAL attempts at contacting them.

This is VERY poor customer service imo. (if you can't reply to e-mail, then don't offer the service on your web site!!!).

Any Warrantee issues will be handled by the shop where I purchased the amp (Derringers music) and they are great so I'm not worried.

Well it is simply an amazing amp. ESPECIALLY if metal is your thing. BUT it is not JUST a metal amp. The ENGL Savage 120 can be verry effective for a wide variety of styles.

I will repeat....

----------------------------------------------
I'm 24 years old and have been playing guitar for 17 years now, various styles over the time (flaminco - metal) but have been heavily into heavy metal the last 8 or so years, now playing in a metal band.

I previously owned a Mesa Dual Rectifier which was also a great amp although a major source of frustration for me. It was not 'tight', responsive, or articulate enough (some people like this about the recto) and did not respond well to fast/aggressive metal rhythm/lead styles without the use of a boost pedal (among other nagging issues...).

I sold the Rectifier after 6 MONTHS of research and hours testing out a HUGE variety of premium 'metal' amps (including the Framus Cobra which ran second, aswell as the Peavey 6505+, ENGL Powerball V2, H&K Triamp MII,VHT Pitbull + Ultralead, Mesa/Boogie MIV, and others.

My search led me to ENGL and finally to the Savage 120. I was also lucky enough to take a Savage home from the music store (derringers music, Adelaide) for 4 days to fully run it through its paces prior to purchasing. I made a very informed decision in purchasing this amp.

I have owned the ENGL Savage 120 for only 2 months, it continues to impress me everyday and I am always finding new GREAT sounds.

--------------------------------------------------------------

It kicks ass.

If your considering buying this amp (or any other) then you simply need to try it out with your own guitar (and cab?), in person and decide with your own ears. It's that simple. This is THE amp for me though. Finally, my search for that tone in my head is over!!!! now I've got that tone, and many more to choose from. Actually, the only 'problem' with this amp is that it has sooo many tones available. It can be very hard to decide between them. Awesome amp.

If for some reason you are unable to try one out and especially if your into metal or even rock then just do it!! Pull the trigger and buy it!!!! You will not be dissapionted!!!!!!!!!

(think anything IN THE STYLE OF anything from AC/DC, Guns N ROses, Iron maiden, Testament, Metallica (old stuff \m/)..... to Children of Bodom, Chimaira, KSE, Shadows Fall, Lamb of God, Decapitated, Deicide.... etc. etc.)

You WILL NOT be dissapointed.

The only shitty thing is that it doesn't come with the foot switch (neither does the Framus Cobra, another German made amp... German Tight arses! But hey, they make the best amps and build them like their tanks (which were also the best lol ;).

Although the ENGL switches are the best ive ever seen (wicked design + strong as f**k!), they're well worth it. There are a few to choose from also (I got mine ~35% off as with the amp, I talked an amazing deal). I have the Z10 (or is it the Z12? anyway...) It kicks ass, heaps of option yet again.


I'll say it one more time: This amp rules!!!

This is the most evil amp I have ever used. It is loaded with 6 12AX7 valves and 2 massive 6550 valves in the power amp. Remember 6550 valves are primarily used in bass amps. So you've got one hell of a hot roded amp.

This is a twin channel amp with at least 2 modes in each channel but you can get up to 6 modes in all.

There are two rows of dials on the front panel, the top let you work the clean and crunch 1 modes and the bottom let you work the Crunch 2 and Lead modes. In channel one, the clean gain works independently but if you switch to Crunch 1, you can then work both gain dials consecutively, same applies with Crunch 2 and Lead.

To the right you have channel/master volumes for each mode and 2 separate presence controls for each mode. There are several push in buttons that only serve to enhance your tone.

Around the back you have 2 separate effects loops one that operates both or 1 channel and the other effects loop operates the other channel. That way you can apply universally effects to all channels or have specific effects for individual channels...Germans, you got to love them.

The sounds can range from crystal clean to Earth shattering distortion. The beauty about this amp is that not at bedroom volumes but at conversational volumes, it still sounds pure evil. Marshall?s and Boogies at very low volumes sound weak then once you turn the volume up slightly, you're punched in the face with masses of volume.

The only alternative is an attenuator.

Clean - from crystal tones to SRV territory

Crunch 1 - Can give you a lighter Van Halen sound

Crunch 2 - Gives you a massive rhythm tone and enough for crushing leads

Lead - Well, hold me down and smother me with hot caramel, think of the most evil, darkest Scandinavian Black, Satanic, decapitated sheep's head sound with inverted crucifix's and they're just orchestral in comparison....Get the idea.

I use an Ibanez RGT220HSOL and it's a winged mahogany, through neck and sounds very, very warm. Don't forget, you've got 6550 valves, these are darker in tone.

I run the amp through the standard ENGL 412 V60 Celestion loaded cab and I have to say it sounds great, smaller than a Marshall cab but much heavier. Pinched harmonics, legato (ever so flowing) and sweeping work is just a breeze. There is a bit of hiss, best to get a good noise get, remember, this head is vile in tone and it's best run through a full stack....

OK Folks, in case there's any confusion, it's German made and quality controlled. ENGL have a failure rate of 2 units for every 1,000 produced. Still not convinced???

Let's just say, if you lifted this amp 1,000 metres into the sky and dropped it, not only would it pass the speed of light, it would split the Earth into 2 spheres upon impact. On one sphere you would have manufactured pop idiots and on the other there would be us glorious metal heads....

I live the 4 horizontal bars that allow you to look into the cavity to clearly see the valves working. It is truly the most beautifully built and looking amp I have ever cast my eyes on.

By the way, I bought this one from Percy Prior's in Salisbury, UK and it had been in the store for 9 months and it still looked brand new....

If people have had issues contacting and having their emails returned from ENGL direct try info@engldistribution.com Chris is the most professional gentleman in the amp business and has always answered my emails by the next day.

In the UK, Synergy are the sole distributors and Peter is also a nice bloke to deal with. When I bought the amp it came as a package with the Standard ENGL 412 cab and the Z10 footswitch. Cause I was concerned about driving back to Salisbury for warranty issues, Peter was obliging in sending a courier to collect the amp form my residence...That's nice, after sales service.

I was very fortunate because I kept close links with Peter at Synergy and he advised that Percy Prior's in Salisbury had one on the floor. When I arrived, I met Ben, the sales assistant, a lovely bloke who not only knew this product but confirmed that management was changing hands and the Savage 120, Standard 412 cab and Z10 switchboard were being sold as a 'One Item at COST PRICE'. All up the 3 items cost me #1,450 saving myself over #800, man was I on a high for a few months...

Anyway, I truly love this amp, but am hesitant to take it on the road. I would prefer to use it at home and in the studio. Just remember there are very few ENLGs in the UK and beyond that there are very little Savage 120s still, making it a hugely sought-after item. Hence why I have bought an ENGL Fireball...

Firstly it is massively heavy. There should be a plate on the front warning those thinking of lifting this mother 'Warning Do NOT lift unless you are a professional Sumo Wrestler'.

It is heavy, and the size of ENGL heads are just bubonic in size. If it were stolen, the thief wouldn't get far, even the axle in his car would scrape the ground and disintegrate. After which I would disembowel the bastard, drop the ENGL on his head and flatten them...

It's a great amp in closing and I am truly fortunate to have bought it at such a great deal. I honestly recommend that if you have the cash, seriously look into it. Tried Marshall?s, Boogies, Laney, Crate, Diezel and nothing I mean nothing comes close...

Read the manual / internet specs , it really has TOO MANY FEATURES to list.

Using a Jackson SL-1 with stock pickups (JB Trembucker at the bridge and Classick Stack mini-humbuckers single coils at the middle and neck position), and a Marshall 1960AV 4x12 with V30's.

The sound:

CLEAN CHANNEL:
Its clean, tons of headroom, but not to die for. Think marshall standard clean channel with FAR more headroom and better in breakup tones. Coming from a Marshall TSL100, i can say the marshall clean of the new JCM2000 series is better (warmer), this is a bit too cold (BUT the TSL has built in reverb, this doesn't so maybe its only the reverb lacking). With a touch of delay and chorus its MORE than usable, i would say good channel, but dont buy this amp for it ;-)

CRUNCH CHANNEL 1:
Nice bluesy crunch, which goes from almost clean to ac/dc and a bit more (not enough for guns 'n roses), expecially REALLY nice for blues. Only complain: not very punchy.

CRUNCH CHANNEL 2:
From mild overdriven tones to gun's 'n roses REALLY punchy crunch to iron maiden. You don't have thunderous palm muting here but a VERY VERY good crunch, it ABSOLUTELY beat my Marshall TSL. EXTREMELY punchy, i use the bass at 5 and the mids cranked, treble at 5.

LEAD CHANNEL:
From Van Halen (think "ain't talking about love" and "eruption") to Slayer, Pantera and to the point when the distortion is really too much ;-) Incredible sustain and crunchy palm muting here, wonderful for solos with the "smooth" mode and "rough" mode for riffing. For rythm power chords and stuff i would use the CRUNCH 2, better suited. Wonderful channel, you'll never want more punch and/or gain/sustain here, there's MORE than enough :-)

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
The gain knobs for clean channel and crunch1 channel work in a sort of "add mode", the same for crunch2 and lead, so:

Clean gain = Clean gain
Crunch 1 gain = Clean gain + Crunch 1 gain
Crunch 2 gain = Crunch 2 gain
Lead gain = Crunch 2 gain + Lead gain

So with crunch 2 gain at 6 and lead gain at 10 u have about 6+10=16/20 gain on the lead channel.

I use the presence at 3 o' clock, the master always full on, and channel volume to taste. Clean gain at noon, Crunch1 gain at 5 for ac/cd stuff, crunch2 gain at 6 for guns 'n roses, lead gain at 8->10 for van halen/slayer tones.

I rate it a 9 for the clean which isnt the best.

Hope this helps ;)

4 years, only replaced tubes every 8-10 months ;-)

BTW, you have 2 fuses on the back side of the amp, 1 will blow when the right power tube isn't working properly, and the other when the left one isn't working properly, so that you know which tube is responsible, very nice feature.

Never needed

Absolutely versatile and incredible tones can be dialed in with no effort (the amp sounds really good with all knobs at 5 already, so start there).

Don't buy it if you play country, for the others it is just insane, i had it for 900 euros (about 1100 US$) used here in italy, GREAT deal.

New is 1850 euro in germany (where it is built), absolutely worth it.

Personal suggestion: Try this if you're bored of your mesa/marshall, its ALWAYS good to have something different than the majority of people still having GREAT tones.

Other suggestion: I would suggest V30 speakers for this or mixed G1275 and V30's in a 4x12. mixed choice is EVEN better!

Feel free to email me for anything gear related ;-)

too many to mention

from pure blues, country, vintage rock, 80s metal, 90 mondo distortion to deathmetal/trash, all it has.
a few reviewers here seem to be 12 year olds who turn the gain way up like the treble and bass, scoop mids and then expect to sound like limp bizkit and sh*t....this isn't the amp for that.
if you do that it will sound not that good, get yourself a rectocrapper or something similar to match your ignorance when it comes to setting up vintage style all tube amps.

never broke down, i change the tubes once every half year, but thats me.

i emailed once about the amp, got everything answered within a week.

it sounds awesome through my humbucker guitars, i get everything out of them, made me sell my 3 marshalls.
try it dudes, but again, be carefull with the way you turn the knobs.

The Savage has many features-so many that its confusing. It took me a week to figure out how everything relates. Those that like to tinker will like it. I'd rather spend the extra time playing with my band.

I'm a little disappointed with the sounds on channel 3 and 4. Whoever said they aren't noisey must turn the gain low. It is definitely noisey when I play with my band. The gain reminds me of an ADA MP1 if you turn the treble and midrange up as high as they go. I've been using the ADA alot more lately.

Channel one is pretty good.

I won't go into what each channel does since it's been explained in the other reviews.

If it wasn't so noisey I would give it a 7 but I don't really like the sounds on channels 3 and 4.

My ADA was my backup but it gets used as much as the Engl lately.

It's not worth the money. I bought my ADA MP1 for backup for $135 and with my other guitarists Mesa Boogie power amp it's just as good and not as noisey. My friend offered to trade me his triple rectifier for it and I probably will trade it.

A lot of!! See other reviews.

Not really 'super' sounds in this head.All sounds are good but nothing special.
In the lead channels 3 - 4 the distortion is too muddy, not really clear and a lot of noise! Especially in channel 4.

Verry well built. No problems at all.

Never had to deal with Engl.

It's not bad but also not really good. This is my opion of course.
My other amps are boogie,marshall,randall,koch,peavey end vht.
Especially the vht and the koch sounds are from a higher level.