Engl Savage 120

This amp was made in late-2002. I play everything from funk to blues to classic rock to shred to modern metal. The Savage 120 has four channels to cover all those cateogories and a whole lot more. Features-wise, I can't imagine any more from an amp. It's got four distinctive channels and everything else I could think of.

I mainly use a Tom Anderson with an HSH pickup config. The amp's tight but musical and "spongy" where you want it to be. The sounds are pretty spectacular.

I tried the Mesa Road King, a Bogner 101B and Classic, and a bunch more. The Powerball sticks them all pretty good.

This amp has more features than most guitar players can shake a stick at. I won't go through the laundry list of features that have already been mentioned by other contributors here. It's a little tricky dialing in each sound exactly as you want it to be without affecting the others, but after several months of tweaking now, I can say that I'm pretty happy with all of its sounds and features.

I use a Tom Anderson and a Suhr Standard. I play mainly 80's metal but like to dabble in the so-called "modern" metal as well. I also like classic rock and metal that have a progressive bent. I need variety of sounds. Be it spanking clean or dirty or filthy to the max, the Savage 120 delivers in spades with great quality. It's a pretty punchy amp due to its 6550 tubes, but it's still smooth and very articulate. I've tried all kinds of amps over the years and this one has the tone that I had been searching for forever. Just beautifully brutal as far as distortion sounds are concerned. Savage is an appropriate name indeed!

I've had it for 4 months now and hasn't had any weirdness going on at all. I swapped out some microphonic preamp tubes but that's about it. Seems very dependable. I still have an old Boogie Mk. III that I keep around as a backup. Gotta have a backup (even if it's a cheap Crate or Peavey or whatever) for gigs...

Haven't had to deal with them.

I've been playing for about 25 years now and own too much stuff to list here. I really love this amp. It came down to either this or a Bogner Ecstasy or a VHT UL after all my research and I was surprised how easy the choice came to be. The Savage was a late entry cuz I really hadn't heard much about them. I figured that I couldn't go wrong with names like Bogner or VHT. Was I wrong!

After reading about the Engl on the net, I decided that I needed to try it out. After a test spin there was no doubt in my mind that it was superior to the others that I've tried. At least for my needs... To me, the Engl seems to have the best qualities of amps like the Ecstasy and the Ultra Lead while leaving out what I felt were undesirable artifacts of both. I'm really happy with this amp. The heavy sounds are among the best in the business and it's super versatile to boot. It's defintely an amp to consider if you're in the market for a high-gain amp with a wide range of sounds.

Check The other Reviews For The Vast Amount of Features on this Beast..

Im Using A Fender Strat and Ibanez Rg both equipped with DiMarzio pickups.This Amp is without a doubt the greatest amp i have ever plugged into.The SUSTAIN is phenominal,and the GAIN is beyond amazing.No pedals will be needed with this Savage.The Clean sounds are also amazing.If your looking for a great amp with great tone,stop looking and buy the Savage 120.

I havent got it long enough to judge on this but it seems to be built like a tank.

I have found the amp of my dreams and i can stop wasting money on trying to find the ultimate amp.I have found it in my Engle Savage 120.I am going into the studio shortly to record my first album and i am confident that i will get the sound i have dreamed of with this amp."Tip of the Hat" to ENGL

2001-02 The Engl is the most versatile amp ever made period! 4-channel monster with channel switching. I've opted for the Z-12 midi controller. 2 Effects loops, 120 watts all tube , 2-6550's and 5 ecc83's, no reverb. Amazing!!

I use 1983 Ibanez Destroyer , USA Fender Strat w/synth, G&L Invader w/sustainer and Terry McInturff Glory. I play a variety. Not noisy at all in any setting. The clean channel is like the best Fender twin you could find. The second channel is one of the greatest overdrives you will ever hear. The third channel is the best Marshall 800 you will ever hear. The fourth channel, well , you guessed it, will make rectumfriers beg for forgiveness. The midi function are the cats' ass. It is just like having a cutom Bradshaw unit at your feet. I use a T.C. Electronic G-Major and a Chandler SDE-2 echo for effects. Switching effects and channels are a breeze. This set up is the best ever. This amp sounds incredibly well at low volumes also.

No problems . I would gig without a backup.

I had a few questions about the midi set up. Horst Langer emailed me the next day and answered my questions. I bought the amp from the Sound Post in Skokie, IL. Jeff is extremely helpful in every way. He is the main cat for Engl in the US .

I've been playing for 20 years. If it were lost or stolen I would buy another one . I love everything about this amp and hate nothing. I also own a Bogner Shiva El-34 w/Reverb and a VHT Pitbull Classic. I also love both of these amps and do not have a bad thing to say about them . I will be selling both of the amps. The Engl does these amps and so much more especially with the Z-12 midi foot controller. There is absolutely no reason to buy another amplifier, I found the ultimate!!!!!

It delivers as a recording only all round studio amp. I dont gig or play. This was a concidered and strategic purchase for a private alt rock producers studio The Library, London http:///www.librarystudio.com
As well as it's own sounds I can plug my Marshall JMP1 and Digitech Valve FX into its insert return to use it just as a power amp.

I think a vibro champ & this and I am good to go for most sounds out there in Alt Rock.

Cut out at VERY high gain, I have to look at that, but turning it down a tad cured it.

I speced a cab with two different types of speaker either side, they made it for me.. no extra cost. I wanted this for recording 'variation' - I dig it so far.

Very pleased with it. Of course the 'amp wall' (of every cool amp ever made) is planned with the proceeds from the worldwide smash hit I have in the pipeline,(dreaming) but untill then, the Engle & my weird 'split' 4 x 12 (and perhaps a Fender Vibro Champ) will more than cover me for bands who turn up to make recordings and bring poor quality equipment of their own.

Metalica producer Michael Wagener recommended it to me. Thanks Michael!

There are plenty of info on this incredible amp below, you can download the manual at the Engl site. Mine is a 2002 model. The key word on this amp is Versatility! It offer a complete array of tones from clena to high-gain maddnes, btw the high-gain in the Savage 120 is far better IMO then the one you can get from the Savage Special edition! The distortion is nastier if you know what I mean.

As far as axes I use, Fender custom-shop 60, Parker Classic, a Carvin custom made and a Gibson 79 Gold Top with mini humb. The tones you can get from this amp are a dream comes true! Apparently there is no sound that, with his own personality, this amp is incapable to reproduce. Just try one out and find for yourself. Btw for the George Lynch fan out there just notice what Mr. Lynch is plug on during his REH video ;-)
As far as my style of music is mainly Metal-Blues.
One last thing the 4X12 vintage cabinet sound beyond word can tell. Probably the best cabinet out there IMO

So far no experience in this department. But it seems built as a German Panzer.

As above

Been playing for over 20 years, and during this time had the chance to use several brand Marshalls, Voxs, Fenders and Mesas. The only other amp that gets close to the Savage 120 for versatility is the Mesa Mark IV.
Tone wise the Savage 120 IMO has a unparallel clean and scarring High Gain and all in the middle. So far I have not found such tonal versatility in any other amps. If it were stolen would buy it again.

2001 ENGL SAVAGE 120 with so many features that I would suggest reading the review below me for in depth details.It is a 4 channel 120 Watt Head that can be used via the ENGL MIDI Switching devices,sold seperately might I add.This amp is just versatile man,going from Fender clean to an unbelievable high gain mayhem.This amp does it all and then some.This head is not the loudest head I've played through but truly the best sounding head by far.Two ENGL 6550's and six hand selected ENGL ECC83/12AX7 preamp tubes drive this amp with features like bright,preshape,contour,depth boost,presence,lead boost,rough/smooth switches round out the options on the front of the amp.On the back of the head is two 4 ohm jacks,two 8 ohm jacks,and a 16 ohm jack.There is a master loop,FX Loop Ch. 1 & 2 with send,return and balance and there is a place for the ENGL MIDI Interface Port to connect the Z-10 or Z-7 or Z-12 footswitches.I use the Z-10 with my ENGL SAVAGE.I have to give this a 10 because of the options and versatility.

I currently own 40 guitars and my main axes are USA Jackson's like the Warrior,and a Randy Rhodes Custom from 1985.I also use Kelly's and Dinky's and most all the body styles they have.I also use Ibanez,Dean's,BC Rich's,Washburn's,Peavey Vandenburg,and ESP's as of late.I currently use 6 4 X 12 cabinets and three other heads and a full rack system.I use this for Progressive Christian Metal Band that I'm currently forming but no name as of yet.The ENGL is really quiet considering how much gain can be achieved with this head.This amp is good for country or death metal and EVERYTHING in between.Check out the submission below.The guy is a dedicated Bogner Ecstacy Lover and still loves this head.You would love this head too if you like an amp that is versatile like this one is!!!!4 channels!!!The clean channel is clean even at high volume and the high gain channel just smokes!!!THIS AMP IS LIKE THE $4500 DIEZEL AMP WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG!!!!!I have had sooooooo many heads in my 23 years of playing:Soldano,Marshall's,Peavey's,Ampeg's,Laney's,Randall's,Crate's,MESA-BOOGIE RECTO's and so on and so on.THIS IS THE AMP TO BUY AND I'M HAPPY AFTER 23 YEARS PLAYING THAT I'VE FOUND AN AMP THAT RESPONDS LIKE THIS ONE DOES.No amp is a 10 I don't guess,but this is pretty close.It's 9+ EASY!!!!

I had the amp for awhile now.Not just 2 days or 2 weeks or 2 months.I decided to check this amp out for awhile before writing the review.I'm still psyched about my SAVAGE 120 and you would be too!!Mesa-Boogie's Rectifiers are great amps for the American people who all seem to play them BUT I'll keep the ENGL SAVAGE 120....I think the Mesa's are louder...But they don't sound as good.This amp is dependable because of German Engineering and point to point wiring hand built amplifier.Enough said!!!I would use this without a backup.If a tube burns out this amp will still run on 1/3 of it's power!!!How about that!!!!????

You can buy these in America through J.I.Concepts...You can go to there website: www.jiconcept.com or write them for more information and catalog at:JI Concept US INC. 6440 Antigua Place West Hills,CA.91307 or phone # 818-610-2896 and ask to speak to Jacques Isler...Jacques will be more than happy to help you as he helped me,in finding the ultimate high gain amplifier.The ENGL name has many more heads and cabinets,preamps and anything your heart desires.Just call Jacques....

Playing time of 23 years since 1979...I own TOO much gear to mention here.About 40 guitars and many heads like Laney,Peavey,Ampeg,and of course ENGL.I have rack gear mostly Rocktron and use VHT,Carvin,Randall,Marshall speaker cabints through Pro-Co and monster cable through a Nady wireless.I would buy this head again if stolen,no question about it.I LOVE this amp.It could have a little more bottom if I wanted to get super picky about something,that's it!!!!I compare this to the Bogner Ubershall and Deizel Amplifiers.Overall,I'll give this a 10 because it's closer to a 10 then a 9 rating.This is the best head for the money hands down.IT IS ALOT OF MONEY FOR THESE BUT IF YOUR A SEMI-PRO AND LOOKING FOR AN AMP THAT LOOKS GREAT AND SOUNDS EVEN BETTER,GET A ENGL SAVAGE 120 AND QUIT SHOPPING AROUND.I WASTED ALMOST TWO YEARS TRYING TO FIND THE BEST HIGH-GAIN AMP FOR THE MONEY.I FOUND IT IN THE ENGL SAVAGE 120...WRITE ME IF YOU NEED TO.I'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTION...THANKS

Get ready, there are a TON of features in this amp. They thought of everything and a BIT more. So, be patient reading this section of my review.
4-channel tube amp with 2 extra modes plus various other preamp and power amp tonal shaping switches which give many possibilities to shape your guitar sound. Let me explain how it works. They divided the amp in 2 "Main Channels" , A & B. In Main Channel A, you have 2 sub-channels, Clean and Crunch 1. These have individual preamps stages, so they sound very distinct. Individual volume and gain controls for each sub-channel so that you can hear them at the same or different volumes and/or gain levels. Further, you have a Contour and Preshape controls to alter the sound caracter of Main Channel A.
In Main Channel B, you have again another 2 sub-channels, Crunch 2 and and Lead. Again very different sounding lead channels. Individual volume and gain controls for each sub-channel so that you can set them at the same or different volumes and/or gain levels. Using the same principle, you can further alter the sound of these sub-channels with Countour and Rough/Smooth switches. These switches are very effective and can sweeten or add more agressiveness to your overall lead sound. The good part is that all this can be programmed via MIDI (if you get their MIDI interface, the Z7 which costs $180 and any MIDI foot-controller).
All these controls so far were preamp tonal shaping features. Well guess what, they offer a ton of other choices in the power amp section of the amp. There are 2 INDIVIDUAL Master level controls A & B (apart from the individual preamp volume channel controls). 2 INDIVIDUAL Presence controls A & B. Finally, there are too Depth Boost switches assigned to each Presence control. The Master level controls and Presence controls can also be assigned via midi.
2 FX loops, one for each of the 2 "Main Channels" or you can use one of the loops as a master loop, in which case the other loop is turned off.
All the main functions such as channel switching, Master level controls, Presence controls and Rough/Smooth switch can be controlled via their foot pedal Z10 or midi controlled (if you buy their MIDI interface, Z7, and use it with any MIDI foot-controller). I'm using mine with a ENGL Z7 midi interface and a ENGL Z12 midi foot-controller.
It's tough for me to think of other features that they could have added, apart from being able to turn the FX loops on and off DIRECTLY via their midi setup. But I still Am going to give it a 10 because you can always do so indirectly. I'll explain. All you need is to have a programmable device in the loop that has a bypass function such as a Lexicon PCM reverb, Rocktron Intellifex, Eventide etc. Their midi interface, the Z7, has a Midi through jack, so...

I'm using this amp with guitars that have high output pickups. However, even if you use it with not so powerfull pickups, you should definitely be able to get enough gain. I never have any of my gain controls maxxed out even though I can go from SRV to Zakk Wylde. However, I get enough gain to play from SRV to Pantera. So, even you don't have very powerfull pickups, you should be fine. That said, let me now describe each channel.
Clean - Very clean. It can be very glassy and crisp or a little smoother and sweet using some of the switches described earlier. You can either get this channel to break up a little if you max out its gain control.
Crunch 1 - This is the channel to play blues (think of SRV, Stones etc...)
Crunch 2 - A lot of gain here already. You can go from Eric Johnson to Van Halen, depending on how much gain you dial and by further using the Rough/Smooth switches described earlier and the basic EQ (obviously)
Lead - High Gain mayhem. Well, if you use the tonal switches, Eq controls and Gain levels, you can go from Yngwie, Vai, Zakk Wylde or any other "Gain Maniac" you can think of. This channel has the widest tonal caracter of all. It's amazing how much the controls can affect your tone. You can have a very tight, early Metallica, type of bottom end or a "looser" or "buttery" feel depending on how you EQ it and use the Rough/Smooth switch.
The only thing that I can criticize the Savage 120 in terms of sounds is that even though the High Gain sounds have a lot less noise than mass-produced amps such as Marshalls, Mesas or Peaveys, it's a bit more noisy than my Bogners. I own both a Bogner Ecstasy and a Uberschall.
However, the most important point here is that the quality and tonal range of distortions and overdrives in this amp are just AMAZING. Further, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the amp is noisy at all. It's very quiet in most VERY high-gain situations. It's just not the quietest that my ears have heard, that's all. Thus, I'm not even taking any points off. This amp is such a FANTASTIC value for the price that it deserves a 10!!

Can't say much here yet. However, it's German, so...

They don't have lot of service centers in the US yet. Thats' why I'll take a point off here. However, they're gonna grow in this country because they're building serious amps!! The people that I dealt with so far were very friendly and helpful.

Endless tonal possibilities. AMAZING sound quality. This is a boutique amp at a fantastic price. Is it as good as my Bogners? Well, not sure here yet. However, the value that you get here is just ridiculous. By spending $2,300 you can get the midi interface and midi controller and switch all channels, Rough/Smooth caracter(tone switches) Master level controls and Presence controls. I basically bought this amp to use it live so that I could keep my Bogners at home for recording only. I gotta tell that not only it does the job live very well but also it will certainly appear in my recordings. What else can I say? Buy this BEAST, experiment with the controls and you'll be a HAPPY man!!
I have or at least have tried every amp that you can imagine. This amp smokes all the mass-production crappy amps and you only pay a little more than an overpriced multi-channel, big name, such as a Marshall TSL 100 or Mesa Triple Rectifier.
Buy it!!

Kickass 120W 4channel true full tube head, built in 1996. For features check the ENGL website, I don't want to list them all.

My guitars are two Gibson SG's, one SG'90 (DiMarzio PAFpro Bridge, splittable Fast Track1 neck) and one SG Special with stock PU's. I play mostly modern, melodic,innovative and versatile hard music (some sort of new metal), and I need all the 4 channels this amp provides. In fact this amp can deliver any gain grade you wish to have, its capable of brutal metal distortion, shimmering clean sounds, vintage- like blues crunch or sweet, middly medium gain crunch. But the coolest thing is: the amp doesn't want to sound like a Fender or Marshall or Boogie or Soldano or something else, it's got its own character and that is why it differs from all other hitech tube amps I know. The distortion is definetely not as harsh as one is used to from Marshall amps, it is much more harmonic and fine structured, thats what I like most of the overdrive channels. The tube-buffered FX loop causes no sound loss at all, switching is quiet (I didnt know it could get THAT quiet with relais switching) and hiss is more than tolerable even at highest gain settings. Plus the filtered and balanced D.I. output can easily compete with the digitally modelled speaker sounds from POD, J-Station, V-amp and Co. Yes, it is really THAT good! Its premium sound quality causes me of thinking about leaving miking in live situations.
Together with my real good Rathamp TW412 cabinet (see review) this is BY FAR the best sounding setup I ever had and ever played !

No problems so far, I've only had it for about 6 weeks. But as I played an ENGL Blackmore tubehead (also see my reviews) for the two years before, I know I will surely be able to rely on the Savage120.

I've contacted ENGL several times via email and the ENGL amp designer himself always answered fully and gave very helpful hints to my problems, no matter what it was.

Best amp so far, and i dont know which one could be better for the price, which is reasonable for the offered quality. I dont like to pay 5000DEM for a Rectifier as i know that it won't match my tastes. For me it is THE amp, nothing misses, most of the features are steadily in use.

This amp was made in 2001. The most versatile amp that I've used. Even though it's very complexed, it's very user friendly. It has 4 channels consisting of Clean, Crunch 1, Crunch 2, and Lead. It is controled by an Engl MIDI foot switching system. A Rough/Smooth mode generates 2 completely different types of overdrive. This feature plus the 4 channels enables you to access 6 individual sound modes. The amps 2 voicing sections and 2 master volumes are both practical and effective. The amp features a number of signal paths. A passive parallel FX loop for each main channel, or a switchable master FX loop, a variable balanced line out featuring speaker simulation, an overload LED, 4,8, or 16 ohms speaker outputs.Superior craftsmanship and quality components. As you would expect from German engineering and technology.

The guitars I use vary. A stock 1968 Gibson Les Paul with soapbar pickups. A 1978 Gibson Les Paul with DiMarzio pickups, specifically a super distortion at the bridge and a fred at the neck. Fender Stratocasters equipped with DiMarzio Tone Zones at the Bridge and Fast Tracks at the neck position. A stock Gibson Firebird, and various Ibanezes all with Dimarzio Tone Zones and Fast Tracks. I own Fender, Ampeg, Mesa Boogie, and Peavey amps. The Engle is capable of getting the sound characteristics of all these amps and more. And while most of these amps that I mentioned owning and most other amps are one dimentional and do one thing well, the Engle is capable of sounding how ever I need it to sound and is just an amazing amp. I can get Fender Twin clean tones and the distortion sounds range from Marshall plexis, JTM, JMP, JCM, TSL to Mesa Boogie and Soldano type distortion. And yet it also can have it's own voice and personality. It's like owning a huge amp collection in one amp. Imentioned the Fender clean sounds. I am also able to get Larry Carlton/Steve Lukather jazz distortions, Stevie Ray/Robin Trower blues Distortions, ACDC AND 70'S metal. Iron Maiden/ Judas Priest distortions to Metallica/Pantera distotions with the push of a button. It has a mid scoop that takes you between these 2 metal type distortions with 1 finger. It's amazingly quiet even at the highst gain settings. And more gain than I ever thought could possibly exist in one amp. The clean sound is amazing and the distortion can crush bones. After playing guitar for 25 years, 19 years professionally as a recording artist and instructor, I can honestly say that this amp is what I've heard in my head but didn't exist until now.

I've had no problems what so ever from this amp. It's amazing.

These amps are made in Germany, but they were smart enough to have a U.S. REP based in California named Jacques Isler who is beyond considerate and has a great knowledge of the Engl. He's always taken my calls or called back the same day. Outstanding support. Second to none. Jacques can be reached at 818-610-2896

As stated earlier, Ive been playing for 25 years and have a massive collection of guitars and amps. Hands down more versatile than any amp that I own. It's like having an amp collection in one amp, because it is capable of producing so many sounds. Hands down the best clean channel of any amplfier that can produce this much gain. The 4 channels make it like having a Fender, Marshall, and Mesa Boogie all in one amp, and still has it's ownpersonality.