Engl Screamer 50 Head

-2004 model ENGL Screamer 50w Head

-Incredibly versatile amp for the price, replaced Mesa F-30 for this amp, Our band plays hard rock/ classic metal and a touch of blues on demand, ENGL does these styles wonderfully

-4 channels (2 channels both with Hi Gain/Low Gain modes), switchable via ENGl Z-5 footswitch, FX loop with wet/dry knob

-Would be 10 if the amp had more than one EQ, and maybe even a foot-switchable mid-boost/cut

-1992 Les Paul standard w/ Seymour Duncan Custom Custom in bridge and Jazz in the neck, stock 99' Ibanez RG550, MXR Carbon Copy and Boss CH-1 through FX loop, TS-808 reissue, modded crybaby and boss TU-15 into amp, amp feeds a Marshall 1960A cab

-Suits me and my band down to a tee, dont know of another amp that cover this much ground sounding so good

-It is a valve amp, you are never going to get it 100% quiet, but it is quieter than most other amps I have played

-Again, this amp is incredibly versatile, however Hi Gain Clean mode is unusable on volumes below 5, very thin and harsh, Clean channel is fantastic, Other guitarist in my band used to have Twin Reverb, very similar sounds, Lead channel is the reason i bought this amp - wow, fantastic range of distortions, not much need to turn the gain up past 1-2 o'clock though

- With Clean volume past 3 o'clock and master volume past 11 o'clock, you will get a beautiful musical breakup, then flick on the tubescreamer for heaven on earth

- Not as much gain as a Mesa or a Bogner etc. , but still more than enough :)

- Amp has been gigged since brand new for 4 yrs without fault (its the first amp that ive owned that has achieved that), and i used to bring along a little roland cube just in case, no longer do though - no point

never had a problem with it, therefore never dealt with ENGL, and it comes with one year warranty- useless, this amp is a tank

-been playing for 15 years, if it were stolen, i'd buy the combo version instead of the head, then it would fit in my bedroom :)

- Love the amp, hate its weight, compared to other heads

- i did compare it to a couple of other amps, a 5150, Dual rectifier, couple of Orange amps and a AC50 head, although i was hellbent on choosing the ENGL when going in to the shop, i had tried it a couple of times before

- As mentioned before, more EQ options would be nice, and maybe chucking in the Z-5 footswitch would of been icing on the cake

before buying this I was just using the Line ^ Pod XT live di into front of house and was happy with that. But when I heard this amp i fell in love with it. I like amps to be simple, be able 2 plug in and rock! This does just that. 4 channels give it the versatillity that i need. i enjoy playing all styles of music. 50 watts, u dont need more than that unless your a professional touring artist honestly! the blend feature with that knob on the back (i forget what it is) is useful and works well with my Tc GMajor. The out puts are great also. i use an old ampeg 4x12 loaded with V30's 9same as Zakk Wylde back in the day) and it sounds ***n great

fantastic clean! the trbble boost button works nicely alothough would be good if there was a footswitch to turn it on and off. i play ernie ball John Petrucci guitars (the origional and the ball Family reserve) as well as a shillo custom, and i rekon i get a pretty "closeto JP" tone. Similar blend to the sound he gets on train of thought/Ocatavarium so yeah great clear solid fat distortion and glassy for leads.

As i mentioned I have the TC Gmajor rack FX thingy and with a bit of chorus or phase, the clean tone can really mimmic pink floyd almost and also metallica kinda Load cleans which i really enjoy.

I also use a DBX 266XL gate/compressor to clean up any loose noise and a slight compression to even things out and fatten it up a bit.

took it from one side of Australia to the other and back in a car with no road case and still works fine!

never needed any.

great! if you want a high gain amp but cant be sucked spending bull**** amounts on mesa Boogie, GET AN ENGL! They sound just as good if not better and are far cheaper!

This is a two channel amp but with a single EQ shared between the channels. The single EQ is made a bit more flexible by the bright button on the clean channel and the separate presence for the distortion channel.

It has an effects loop which has a mix control on it allowing you to select series of parallel operation.

It has a reverb.

The most useful features are the gain boost for each channel and the second master volume accessable via the footswitch (it's called a 'V.L.S.' setting but in reality it serves as a divider on the main master volume giving you a second lower setting).

These last two features make two channels into effectively four all of which can have a solo boost - very neat.

I'm using this with a PRS custom 22 which has Seymour Duncan's in it (an alnico II and a Pearly Gates for neck and bridge resp.).

The head goes into an Engl 2x12 with vintage 30s in and I use a boss GT-Pro with it in what the web calls the 'four cable method' which allows some FX in front of the amp and some in the loop.

I use this in a pub covers and in London in which I'm the only guitarist so I want quite a bit of flexibility and the sounds need to be quite fat.

Overall I really like the sounds - the clean channel is a la Fender - fat and with strong transients however with the gain kicked in (to give you a crunch setting) it's just too harsh for me and I never use this setting (which is annoying because it would be very useful). The distortion channel is very much Marshall and as such it's lovely. It took me a while to get the sound right on this amp as any trebble and presence setting on this amp over 10 o'clock to just way to bright for a conventional sound. I've never done any thrash or nu-metal so maybe the higher settings work well there but I wouldn't know. In general the EQ shoudl be used sparingly and then you get some lovely sounds.

If I had the money I would go for the the powerball as the EQ is much more flexible but given the constraints this is a good compromise.

To sum up - lovely but too much treble.

Full marks for this as I have experienced no issues in the 6 months I've had it (which is roughly 20-30 gigs).

No opinion here as I have had no cause to contact them.

I've been playing for 28 years now and I've only had a few amps as I have bought very carefully (I am a shop assistant's nightmare and I have phoned up amp manufacturers' and taken them to task over their choice of features).

I was slow to warm to this amp but each gig finds me happier with it and as such I would recommend it.

FYI - I was comparing this amp to a Marshall vintage modern (lovely sound, stupid feature set), a fender HotRod or Blues DeVille (would have needed a REALLY good distortion pedal to work for me), a Mesa Boogie Express 5:25 (Good but no better than this one for me) a Peavey Classic 50 (Very good - Engl won on features) and A Vox Classic Plus 50 (I couldn't find one so I decided not to risk it despite quite liking the AC30 Custom Classic).

To any amp manufacturer reading this - all amps should have a solo boost or dual master volume (that's independant of channel) and less treble. The number of amps I tried that sounded like they had been designed by someone who had spent a career stood next to the cymbals in a metal band ... a mid EQ that works at a lower frequency would improve a huge number of them too ...

This amp was built in the early 2000's An all tube head witch 4 channels, soloswitch and good reverb. 50w so enough power for the most gigs, if not you can you the direct out or place a mic for it.

This amp combines everything I need in one amp. I use my gibson LP standard or studio. It has a fender like clean witch stays clean, even at high volumes and a great distortion. I find it on the highgain mode quite noisy but the lowgain setting has more than enough gain for me. For channelswitch'n I use my Boss GT-3 and a engl midiswitcher so I swtich mij effects and channels with one device. This works great, only disadvantage's are the many cabels you need and that the switchintime takes a microsecond more then with the engl footswitch. My cab is an Angl 2x12 with vintage 30's really great, no other words for it

In the last five years I only once took a backupamp with me and believe it or not, that's the only time my screamer didn't work. bizare coincedence. I don't know what exactly broke down but it took a time to fix it, futher never had any problem with it.

My local dealer repaired the amp for my but it was quite a job to get the inside on paper from engl.

I own a fender blues junior, marshall JTM30 and a London city 70's tube head. all great amps with their own speciallities. The great thing about the screamer amp it has all the features in one amp!

Made in 2006, german quality. Shared equalizer, 4 modes (clean, crunch, lo gain, brutal hi gain).
"Only" 50 Watts pure tube tone but much much LOUDER than my jcm 900 (100 Watts).
My setup: Gibson SG -> Engl Screamer -> Marshall 1960 Cab. My other bandmembers absolutely love it.

Ive been experimenting the last three years with different amps (marshall jcm/peavey/fender/...) , pedals, effects untill I played the Engl Screamer last week. Instant love!
I play in a band that mixes clean with heavy rock and a fat(nu)metal sound. This amps suits our style 100% (from AC/DC to early Papa Roach). The distortion literally screams and is more than brutal enough. Those with and ENGL know what Im talking about...
No need for an equalizer, metalzone, v-twin, etc... just pure ENGL tone. I'm so glad I bumped into this ENGL, its the best sounding amp Ive ever heard.

Only have it for a week, 2 years of warranty left.
Its built like a tank, would use it without a backup.

2 years of warranty at Musicstore Germany.

Ive been playing for six years and tried tons of amps and effects. For me,the Engl screamer simply produces the killer sound Ive been looking for. Ive swapped it for a jcm 900, its simple the best deal i ever made. Get one while you still can!!

For features see other reviews or Engl site. Let me start by saying I LOVE this amp, i've been searching for a high gain amp for my rock gigs (classic rock, 80's - new rock, hairbands) that was under 100 watts so I could use it with a 2x12 cab. The sound I was going for was 80's hairband-ish. And after 3 gigs, i've come to the conclusion this is PERFECT. I'm a full time professional musician that plays all types of gigs from bar bands, to touring with national acts, to TV shows. This amp is my "rock amp" (think Marshall).

The clean/hi gain setting (crunch) is kinda unuseable - it's a little to bright and not as loud as the clean/lo gain setting, so it's a bummer when you have to switch to it in the middle of a song. But, you can make it sound good if you know how to dial your EQ and your guitar volume knob.

I'm using it with a LP Custom and an Epi Zakk Wylde with the Zakk active EMG's, and this amp loves Les Pauls. I've tried out my other guitars with it (Strat with noiseless Dimarzio's, Reverend Slingshot with P90's, Gibson SG, Fender Tele) and after re-EQing a little, they all sound great. I'm running it through a DR. Z Z-best 2x12 cab, with a vintage 30 and a Heritage. I think it might sound better with 2 Vintage 30's.

Like I said this is my "rock amp". Previous amps that coveted this title were a Peavey Classic 100 head and a Splawn Quick Rod. But i needed something smaller and 50 watts is perfect for bar band/club date stuff.

The gain isn't as gainy as there other amps (Firepowerballspecialedition) it won't get that Krank-y nu-metal sound, but it is a perfect 80's metal, Marshall sound. Marshalls were a little too bright for me, this has a little more beef, maybe because its a 6L6 type amp instead of EL34's.

First time having an amp with a parallel effects loop with a mix knob. You gotta play aound with this to avoid phasing issues, just use your ears. I keep my delay mix knob cranked and have the wet/dry knob at like 9 oclock.

So far so good.

I've heard the stories about the poor customer support, but i have a good amp tech here that i prefer to use instead of sending it to the company.

Love it. Sounds amazing with Les Pauls. I've been searching for a good 50 watt rock amp with a good gain sound. I found it.

4 Gain Channels, Reverb, Direct Out, 50 watts, yadda yadda. Oh yeah, and you can watch yourself play becase the engl logo plate is reflective, for you vain types. Plenty of options, nothing frivolous

Gibson Special Faded SG with stock gibson pups - also used a shecter with jb59s in it - through two different cabinets. Still rocks with a xxx cab - not all of us can afford great cabinets, at least not at the same time as we can afford heads...

I play metal of the technical variety, melody and harmony driven types of things...- the thing sings - Basically I was looking for a good high gain with plenty of bite and midrange - Not a fan of mesas or other 'modern' sounding amps. This amp delivers it - Plenty of gain for shred, punk and metal. But good gain. Top notch sound quality. I'm coming from owning a 5150 - not so bad but REAL one dimensional - and NO real clean channel.

This thing eats the 5150, and only at 50 watts. The real treat is on the clean channel with a high quality reverb on it - people pay a grand all the time for that kind of clean (fender) -

It can also nail anything in between. I'm a metal head, and this amp has plenty of gain to it, for me. Between 5 and 8 is sufficient for what I usually do. 8 being for the heavy stuff.

Looks quite sturdy. Can't say beyond that.

n/a

Shared EQ is the only pitfall of this baby. Been playing 8 years, owned lots of crap, time for me to own something quality. I'd like to say I'd replace it, but I'm poor - if I had the money, I'd replace it with haste.

year: 2003
4 channels, switchable with a quite expensive Engl footswitch, but you can also work it out with two normal switches.
Very versatile, many different sounds out of it

I hardly ever play it clean and it doesn't satisfy me at all... thought it was because of the speakers (marshall 1922), tried to warm it up with the Vintage 30, but still it sound freezy, it seems impossible to get a warm funky sound out of it...

no doubt the lead channel is screaming, this head could be good for heavy metal, but not for other styles I'd say.
the equalizer is useless, turn the middle knob to the top and then to the bottom... do you notice any difference????

very reliable, silent, resistent, light to move. no problems at all

ok it's cheap, but if you don't play heavy metal and you don't mind carrying heavy wheights, you'd better buy a nice comnbo for the same price.

This is one of the newer models and it rules.
It has al the features needed except for the slight drawback of it only havig shared eq(easily fised with an eq pedal)
It is very versatile.
It has bassically 4 chanels....clean...crunch....lowgain...high gain.
the Vls system is excelent does the job completely.
I would have given it 10 if it wasn't for the shared eq

I have 2 settings for this amp...high gain hardcore setting...and soft rock setting.
I use a super strart with duncans and it sounds awesome.
The distortion is really brutal at high levels ad it suits any heavy styles.
This amp is very very veratile but as i said before....an eq pedal helps.

well i havent really had it long enough to judge but.....in 3 months nothin has gone wrong.

eer not great here.....i emailed the a bt ago cos i thought i had a prblem....still watin on a reply.

I love this amp and in the true harmony central style i would buy it again if it got stolen.

Bought 2002 for 1000 euros
* Four channels Clean/Crunch/soft lead/hard lead
* treble/mid/bass for all channels
* clean/crunch volume
* soft lead/hard lead volume and gain
* power amp volume and presence
* spring reverb, V.L.S. rattio by footswitch
* Effects loop
* Balanced out

I play in a covers band and we play Iron Mainden, Metallica, Megadeth, Queen, Bonjovi, GunsnRoses, DAD, The Offspring, Green Day, Velvet Revolver, Rage against the machine, Ramstein...............

I use it with a engl 2x12 standart cabinet (I want a 4x12 vintage 30), Celestion V60 loaded, a Ibanez RG550EX with dimarzio evolution, a T.C. G-major for effects, EQ (new function added by update 1.26), and control over the relays for the channels.

I think this is a very good Amp, it gives me all the stages of gain that i need, and with the aid of G-majors EQ, it gives me the versatibility that i need to cover all my styles of playing.

I whish that for the same price the screamer was a 100watts Amp(if i had the money probably i buy the savage head), in our gigs I have to put the power amp over middle (yeah we play very very loud) and i have to turn the guitar a little lower so my clean sound remain clean, but my sound turns a little lower that i want it.

At this point the only problem that i had was the spring reverb that doesnt work anymore, it was fixed once, but the warranty ended, i dont use it anyway (but was pretty good).

I dont have money for a backup or a replacement so.... please dont...F&*#$%*uck with me

2 years and i havent change the tubes, but i better save some money for it

Never deal with them

I dont give 10 because of the shared EQ but for the money is great, thanks people at Engl