Engl Steve Morse Signature Amp

The Steve Morse Signature Amp was built in 2008 and has almost too many features, although all of them are useful and help achieve tones that normally you would need multiple amps to do. The amp is a 100 watt beast that has three channels. On the front there is a bright switch, channel 1 gain, bass, middle, treble, volume and a channel 1 switch, channel 2 gain, bass, middle, treble and a channel 2 switch, presence, depth, buttons for FX loop 1 or 2, noise gate on/off, input jack, high gain switch, channel 3 gain, bass, lo mid 1, lo mid 1/2 switch, low mid 2, hi mid 1, hi mid 1/2 switch, hi mid 2, treble, lo volume, hi volume, master A & B volumes, write/copy switch, amp mute, standby and power. The rear panel includes main power, ground lift switch, midi section and footswitch inputs, noise gate threshold level, FX loops 1 and 2 with send, return and level, pre out, line out and power amp out with 4, 8, 16 ohms choices. One hell of an amazing display of knobs and warm all tube power. It looks a little daunting, but really is a piece of cake to operate. The head does not come with a footswitch, but since there are so many midi capable functions, I got a ground control unit from Voodoo Lab and it works wonders with the amp. I can change channels, switch between solo volumes, directly access FX loops 1 and 2, mute the amp entirely for tuning, use the gain function on each channel, use the bright function on each channel and choose between different mid voicing on channel three. It's easy to program and sounds phenomenal! The only thing I wish it had, although it sounds fine turned down is a half power switch, because this thing really needs to be turned up. The tube compliment is 4 EL34's and 4 ECC83's (12AX7's). It weighs in at about 50 pounds so be ready to lift. My amp sits atop a Marshall 1960A cabinet and almost makes it top heavy because of the weight. I am not going to complain about the weight though because when you have high quality (meaning very large) transformers, the sound and build quality follow. One hell of a well built, great sounding amp.

I really think that this amp can cover an amazing amount of ground. I mainly use a '58 Les Paul, but also have a couple of strats and what I like is that the character of the guitar comes through the amp, it does not mask the guitar only makes the guitar louder and/or adds gain. If you start with all of the tone controls at 12 o'clock, you will probably have a great sound coming out as long as you are using a good cabinet. On the clean channel you can use a strat, push in the bright switch and the guitar almost sounds acoustic. Absolutely stunning. Another thing with channel one that I like is that if you push the high gain switch, channel one breaks up like an old Marshall. There again another stunning sound in the vein of old AC/DC or early Zeppelin crunch. Channel two is where I spend most of my time and really go between regular and high gain on this channel. To me you can go from the later AC/DC crunch to 80's/90's metal. At first I thought this channel was a little dark, but messing with the presence and treble, this channel is now my favorite. Channel three I use in low gain mode and use it as a lead channel, although different rhythm sounds are available too. I never use the high gain mode on this channel because I really don't need that much gain. The pregain on channels two and three sit at about 1 o'clock and that is all I need. No need for gain pedals at all. I use a Fulltone Clyde wah, the Ground Control switcher, a MXR Custom Audio Boost/Line Driver as a buffer (no boost) and a TC Electronic G-Major in one of the effects loops. That's it. Damn near a guitar into the amp all the time. The line driver is just because I have at least 40 feet of cable (20' to the wah, and 20' back to the amp) and I can hear the drop off in detail and tightness to the sound. I mainly play old hard rock. I love Rush, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, etc. I also love old school metal like Accept, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, etc., and this amp can do it all. The distortion is very tight and clear. You do some stops and the amp definitely stops with you, no lag or overhang. The noise gate is cool for the higher gain settings and does a great job until you turn the guitar volume so low that there is not enough input, then it cuts you off. I only use the gate on high gain modes. Really, this amp is very, very quiet. You can get some hiss in high gain modes, but nothing like my friend's Diezel Einstein that makes a lot of noise. I think that this amp is a little different for Engl, it is not as tame as say their Classic series, but not as brutal as say the Powerball as far as gain. There is plenty of gain there, it's just that it is more complex and smooth as opposed to nu-metal, scooped, harsh metal tones. Nothing wrong with those sounds, this amp just sounds more sweet to me. This amp is like an 18 year old single malt scotch, while others are like a light beer. Both have their purpose, but one is just more special and a beautiful experience. Also, for some reason, this amp works great with the G-Major in the effects loop. I set the amp up so that nothing is in loop 1 and the TC is in loop 2, that way, when I'm not using any effects, I go to an empty loop and have nothing in the way of my sound. I have had other amps that did not work well with the TC, but this amp loves it. I don't use a lot of effects, but the chorus, or delay sound great through the TC and back into the amp. First time I have really gotten to use an effects loop that really works and does not detract from the sound. For now, this is the amp for me. I still and always will have my old, original JCM-800, but this Engl is the first time I have found something that can do similar sounds to the JCM-800, but so much more!

Well, I waited until I had this amp for a while and until I did some rehearsals and gigs with it, and so far this is a winner! It has not let me down once and always performs flawlessly. Those Germans sure know how to make a solid, well built, incredible sounding amp. Previously, I had two Mesa's that both died on me. A Roadster that just quit in the middle of a gig and Solo 50 that literally blew up right in front of me at a rehearsal. Doesn't make you feel too confident when that happens and fortunately, everything about the Engl has been great. Still no problem with sound or tubes or anything.

Fortunately I have not needed any service. I did email Engl about a midi question concerning the ground control and Engl and got a response in a couple of days that was very helpful and definitely answered my question. I think that is very commendable for a company to take care of one little guy way overseas.

At this point in time, this amp is everything I could of asked for and more. It is very versatile, sounds great and does what I want it do - IT ROCKS! This is the amp that finally got me to sell all my other heads (except the aforementioned JCM-800) because it is that good. It is also refreshing to not have a ton of pedals in front of me anymore. Just me, a guitar, a wah and an amp. I love that. I've been playing guitar for over 32 years and out of all the amps, guitars and effects that I have gone through, my Engl, Marshall JCM-800, Gibson '58 Les Paul, and Marshall cabinet are the only things I will forever keep. And yes, if it were stolen I would get another in a heartbeat. The only other amp I still want is a Soldano SLO-100, but that is not necessary at all with the sound I am getting right now. For what I play, there is no need to look any further.

This is my brand new ENGL Steve Morse Signature Amp. That is the most versatile Amp I've ever played. It has 3 channels with lots of additional options like 2 Master Volumes, Tone and Hi gain swith for all 3 channels, Precence and Depth Punch for all 3 channels, As Channel 1 and 2 have the "normal" potis for Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble and Channel-Voluem the Channel 3 has much more options. Here you have Bass and Treble like in 1 and 2. But you have 4 !!! options for middle. There is not enpugh space in this section to descripe all features. PERFECT

First of all: In the last 30 year I???ve got so many amps to test or to buy. I have or had Marshalls, Boogies, Fenders, Hughes and Kettner, Matchless and more. This is the first amp I really felt in love immediately. It needs a while to understand the whole range of sounds. But when you finally found all the different clean, crunch and distortion sound you cannot stop to be happy. That is the most versatile amp I???ve ever played. From crispy or warm clean (like Fender) to extreme heavy Sounds you can realize every style. That is good for my as I play music in a wide range from Jazz-, Blues- to Heavy Metal style. Although you don???t expect too much from the Clean - channel you will be surprised of the deep and warm and even crispy sound of this channel. With the additional opportunity to change Tone and Gain just this Channel is so versatile that you can???t believe that there are two more channels. Channel 2 is THE crunch channel. I love it. Also here you have a wide range of different crunch sounds and even heavy sounds are possible. The Tone and Hi gain sound are also working with this channel. Channel 3 with its 4 (!!!) opportunity to modify the mid range of the sound is THE killer. I can understand Steve Morse very good when I like his signature amp that much. That is the first time where I have to say that the real sound of an amp is better than promised by the company. ENGL, you???ve done it GOOD.

Can't say too much here. I only have it a week or two.

ENGL is well known for his support. I can only say what I've heard from some friends. They are known as friendly, competent and very effective.

This Amp is just perfect. My search for tone has stopped for a while.