Engl Tube Classic 50 210 Combo

The Classic has a great subset of features. Two footswitchable channels, footswitchable boost (VLS) for both channels, and footswitchable reverb. Also has a recording out that I haven't used. The amp can accept multiple combinations of 8 and 16-ohm cabs.

As my only 2 channel amp, I enjoy the versatility - the ability to boost both channels is nice too. The effects loop works great, as does the reverb.

I like the Engl Classic a lot, but it is not my favorite amp. The amp is very responsive with an uncompressed tone. The clean channel is very warm and fat, and sounds great when slightly pushed (but not too much). The grive channel is voiced somewhat like a Marshall, with gain levels similar to an earlier JCM-800 or a 70's metal panel Marshall.

My opinion:
I absolutely love the clean channel. It is comparable to my Twin Reverb's clean channel; perhaps a tiny bit warmer, and breaks up a bit sooner. In fact, if I ever feel like selling it, I play the clean channel for 5 minutes and quickly change my mind! Stellar.

The drive channel, however, leaves a little to be desired. It is VERY picky about cabs - with my Marshall 4x12's, I can't seem to dial out the harshness - it tends to be very brash and brittle sounding, almost like trying to overdrive the Twin. Not smooth at all. The combo sounds pretty good, and my Mojotone 2x12 works well if I keep the treble down.

I've found my way around the drive channel's weaknesses by running the "High Gain 1" (drive channel's preamp drive) very low, so I only get a slight breakup when hitting the channel switch. Running the masters up helps alot too.

The shared channel does not seem to voice both channels as well as I'd like either. If you want a bight, snappy clean, the drive channel's gonna be an icepick. Dialing the drive channel to a tolerable tone turns the bright channel to a nice, warm jazzy
tone with no snap. So, It's limited in this regard.

Finally, I personally don't feel the amp takes pedals as well as I'd like. It seems that a pedal tends to muddy up and compress the preamp pretty quickly even at moderate settings.

The reverb, however, is stellar. Very long Accutronics pan. The sound is as perfect a reverb as I've ever heard.

Overall, I had to split the rating. I gave a 10 for the clran side (would give 11 if I could!) and gave a 6-7 for the drive channel due to its harshness and finicky nature. That works out to be an 8 overall.

I would say the amp is fairly reliable. Upon first glance, it seems to be built pretty sturdy. However, some design details leave much to be desired from a maintenance/repair/reliability standpoint.

1. The tolex is highly delicate. The slightest bump tears the tolex. Mine is still almost mint because it sits at home, but bump it against something and it'll leave a mark for sure.

2. The amp's cab is constructed entirely of MDF fiberboard. This is not the most desirable material for amp construction because it swells permanently if it gets wet and will crumble if it takes a hard knock. Many would also argue it has a detrimental effect on tone.

Open the amp up, and you'll find the following less than desirable construction details:

3. Upside down mounted printed circuit boards. Very difficult to repair should you have to replace a burnt component!

4. Silicone epoxy everywhere - wires, board corners, etc. Apparently to prevent vibration effects, but again a nighmare if repairs are needed.

5. Use of pcb-mounted plastic pots & jacks instead of metal ones.

That said, these elements are common to many manufacturers besides Engl. For what I paid, however, I expected slightly better.

The reverb pan died after about 1.5 years, but this is not Engl's fault and I won't hold it against them.

Overall, I think reliability is fair to good. I'd trust the amp in a gigging situation. But the level of price cutting exhibited by the construction methods above diminishes my confidence somewhat. And I just pray that she doesn't break down! It'll be a couple hundred bucks in bench fees to disassemble this thing.

Mixed feelings with customer support. When the reverb pan died (within the warranty period), I could not get it repaired by Engl. I dropped it off at the dealer, and picked up the amp a month later unrepaired. Luckily, I know my way around amps somewhat and could diagnose and repair it myself. Since the company is in Germany, the logistics is a nightmare. They don't seem to have authorized repair centers like other manufacturers do.

However, I had a very nice email exchange with the designer of the amp himself, Horst Langer. He provided me some tech support and worked with me when my reverb pan went out. that was a very pleasant, unexpected surprise.

I've been playing about 20 years on and off. I own a Gibson LP '59 RI, 'Fender '52 Tele RI, and a Fender Eric johnson Strat. Other amps include a JCM-800 2204, Fender Twin Reverb RI, Fuchs ODS-30SLX, and 2 Marshall 4x12 cabs (1960AV and 1960AX). The Engl complements these nicely, and tries to substitute for the Twin and the JCM-800 as a portable gigging combo. I probably would not buy it again given the chance, simply because there are so many great options in this price range and due to the drive channel's weaknesses.

Overall, not a bad amp. With a couple of tweaks, it could be pretty stellar. I consider it a keeper, for the clean channel alone and the great set of features. If I could fix the minor complaints about the drive channel, this amp would be a real winner.

If you want very usable vintage sounds this is your amp! I play mostly classic rock eg Springsteen, Stones, The Who etc. It features 2 channels (clean&dirty), separate master volumes & reverb controls.
ENGL AMPS DO NOT COME WITH A FOOTSWITCH! The Engle footswitch is an optional extra and not a cheap one at that. I purchased a generic stereo plugged footswitch at $30US and it works fine. I deduct ONE point from the rating for this!!! There is an effects loop and 2 boost buttons for added depth and or treble. It is a very basic classic styled amp and has all the basic features you need. A nice addition would be an added gain function for some intense overdrive. That said, this is supposed to be a classic sound and not a metal amp. There are 6 tubes I think. I have used it in a band situation and I never had the volume past 3. This is 50 very loud tube watts! I think it has 2 10 inch speakers which adds to the huge sound.

I use an Am Tele Deluxe and Am Strat Deluxe all with single coils. I am able to pull any vintage rock, jazz or blues sound with small tweaking. I have been searching for my sound for 12 years and here it is! In my younger days i thought any amp that didnt have Pantera style distortion was rubbish. But then your ears mature and you learn how to manipulate equipment for best effect. The amp is silent even at loud levels. The amp only has 2 or 3 sounds, not suitable for metal but you could get an authentic Stones, Springsteen or Hendrix sound in a minute. Th clean channel stays clean at high volumes and also features its own gain control. One of the best sounds comes from a tele with the clean channel overdriven. The Distortion at its strongest sounds like a mild smooth marshall sound. Very usuable for Ac/DC, Led Zep style sounds but nothing in the league of Hi gain amps like Mesa's and Soldano etc. Let me say, I A/B'd this amp against Fenders, Traynors and other combos and the Engl won hands down. The fender has that fender clean that cant be beat but the driven sounds found on fenders are terrible and woolly. The engl gets a clear bell like clean sound(very pretty) and a very usuable overdrive. Unlike a marshall which has one usuable distortion and a poor clean sound if you like clean warm tube tones. This amp is warm and has lovely presence.

I havent gigged it yet but it feels reliable. The blonde finish tears rather easily. Mine has 3 tears from the showroom. My bass player never stops commenting on how attractive the amp is though!

These are made in germany so i dread having to contact the manufacturer.

I have been playing 12 years. I own a Maton Acoustic, Yamaha Mike Stern signature Pacifica andd Roland 840GX Hard disc recorder. If this were lost or stolen I would definately buy another one. I would also find the thief and get all "Tony Soprano" on his ass! This amp honestly kills the Fender Twin and most combo's in its league. I love the fact that it has usuable sounds right out of the box. I hate the fact that the footswitch is an extra. I am very fussy with my sounds. For me to say this amp sounds amazing is no easy feat! This amp would sound awesome in a stadium as well as a small club. Well worth the money.

Twin channel (clean and O/D) 50 x watt combo with 2 x 10" speakers.I compared this amp with a mesa boogie F50 and the engl seemed sweeter.
A very versatile amp with an adjustable volumn gain facility and XLR DI jack.
For 50 x watts this is a very loud amp.
The footswitch is extra however and runs out at #50 however if you buy a marshall channel/reverb footswtich (the one WITHOUT the red neon)this work perfectly for less than a third of the price.

Very chimey on the clean channel and a good Marshall clone overdrive.
I would recommend this amp to anyone wanting a quality versatile combo and easily loud enough to cut through at any gig.

This is where the problems start and its got nothing to do with the workings of the unit.The amp comes with a creme cabinet covering which looks very "retro" and nice but as far as being practicle its useless.Mine has shrunk and started to come away at the corners.Ive seen an identical unit in the shop looking in a far worse state than mine.
The covering is totally useless in fact and rips very easily so in less than a few months (if you "gigged it") your "new" amp would need recovering.
Not good.

This is where the fun starts.Engl's UK distrubutor have promised to replace the cabinet.That was in march of this year.Target delivery dates have come and gone and as of writing Iam no further on.
As far as e-mailing ENGL you can forget a responce.Ive e-mailed them 3 x times and not once have they responded.
Not good.
I see plenty of reviews on Harmony central where manufacturers are given top marks depite people never having to make contact with them.
Why ????.
The customer service is a joke.

Basically it 9 out of 10 for the performance of the amplifier and zero for the build quality.
If you are buying this amp for home use then it should be OK (but even so get a cover for it).If you dare to gig with it then expect it to look like sh^t within a week or so.
On that basis and given the level of "customer support" then I would say the amp is best avoided.

I bought this amp new in 2002, it's a precious white combo, all tube (i don't really know the name of the tubes) but there are six. (2 and 4) The speakers are two celestion silver 60 - 10" inch. The features are not very versatile, but prefect for blues and rock (that I play) , it has a bright and deep boosters, two channels, (and anther one for the solos, called VLS, seems like mesa-boogie), two reverbs, and two masters. It has 50 tube watts, but they are more powerfull and cleraly than a 100 watts from a solid state amps.

I had two electrics guitars: a Epiphone sg-400 (with specials pickups) and a telecaster, this amps it's made for classic sounds, like old vintage marshall or could be mesa boggie sounds too. The overdrive not is for metal, with the gain at the max i can find sounds like black sabbath or led zep. With clan sounds, and a strato you'll the hendrix sound in seconds. Really good sound, (it a pure tube amp!) so i don't use any pedals or efects, I like the sunds how is, perfect for my style: blues (albert collins, srv, los deltonos. kws...) or classic rock : led zep, deep purple, rolling, ...

This amp looks like a stone, i think i'll never break. And also, one friend who his professional have another engl since 7 years, and it sounds like the first day.

the warranty is longlife, but i don't know 'couse i'm in continuos contact with the people from the shop. Thy are genial people!

OK, if you want an amp for blues don't look anothers, i think engl is the best for the price. For me, it sound berrer than Marshall or fender... i really like mesa, and this combo sounds like these. But if you want extremely high distortion... don't buy it, no is made for you.