[zimbloth]

Okay so I just got back from a lengthy band rehearsal, something like 9pm-2am or so. I am EXTREMELY HAPPY with the Fireball!

The moment I turned it on, I could tell it was going to be great. First figured I'd warm it up by playing on the cleans for a few. Make no mistake, the clean channel on the Fireball is prestine as they get. Very warm and full, nice and glassy. Now on to what matters - the other channel.

I am finally "home". This amp has everything I loved about the Krank (the tightness) and everything I loved about the Mesa awesome punchy dynamic lead tones. It has a very interesting sound, it doesn't sound like any of the amps I ever owned. It has super tight warm lows, awesome articulation (this thing cuts so well, blends PERFECTLY with the Recto too), and most of all a great feel. It has that kind of tight rhythm sound that I didn't think I'd be able to obtain without some serious extra gear or putting solid-state shit in there (like the Krank). Its just so... punchy and in your face. It's not as sizzly as the Mesa or 5150, it's a bit more compressed you could say, but in a good way. It's still very expressive and dynamic, but it really is just a monster.

Leads and riffs that on the Krank felt boxy, plastic and artificial, came to life like when I had my TriAxis hooked up - except it has a much more polished and tight sound than the TriAxis does. It's definitely not oozing with as many complex overtones as with the TriAxis, but it's definitely a great sound.

I've honestly never played an amp that was more ME than this. It's not perfect. I could envision a better tone (altho who knows, my guitar needs a string change, could use better tubes, v30s are kinda getting old to me), but it's just sooo fun to play. We've written 18 songs, and playing our songs - new and old - through this amp... it seems like this thing was made for epic technical heavy metal type stuff. It rewards you for your super precise attack and technique by giving you the kind of feel and response you didn't even think was obtainable.

I love this amp. It's not perfect like I said, I have much more tweaking and experimenting with things to do, but the bottom line is, I was happier with this thing more in the first minute than I ever was with the Krankenstein. At $899 new, I almost feel like I stole this amp

Misc Thoughts:

1) One thing I thought was funny was that, unlike every other tube amp I've owned, when you turn it on/off standby, it just shuts/turns on instantly, theres no fade. Kind of weird. And... even on standby you could hear a bit of sound, haha. I don't care though.

2) This thing looks AWESOME. I love how simple the layout is. It took about 10 seconds to dial in an awesome tone.

3) This thing is very loud, but to be honest not quite as loud as I thought it would be. The master needs to be at 4-5 or so in band situations.

4) This amp has a LOT of gain. I felt myself putting it down to 4 or 5 or so which I usually don't do. On the Triaxis I usually had the gain at 7.0-7.5 or so.

5) This does sound awesome with my Mesa 4x12, but I still want to try this with Black Shadows.

6) I still think the Triaxis is "better", but $900 vs. $2200... its close enough that Im happy to have $1300 leftover. Although the Triaxis has a bit better tone than this (or anything really), I feel this is better suited for my sound. It's nice having something that cuts and is warm yet also is SUPER SUPER tight and crisp...helps when you play the kind of intricate shit we do.

[Michael]

Glad you found an amp you're happy with. It looks brutal.

[zimbloth]

Thanks. It sounds brutal too

[dpm]

it seems like this thing was made for epic technical heavy metal type stuff

for sure I'd love an Engl for exactly that reason, but I'd need a second (more 'classic') sound a lot of the time. Gotta agree that they're a tad compressed and not as harmonically complex as the Tri, but that's the what makes them good for the super fast complex riffing.

[Mark. A]

Good to hear you're happy, you make me gas for my Peavey Ultra badly.

Never had a tube amp, can't wait.

Oh and we need clips/vids!!

[Dylan7620]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

It rewards you for your super precise attack and technique by giving you the kind of feel and response you didn't even think was obtainable.

this intrigues me so...

[7StringofAblicK]

I hate you. haha

That's such a tempting amp...

[Karl Hungus]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

I am EXTREMELY HAPPY with the Fireball!

Excellent stuff man. I'm well happy that you like it.

What can I say other than the Fireball is just the perfect amp for Metal.

[Loserchief]

What more can i say than "Engls rock!!! :Headbang:"?

It's good that you like it and i hope you'll keep it longer than the Krank. If you ever feel the need for more flexibillity just go for the bigger brother, the Powerball.
Seeing more and more people in the US using Engl is pretty cool. More and more are falling to our side Maybe i should become an Engl Missionary

As you noticed, Engls are tight and have a unique voice. And of course they look cool.

Since this thread needs more Engl Porn , her's a pic of my newest and therefore second Engl. The Sovereign 100 Vinatage 1x12(The Vintage is in the name since there's a vintage 30 in it, not because of the sound). Just click on the pic for full size, since it's a little too big to be displayed in the forum window.

The Powerball was posted already and mine isn't here(it's at rehearsal room) there's no pic of it atm.

[DSS3]

Goddamn, you're giving me GAS. I can't afford that kind of GAS right now!