The ENGL Powerball ll amplifier is a much more versatile and much more controlling amplifier then the original Powerball. It retains the same four channels such as clean, crunch, lead, and second lead. They just has a few more enhancements that make this a much more versatile amplifier. This amplifier features four 6l6 power tubes and it is 100 W of power. UTILIZATION Features 100W 4 channels: Clean, Crunch, and 2 Lead channels Individual volume/gain controls for each channel Bright/Bottom switches for Clean and Crunch channels 4 ECC83 preamp tubes 4 - 6L6GC power tubes SOUNDS The front faceplate at this amplifier can be a little bit intimidating at first. It has a load of buttons and a load of switches that can almost be a little confusing. But once you understand the make up and structure of this amplifier it becomes very easy to manage. You have a presence and death Punch control knobs and allow you to tailoring power amp section much better. You have two bottoms sound switches for the lead channels which allows you to get more low and tone. You also have a mid range boost switch that affects all of the four channels. In addition you get an effects loop on the backside of the amplifier and LED indicators that allow you to know how your power tubes are working and if they are working correctly. In addition to all of this you also get a noise gate which allows you to dumb down some of the hum and noise this high gain amplifier puts out. This is a insanely huge saturated high gain amplifier. The clean and crunch channels are pretty good on their own matter. But this amplifier lives in the high gain territory. The clean is a pretty good clean but you really don't buy this amplifier for the clean channel. The crunch is a good crunch for classic rock sounds and types of tones. The lead one channel is more for rhythmic channel because of its thick distortion and it's scooped EQ. Second channel is more of a higher gain channel and is more suitable for lead line playing and soloing. OVERALL OPINION I would recommend this amp to someone who is more into drop tuning and metal sounding guitars. This is for the modern metal type player and not really for the Fender blues or Vox amplifier type guitar player. The voicings a very German sounding, so if you like that then you're in business with his amp but if you don't then you will probably sell this and quicker than you actually paid for it.
Engl is a German company that has a distinct German metal tone in their amps. These amps are build pretty much for metal players and hard rock guitar guys. These amps say they are versatile but the voicing within these amps are without a doubt metal. They are very good at what they do though and the construction of them in phenomenal. This amp has four channle of metal power. They have a good clean tone but nothing Fender would ever make. There crunch channels are excellent and can get a decent mild rock tone. However, this amp lives in the high gain modes. UTILIZATION Technical specifications: Preamp: 4 channels: Clean, Crunch, Low Gain Lead, High Gain Lead, 2 Bright/Bottom switches, Extra Crunch Treble control, 2 EQs, each 4 band, one for channel 1/2, one for channel. Volume controls for each channel. 4 x ECC83 preamp tubes Master Section: 100 watts (1 x ECC 83, 4 x 6L6GC power amp tubes), Master A/B, Presence, Depth Punch controls. Outputs: Integrated Noise Gate for high gain channels, threshold control, fx loop control (parallel to serial), 2 x Z-4 or Custom Z-5 footswitch ports, Speaker Outs (2 x 4, 2 x 8, 1 x 16 Ohms). Dimensions & Weight: 71 x 27 x 27cm, 20 kg SOUNDS The tone of this amp is pretty good for metal guys tastes. They excel at drop tunings and lower tuned guitars. They have a great bottom and chunk that makes it easy to get a warm thick tone. These amps by nature are very thick and fat sounding. You can get a heavy chugga chugga type rhythm with ease with this amp. This amp excels with guitars with humbucker pickups installed. Sure a Fender Stratocaster will work too but this thing was meant to be set ablaze and a single coil guitar simply will not go low and angry. OVERALL OPINION At new these amps come in at around $2100, which isn't a bad price for a high quality four channel amplifier. You can cover a good amount of tonal ground with this amp but it really leans towards the metal side of music. I would recommend this amp to a metal and not a blues player. This is fitting for the player that has dropped tuned guitar and angry playing style.
