First, second impressions...so far
I received my new E530 this past Monday; unfortunately, I was out of town until late Tuesday night. I set up the rack Tuesday night, but didn't get to play it until last night. Spent time checking all the control ranges and the different option button combinations...so far so good.
Today, I set all the controls at noon to get a neutral starting point and ran through all the switch/mode combinations. I used my BC Rich Stealth - Schuldiner tribute, the recording outs of the E530 direct to my Bose L1 Model II set to utility flat (FRFR)...
All controls at noon, various switch/mode combinations:
I can get great clean, bite/crunch to 70s hard rock tones from the clean channel, I like the bright button on. From the lead channel I get two levels of distortion/hi gain (one with the gain button set to low, another with the gain button set to hi) then the contour on/off.
I plan to get a 4 button footswitch that will let me switch between clean/lead, bright on/off, lo/hi gain, contour on/off. I found footswitches on ebay from SwitchDoctor designed for Engl amps/preamps. Anyone have experience with these?
This thing sounds so good as is. The real test will be tonight with my Rickenbackers.
This does not help my GAS for an Engl E850/100 power amp (and Engl cabs) or the Two Notes Torpedo CAB.
Oh, and with the Stealth...my fav tone/gain/volume settings are all at noon! I've never set an amp this way before...it is dialed in perfect tone and gain at noon. I tried many tone variations, and they all sound good...I could not make this preamp sound bad (other than my playing) which I can often do.
This preamp and the nooned settings are just blowing my mind.
E850/100 is a bit pricey though. I don't need an Engl half stack. but I am GASing for one.