Engl Fireball 100: Any users?

[nightlight]

I have a chance to pick up an Engl Fireball 100 with an Orange 2x12 cabinet tomorrow and was wondering if any users could share their experience.

I already have a Savage, but heard that the Fireball was more brutal gain-wise, though there were also a lot of people who said it didn't cut in the mix.

 

[indespise]

I had an old chrome chassis Fireball 60 that I bought in 05, freaking loved that amp. Sold it when I stopped playing much, regretted that decision every time I got on a guitar kick. Finally really got back into the band thing a few years ago, bought a FB100 from someone here, and I am extremely satisfied with it. Not getting rid of this one as long as I'm able to play. The 100 watt version has a lot more low mids, especially when you engage the mid boost (which I always leave on), and is a hell of a lot louder. Very articulate roar to it, definitely my favorite amp. I didn't have problems cutting with the 60 watt one, but I could see how that might be an issue when paired with certain other amps- I can't imagine that being an issue with the 100 watt and its mid boost/extreme volume. I also had a 6505 that I just traded for a 5153 50w- while I liked it, it just didn't do it for me in comparison to the FB100. For reference, I play death metal ("Morbid Angel school", more specifically). Haven't played a Savage, everyone seems to love them- my impression based on recordings is that the FB100 is more punchy in the low end.

 

[JHowell13]

I had an old chrome chassis Fireball 60 that I bought in 05, freaking loved that amp. Sold it when I stopped playing much, regretted that decision every time I got on a guitar kick. Finally really got back into the band thing a few years ago, bought a FB100 from someone here, and I am extremely satisfied with it. Not getting rid of this one as long as I'm able to play. The 100 watt version has a lot more low mids, especially when you engage the mid boost (which I always leave on), and is a hell of a lot louder. Very articulate roar to it, definitely my favorite amp. I didn't have problems cutting with the 60 watt one, but I could see how that might be an issue when paired with certain other amps- I can't imagine that being an issue with the 100 watt and its mid boost/extreme volume. I also had a 6505 that I just traded for a 5153 50w- while I liked it, it just didn't do it for me in comparison to the FB100. For reference, I play death metal ("Morbid Angel school", more specifically). Haven't played a Savage, everyone seems to love them- my impression based on recordings is that the FB100 is more punchy in the low end.

I have a FB100 too and pretty much agree with this statement. To me, it sounds like a 5150 but with more clarity, tighter low end and a different mid voicing, especially with the mid boost button engaged like mentioned above. I too leave it engaged.. it sort of just enhances them more and puts the mids where I feel they should be. Amp sounds great mixed with my VHT Pittbull, Mesa Dual Rec Rev F and others but also sounds fantastic on it's own. If it's a good enough deal, I wouldn't pass it up.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

The FB 100 is a great amp. Loved it while I had it. That said I liked the Savage 120 more. The Savage gain structure and mids voicing just sat better with me. The FB100 is low mids dominant, but not in a Dual Recto way...different. I did really like that amp though especially cranked up, boosted, and the gain rolled back to 11--->noon. It flat out roars. In the end I ditched all my Engls as they just have this inherent stiffness under my fingers that I got tired of. It was a love/hate thing. Loved them the days my playing was on, but hated them when it wasn't.

 

[apophis]

The FB 100 is a great amp. Loved it while I had it. That said I liked the Savage 120 more. The Savage gain structure and mids voicing just sat better with me. The FB100 is low mids dominant, but not in a Dual Recto way...different. I did really like that amp though especially cranked up, boosted, and the gain rolled back to 11--->noon. It flat out roars. In the end I ditched all my Engls as they just have this inherent stiffness under my fingers that I got tired of. It was a love/hate thing. Loved them the days my playing was on, but hated them when it wasn't.

I have this guys old FB100 cheers bro.. I had the savage also. Prefer the FB100, warmer, gainier, just prefer the feel, takes boosts great. Also play death metal here. I love how it sounds when using a torpedo and impulses. It is the best amp in my stable for that. For comparison i currently have both a D60 and D120, mesa tremoverb and 2 chan triple, and some peavey high gainers. Don't think i'll ever get rid of the engl as it is too much fun, also great at very low volumes.

 

[D-Rock]

I sold my FB100. Sure it had lots of tight gain, lowend and mids...but it was lacking an overall character and also felt and sounded 2 dimensional and synthetic to me.

 

[nightlight]

So, my Mesa Boogie Mark V:25 is gone. Great little amp, but I think I prefer big iron.



I basically traded it with a guy who had an Engl Fireball 100 and an Orange 2x12. Nice dude, brought it over, let me test it, picked up my amp and left me positive feedback on the local deal site.

This is quite a cool amp. I was worried it would cover the same ground as my Engl Savage 120, but it's in a different niche, much higher gain and more bottom end.

I did a recording test this evening of the amp, in case anyone wants to hear.

https://youtu.be/ZRegfOyFbU4

 

[indespise]

Good deal man, glad you like it. I like to run the mids and treble really high on mind, doesn't turn boxy or brittle like the lots of amps to with those sorts of settings. I love how easy it is do dial in a good tone with the FB.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

So, my Mesa Boogie Mark V:25 is gone. Great little amp, but I think I prefer big iron.

I basically traded it with a guy who had an Engl Fireball 100 and an Orange 2x12. Nice dude, brought it over, let me test it, picked up my amp and left me positive feedback on the local deal site.

This is quite a cool amp. I was worried it would cover the same ground as my Engl Savage 120, but it's in a different niche, much higher gain and more bottom end.

I did a recording test this evening of the amp, in case anyone wants to hear.

https://youtu.be/ZRegfOyFbU4

Nice! They are cool.

To me the FB was capable of getting much more compressed for sure, but I don't feel it had more gain than the Savage.

 

[japetus]

Most Engl amps have always sounded like solid state amps to me. I got a shitload of heat back in the day for saying that, but it does not mean they sound bad. For tight metal tones they are great but I just think for regular rock/classic rock tones, they don't do it well.

 

[nightlight]

Most Engl amps have always sounded like solid state amps to me. I got a shitload of heat back in the day for saying that, but it does not mean they sound bad. For tight metal tones they are great but I just think for regular rock/classic rock tones, they don't do it well.

Why would you buy a Fireball for rock and roll though?

 

[petejt]

Most Engl amps have always sounded like solid state amps to me. I got a shitload of heat back in the day for saying that, but it does not mean they sound bad. For tight metal tones they are great but I just think for regular rock/classic rock tones, they don't do it well.

I think that's why I regrettably sold mine. I got fussy about the classic rock stuff for a while, and just turning the gain down wasn't getting what I wanted, even though it sounded great for tight high gain metal sounds and clean sounds, even when running effects into it. Although I am very happy with the gear I have now, I do miss the ease it was to get a huge wall of sound that was still tight in the bottom end. It's like running a Mesa/Boogie MarkIV on pentode mode at full power, but two of them at once (In saying that, I DO have a MarkIV).

A friend of mine has the Engl Ritchie Blackmore model amp (I can't remember if it's the Ironball or Powerball or Fireball). It sounds great with the chorus pedal I gave to him as a present. He uses it in three different bands - a metal thrashy-punk band, a hard rock/melodic metal band, and a riot grrrl punk band where he turns the bass all the way down for a scratchier-textured sound.