The fact that this amp came out in 1993 blows me away. It seems so much more sophisticated than anything else around back then, and is still considered a "modern" high gain amp even by today's standards. What an amp.
Same - when I was researching for this video, I was really surprised how long ago they came out. There was a transformer change in 2011 but otherwise basically the same amp from 1993 made it all the way up to the release of the mkII version in 2019
This is probably the best demo I've seen of one of these. Really doesn't seem to have any compromises on any of the channels, which is very rare for a modern high gain switcher. Great playing as always, too.
You are one of the coolest UA-cam guys. Came across your work a couple of weeks ago with a Marshall video and loved the approach! Hope home ownership, and tooth are going well. A bit of a shaky tuning on this video - hey, a little criticism won't hurt either ☺️ Keep up your good work and your deep dive style. It works! 💪💪💪
I completely agree - my B string is slowly going flat the whole video haha! To be totally honest, I rushed this video and probably should have re-shot some of it. I didn't want it to go too long without a new video and I felt a little pressured - there's a chance I may rework this video and replace it with a more polished version in the future. This amp is certainly deserving of a better quality video!
Subscribed earlier today. When I do a search for whatever gear I’m searching for, there’s many times your channel comes up. So might as well subscribe. I’m kinda techy and have built amps and modded amps in the past, so absolutely adore that you sometimes bring out the schematic and go over it in the review. Jason at Headfirst does this too and love it. Keep it up.
this is the video that made me grab an ENGL savage 120 (for cheap)!!! man, we need to do the same video for the ENGL Invader 150! I need to decide if I want to grab it or not :)
Thanks man! I have an Invader 150 as well and I just recently acquired a schematic for it. I will say - just my opinion of course - but the Savage is a much better amp to my ear. The Invader was my first ENGL and it never really blew me away like the Savage or even the Fireball does. That said, it does sound very different from the others so if you want a change of pace it's great for that - best advice is to make sure you use Ch3 for rhythm/metal tones, I think people make the mistake of using Ch4 which has a much looser and deeper low end and then complain that the amp is too muddy. Ch3 is the "tight" voicing basically on the Invader. Cheers!
I plan to! My first Marshall was a TSL. It's very similar to the DSL topology but my plan is to eventually get a DSL and just do both amps in the same video, since they are so similar (kind of like I did for the JCM900 MkIII and SLX).
Hey, I think it’s better for me personally, but I wouldn’t call it “way” above. The XXX may be inexpensive in comparison but I’m very impressed with its tones, but it is less versatile, so if you don’t like its core sound you’re kind of stuck with that DNA. I love them both but I’d probably pick them for different tracks (but if I could only live with one the Savage would be the winner, and I’d say that even if the prices were equal)
I think so - and it's no wonder the Blackmore gets such a good reputation since at least on the schematic, it's nearly the same circuit, just stripped down. I have a Retro 50 on the way, well supposed to be at least. It's been awaiting shipment for over two weeks now - good old guitar center. I am looking forward to trying that one compared to the Savage in terms of the "modded Marshall" type sounds.
I bought one after watching your video and 20 others but I have some trouble dialing it in. The amps input start overloading real quick with hot pickups and boosts. I have to cut ALOT of low end in the boost so I can add some highs and output to not overload the amp. If I don't use a boost pedal and use the Lead Boost button on the amp it only gives low end distortion and sucks out high end distortion. All high end disapears from the static hiss the amp makes. Is this normall? The same for when switching from Chrunch 2 to Lead, It gets thicker but loses some definition and aggression. There is no way to add that aggession back in. The presence knob acts more like a freqentie point for the treble instead of adding more or less bite. I tried it with a Celestion H100 loaded cab and a V30 loaded cab. Do I take it to a tech as it isn't sounding like yours at all.
Hey, that does not sound normal to me at all. On mine, if I set the treble low, turning the presence up brings in a ton of highs, it gets very aggressive. The lead boost does make it muddier in my opinion and I usually leave it off, but it doesn't have as drastic of an effect as you describe. I also have no problem with high output pickups or boosts - EMG 81X used in this video and I've boosted with a tubescreamer many times and loved the bright, aggressive cutting tones I get. Sounds like something is wrong with the amp, get it checked out for sure. Best of luck
The fact that this amp came out in 1993 blows me away.
It seems so much more sophisticated than anything else around back then, and is still considered a "modern" high gain amp even by today's standards.
What an amp.
Same - when I was researching for this video, I was really surprised how long ago they came out. There was a transformer change in 2011 but otherwise basically the same amp from 1993 made it all the way up to the release of the mkII version in 2019
Dude, we need more of these videos. They are awesome.
Thanks!
Great job dude, really love the schematic walk through! Interesting to see what’s happening under the hood so to speak. 💪
This is probably the best demo I've seen of one of these. Really doesn't seem to have any compromises on any of the channels, which is very rare for a modern high gain switcher. Great playing as always, too.
Thanks!
Congrats on the new house, look forward to future videos!
That was helpful.thankyou
You are one of the coolest UA-cam guys. Came across your work a couple of weeks ago with a Marshall video and loved the approach! Hope home ownership, and tooth are going well. A bit of a shaky tuning on this video - hey, a little criticism won't hurt either ☺️ Keep up your good work and your deep dive style. It works! 💪💪💪
I completely agree - my B string is slowly going flat the whole video haha!
To be totally honest, I rushed this video and probably should have re-shot some of it. I didn't want it to go too long without a new video and I felt a little pressured - there's a chance I may rework this video and replace it with a more polished version in the future. This amp is certainly deserving of a better quality video!
Subscribed earlier today. When I do a search for whatever gear I’m searching for, there’s many times your channel comes up. So might as well subscribe. I’m kinda techy and have built amps and modded amps in the past, so absolutely adore that you sometimes bring out the schematic and go over it in the review. Jason at Headfirst does this too and love it. Keep it up.
Thank you!
this is the video that made me grab an ENGL savage 120 (for cheap)!!!
man, we need to do the same video for the ENGL Invader 150! I need to decide if I want to grab it or not :)
Thanks man! I have an Invader 150 as well and I just recently acquired a schematic for it. I will say - just my opinion of course - but the Savage is a much better amp to my ear. The Invader was my first ENGL and it never really blew me away like the Savage or even the Fireball does. That said, it does sound very different from the others so if you want a change of pace it's great for that - best advice is to make sure you use Ch3 for rhythm/metal tones, I think people make the mistake of using Ch4 which has a much looser and deeper low end and then complain that the amp is too muddy. Ch3 is the "tight" voicing basically on the Invader.
Cheers!
Every channel sounds amazing. Your playing is very good and I love your presentation style. Great video!
Thank you!
Congratulations on the new home....
Thank you!
It does sound like a modded marshall. Great sounding amp!
Man I'd love to see you run through a dsl schematic
I plan to! My first Marshall was a TSL. It's very similar to the DSL topology but my plan is to eventually get a DSL and just do both amps in the same video, since they are so similar (kind of like I did for the JCM900 MkIII and SLX).
Man your reviews are just the best :D your channel has been very helpful for me, there's a lot of great info
Thanks for the video man-great as always. Would you put this way above the XXX in terms of tone? Thanks again.
Hey, I think it’s better for me personally, but I wouldn’t call it “way” above. The XXX may be inexpensive in comparison but I’m very impressed with its tones, but it is less versatile, so if you don’t like its core sound you’re kind of stuck with that DNA. I love them both but I’d probably pick them for different tracks (but if I could only live with one the Savage would be the winner, and I’d say that even if the prices were equal)
The clean Channel of the Savage was the Original Amp Design for Ritchie Blackmore ! The Blackmore Engl then came later
Ond popped up local for 1600 and tempting,ive had 2 special editions the powerball 1 and 2 the screamer 50 the fireball 100 ans 60.
Best ENGl amp imho. Isn`t it?
I think so - and it's no wonder the Blackmore gets such a good reputation since at least on the schematic, it's nearly the same circuit, just stripped down.
I have a Retro 50 on the way, well supposed to be at least. It's been awaiting shipment for over two weeks now - good old guitar center. I am looking forward to trying that one compared to the Savage in terms of the "modded Marshall" type sounds.
I bought one after watching your video and 20 others but I have some trouble dialing it in. The amps input start overloading real quick with hot pickups and boosts. I have to cut ALOT of low end in the boost so I can add some highs and output to not overload the amp. If I don't use a boost pedal and use the Lead Boost button on the amp it only gives low end distortion and sucks out high end distortion. All high end disapears from the static hiss the amp makes. Is this normall? The same for when switching from Chrunch 2 to Lead, It gets thicker but loses some definition and aggression. There is no way to add that aggession back in. The presence knob acts more like a freqentie point for the treble instead of adding more or less bite. I tried it with a Celestion H100 loaded cab and a V30 loaded cab. Do I take it to a tech as it isn't sounding like yours at all.
Hey, that does not sound normal to me at all. On mine, if I set the treble low, turning the presence up brings in a ton of highs, it gets very aggressive.
The lead boost does make it muddier in my opinion and I usually leave it off, but it doesn't have as drastic of an effect as you describe. I also have no problem with high output pickups or boosts - EMG 81X used in this video and I've boosted with a tubescreamer many times and loved the bright, aggressive cutting tones I get.
Sounds like something is wrong with the amp, get it checked out for sure. Best of luck
@@totallyradguitars959 Allright ill do that. Thanks man!
that's pretty close to what I consider a perfect sounding rock amp. Wish I had one. Just sayin
It is really great - I really expected a metal monster and nothing else, but it does it all
Where did you get the schematics for the amp I have the same amp 1994
Hey, the EL34World site has two schematics for the Savage Mk1 available if you check there. Have fun!