Thread: Poll: Which new amp should I get?

Hey guys,

So I've recently joined a metal band as the lead guitarist and I'm now in the market for a new amp. I've got it narrowed down to two: The Marshall JVM or the ENGL Powerball II, both would be 100w heads with a 4x12" cabinet.

Both of these amps sound killer, I've played them both and I like the look of them both. I just cant decide which one to go for! So thats where I'd like to throw this one open to my SRP brethren (and sistren!) to help me make my mind up.

The ENGL is probably a bit more modern sounding, which is good, but the other guy plays a Randall head which is very modern sounding as well. So it might be nice to combine the more classic sounding Marshall with that.

Then again, it might be better to go with the ENGL and just have this massive wall of sound that kills everyone in the front row!

Check out the videos below, both give a breakdown of the amps sounds, and let me know which you liked better.

Marshall JVM Series Valve Amps Demo - Nevada Music UK - YouTube

Engl Powerball II video review demo Guitarist Magazine - YouTube

Thanks for your help folks!

I don't know what to tell you Stu except ..... make sure to use ear protection. Even if only plugs. I can attest to the fact that with tinnitus you're never alone .... and it gets old having it 24/7.

If u were too choose between the 2 I would go with the Marshall. Also not to throw in too many choices your way , but when I was in a Hardcore band I would rock a JCM 800 and an old Sovtek Mig 100 to combine my tones,which gives you that raw vintage Marshall crunch without sounding thin and tinny. Also a Bogner Uberschall would sound sweet too...or a Hughes and Kettner.

I'm a big Marshall fan. Also a big ear protection fan; I was on drums, but even behind the guitars I'd feel it. Not to mention all the noise I was making on my own.

Marshall, no contest. I was never a fan of Engls, too scooped midrange and to "dead" feeling for me.

I'm not playing much anymore, but to me the sound of Marshall is equal to the sound of metal

I don't play much myself anymore either. I still have Trace Elliot Bass amp tough. I strongly vote Marshall. For metal, nothing else would do. That and the Boss Metal Pedal.

the Marshall JVM is a good amp, possibly their best production line amp in years, but the Engl Powerball is capable of great crunchy classic to modern tones. played one a few weeks back, there's an engl dealer around the corner from me, and they can do better cleans than the marshall. there's a lot of blackmore in there so as i said, capable of classic rock, just have to EQ it right. there's a mid shift in there isn't there?

But.. Marshalls are marshalls.. and we love them.. I like them modded though. i disapprove of their current production method. they're no longer a completely uk made amp, but they charge more for them..

If your going to get a 100 watter have you considered this?

JCA100HDM - Jet City Amplification

I'd have this over both of the amps you listed, and it's cheaper.

designed by mike soldano, and voiced for metal. Soldano's are a hot modded marshall vibe, and these are the baby brothers. I've also played these. they were in a room with bognors and other posh amps and it held it's own. and in it's price range, nothing touches it. Even compared to a full fat soldano it sounds pretty good.

Between the two, I'd go with the Marshall because, well, it's a Marshall!

Personally, I love Mesa amplifiers. Have you checked out the Mark V?

Mesa Boogie



No matter which one you choose, you're going to end up with a killer amp! Best of luck and happy thrasing.

Mark

Check out the volume knobs. If one of them looks like this, get that one.



James.