Checking Out The Engl Ironball SE

[@lowalkoroc]

Amp techs are going to love this one if it ever comes across their bench :)

[@picksalot1]

I love the way Engl Amps sound, and their versatility. They really know what they're doing. Thanks

[@TheToecutter69]

I like the features of the ironball but the full size tubes of the fireball is where it’s at IMO 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@Deris87]

Yeah, dunno if it's the 6L6s making the difference or not, but the Fireball just sounds a lot more present and lively, where the Ironball sounds pretty boxy.

[@guitarnutbolinuli5788]

They both sound killer. Love that German build-quality.

[@JTguitarlessons]

No.

[@anthonysilva5312]

Yes. Both killer.

[@anthonysilva5312]

@@shane011471 hmm. You should post a tear down on KZbin.

[@anthonysilva5312]

@@shane011471 yes! Do that

[@anthonysilva5312]

@@shane011471 exactly

[@TheShinyShow]

I love the Engl sound, I play black and death metal most of the time and use Engl kemper profiles 90% of the time. Had no idea they could be so versatile though

[@danmorrison8746]

That's why I got my heart set on the Fireball. It goes all the way to utter brutality but different than a recto or 5150ish sound.

[@gorlagOv]

The Ironball has been pretty fun.

[@mikedwiles]

Purchased a Fireball 25 last week. I knew you were a big fan. Very happy with my purchase. I considered the Ironball SE. For me, the Fireball is a better fit. I already have all the other things such as Captor X and lots of pedals. I also wanted a 6L6 power section. I have a Mesa Mk V 25 with EL84s. I'm sure the Ironball SE is a great choice. Thanks for the great video as always.

[@iLLuzion1st]

if you had 2 pick one, your mesa or engl? cuz i want 1 or the other and i cant decide. i know they are different sounds but i can only pick one and i love both

[@mikedwiles]

@@iLLuzion1st Sorry for the late reply. I'd choose the Engl. But, it's a close toss up. There are a lot of sounds to explore in the Mesa. The Engl does clean to crunchy on the clean channel, and hi-gain on the other. But, those three sounds lack nothing. The attenuator on the Engl is the best I've used. The noise gate is flawless. The Engl is just easy. I've owned and played a lot of amps and have noticed that I tend to like amps with 6L6 family of tubes. There have been quite a few with EL-84s that I didn't like. But I own two that I do like: the Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head and the Mesa V25.

[@Gearjunkie35]

That Squier...in a review with an SG and a Keisel. Take note, folks. Wish my Carvin X100b did that... Thanks for bringing the tone to the masses. Love ya Phil.

[@stale_.]

You're right. That Squier sounded beautiful

[@icenic_wolf]

I was not expecting to like the clean channel of the Ironball as much as I did! Wow.

[@ScottMedinaX]

Phil I don’t know if you’ve been playing more lately or what but your playing sounds great and the SG sounds dope!

[@TheBeriking]

Wow Phil nice bit of chugging! That Kiesel into these amps *rips* !!!

[@darwinsaye]

I think this is the first amp demo I’ve ever heard where I preferred the sound of an overdrive pedal into the clean channel over the sound of the amp itself being overdriven.

[@The1Bushmaster]

Great video Phil! It helped convince me to by the Engl Ironball SE. Thanks!

[@southpawOO7]

Thanks Phil! I was waiting for this video but a deal on a mark v 25 appeared on reverb that I had to grab. Still great to see these low wattage amps packing in the features! They compete and we win.

[@jcsmith9660]

Both Engl amps are so versatile! Awesome demo, Phil!

[@minervameza2686]

I love hearing you play, brother!

[@AudaciousAce1989]

I love how you play a variety of different styles. Most reviewers just play a few clean riffs and then play nothing but drop C riffs with no tone except bass frequencies, and forget to showcase the variety of sounds the amp can produce

[@StringBanger]

I purchased this as soon as it became available. I can't even tell you how great the amp is. I'm running it through a Suhr 1x12 and when recording I run it through the daw no issue and the stock IRs are awesome

[@stephendre2902]

My favorite video you’ve ever done. And that says a lot. You’ve been a total inspiration to me and my own personal podcast. Much love.

[@mikeroadblock]

The perfect video. Thanks.

[@247Boredable]

Holy cow that cab sim sounded INSANE! Great review, Phil!

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

Most impressive is that clean channel. Sounds beautiful and full.

[@pabcrane]

Crickey! I certainly looks like Phil enjoyed this amp. It's a bit too complicated for me but it looks like it would be great for some people.

[@daleturner3507]

A lot of cool features on the Ironball. I just purchased a Egnater Tweaker and love it but maybe eventually I’ll try one of these.

[@atonofspiders]

What do you think of the Egnator? I’ve been looking into them and they seem pretty rad

[@daleturner3507]

@@atonofspiders honestly I really like it. Very versatile. I wish it had a foot switch to toggle between some of the options but other than that it sounds awesome.

[@ELECTRICSCARS]

Great miced up Work here, sounds amazing

[@ehiracheta]

Seems like ENGL built an amp for the both major player types.....the ones who want simple and the ones who like all the effects built in! Killer!

[@qua7771]

It seems like it would he nice to get away from all the wiring, and set up of a pedal board. I can see the lure.

[@SpectralUltra]

I love that the Ironball has an iron cast cover. Sounds like one should imagine it. Distant and eerie. I like it to blend with Soldano.

[@Locusshifter]

I bought an Ironball based on this video. It’s amazing. Thank you so much. This is exactly why I’m a subscriber!

[@Rockandrollgeerage]

What cabinet do you suggest using with the Ironball? Is this amp loud enough for a small bar type venue?

[@johnwhitmore2531]

Been eagerly awaiting this video! Thank you!

[@joelsmith4816]

Thanks Phil for helping me decide on this amp.

[@maxs.5163]

the best review on these amp thanks a lot. I really need Fireball 25 MK II for example

[@gmichaelhall]

I struggle to understand why an amp that is so complete, doesn't have a footswitch specific to the amp. It's a fantastic amp that's missing its pedal.

[@shorerocks]

I got an ENGL Invader. ENGL gives you several options in foot switches, depending on your budget and your needs. So... I prefer like this, tbh. I bought the Z-9.

[@gmichaelhall]

@@shorerocks If there is a engl fs for this amp, it would be worth the extra cost. But I also think it needs to be offered as package. I prefer this engl as well. Stay safe and well ✌️ 🎶 🎶

[@JackGuitar1207]

Buy hx effects and call it a day.

[@mozeby1975]

Just bought the Fireball. Sounds great and better than many other amps I cross-shopped it against. 5150 iii 50w, MT15, DSL.

[@tommilitello198]

Out of the two I prefer the fireball,I don’t really need the extra features

[@etucc8]

Did they forget people are paying $2,000 for KLON and King of Tone? Lmao

[@tolvajakos]

Engl amps are fantastic. I like the Screamer much better than the other ones, it fits my style better.

[@overvieweffect9034]

you mention them not caring about hitting a price point, which is great, but I also think this amp is incredibly well priced when you take everything into consideration, from being made in germany, all the features and he incredible tones. To me, what this amp is the ultimate amp to buy if you just want one great amp

[@KyleP133]

Holy moley what an amp!

[@CodenameCuervo]

I didn't think it was going to but it sounds better than the Fireball!!! ..best sounding ENGL yet 😎

[@danmorrison8746]

THAT SG IS SO SICK!!!!!! Saving for a Fireball currently.

[@thatguy1558]

Really liked the Neil Zaza at 11:30. Haven't heard I'm Alright in a while.

[@Merjia]

I feel like Engl took the best parts of an IR and multi-FX pedal and smashed them together into a tube amp. Nice!

[@StringBanger]

100%. I love having all the basic effects and being able to go record with minimal effort. Sure beats having all those pedal effects. Only one I have hooked up is a whammy pedal and that's it

[@EarthisnotforSale]

Nice JEM of a DEM :) Well done going over what an interested shopper is wanting to know about these. Had an eye on these for months

[@tonedragon8616]

Own a engl powerball II since 2009 and it stopped me from looking at amps. I bought it for metal but have played everything from country to prog metal with it live and it sounds great! Re tubed once now and input jack had to be fixed cause I’m rough as shit on everything. This amp looks ridiculous with all their features engl never disappoints! If I we want to downsize from 100watts I’d probably get this.

[@necronorris]

I was having a hard time finding a fireball 25 but the Reverb Gods eventually looked upon me with favor. Managed to snag the Fireball 25 and the adorable little vertical 1x12 cab lol.

[@jeppejac]

Thanks for the great objectively presented review! What a dream amp, the Ironball SE, to have in your office at home, but I do see some live playing problems, though. The IRs sound pretty good as far as I could hear, and the effects, well, they ought to at least be good enough for some home studio demo work. I've had the "old" Ironball head for like seven years now, and it, apart from sounding like an Engl head through a speaker, also has a direct frequency compensated output that I have used quite a bit. It needs, however, to have some speaker emulation software added later in the recording software, and this is where you then might hassle with latency problems depending on your setup. It seems that this amp is trying to finally get these issues right for everyone to use. Well done! Apart from enjoying the old Ironball mostly in my office, I have used the Fireball 100 with my band. The nice thing about this is that the custom analog but programmable footswitch that I built for it fits right into either amp, and it does almost the same thing. It fx. turns on the lead channel, gain boost and reverb with one click. This would mean that if I took the Ironball SE to like a really small gig, I would have to make a whole new and now midi based switchboard for it. Because the analog switch input for the reverb is now gone. Now, that's the thing with Engl amps. It's always "bring your own switch!". I can see that it makes sense because most serious players customize their setups anyway, and you quite rarely see analog amp switching boards on a stage, anyway. Who wants to click three buttons when playing a solo? Engl should, in my opinion, have kept the second analog switch input. The one that goes "MVB/reverb" in the back of the old Ironball should have been reconfigured to "MVB/onboard FX" turning all effects on. Then if you don't want delay when you click the switch, dial the delay knob all the down etc. This is a pretty packed back plate with lots of features, and really think removing the MVB/FX is a bad designer choice when everything else is so damn impressive.

[@cullenjames7542]

I really preferred the gain of the Fireball over the Ironball. Sounded punchier and not as muddy (the comparison around 11:00). I'll stick with my Revv G20, though.

[@chadbouterse8617]

Just sold my fireball 25 to go with a revv d20 instead… I agree!

[@cullenjames7542]

@Nilly Sigger What he's hearing in the room could be quite different than what we're hearing after it being recorded and compressed.

[@Mdougherty8054]

sounds awesome, great work Phil

[@danielcummins9197]

Really helpful comparison between the Ironball and Fireball - thanks! Gonna go for the Ironball myself, shame the Fireball is better looking though

[@tomlin5150]

I love mine, been playing it none stop.

[@Rockandrollgeerage]

What cabinet do you suggest using with the Ironball? Is this amp loud enough for a small bar type venue?

[@idiotburns]

If my kid was playing and asked for an amp, this would be the one, it would last forever if he wanted!

[@tmsglobal5848]

Great review. Sounds like an excellent amp and German built to add. Quality!

[@dcaudio1]

Phil you been getting better on them guitars....sounding good man. I like you vibrato sound.....not over done. I have the exact SG its a 2011. love that guitar.

[@weedian710]

Sounds awesome. Love that SG and Blue Tele.

[@AussieCornerStudio]

Thanks Phil for playing this amp. Engl make great gear it has a certain tone quality but look at the options that's German Technology. I own 2 Engl amps the cabs are quality as well. Remember EL34 through a 1 x 12 Vintage 30... I can hear Matchless cleans already, response is not like a 6l6 or KT88, I really liked the Red Dirt into the clean channel, but using the Engl's dirty channel brings back 60's 70's hard rock tones. Not everyone's cup of tea but sounds great even through utubes compresion. Hopefully you enjoyed this companies offerings. I do cheers from down under.

[@stringlocker]

Seems pretty great

[@justinpompeii9409]

Once in a while I see a video of you delivering the knowledge and im kinda sold on the head. Tryin to decide on a half cab has been keeping me up at knight😂🙄... Nailed it.

[@JohnnyGuitaristOfficial]

I love that white Flying V. Very cool Phil

[@agent_of_cthulhu]

Damn I know what company I'm going with when I upgrade to a new amp. Great video!

[@bobmckenna5511]

Really nice job, demo and comparison.

[@mykneeshurt8393]

Love your playing on this video. sounds sick.

[@Russell_Optics]

I agree 100% as I prefer the wood & tolex look over the metal housing, but the features of the ironball SE are awesome. I have a Mig-50 ( 50w Bassman clone ) and it is an excellent pedal platform, but it doesn't have any features at all, not even an effects loop. The new EH Mig-50 is a superb amp at about 1/2 the price though if you just need the basics and has a ton of power for those that already have the effects on a pedalboard.

[@bradleyberdahl6148]

SOUNDING GREAT Phill !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...amp sounds good too!

[@ThunderFalcon333]

Dam Engl Fireball and Ironball is a win win. Thanx Phil

[@steinonline]

You should buy one of those mate!! I've never heard you sound better!!

[@Regular-Sized]

Holy hell that’s a lotta knobs and switches!

[@Gitfiddle]

Sounds great but the more crazy features you add the more stuff can break. I like simple amps. But that’s just me.

[@normanperkel139]

Whenever I come to your channel I feel the GAS!

[@TheJuggernautv2]

Never played an ENGL, but now I’m interested

[@paulselka2264]

Both sound awesome!

[@Bcwilderness]

from what my ears say the fball came through more detailed in the mids and thats everything, no faffing about, down to the diff tubes and tran, i figure, thanks for the share pm i nearly got the se with the does it all mentality but it always should be tone first, it was like mp3 to cd, im in the old world where music had value

[@chuckhall1015]

MOST impressive...thanks!

[@martianmurray]

I saw coffee maker in the thumbnail and all I gotta say is SOLD!

[@mattyounis5636]

Great now I want another amp now

[@mikesullivan5219]

Good review, awesome amplifier, I like the power soak feature and other nice additives. I enjoy the power soak feature on my lunchbox 5150. The blue and red channels with 5 preamp tubes. I also enjoy power scale amplifiers. Specs don't mention but I have to assume it's a solid state bridge rectifier and not a tube rectifier. I like it almost enough to sell my Suhr badgerhead 18 Watt, though probably not. I would really like to see a power scale model with switchable diode to tube rectifier this would be great in the Engl 25.

[@scottlennan225]

Hi Phil, Great video!! Do you like the two Engle Amps better than the Grandmiester 40??

[@zbudgiez]

The 25 sounds better on clean, yet he SE sounds better with gain. Good Amps.

[@asianaxeman]

Amazing review man.. Can u please tell us your recording setup.. Are u solely using the zoom mic only? Where is it positioned?

[@guitarpenter3357]

Nice, SG sounds Great.

[@ryanandring2688]

Thanks for the video Phil! Not too much of an amp guy so a lot of it went over my head but enjoyed it nonetheless

[@thedanksavatron7782]

Nice Balls!🤣 I had to say! Great amps definitely on my wish list!

[@danielsantini4580]

I use the Engle amp on the spider v 60 and it’s scary awesome. Reminds me of Back to the Future movie 🎥 scene. Whoa 😳

[@jetblack7044]

I love ENGL Amps. More ENGL videos please. ENGL Inferno PLEASE. I'm a huge fan of Marty Friedman.

[@em8340]

Thank you so much for showing me that a Gibson SG can get snarling mean!

[@pierheadjump]

⚓️ Thanks Phil 😎

[@sasanghafarian2719]

Great review 👌

[@FullTekAuto]

When Phillip gets 400k subs, he's gotta do a special show for us playing in a banana hammock

[@metalvisionsongcontest7055]

Wait, you can shove the top handle into the amp? This is the first time I see this feature. So it would be possible to stack something else (small) on top of it? Like a Kemper?

[@GabrielGonzalez-fr7ix]

i like the Ironball, and that wild Kiesel

[@SaskiaFelsensteiner]

I love the Fireball !!!

[@LoreAccurateHusky]

That iron ball is pretty meaty and a lot smoother in the high end and weirdly I like that more than the Fireball. I was planning to one day get a Fireball 100 as my one ENGL to diversify my amp collection but this has complicated things.

[@danmorrison8746]

I agree the Ironball sounded smoother in the high end but prefer the sharp snarl of the Fireball. That's the fun of purely subjective matters. Hope you get the amp and tone you're searching for!

[@macmusica]

I have the E606 and I'd miss Presence for BOTH Channels. BTW, there is MIDI switches for Tap-Tempo etc. and nobody is demoing this. Likely due to huge MIDI Boards gone out of fashion. I want to hear the IR variations but fallen asleep watching this. It's only a Metal Amp with Stock Preamp Valves. I use Svetlana V1 & GT 75%Distortion (same as SRV used) in V2 which also adds 10% Headroom for the MV Boost on the Pedal. I can hear how you think the Fireball 25 is better but again I can hear you had the SE on a Power-Soak setting rather than at 20W. Yes you are right, it does breakup easy when in a big hall but is ample for small Pubs. The Fireball 25 would be great to have an SE of that also. I'd miss the reverb too much as it includes a Chorus on that.

[@I.M.Guitar-Nerd]

I really lik it, it sounds great but I think it needs a bigger logo.

[@pedraw]

I believe the tone difference is the tubes. The fireball 25 having 6L6GC and the Ironball having EL84. big difference in the way the gain comes across. I find EL 84 and 6V6 tubes kinda fuzzy or fizzy

[@galaxieman24]

That sounds killer

[@ALTDOK667]

Diese Amps rocken!

[@gorlagOv]

Mine comes tomorrow! Pretty excited. I love my Archon 25. However this seems like a better studio tool.

[@bradleyd417]

@Gorlag How do you like it? How does it compare to your Archon?

[@gorlagOv]

@@bradleyd417 I am enjoying the Ironball SE quite a bit, it’s a major upgrade from the original Ironball. The archon is louder. It does loud very well. The archon is also a really good pedal and platform. Where the Ironball can take pedals, I don’t think it shines in that area. The noise gate on the Ironball is a blessing the archon needs one. Overall both amps are great and have different voices and do different things. If you are a bedroom or studio player. The Ironball is better aimed towards that. I turn on the Ironball more lately because I can play it at night with the speaker off. Hope that helps.

[@bradleyd417]

@@gorlagOv That certainly does help. Thank you so much!

[@isaacroche3223]

No mids for me,please!!! Ironball SE wins!!!❤❤❤

[@dcaudio1]

Hey Phil can you tell me if thats the Chinese vintage thirty in the cab. I tend to like the Ipswich one better but their roughly the same price. I generally CL a mesa vin 30. anyway i am going to build a custom cab for this head (ironball 20) plus a single 12 cab matching hardwood. Keep jamming man i value your opinion above all others.

[@GabRiel-ce7jk]

A comparison between this Engl and a GrandMeister Deluxe 40 from Hughes & Kettner would be awesome. I would like to go for amp of this category, but dont know which one to get.... Any recommendation would be very appreciated.

[@livio1396]

I got me this amp earlier this year and it's freaking chunky as hell, but I don't think the clean channel takes pedals that well, it's really really bright and I think somewhat "compressed" (or something). I tried a wampler phenom as well as a fuzztration and the overdrive really farts out, and also produces this icepick treble frequency that I just can't get rid of. I think this amp was really made to be used on its own and for that it works really great... if I didn't ocassionally play 70s and 80s stuff I wouldn't have this issue

[@diodesDankessAndDives]

Reminds me of the bogner alchemist. That amp had it all

[@onionheadguy7094]

I gotta decide between this monster and the revv g20 for my home recording setup 😱

[@chadbouterse8617]

Revv in my opinion

[@onionheadguy7094]

@@chadbouterse8617 i was leaning that way. I love using pedals too so I wouldnt need the built in effects of the engl.