ENGL E765 Retro Tube 100 Head | German JCM800?

[@TomTom-wro]

I own one of these. Retro Tube 50 head, bought it used in a mint condition. My first impression: incredibly loud! This 50W amp is louder than my 100W Marshall Vintage Modern. It is very versatile tone wise, two separate channels with separate EQs plus switches gives extreme comfort in adjusting the sounds. You can get ALL sounds. Very usable sounds and switch them with 2 or 3 2-button-footswitches or via MIDI /ENGL large footswitch. Attention: no reverb, but there is a noise gate and two master volumes. Trust me, you won't miss the reverb. When playing there is still so much fun that you won't miss it. One feature of this amp is that it is the best looking amp which you will ever own. Power tubes have two small diodes installed on the chassis which glow red light and light up the interior of ENGL Retro Tube. This is absolutely a thrill and catches the eye immediately. First channel covers all clean & crunch - even rock /hard rock sounds. The second channel is out of this planet if you play heavy stuff, metal / doom scooped sounds - no limitations tone wise really. It is built as a tank, an eye-catcher, designed for versatility & performance. It loves to be played LOUD but has also good sound at lower volumes. Easily competing with Mesa Roadmaster, Marshall JVM, etc. It is a shame it is discontinued by ENGL, but no wonder why it is the case. ENGL does want to sell other products for Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Thrash, Doom guitar players and this one covers them all at ease. If you will look for a warmer sounding amp, you will certainly find it, even comparing to Marshall Vintage Modern or Cornford Roadhouse, but this level of versatility is hard to beat - for a 2, 3 or 4 channel MESA Rectifier, Roadmaster etc. you would need to pay twice or even up to four times the ENGL Retro Tube to get the same features and sounds onboard. Enjoy!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟👌. Who uses reverb anyway 😎. Just crank the amp and you have a natural room reverb from the room the cab is in 😁.

[@lucas_d]

Your videos are awesome, Euge! You are a world class guitarist. Hope you and your family have a nice holiday and good upcoming 2023. 😎🎸

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Oh thanks man! Much appreciated 🙏. Likewise!

[@carlmeiner]

One of my absolute favourite ENGL amps ever! Soooooo much gain despite the naming.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟👌

[@julienzimmermann]

Finally! I have been waiting for your review for months. I'm glad you dig it!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear! Thanks!

[@enuxs]

I got this amp (I mean exactly the one in Euge's video with that serial number) from MusiX today - it came from Switzerland to Germany. It is my fourth Engl Retro Tube, because it delivers - in my opinion - the best guitar tone I ever had and I have a lot of amps. Thank's Euge, for your great and professional videos. 👍👍👍

[@StratsRUs]

Brutal and beautiful. Great playing ! And that's sitting down ! I loved your instinct to grab the Strat. Magical.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@paulreitmier1675]

def one of the best channel s out there , your playing is sublime

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Oh thanks Paul! Really glad to hear!

[@turellius]

That solo opening gave me total I'm Broken solo vibes. Great job Euge!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@patrickb.b.1015]

The Retro is a underated Monster.🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟💪

[@elkhanagaev4172]

This riffs from 2:37! Amazing! Very much enjoyed!!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@acbenitez3614]

Totally like that ENGL dude. You do it justice as well, great rhythm and riffs.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@jeffallen3382]

Wasn't expecting that clean channel sounding so good!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Me neither 😎.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

I've been claiming for years that these are seriously underrated. In my opinion it's almost as good as the Savage. The way these were marketed probably didn't help move a lot of them. I love my RT 50! Sick demo!

[@ruhrpottflo2249]

nice to meat you here my friend ;-D

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

@@ruhrpottflo2249 it is a small world, buddy

[@lukzriffs1564]

Very small 😂

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🙏🤟

[@HearGear]

It makes a huge difference when doing the way you do it when it comes to how to put micks infront of cab and usign high and low cut filter on because it takes away some of the noise you dont want in the sound, also the micks need to be put the right distance to not get out of phase problems.. your demo of this amp is one of the best i ever heard on this Retro Tube.. great job.. Cheers.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Indeed. Thanks!

[@MangoMeoww]

Every time Euge tries an ENGL "This is my favourite ENGL!" I love it haha, just goes to show that ENGL makes good stuff. :)

[@RapttorX]

well theres one that he actually didnt like

[@TheCyberMantis]

I like the Fireball 100, and this one.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Can’t say before I’ve tried them all 😎. So far I like this the most 👌.

[@uncleremus5046]

Till the next Engl!😂🤘

[@ordohereticus3427]

Euge has been quite consistent. He liked the ENGLs, but he found the Savage to be too space station, the Blackmore to be a bit harsh, the Powerball a bit harsh as well, with his favourite at that time being the Fireball 100. Now it’s the retro tube as it comes closest to his favourite sort of amp: the JCM800.

[@Granite165]

I totally get what you mean about the ENGLs around 9:20! 🤣🤣🤣 Something in the mids. Always good sounds!

[@andrews6505]

Strat single coil sounds very cool, great exploration demo thanks Euge!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@phillamoore157]

IMO this amp is/was their best amp. I remember asking you roughly a year ago to try and pick one of these up for demo. These sound KILLER, and (again IMO) sounds better than the 800....at least the 800's I've heard, which can sound very fizzy. Your's sounds good, Euge, but that's not the typical 800, IMO. And, in the states you can get one of these for around $1K (at least up till now 🤣). Great demo....glad you got around to demo'ing one of these.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man! Glad to hear!

[@TheCyberMantis]

Great demo! You really showed what this amp can do! It sounded really close to the 800 to me. I would be totally happy with it. I guess ENGL no longer makes these amps. Ola Englund did a demo of this amp 10 years ago! 😁🤘🏼

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@robertmazurowski5974]

I love your playing Euge, As always.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear! Thanks!

[@cmd_f5]

You play with such power and energy. I love it! And that ENGL sounds like a very cranky Marshall! More roaring mids pre-gain, more flavorful you could say. I love both but the Engl has more of that thing. I dunno. Harmonic richness and pure fury. Right on man 🍻

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@jasoncrump1886]

Great description with the colors to sound. Makes sense .

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🙏🤟

[@gilbertostefan]

Oh, Engl!!! Fireball, E810+530 and now, this one gravitates in my taste! Great video as usual, AND play! Love this chanel!🖤

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear! Thanks!

[@Piffty85]

Hey euge, great video as always ... But nothing beats a boosted 800 from the 80s. More content with diezel would be cool too. Greetings

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! I agree. I don’t own a Diezel so it’s a bit hard 😁.

[@madddog692000]

That's a great sounding amp! Great video and comparison as always. Have a great week 🤘 🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man and likewise!

[@ArtbyPaulPetro]

as always KILLER riffage, Euge! I love Engl amps and that one is def awesome!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@me.roderick]

Hey Euge Man!!! Stoped in to say Hi been off rhe grid for a little. Saw you on a video about the amazing Gary M.👍There was alot of hand waving which is exactly how i feel about the late great GM. I just love your guitar work brother brutal!!! I love my jcm 800 1/2.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man!

[@bradotto2251]

Both interesting and informative indeed.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad you think so! Thanks!

[@WelderRiffer]

Great tone and performance ! I like it VERY much ! 👏

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@leeforrester466]

Holy Cripes that sounds good!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@nafis6668]

I know what you mean by that ENGL character. ENGL has 4Khz and 2.5Khz spike . Those spikes can be annoying at higher volume . That's why I tame those spikes with parametric EQ in the fx loop, to make it more comfortable to listen to.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Indeed. Cool! 👌

[@jasoncrump1886]

Hell yeah man. Love the jams in your vids. Wish you'd do an instrumental album . I'd buy it in a second .

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! I’ve done one full instrumental and one half 😎: - distrokid.com/hyperfollow/eugevalovirta/shooting-from-the-hip - distrokid.com/hyperfollow/eugevalovirta/d6Pj

[@jasoncrump1886]

@@EugeValovirta230V awesome man . Appreciate you .

[@jasoncrump1886]

@@EugeValovirta230V I'll be sharing this album with all my metal head buddies.

[@OfficialSNMvids]

That Engl sounded beastly! \m/

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@lffabara]

The RetroTube is great. It is Renatto Zerega's main amp from the band Demolición.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@zoomzoom3950]

IDK, I was expecting an amp named "Retro" with EL34's to sound more like a Super Lead; can it do that too? FWIW, I've owned my Engl for many years, purchased new (Engl E530 tube preamp, E850/100 tube power amp, and 2 Pro E212VHB cabs); cleans, crunches, and more levels of hi gain saturation than I'll ever need. That said, very interested in an Engl Artist Edition E651 100, but not sure if it will sound different enough from my Engl rack rig to make it worth it? Great tones, great playing, as usual. Cheers!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! Yeah pretty much when you dial the master volume wide open. Then there basically isn’t one like on a Plexi. Insanely loud but that’s what Plexis are 😎🤟.

[@agnellone]

Great demo Euge! Any chance you could compare the old Engl screamer with your amps?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! If I get my hands on one someday then for sure.

[@aryinc]

Euge making some fireplace wood aggain for the fireplace this Xmas. That guitar is shredded straight to fireplace wood :p.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎

[@jamesmeeker6933]

Raw, barky, and nasty. What an amp.

[@sixjac]

Ciao Euge, love your videos man. Just wondering if you could do a video on the Randall 667, would be keen to hear your professional opinion on it. Cheers

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! If I get my hands on one some day then for sure 👌.

[@klotzamplification9142]

Great video, when it comes to mic´s infront of the cab, i mean the SM57 is a great mic and a must have, but for the second mic, for your taste, do you think the TLM102 would be a great mic and go well with the SM57 ? Or is there any other mic combinations you also like ?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! I haven’t tried that. Sennheiser MD421 works great and obviously Royer 121. And another 57 in the Fredman style works great too. I use that quite a lot: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpS9oqRur9iEmdE

[@mesaseany]

love your playing dude. You should do some lessons videos.

[@RapttorX]

he did entire songs lessons, maybe pick things up from those ?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! Please check out my GUITAR LESSONS - playlist 😎🤟.

[@bengirard1984]

I thought the Inferno was your favorite hahaha What do you prefer on this one compared to the Inferno?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I haven’t had tried this before that. This one was the closest to my all time favourite amp JCM800 2203.

[@bengirard1984]

@@EugeValovirta230V #Badboy4life ;)

[@krimsonlediable]

Euge, with al due respect: 1. Have you ever tried a Vintage Engl Savage 120 (Which IMHO is the flagship amp of the 90"s)? 2. In terms of clean sounds, why don't you demo a Fender Princeton USA or a Bassman head for both clean and OD and Dist. platform? That would be soo cool.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Not sure ’cos I’ve played / used quite a few amps during my career. If I get my hands on those someday then for sure.

[@krimsonlediable]

@@EugeValovirta230V please check out the Savage 120 with 6550 poweramp tubes, it's even so good, that Fredrik Nortstrøm used it in all of his major productions in the early 00's.

[@MrEllgato]

very heavy nice!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man!

[@MrEllgato]

@@EugeValovirta230V I love all your videos brother you sure know your metal riffs oh yes yes yes u do

[@GraffitiPhysical]

The intro you played is a cracker. Do you have it recorded?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! Not yet but I’m working on my third solo album with different vocalists atm and this one is on the list. We’ll see if it makes to the album 😎🤟.

[@lukzriffs1564]

Like every Video for the Algorithm, because you deserve it!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@trujillorojo]

Dear Sr. Valovirta, are you test the ENGL Preamp Modern Rock E530 19"? have an opinion about it?, Best Regards

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I’ve played with one years ago but can’t remember any details 😎. Probably did the job just fine 🤟.

[@AdamGotheridge]

I wonder how many 100's (thousands?) of those SD-1's you've helped sell. They always sound great when you use them and sound like ass when I do. 😎"top of the mouth" I think we call "roof of the mouth". Back a little farther "pallet". Cheers!

[@julienzimmermann]

I'm asking my self the same question. I went for an SD-1 instead of an 808 because of Euge.

[@JohnWiku]

I didn't get a SD-1 yet, but I will get one, that's because of Euge too 🤣🤣

[@KROLSKI]

Here also, got the black anniversary edition pure by Euge's enthusiasm about the pedal. I really can not imagine my life without one now🤣 It really opens up the character of an amp! Unknowingly starting collecting boost pedals now😅

[@AdamGotheridge]

@@KROLSKI I got the cheap yellow one because of Euge. For me, I have a little better luck with the blues driver set in similar fashion. Maybe it's how I like to set the amp in the first place or something. I guess if I dialed the amp it in with the SD, I'd probably hate the raw amp sound. Will mess it some more.

[@KROLSKI]

@@AdamGotheridge I got really lucky finding a brand new black one for a great price. Love the look 100% more also😅 The blues driver is on my bucket list. It's a thin line we're walking dialing in the tone you like/want. Euge's way by basicly doing it by ear without looking at the dials really opened up my eyes concerning dialing in an amp. It made me also a lot less picky with wich kind of amp I play. Set a decent sound I like and boost it with a pedal. Took me way to long to realise it is way simpler than scooping the mids and diming the gain....

[@Behemoth92]

Did you prefer this one or the Fireball 100 ? :)

[@me.roderick]

Machine gun man. Step aside child!💥😆💪

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤟

[@george.kollaros]

Sounds almost the same, it doesn't have some of the fizziness of the 800, and you don't have to crank the master up like a Marshall (I see it's halfway up). Does it sound good at lower volume?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I didn’t try 😎. The sweet spot for me was wherever the master was; can’t remember anymore 😊.

[@markkinney5030]

The engl sounds good! But your JCM 800 with the EL34's to me sounds better! What is your input on the Marshall JCM800 2203X 100-watt Tube Head? I want a new amp and many years ago had JCM 800 back in the late 80's and i love your marshall how they sound!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

The 2203Xs I’ve played have all been good. Very ”consistent” from amp to amp which you can’t really say from the older ones; I’ve played with some really good ones and some not that impressive ones. Luckily mine are the best 800s I’ve played. And I’ve played a lot during the years. But the new ones have all been great what I’ve played with (rental backline on tours, festivals etc.)

[@markkinney5030]

@@EugeValovirta230V Thanks man for the input on the 800 that really helped me out. I love the sound of a 800 thanks man take care!

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

JCM800 all day. I tried a Powerball years ago and almost bought it. I bought a Diamond instead and ended up selling it. I would possibly still have the ENGL..

[@EugeValovirta230V]

💪

[@markuso1862]

How would you compare it to the Artist Edition? I’ve got both, and in my opinion the AE is the most “JCM800ish”, but I haven’t got direct experience with the JCM…

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Both are pretty close but if I remember correct the Retro was a bit closer.

[@RapttorX]

i wonder how channel 1 sounds with the gain boost (if you can even enable it on ch1)

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Damn I didn’t try that and I already returned the amp 😎.

[@robertmazurowski5974]

This engl is great but still prefer the JCM800 when you play the high strings.

[@thedddemon]

I think you got the best tone out of it with the built in overdrive. The SD-1 was a bit too much for it I felt. Also very impressive and tasteful playing on the strat, I enjoyed that!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@markgooch1715]

How well does this retro punch for a 50w?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

No idea. This is 100w.

[@jamesfindice2871]

Engl kuulostaa vaaleanpunaiselta kitalaelta? :D

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Hailakan punaiselta 😎.

[@uffedahlstedt4129]

"Light red, upper mouth" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😁🤷‍♂️

[@stevetamv68]

Great demo of the ENGL, but I think if you REDUCED the gain of the ENGL, it may be even closer to the Marshall 800... As as a Marshall user, I have compared my Marshalls with different speakers V30`s vs GT 75`s and the difference was HUGE!!! Some amps sound better through V30`s but I`ve found the GT`75`s more pleasing to my ear without that "Red" Chh Chh sounds from the V30`s...

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! I had the preamp gain set about the same when i compared them: 800 full, ENGL barely open. Yeah speakers are about 80% of the tone.

[@huskylove-666]

At the end of the day you’ve hoping for it to beat the Marshall. They all sound great but thinks you’ve already found the magic sauce with the boss pedal. I think an eq pedal is important .when you sell the bad boy though. I might be interested 😂

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎

[@ryanperkowski4488]

You really show what the sd1 is capable of doing Ola says it doesn’t chug !

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah it sounds like shit on it’s own but when you put that in front of a slightly overdriven amp it’s the thing 👌💪.

[@ryanperkowski4488]

I always wanted to ask you what your opinion on evm12L speakers I know you love zakk and Jake !

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Not really my thing. I’m more of a V30 & Greenback guy.

[@ryanperkowski4488]

@@EugeValovirta230V me too especially for price!

[@curiousuranus810]

experiencing sounds as colours or tastes is called synesthesia and anything that sounds like a JCM800 tastes bright purple to me.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌🤟

[@HolsteinerJung95]

Hey Great Video Thank you Check the Steve Morse amp i guess you Fall in Love With this, it has also El34 Tube. 🙂

[@kurtsnider8365]

It kicked azz it's not a VW and it's not chin/ese I'm impressed.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

💪

[@yakuzsa1]

Crazy man, we dont have much money for stuuf like this ;) yo man!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤟

[@attetanskanen7001]

Ihan liikaa alapäätä ja särisee kummallisesti nuo voimasoinnut. Tai siis on semmonen hankaava ääni, niinkuin hiomapaperi. Kai sekin sit on mieltymysasia. Mä ite tykkään ohuemmasta chimey äänestä. Jcm 800 rokkenroll ääneen ja joku amerikkalainen puhas choruksella puhtaisiin osuuksiin. En ite tykkää, jos on yhtään säröä puhtaissa osuuksissa.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Aina pitää olla snadisti säröä 😁.

[@vanvidd7669]

Hi, I'm Euge Valovirta

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Me too.

[@dasg.1925]

10 Years no real youtube videos for this amp, now its out of production… And everyone recommend it 😅

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

I know, right? 😂

[@julienzimmermann]

When I was in the market for a tube amp I watched every video about this amp and I have to say that it sounds the meanest of all Engl amps. I sure love mine!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤷‍♂️

[@robertmazurowski5974]

In the synth world the Roland 303, was a flop in the early 80s, it was a bad simulator of a bass guitar but it became huge in the mid 90s, doing the trance "Acid Sound". It was dirt cheap in the 80 and 90s, nobody wanted it. Now it costs thousands of dollars. It just happens with gear sometimes.

[@MrMusicopath]

the way this guy talks reminds me of tuomas holopainen

[@EugeValovirta230V]

It’s the Finnish accent I guess 😎.

[@waynegram8907]

EUGE, get a rivera stage 4 you will sound just like Michael Jackson beat it tone you have been looking for your whole life, just beat it

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😁🕺

[@howardgillingham4763]

VTM American answer to the jcm800

[@Oldironmachineshop]

Realy great playing from a pro Player:) i like all of your stuff. . But in my ears engl amps are Not open . You cant hear every Note its always muddy. The are are just good for brutal metal . Thats my opinion. Marshalls sre a hole lot Mode open flexible

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@aquilarossa5191]

Within a minute of listening I decided no, it's not a 2203. It is closer to it and sounds very good, but that's the problem. A 2203 has the Kerrang. The Kerrang is a bit nasty and unpleasant. So many amp makers smooth it out trying to make amps sound nicer, but they are missing the point. A 2203 is not supposed to be nice, politie and pleasant for your ears. It's an in your face growl with Freddy Krueger treble attack that makes easy listening types hide under their blankets in terror.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Indeed.

[@jamescarpenter4777]

It sounds like a randall

[@VromanEmpire]

Pretty much not much difference

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤟

[@nick_be9159]

What ENGL comes closest to the JCM800 in your opinion? I watched all your vids till now but it's so hard haha

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I guess this one or the Marty Friedman Inferno.

[@dnadeau819]

Im not an engl guy but that sounds very cool

[@rainyday2315]

The ENGL seems to be missing that JCM800 treble bite

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yes