Engl Fireball 100 - Keep It Or Sell It?

[@MrMvidz]

Best amp I've ever used for metal, and I have had a bunch of amps over the last 40 years. It's all about what sounds good to you, but for me it's a gem.

[@CastIronRestore]

What do you think about the Diezel VH4?

[@MrMvidz]

@@CastIronRestore Quite amazing box, sounds great but also the flexibility with the fx loops for each channel is a big plus.

[@Sven.Jeschke]

Savage and Fireball sound quite different, and the Fireball really has its own thing going on, a little bit like a smoother 5150. I'd say keep them both.

[@j-rod166]

I just bond more with my fireball 25 than my 50 watt stealth. Now I want the fireball 100! The stealth is complete chaos. And the fireball is crazy but just more controllable.

[@richardclark4112]

Hail from Romeo, MI. Keep it. Have the 25 watt and always come back to it because of its simplicity and balls.

[@justinlonghofer]

I had the Fireball 60 for years and only sold it this last year when I had my Blackmore. The Blackmore is just "IT" when you dial it in. I had the Ironball, Artist Edition, Savage 120Mk1, Savage 60! and loved all of them. The thing with the Fireball is that the in-the-room sound is just monstrously satisfying and is undeniably organic and harmonically rich. My older Savage just had a snarl to it that cut like a knife and made recording sound huge. Fireball is amazing live but I always had a bit of a challenge when recording in my studio with it. The Savage was lethal in a mix and sounded awesome in the room but not quite as monstrous and impressive to the untrained ear. If you take a second listen you'll see that the Savage is just much more balanced in the frequencies and sounds just as monstrous on Channel 4 and the amp is much more versatile sorta like an EVH 5150III 6l6 The Blackmore is just a FN beast and I HATED it in the room when I got my first Blackmore and sold it. It was just harsh, brittle, and annoying...but the clean channel was amazing. Years later I got another Blackmore and after training my ears in the studio I was able to dial it in MUCH better and it was a recording dream. We have to be able to really go outside the typical thinking of "everything at noon or on 6" with ENGL amps. Particularly with the Fireball series. BRING DOWN the presence control down to like 2-4 on the Fireball and Treble control up to like 8-9. Keep the gain around 2-4, Bass 3-5, and Mids up to 8ish. I always kept my treble just a hair higher than my mids. Those settings worked best for me and my tastes. THE MOST important thing with Fireballs is KEEP THE PRESENCE DOWN in almost all cases. And yes the Fireball has probably the best clean I've come across, recording or in the room, on almost all amps I've played. I've dropped probably close to 100k this last decade just tone searching...hence my commenting on your video this Jan 1st!. I've limited my search to EVH 5150III's concentric Ivory and Stealth models particularly for my tasted in BLUE channels for recording. ENGLS have always been the sound I was looking for so the Blackmore V2, Savage 120MKii, and the Fireball 25 are my amps I'll always have in the studio and I tend to gravitate to the Savage but the Blackmore has a cut that is almost better than the Savage in many ways. A very slept on amp but for simplicity thats the amp of amps...and I hated it in the beginning but I had to find the right cab and be more respectful with my dialing in of its controls. Cheers brother and Happy New Year from Kansas! Just sold my house and buying my dream gear again...your videos help out a ton. Lastly, Herbert Mkiii or D-moll? I'm wanting versatility as well as that signature Diezel sound. Herbert is calling my name man...lol

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. Thanks for sharing your story with me. I would love to try a Blackmore someday. I would get the Herbert mark 3.

[@techforge-Nate]

Can confirm a very similar experience with the PB2 - low presence, low depth punch, low bass, slightly pushed mids and cranked treble. Leave the mid and bass boosts alone. Using a Fortin Tempest as the boost with very aggressive high pass filter to tighten up the low end. These ENGL's are low end monsters, really keen to see how it sounds through a pair of Electric Lightnings from Jensen. Couldn't get the DV-77s here :(

[@JaimeNoro]

Very curious on how you dial your Blackmore mate, also on what cab and speakers you use it with. My old Blackmore sounded pretty killer recorded at low to moderate volumes. But in a band context it always left me wanting.

[@brucemahaffey108]

Great review bro. Your clean tones on the Fireball were incredible. Don’t know which way you went with this but tough choice, both sounded killer. I just bought a FB 100 mint used on Reverb earlier this week. Should be coming tomorrow! 🤘

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. congratulations on the fireball. I know you're going to love it. I have the inferno coming soon

[@Joey_Tatts_Palmer]

The more I listen the more I’m liking that ENGL tone. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@johnmturi4155]

The Fireball just brings out the best in your sound if I may say. You make it sound really good.

[@closure7747]

I changed from a savage to a fireball, mainly because I didn't need more then two channels and also I heard Jeff Loomis demo it and I was so impressed with the sound he got out of it. It's probably the best amp I've ever played. I've had it for about six years now.🤘🤘🤘

[@patrickgiles2700]

I currently own a Savage 120 MkII and love it. Love it so much I sold an EVH Stealth to keep the Savage. I just put an order in today for a Fireball 100. Love ENGL amps! The Fireball and Savage are unique tools.

[@telesean6231]

I’m still waiting on my fireball from Sweetwater there out at the moment

[@techforge-Nate]

The Fireball is punching way above it's weight class here, out of these bookshelf speakers I'm liking it more than the Savage CH4! The Savage is a scalpel, and the Fireball is a claymore - one cuts so precise the other takes your head off in one swing. Based off the fact though that the Savage is going to be staying, the Fireball has to go- it doesn't serve a purpose and I am sure there is someone out there who needs a Fireball in their life. Needing to make space in the amp collection is a good problem to have! My take on replacements would be something along the lines of a Randall for some thing different. Noteables being the 667 (the God Emperor of Amps), EOD88 or the Satan. Great job demoing the Fireball - its great for the money, not many wallets can stretch for a RedSeven or a Mezz.

[@ivsiguitarist]

I really like the less refined overdrive that the Fireball has over the Savage. The FB has a rawness that is great for fast riffing, chugging...it's just filthy in the right ways. It has less sculpting ability than the Savage but for the average gigging guitarist...how much shaping for live purposes does one really need? I say keep this bad ass amp.

[@ordohereticus3427]

Keep it. It’s definitely its own unique amp and in some regards, better than the Savage, even though the Savage has your particular type of sound.

[@BradRocker]

Absolutely worth keeping.

[@CinemaPuree]

Both sound great to me. The Fireball 100 is such a great value at 1900 bucks. I've spent that much on 50 watt amps.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I totally agree. The Fireball is LEGIT

[@duck2587]

Fireball 100 was my favorite Engl. still is my top two. The inferno edged it out by a hair because of its ability to sound nearly identical and an extra fully usable eq. The se100 is probably the best but sadly discontinued.

[@shanemartin8904]

Im preparing to record my new cd as well. I was set on using my plexi marshall but after stumbling upon your channel im now revising my decision. Im almost certain I'll record my new music/cd 'swallow me' using an ENGL

[@s1wheel4]

Definitely my next amp.

[@Buica-4]

Keep it . Definitely you will always be hunting for that clean sound. 👌

[@SlipperyDucky]

Have the evh stealth but always been curious about the engl fireball

[@moonelfcosmo]

LOVE my Fireball 25 for 8 string with an Engl 2x12 vertical, Tubescreamer, and EQ in the loop!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@jrlee243]

I just went through this same issue. Lol. I bought a Powerball mk2, so the deal was either to get rid of one of my other Engls. I ended up getting rid of the savage. I played my fireball way more. That's what made my decision, what amp I play the most. Good luck 👍.

[@kylehart9726]

Fireball sounds great I'm sure you can find a good use for it

[@BrunoGomes666]

Let me start by saying that ENGL amps are my favorite. I own a Fireball 25 and I absolutely love it. ENGL clean channels are superb. As for the distortion channels in this comparison, I always find the Savage to have more aggression in the mids. There's a certain characteristic that makes it a little raspier (but in a good way). The fireball has smoother mids. Although they share that typical ENGL sound, in my opinion, they are different enough to keep both. I know I would keep them both if I had both. But then again, I'm a little ENGL biased. 😅 Since you're having doubts about selling the fireball, why don't you keep it for now, test some other amps you might want to sell, and after all that, if you still feel you want to sell it, then go for it. You don't have to sell it now and you can always sell it later. Cheers! 🤘

[@dildojizzbaggins6969]

*there _are_ certain characteristics "more raspier" is redundant. It's either "more raspy" or just "raspier". Pick only one :P As for the FB100... Had it, and it's a loud, boomy monster. As you say, the clean channel is surprisingly awesome. And the lead-channel is not half as compressed as say the red channel on the 5153, so it's still very usable. Just sounds a _bit_ on the steril side to my ears. Would love to try the 25W-version one day.

[@BrunoGomes666]

@@dildojizzbaggins6969 you're right. I didn't even notice. Corrected. 😅 I never played the 100, but from what I've seen, on the 25, the lows are more controllable and not as boomy (which makes sense as it it has 25W as opposed to 100W, even though the 25 has two 6L6) and the gain is much more manageable. There's only two buttons (one for channel select and another for mid boost). The power soak and the line out on the 25 are very useful and the noise gate is very good, just like in other ENGL amps. They're basically the same, but the 25 is less boomy and a little bit more refined.

[@braddtatum]

To me the Fireball sounded better. Sounds fuller and more harmonically complex. So satisfying to hear the Fireball. I have one and I absolutely love it. I would love to hear a savage in person, I’ve only ever heard two ENGL’s played in real life, and both were Fireball 100’s. They are my favorite amp of all time.

[@mmf6666]

The Fire 🔥 ball sounds amazing. Exactly the sound I am after. What over drive pedal are you using ?

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

In this video, I was using the Mud Killer

[@mmf6666]

@TONEWARSgearshow Thank you very much. I will be getting a Fire 🔥 ball and a mud killer 🤘😎🤘. I'd be keeping the fireball. I do like the savage but prefer the fireball.

[@Ramtin.A]

In my opinion, ENGL apms are the best and they are unique in every. If something can compete with savage you should keep it. I believe if you compare fireball with any other amps you will have much more easy decision to make. You should keep it because it has a very unique sounds. Love the new series.keep up the great work.

[@ravenblackfeather4028]

I could never let that amp go. It sounds amazing to me. I actually like it better with these settings than the savage. Just my opinion. I hear less noise and more punch. I know that changes in a mix but just love it. 🎸💥✌

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. Yeah it's a really good amp. This is a really tough decision

[@juderouten6220]

i played my sons fireball thru my bogner greenback loaded 4x12 and the fireball has so much tooth and grit it pissed on the 2 SLO’s ive previously owned ….for 2k this is hard to beat .. ''minimal knobs''…tube fail indicators and a noise gate and built like a tiger tank … nuff said

[@XChristianNoirX]

But Euge Valovirta's 1984 JCM800 mops the floor with his fireball. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@gazzaduce3424]

I personally prefer the Fireball. If you sell the Fireball is there anyway you can get some high can captures for the quad cortex please?😀

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Oh yeah, I'll totally do some QC captures

[@gazzaduce3424]

@@TONEWARSgearshow Thanks Jarrod

[@yaniv-nos-tubes]

keep the fireball and swap the v2 preamp tube to a nos mullard i63,it will make the distortion better and won't change the clean channel. i don't have any experience with the savage but i swapped tubes on a fireball with 2 v30's in a studio for a musician so i could record before and after and let his sound engineer hear it as well and verify.

[@benpotter4905]

I definitely plan to get one of these and a Blackmore.

[@brandonbryson3317]

I sold mine when I got my Stealth 100 but I find myself really missing it. Had its own tone and this aggression that is unique to the Engl sound. I will get another for sure or a Savage.

[@gazzaduce3424]

Do you prefer the Stealth over the Fireball?

[@brandonbryson3317]

@@gazzaduce3424 overall, yes. But the fireball had a unique tone that I can’t 100% copy with the stealth. I liked having both, but the stealth 100 is the more versatile amp by a lot.

[@tigspencer]

Soooo, I happen to be in the market for a new amp, and I'm really looking for an Engl. This video has made my choice pretty damn easy. I am now looking for a Fireball 100.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Awesome. I'm glad this video helped you out

[@sergejkrynycky728]

Damn. For me, coming from the sounds in this video, I take Fireball all day. Just fits my taste better. I like when amp has mids but I felt like the Savage had way too much mids. Also. Fireball is for almost half the price. At least here in Europe.

[@XChristianNoirX]

But Euge Valovirta's 1984 JCM800 mops the floor with his fireball. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I have 2 of them.

[@Buica-4]

I got this amp for being 2 channels and sounding tight on the lows . I will be using a EMPRESS ParaEQ deluxe on the fxloop. This is the only engl só it's a keeper . Thanks for your videos .

[@martynburrows3702]

To be honest, it sounds phenomenal. It didn’t sound like a poor man’s savage at all, stood up to it really well!

[@ordohereticus3427]

If anyone’s of the opinion that the Fireball is the poor man’s Savage, then it should be sold because the person is clearly not able to appreciate this amp. I can respect the fact that it’s just an opinion, but a very ignorant one.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

It's definitely good enough to add to anyone's collection. I'm still shocked at how good the clean channel sounds

[@martynburrows3702]

@@TONEWARSgearshow that clean was stunning! 👌🏻

[@shamsulchong1785]

Poor man's savage??? A poor man can't afford either a fireball or a savage.

[@Tanax13]

@@shamsulchong1785 Hmm? The Fireball is one of the cheapest 100W amps there is, so not sure what you mean?

[@panterametal333]

Keep the Fireball its killer!!!! I think I want one.

[@Joey_Tatts_Palmer]

Super impressed with this amp. I’ve been looking at this one for awhile and may have to get one! 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@jconner3891]

The fireball will be my next amp. The 25 watt.

[@svenzia]

Same!

[@01left]

@tone wars could you please tell what pickups in your music man are and what speaker and mic you used? Thank you

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Sonic Ecstasy pickups Mesa cab with V30's Mics 121 and 57

[@privateer0561]

Nice playing! Just bought the Engl 25 Fireball and hope it will do justice to this one...

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you!

[@Roodski]

How would you compared a lead sound on the Fireball vs the Savage

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

@@Roodski fireball is a bit more raw

[@tatt2guy86]

Trying to decide whether I want an EVH stealth or an ENGL fireball 100? What are your thoughts

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I'll cover this in my Riffs and Responses video on Monday

[@telesean6231]

Fireball all the way

[@shanemartin8904]

the savage was much brighter...could you have added some lows? As the fireball had tons of low end

[@williamrogers3825]

Keep! It’s fucking brutal!

[@sergejkrynycky728]

Hey man! I need some help please :). I'm considering getting either a Fireball 100 or EVH 5150iii Stealth 50W as my second amp to accompany my Mesa Mark V 25. Here in Sweden those two amps cost pretty much same price. Which one would you recommend more? And which one sounds more different to the Mark V 25? Thanx!

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

That's a tough 1. Both amplifiers are very different from the MK V. How important is the clean channel to you?

[@sergejkrynycky728]

@@TONEWARSgearshow It is important but not a dealbreaker as long as it's an ok/good clean sound.. I'm more going after a BIG sound so my intuition is telling me that maybe the Fireball is the way to go because it's a 100W. But the EVH is nice and aggressive. So I'm a bit torn.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

@@sergejkrynycky728 Honestly, I think you can flip a coin between the 2 amplifiers. The EVH has a few more features but the fireball definitely has the wattage. The clean channel on the fireball is definitely better but the EVH clean channel is very usable and sounds good as well

[@sergejkrynycky728]

@@TONEWARSgearshow Alright! Thanx man. :)

[@Tanax13]

Nah they both compliment each other! I would keep both. In fact, I have both (except I have the 25W version of the FB)

[@davebuckner5174]

Stack it up against your other amps. You have 3 5150 variants and a Kraken, is there enough difference between those to keep them all?

[@maximumguitarage]

Sounds like a good ol' shootout is needed !

[@YsAbTones]

do you use the 2x12 mesa horizontal or compact version ?

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I use the horizontal version

[@YsAbTones]

thx , was it a 120w or 140w version ? @@TONEWARSgearshow

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

@@YsAbTones 120

[@patrickgiles2700]

I say keep it but then again, I hate letting any piece of gear go. Lol. I have the Savage 120 MkII and it is a monster, also want to get a Fireball 100. Had one years ago and regretted letting it go. Until ESP starting distributing ENGL they were impossible to find where I live.

[@OfficialSNMvids]

Both amps sound great, but if I had to choose one based on the setting you were using in this video. I would pick the savage. The savage sounds more "savage" and in your face with the crunchier mids verses the fireball. The savage reminds me of the Peavey 5150 from the early 90's which is one of my favorite amps(I own 4 of them). \m/

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

The savage just has everything I would ever want. Has all the features and the great rich tone that I love so much.

[@yousocrazy1199]

Sir, is Fireball 100 gonna sound good even in lower volume? like not pass 2, or its better i get the fireball 25 instead, i just play in bedroom.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I'd get the 25

[@franciscoaguilar6644]

ENGL Fireball is the hidden gem of many modern recordings!!!! Look at Amaranthe, Scar Symmetry Powerwolf and more! I will buy the Powerball 2, is one of the most versatile amps in the market!

[@tonykrawzik8176]

I agree...the majority of comments to keep the Fireball is valid. Nothing wrong with having 2 true very usable Engl amps to switch to...and wonderfully unique as well. I have 4 Mesa's all unique and can't part with one of them. I'd be selling the Marshall JCM 410 tho...it's not your gain stage. 😊🎸

[@tonykrawzik8176]

JVM

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Hey Tony, good hearing from you as always. Thanks for commenting. Yeah, the fireball is sticking around for a while. I'm gonna profile it and then revisit it down the road and then make my final decision.

[@comptonmccairo8591]

Keep awesome amp . I'm going order one right now 🤘🏻

[@TheCyberMantis]

I don't really like tube amps. But the ENGL Fireball is one of the few tube amps I would actually like to own. ( If I got it for a reasonable price. ) Since you have the Savage, you don't really need the Fireball. But it is nice to have both. If it was me... I would sell everything you have with a MESA or EVH logo on it. I would keep the rest of your amps. I know that 100w Stealth sounds awesome, but I do not like the way they are built. So that stuff would GO. Your Splawn, Mezzabarba, and Diezel are built really well. The Victory and the Revv is pretty good. I don't know much about the RedSeven... if you like it, keep it. But all that EVH and MESA stuff would have to go. I would keep BOTH of those ENGL amps.

[@jimmywood6062]

I cant tell you how glad I am you did a video on this one. I'm in the "Dialing in Wars" currently with the Fireball. Your settings were close to what I had but wasn't loving... that mid-boost tip of leveling up the Presence may have been the key. Thanks for this! I am curious what OD you have in front of it though?? If you're willing to divulge!? Happy New Year love the tones...

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. I'm glad the video helped you. In my opinion, those settings are the best for this amplifier. I use the mud killer for a boost in this video. It's such a great boost pedal. Very versatile and it works with every amp.

[@jimmywood6062]

@@TONEWARSgearshow Thanks again for taking time out to reply to folks. Love the channel! Very helpful as always.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

@@jimmywood6062 my pleasure! I appreciate you guys very much

[@Tatted-ne7tu]

It sounds fkn great. But TBH the real test for me is in a band mix. How does that amp in a setting with a good loud drummer and another guitarist.

[@robertscotti7970]

The savage sounds brighter and fizzier. The fireball is throatier. They both sound phenominal. Keepem both.

[@deadcenterarts29]

The fireball sounded absolutely massive, Savage had more clarity and aggression in the upper mids and the top end. I would never sell either of those.... unless I was replacing the Fireball with a Powerball 2

[@fluxxliveband]

This is definitely a tough decision. The Fireball is a phenomenal amp. Maybe the best 2 channel Hi-Gain amp out there. Of course, you technically own the best "2 channel" amp that ENGL makes in the Savage 120 Mk2. I say two channel because I couldn't get Ch's 2 & 3 on the Savage to work for me, so it was essentially a 2 channel amp for me. But I know you get a lot from all 4 channels on the Savage. And the The Savage Ch 4 is the best metal channel on any amp ever. Obviously, the Savage is the better all-around amp between them. Here's a reason to KEEP the Fireball: The Savage is a Studio Queen, but the Fireball could allow you to have an option for LIVE situations, where you actually want to bring a real amp head, and have that Superb ENGL tone live, but without taking a risk with a $3k amp. Consider the Fireball, "the Backup/Live Option" to the Savage. 🤘

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Loving this series! Are you switching cameras live with a footswitch? May I ask what gear you use to do that?

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying the series. I'm using a foot switch that's made for the stream deck to switch cameras. I love that thing.

[@descendinguniverse]

on their own I definitely prefer Savage, but in a mix it`s hard to say. I get why Fireball/Powerball is used quite often, because it`s kind of thin tone yet it works for busy mixes. Whereas Savage has lots of energy in mids, and it`s not always easy to keep them

[@md4man]

I had a Fireball 100 that I sold to help pay for my Savage 120 MK 2 & I have only regretted selling it since. I don't regret having the Savage but I really miss than Fireball. If I had it to do over again, I'd have sold something else to finance the Savage purchase.

[@honeybadger1810]

At the end of the day, these are both so good that your audience won’t give a shit. It’s easy to nerd out on this stuff, I’d say you have the same chance of getting famous with either haha

[@tbone786]

Sell it, bring new amps in. Friedman ss100 v2 id love for you to do alot of comparisons with one of those!

[@regondi]

I got to say the fireball in my opinion which way better than a savage. I think the fireball sounded thicker, warmer, and heavier.

[@snapascrew]

Well, guess I have to buy a fireball now. Thanks. Btw you gotta tune that guitar man that’s killing me 😂😂 🎉 new year

[@markkinney5030]

That Marshall didn't work as you know! But! But! This amps sounds good! Man I say keep her! The clean is sweet sounds! Nice amp

[@nicolasmtremblay]

Well, you said it yourself, if you like the clean channels equally and prefer channel 4 on the Savage then it would make sense to sell the Fireball. You could use that money to get a new brand of amp that you don't already have in your collection (Friedman Butterslax, a Dover, Barton High Voltage etc). Likewise, you could get a few cheaper "sleeper" amps and shoot them out against your quintessential budget amp, the EVH Iconic.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Butterslax is overrated, and overpriced.

[@bboles10]

Bro I think the Fireball sounds fuller than the Savage.

[@YTDarren0203]

Two different beasts altogether, I wouldn't even compare the fireball to the savage, they just happen to be made by the same manufacturer. They do different things, if you like both things, keep both. You probably have amps that sound closer to the fireball, like maybe one of those 5150's, or maybe something else. I've noticed a problem with having a lot of amps and a switcher. You get used to the sound of the first amp you play or the amp you spend more time at, then switching to another amp can sound polarizing, you notice things you wouldn't if you only played that amp at that time, like fizzyness. If I go from my herbert to my juno the mids can sound polarizing, if I go from my ksr juno to my dr multiwatt I hear the fizz, if the multiwatt is the first amp I play sitting down I don't hear the fizz and it sounds killer. Our ears can be our worst enemy sometimes

[@jroutensowhat]

To my ears - the less going on in an amplifier (simpler it is ) usually means a better sound for me - more air

[@ghostinthetreeline]

Keep it! This thing rips.

[@roofus53]

First time I've heard both of these..... the savage will stand out in the mix more. Both are great sounding amps though.

[@immyownbestfriend9338]

i know i'm super late to this video im sorry, i own both and i would say keep it. i LOVE the fireball 25 though. have you tried that yet? it's a little different from the 100.

[@dryzd]

I was surprised that I liked fireball a lot more than savage. Savage have this boxy mids that I don't like.

[@Dogbyte997]

Have you ever played through a Mesa Boogie Stilleto? I just bought the EVH 100watt stealth 6L6 because I wanted a more aggressive tone. Thanks for the dial in. Just subscribed.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Congratulations on the stealth 100. What a great amplifier. I haven't played a stiletto yet but if I get the chance, I will for sure . Thanks for subscribing

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Also, Check out my Easter eggs video on the EVH STEALTH 100.

[@markk9184]

You guyizes, you're not from New Jersey! This is a freaking great demo! Savage ch4 sounds a lot brighter. I have the savage mk2. Ch3 is my fav.

[@MK-oz2lf]

Fireball is a German 5150 basically in voicing but more high mids and the Powerball is a Fireball but with more features and channels. For the money and made in Germany, the Fireball is a great deal new or used IMO. Sell the Kraken bc it doesn’t even have a presence knob. What’s up with that? Leave the Kraken, take the cannoli.

[@ordohereticus3427]

There is an overlap between the Powerball II and the Fireball, but they’re definitely not the same with one just having more tone shaping options. The Powerball’s main high gain voicing in two channels is much different - not quite as aggressive as the Fireball’s sizzle. In that regard, it’s more like the Invader. The Victor Smolski signature amp is primarily a Powerball II, but with more gain and a voicing a bit closer to the Fireball.

[@MK-oz2lf]

@@ordohereticus3427 crazy no one has ever done a Savage vs Invader vs Powerball vs Fireball video. At least not that I can find on youtube anyway

[@ordohereticus3427]

@@MK-oz2lf Agreed. There’s plenty of talk about ENGLs. They’re seen as these exotic, aggressive sounding German amps with their own distinct sound that varies quite a bit across the family but has this distinct ENGL flavour. Some critics call it “overly produced sounding” some call it “overly compressed”. They’re also talked about as odd in terms of build quality with poor design choices like weak PCB boards installed in difficult to access ways, all despite being built in Germany. A lot of talk and some even mythologising. Yet there’s little by way of decent quality comparisons, especially across the heavy hitters of the ENGl family. People just repeat these weird metaphors they hear from others or read on forums. Like the one about “the ball amps being smooth sounding and dark”, especially in the context of comparisons with the 6505. This isn’t even true. The Fireball is extremely gritty, to the point that when it is properly opened up by dialling up the mids and treble, the presence has to be dialled back otherwise the top end will go from sizzling to outright scorching. This amp is the epitome of its name sake and actually might brighter in the high end than even the 6505 - kind of like a boosted and angry Dual/Triple Rectifier within more mids and a tighter low end. By contrast, the Powerball is the amp that’s smooth but with its own warm mid range and distinct sound that in some cases, also overlaps with the Savage. There is one comparison on 7StringOfCharles between the Savage MK II and the Powerball II, which is quite extensive compared to what’s generally on offer. Given all this talk, we should’ve had massive comparisons, especially across all the main amps by this point.

[@kewmusician]

I just sent my fireball 100 down the road because one of my buddies playing in a band needed something better than his EVH 5150- 3 50w, so I got that garbage head, then just tried out a savage 120 mark ii and it sucks….getting another fireball 100 tomorrow. 😂

[@Whizzinby777]

I’d sell the Savage before the Fireball. imo It’s ENGL stripped down to its most basic core. Great cleans, and goes from classic metal to modern high gain in stride. Keep the mid boost off, crank the mids and treble, (2-4 o’clock) and let it rip. It’s one of the easiest amps in the world to dial in, and the guitar/OD you bring to the table determines just how evil it wants to get. (Believe it or not, these amps can do more than just modern high gain)

[@ordohereticus3427]

Yeah, there’s a whole other tone monstrosity from the Fireball when the mid boost is off, presence a little below noon, and then upping the mids and treble to around 70%. Thing roars.

[@Whizzinby777]

@@ordohereticus3427 Yeah I don’t know anyone that uses the mid boost on these because where it makes the mids sit. You just crank the mids and treble past 2 o’clock and be careful to not overuse the presence.

[@ordohereticus3427]

@@Whizzinby777 I think it helps if you want the solos to stand out a bit differently from the other tracks, or if you just like that sort of midrange. Otherwise, the amp itself has plenty of midrange and an ideal amount of top end sizzle, especially when both the middle treble are pushed into that 70%+ range. Even the presence reacts in interesting ways with the middle and treble. If you pair the amp with darker sounding speakers, keep the middle and treble subdued at noon, and then push the presence itself to around 75%, you get a tone that’s in the general ball park of that very sizzling Machine Head guitar sound from Burn My Eyes and The More Things Change. I do prefer the slightly drier and fuller approach with the mids and treble cranked and the presence pulled back, but all this just speaks to how versatile this amp can be for a variety of different high gain tones.

[@duartefaria7134]

I have a fireball 25w and i would pick the fireball. For me is easy to dial in when you have less knobs. The fireball realy show with a screamer. The savage sound like a angry chiken. The fireball is more like a wolf growling. The fireball is less compressed on the clean channel, the savage is more ethereal and the fireball in neck single coin is just the sound of a eletric guitar i grew listen. The clean channel on the fireball is The Sound.

[@jroz8111]

Honestly Bro I think you sound amazing with the Powerball I prefer the Mids better. I own a savage I'm actually gonna Try a Power ball and invader TO see. This was a total Surprise.

[@ordohereticus3427]

Fireball. It’s considerably different. The Powerball is kind of like a mix between the a Fireball and an Invader. It’s not quite as raw and aggressive sounding, but still has more than enough gain. Just make sure to go for the Powerball II as it has the better transformers and mid range than the older Powerballs that sometimes struggled against louder amps.

[@7005r]

Dang I was like I don’t think I need it. Then I heard it in the mix. SOB!

[@MCCRITTERS]

Sell it. if it doesn't fill a unique role or is duplicated by another amp. It does sound good though ;-) Happy New year! -Mike J

[@juliangomez1801]

To me it's not even close... Fireball is so much heavier. Maybe because you had the bottom end more dialed in. It just moved more air for me.

[@kent6619]

High gain channel sounds good and tight. Prefer it over the Savage.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Isn't it great that there's so many amplifiers out there for us to choose from? All of us have different taste in things and it's nice to find what works for you.

[@bboles10]

Cleans sound similar between both

[@michaelgallegos8811]

That Amp is great Jarrod I was very seriously thinking on getting the fire ball 100 before the 6505II which is still on pre order,dude I don't know, but if u are getting a more polished fireball sound out of the savage and them some? Hard choice man..happy new year Jarrod 🎉🍻☃️🎸🎛🤘

[@diezelvh4133]

Honestly I think the Diezel micro sounded better. At least through my good headphones.

[@jaredmestas]

The Savage just has this barking quality to the mids that are hard to beat. Sort or reminds me of a quickrod but more "savage" lol

[@mikewatkins3533]

You don’t want it? I’ll buy it!! Always wanted a fireball. Give me a ring. Cheers🍺🍺😎🎸🎸

[@markkinney5030]

Now on the Savage amp! Ha man keep both of them man thats the sound kick ass! on those amps!

[@parksoo-kim6908]

The fireball new is $2,000 while the Dual recto is $3,000? I know which one I'm choosing.

[@baruchdor]

in my opinion the fireball have specific sound...try to hear symphony x i think that he use powerball(1 and 2)and fireball live too...keep in mind that some guitars sound diffrent with other amps...with my dimarzio x2n pickup guitar i love the fireball and with my musicman luke 3 bfr i like the steve morse engl more good luck :)

[@JoaoPereira-lh7cf]

Keep both...and adopt me! And let me play with all those amps! =) Nice playing! both amps are awesome but if I had to pick one I would pick the savage.

[@insertanynameyouwant5311]

Would you be interested to make profiles of both amps for Guitar ML Proteus? (AI VST plugin)

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I've never heard of that product. I'll have to look into it.

[@insertanynameyouwant5311]

@@TONEWARSgearshow thank you