ENGL Savage 120 MARK II and Fireball 100 - High Gain Comparison

[@steveo4253]

I liked the fireball !

[@dnast01]

I have to agree. I have just got the Engl Fireball and it just punches through everything. It’s hard to hear on KZbin. I have a JVM410H and EVH 5150 III v2 and honestly the Fireball can do everything. I’m going to keep the other two but I will only play fireball it’s insane. Great video mate

[@X9Eric]

Totally with ya @dnast01! As you know, when you get that Fireball pushing some serious air through the speakers, it's truly impressive and something I wish EVERY metal guitar player could experience.

[@ravenblackfeather4028]

They both are amazing amps, The Fireball wins for me on this one. Great demo

[@moopanuwat2877]

I’ve had a Fireball 100 and looking for some insights of Savage. Totally agreed with your opinion about the FB and really thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Savage - very similar to mine even though I haven’t tried one yet.

[@X9Eric]

Hey @moopanuwat2877, I ended up returning the Savage and kept the Fireball. However ended up selling the Fireball 100 shortly after that. I actually really missed the Savage so I just bought a Savage 120 Mk II. Will be doing some videos on it coming up. My initial experience with the Savage Mk II 2 wasn't that great however I have had time to process the amp and REALLY love it.

[@moopanuwat2877]

@@X9EricOh, thanks a lot for your kind update! May I ask one more thing please? Have you ever used your Savage 120 with a detuned 7 string guitar? I afraid that having EL34 for its power source would compromise the tightness... Haven't tried one but would like to know your input though.

[@Nick-sh8dv]

​@@moopanuwat2877 Savage comes with 6550's not el34.

[@tomridge7772]

After owning and selling JP2C, 6534+, Mark V, EVH EL34, Fireball, EVH Iconic, Randall V2, Marshall DSL, and a Badlander with MR Scary mod... The Fireball was the only amp I regretted selling so I just picked up another Fireball, it is here to stay, the search is over (which makes my wife happy). I am hoping Engl makes a Savage 25. Love your vids Eric and appreciate included scriptures.

[@X9Eric]

Wow @tomridge7772, you have some excellent taste and amazing experience with some of my dream amps! Never went with the Boogie's, but have often wondered about them!?! I originally kept the FB from this video and sold the Savage, but ended up selling the FB and rebuying the Savage Mk2. I'm a kook. Reason was the versatility ended up winning out for me, but the Sav Mk2 does not quite give you that killer punch that the FB100 does and there are times when I am wanting the Fireball again lol! btw (my wife laughed and agreed with your wife on this topic) What guitar are you playing these days?

[@tomridge7772]

@@X9Eric HI ERIC!! I have a 1994 MIJ Jackson HX Stealth with SD Custom 5 (has 3 HB spots but I only use bridge/ play rhythm) and another 1996 MIJ Jackson with Custom 5 in bridge. It may seem silly to have same pickup but the Custom 5 is very similar to EMG 81 when using TS9 without the hassle of setting up for active pickup. the 1996 is very very deep as it is a heavier (weight) guitar than the 1994 which has the thinnest neck and light body. I have been out of recording but imagine double tracking them will compliment each other and so the same pickup makes sense in the long-term. Thank you for the reply and best to you and family.

[@tomridge7772]

Oh yeah, and a late 80's MIJ Charvel/ Jackson bass... noticing a pattern?

[@UncleYoshi]

Hi Eric, thanks for your input on these 2 amps. Been debating which ENGL to get. Now I'm pretty sure it's gonna be the Fireball 👍🏻

[@X9Eric]

both are amazing but considering the prices and overall performance of the two the Fireball won for me, so glad that the video helped!!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I love the simplicity of the Fireball.

[@X9Eric]

Hey @GuitarsAndSynths, what guitar you running into it?

[@Earth-Worm-Tim]

Dude, the Fireball is the best metal amp that ENGL makes in my opinion. I sold my Savage after I got my 40th Anniversary ENGL Fireball with matching E412XXL cab.

[@X9Eric]

Thats great info! Which Savage did you have mark 1 or mark 2? I saw a red and white anniversary ENGL Fireball 20 that looked awesome!

[@mayhem4830]

Really loved the Fireball here! Excellent demo!

[@blessedbethyparadise]

Engl savage more musical. Love it

[@crustophiles]

Fireball 100 player. Beast of an amp, definitely prefer it over the Savage. But then again, I don't need features. I just need enormous tone, and the FB100 delivers big time. Interesting that you found the Savage smoother. I feel the opposite. If you dial the presence up to noon or so and pull the treble down to 10 o'clock-ish, the Fireball smooths out a ton, and if anything sounds even more gigantic. That's how I run mine, and it slays.

[@X9Eric]

Awesome @crustophiles! Yeah the Savage to my ears just sounded thinner and more mellow. Didn't have the angry bark or low/mid sizzle of Fireball. Thank you excellent feedback on the EQ I will check it out! As you said I found the treble and presence of both of these to get WAY harsh if turned up to much and it is a balancing act to get the play together nicely, but once you do they are magic!

[@crustophiles]

@@X9Eric Engl cabs are pretty dark, so their amps tend to be set up with aggressive top-end available on the dials. Definitely cranking both will cause ear bleed, LOL. What cab/speakers or speaker sim you use will make a huge difference, but I run my treble at like 10 o'clock and the presence at noon.

[@ordohereticus3427]

Very good summary. I have used both. The Fireball 100 just has that thick and raw gain - saturated, angry and punchy. Meanwhile, the Savage MKII (like the MKI) has that slimmer, sharper but refined sound. Both cut, but one sounds more aggressive and fuller, and that’s the Fireball 100. I also think that while the Savage has a wide range of tone shaping controls, and despite having a much simpler dial/control layout, one can still get a wide range of tones out of the Fireball 100 with that angry super high gain ability being it’s primary trait; it’s a straight up behemoth.

[@X9Eric]

You nailed it!!! It is very tough call as both are truly awesome, just depends which resonates best with you, your guitar, and cab of choice!

[@gregorysmith3794]

Awesome video! Love the Fireball! So angry and a sick growl. Definitely more low mids than the Savage, which really has a high mid focus. Surprised how much more I preferred the Fireball. How do you think the Fireball compares to the EVH 6L6? I've seen the EVH 6L6 on the channel, I run the Stealth 50 personally. Thanks for the work!

[@X9Eric]

Thank you so much for the kind words @gregorysmith3794! No sure about the Stealth 50, never played through one, but IMHO the EVH amps are modern versions of the 5150/6505 family. I would say the Savage is more modern than the FB and also more like the EVH. The FB is different which is why I didn't keep the Savage and kept the FB because I already have the EVH and love it. That way I could have two different sounding amps. Hope that helps,

[@adamlanghans]

The low end of the Fireball is much more pleasing to my ears. You can tighten up the low end in a mix if you want, but you can't really add convincing low end if it wasn't there to begin with.

[@Earth-Worm-Tim]

Fireball all day every day!

[@rosskrause3926]

I had a chance to buy a Fireball 100 watt head back around 2009-2010 for $800 in immaculate condition and I passed on it because I knew nothing about tube amps..since 2014 I have mainly only bought and used tube amps so I screwed myself !! great video and sounds here..

[@jimforce2690]

Nice straight forward comparison. Thanks!

[@X9Eric]

Thank you so much @jimforce2690, hope it was helpful!

[@JaimeNoro]

Savage for thrash, Fireball for death, both for black.

[@md4man]

I had a Fireball 100 and sold it to help pay for my Savage 120 MK2. The way I describe them is that the Fireball has a loose distorted sound while the Savage is very tight. I miss the Fireball sound & wish I hadn't sold it. But, the Savage is much more versatile Both sound & functionality-wise & I prefer the clean channel in it. So, each is good in its own way, they are just very different from each other.

[@X9Eric]

Excellent descriptions @md4man!! It is a tough decision either way because they are different enough to have both, ha ha....

[@earthshaker5882]

Fireball player :) I used it for more than 10 years and it's fantastic: it's not so expensive and it has a killer sound! Maybe it does not have so much features, in comparison with others, but it's nothing that a pedalboard can't handle.

[@X9Eric]

If it's not broken. Don't fix it! ha ha Thanks for sharing @earthshaker5882. Could totally tell you were a Fireball player with a name like earthshaker! ha ha

[@earthshaker5882]

@@X9Eric ahahahah touche 😀

[@stringfreak88]

Love my Fireball 100 !

[@cizmar1972]

I have the Fireball and use it in a deathmetal band and it's perfect. No OD/boost (actually sounds better without one) - just an EQ in the loop to help me dial it in even more, but it sounds great even without the EQ.

[@X9Eric]

Heck yes @cizmar1972, it is THE perfect amp for what you are using it for! What guitar you running into it?

[@cizmar1972]

@@X9Eric I use 2 different guitars right now for my band. I have a Jackson Soloist with Seymour Duncan Black Winters in both Bridge and Neck Positions and an ESP LTD Blackmetal that only has a bridge pick up, which is also a Seymour Duncan Black Winter.

[@anxiousnation3820]

I purchased a brand new Savage 120 MKII and couldn't vibe with it for 3000 US dollars. I later saw the 60 watt EL34 version of the Savage Mark II and it blew me away. It is one of my favorite amps. YMMV

[@X9Eric]

Thank you so much for sharing @anxiousnation3820, sounds like my experience also. I would like to check out the EL34 version someday! What is the biggest difference between for you?

[@anxiousnation3820]

@@X9Eric I have them a year apart so I cant say for sure what the difference is. It could even be the money was less and time. Guitar players are fickle and change their mind a lot. I will say i feel like it has more bite and the highs have more karang but cant be sure :)

[@lelandgaunt7130]

​@anxiousnation3820 weekend guitar players do that. They have to compensate for sucking and kiddie, bubblegum, drop d type, one finger playing. A real guitar player gets EVERYTHING from his hands and fingers. Good players will stick with their first or second amp for life. "Beware The Man With One Gun" type of deal.

[@ronnymilianowicz5228]

I would sell the Savage and get an Artist Edition for 600 euro on the used market and change all the tubes. Half the price, twice as good. I re amped it against my EVH, 6505+, DSL, and Rectifier and its probably my fav amp. Its more organic than my old Fireball. Thanks for the video. Waited for weeks for this! :)

[@X9Eric]

Excellent information @ronnymilianowicz5228!! Really appreciate you sharing that info, you have quite a killer collection. Sorry for taking so long to get this video out, really focused on doing the best I could to produce what I heard between the two after weeks of comparing them.

[@keyzorro5253]

Great idea! What tube will you use on the power amp of Artist Edition E651? 6L6? 5881?

[@ronnymilianowicz5228]

@@keyzorro5253 Its made for EL34.

[@chaggasfernandes]

Thanks for the video Eric. I think I like the Savage. The sound was smooth and heavy.

[@X9Eric]

Thanks for commenting @chagasfernandes3899! It is an awesome amp!

[@Severmore]

Suggestion. Add a mic in the room. Position where you get the best representation of what you personally hear while playing. That way we can hear what you hear while playing, instead of a mic'd up cab, which can be helpful. Sick playing, dude.

[@tatt2guy86]

Own a fireball after using Peavey and EVH for many years. For what I want it seemed like I had to really work with EVH amps to get what I wanted and push it. What I love about the fireball is I can just plug in and go. In a band situation I use the gate turned all the way up, a modded 808, and a 10 band EQ...just for a slight push where I would get lost otherwise and for a slight volume boost.

[@X9Eric]

That's awesome @tatt2guy86! What guitar and pickups are you using to play through the head? Man I haven't experienced any other amp punch as hard as the ENGL Fireball 100! Just awesome.

[@enuxs]

I have both and I love both, but I also love to boost amps using overdrive pedals. I would not say, the Savage sounds sterile, but you need more time to dial it in considering all its additional options. The Fireball sound always good - no matter what you do or not do. I know guys who prefer the Fireball, but also some who would take the Savage.

[@X9Eric]

Hey @enuxs, wasn't sure what would be the best way to describe the Savage. Fireball = Spikey and Savage = Refined, maybe. Agreed some guys will be drawn to one over the other as they are quite different IMHO. Which one do you like the best?

[@enuxs]

​@@X9Eric I should make a real side by side tone comparison, but I am currently using the Savage 120 Mark II more, also because of its capabilties e.g. four channels, MIDI, two effects loops and especially the two EQs and all these useful tone shaping options.

[@hierrogm]

Always do bloopers …great video …team fire ..I’ll be getting one soon

[@X9Eric]

Awesome @hierrogm! Please let me know when you do, would love to hear your thoughts!

[@derek_d]

Very interesting. I have the Savage 60 Mk II and it sounds so much warmer than the 120. The 120 is definitely an acquired taste but the 60 is just crushing. Weird that people seem to only have the 120. Probably Engl's fault since the price difference is only $100 between the two 🤦‍♂️

[@jd5393]

Same here. Have the 60mk2. Much better to my ears than the 120 imo

[@X9Eric]

EXCELLENT feedback!! I wish I could have played them both back to back. The 120 was very disappointing. Sounded thing like a plug in. Have you played the 120? I really want to LOVE the Savage but it just did not compare to any of the other amps I had at the time.

[@X9Eric]

Excellent feedback. I am curious about the 60 with the EL34s. The 120 and the 6550 tubes was very disappointing Have you played the 120?

[@bluepacificrecordingstudio1120]

I have the fireball and its the only amp i use now

[@X9Eric]

Awesome, this amp is a beast! IMHO it just has this massive push!

[@TheCyberMantis]

Killer riffs. I like the Fireball. Savage has too many features, and it's too expensive. Fireball: I would use an EQ pedal in the loop, and a couple of different overdrives in front of it. If you can... I would love to see a shootout between the BadCat LYNX, and the Fireball.

[@X9Eric]

Thank you @TheCyberMantis, thanks for sharing a cool set up! I will look into the BadCat. Do you have any experience with the LYNX?

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@X9Eric I don't, but I would love to try one. I only hear great things about that amp.

[@thrasher10000]

Prefer the Savage, it's a more complex tone that cuts better. Fireball is great too though. The Fireball is smoother but the Savage has some rectifier like grit which helps in a mix.

[@xSilencex_]

My favorite Engl Fireball 100

[@X9Eric]

Heck yes!

[@Firehawk-205]

Damn, they are spot on! I'd say in 2nd riff the 120 has more upper midrange in the setting you have set forth. I was trying to hear the Power tubes "Grind" but hard to tell in the mix.

[@X9Eric]

Ha ha thanks for checking it out @ADR.Hi-Gain!

[@williambyrne6855]

Appreciate the comparison. You mentioned that you also evaluated with physical mics, but we heard the CaptorX (which is awesome). I use both the X-LOAD LB-2 (fractal) and the CaptorX (two notes). I like the CaptorX for its studio utility, but the X-LOAD is more faithful to the speaker out. If you're taking the time to mic the cabinets, share the results. It doesn't need to be pretty. Anyway, I'm thinking about the Savage as an addition to my 100 watt Dual Rect. I'm really curious how they compare with minimal downstream effects.

[@X9Eric]

In every comparison I did the outcome was exactly the same. Fireball raw, focused, punchy, unbelievable low-mid punch with ENGL sizzle. Savage refined, thinner and wide, with a tighter response has the ENGL sizzle to a lesser degree. I chose the audio samples in the video because I felt they captured the differences based on my experience with them. Please check out the the Savage video I made and the Fireball also as it may give you more info. Ultimately the FB won out for me and I do not have the Savage anymore. The Savage was too much money for what you actually get IMHO. Hope that helps!

[@williambyrne6855]

@@X9Eric I gave your review another listen making sure the video res was set to 4k while listening with decent reference headphones. There's definitely a difference in the tonal quality where the Savage seems to be reproducing more detail. For the last few days, I've been evaluating a RedSeven Amp Central. Good chance I'll be shelving the CaptorX for a while. The sound now coming out of my PA is incredibly full. I'm using JBL studio monitors across 3 frequency bands, so there's virtually no dynamic that's being lost.

[@song11artmusic]

Great video Eric!!! I have both and I love fireball!!!

[@chapperbone]

Your videos are fucking awesome!!!! Thank you for your excellence! Cheers! i have the Fireball and Artist Edition and other amps as well and I love the FB.

[@X9Eric]

Thank you so much for the kind words @chapperbones!

[@X9Eric]

And excellent taste in ENGLS!! which do you like better the FB or the Artist Ed?

[@rikosimmo]

2:20 fireball 2:31 savage

[@EdwardKayeplus]

This was interesting. There's a local guy selling a Savage MK II for $2100 that I've been tempted by, but I just got rid of a Revv Generator 120 MK3 that I found too compressed and processed sounding, so worried this would be similar. I feel like it would be good for that very polished tech death sound of bands like Obscura and Beyond Creation, but I bet a plug in could get you there too, as many of those bands use Kemper profiles of Engl. Also, I have a 6505+ and EVH 5150 III 100S already, so they can pretty much get me into that territory.

[@X9Eric]

Yes I found the Savage disappointing. Just sounds thin and like a plug in to my ears just as you pointed out. Plug ins are SO much more affordable also. I REALLY wanted and still want to love the Savage Mk2 but it really did not compare well in the room with either my Marshall DSL100H or not even close to the Fireball 100 or my fave the 5150 III S EL34 100 watt though. Not sure you would like it either. I am REALLY curious about Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifiers now

[@EdwardKayeplus]

I love my Dual Recs. I have a '90s Tremoverb and a more recent multi watt model. They're very organic, but really benefit from a boost to tighten them up. I just spotted a local listing for a Engl Powerball mk1 for $1000, which comes with the Z9 midi footswitch, so I'm going to grab it on Tuesday. Apparently, Beyond Creation used the MK1 on all of their recordings, as did many death metal bands, so it could be fun. From what I've heard, the MK2 has that polished tone of the Savage 2, so I guess that's the direction they ate heading.

[@sisyphushappyband]

I have the Savage mkii (I've owned a mki, too) and really do love it. I've found that I actually really like channel 3 boosted over channel 4 - I find that the crunch channel retains more of the kind of 'raw' quality you described in the Fireball. My favorite boost in front of the Savage is the Peppers' Dirty Trees - play through an oversized Mesa 4x12 and it's gold!

[@X9Eric]

Thank you so much for sharing the info on the Savage @sisyphushappyband! Makes me happy to hear people make this thing work with amazing results!!! What tuning do you use and 6 - 7 - or 8 string?

[@sisyphushappyband]

@@X9Eric I play just about everything in E standard, 6 strings. I used to be more of a Rectifier guy, but the Savage has grown to be my #1!

[@ronnymilianowicz5228]

Do u prefer the mk2 over mk1?

[@sisyphushappyband]

@@ronnymilianowicz5228 Most definitely. I get how some would get option paralysis or something from all the switches and everything on the mkii, but I found it easy to dial in, and the built-in noise gate is a game-changer.

[@ronnymilianowicz5228]

Today I reamped the Savage mk 2 against my Artist Edition 100 watt. I can honestly say the Savage was not even close!

[@X9Eric]

How did it go please share!!

[@givemeajackson]

that savage precision is just unmatched imo.

[@X9Eric]

Ha ha @givemeajackson. Agreed. There is some magic baked into that amp!!

[@Patrick-rf7vx]

Hi Eric, I found that I get much better results with the savage when I dial the presence lower and at the same time dial back bass and middle to keep it balanced. Give my settings a try: bass 2-3, middle 4, treble 7, presence 3.5

[@X9Eric]

Hey @Patrick-rf7vx, thank you so much for sharing your settings!!! What tuning are you using and are you playing a 6 or 7 or 8 string? I have this hunch that the Savage may work better for down tunings best and my E flat 6 string and drop C# just might not cut it, ha ha

[@Patrick-rf7vx]

@@X9Eric yeah, mostly very low stuff. The bass knob controls quite a bit of lower mids. With my settings the amp sounds very clear, but I can see that it loses some heft compared to other amps.

[@rubengarcia2962]

Nice riffs man!

[@X9Eric]

Thank you so much for the kind words @rubengarcia2962!

[@Tatted-ne7tu]

Thanks for this great review. Does the Fireball have any rumored issues cutting through in a live band mix? I have no experience with the Engle type of distortion and only know Marshall but I'm looking for something new. I tried a 5150 and felt like the scooped mids could get swallowed up.

[@X9Eric]

Thank you for watching and commenting @Tatted-ne7tu! IMHO the Fireball would cut through as it has the power and eq has tons of tonal options! It does have a different kind of distortion which could make it a great change from the Marshall thing, which I love as well! As you are totally aware of that "Marshall cut" I think the either ENGL will be a great amp! What guitar are you planning to play through it? Hope that helps!

[@Tatted-ne7tu]

Thanks Eric that helps. I utilize a Jim Root Tele, A Schecter Mach 6, a Danhenge Charvel and a Snakebyte.

[@blackcroworchestra8824]

I saw the Guitar player From Sigmun Regis using the Fireball, he killed those guys who were using Marshall JVMs. What a sound!

[@Krankenstein]

I was planning to put savage 120 on top of my fireball but lately I'm leaning towards jvm410 for more defined British characteristic. I love fireball's riffs, high and bass freqs are sooo good, amp pushes lots of air even with 2x12 at lower volumes. Just brutal. I can't go back to play with my Blackstar Silverline 50w modeling amp anymore, it sounds very weak, boxy and fake comparing to fireball.

[@X9Eric]

Ha ha, the Fireball just has this way of creeping to the top of my amps list the more I play it but it definitely has the unique ENGL sound IMHO. The JVM sounds like a killer amp, and would nail that British thing all day, great to have both!!!

[@Krankenstein]

@@X9Eric i mean physically putting an another amp on top of my fireball for more variety. Stacked heads also look cool lol. But yes, for that matter I'd say Fireball could be the best of its own kind. I can have many more amps, i can trade them etc. but I'd keep fireball there with me.

[@AllMetalReview]

Man I've slept on the fireball. But I still gotta go savage. More refined and articulate compared to the fire. Almost sounds edited. For rawness fireball for sure

[@X9Eric]

Heck yes @heavymetalreviews8047, the Savage is very polished and refined for you sure!

[@bradhill935]

for me it comes down to the features...the fireball wins sonically & is great in the studio, however, live, when you need 3 channels, you have to compromise with only the 1Eq. engl would be on a winner if they made a 3ch fireball with independant Eq's

[@X9Eric]

Nailed it @bradhill935! I love the way you think and like that idea ALOT. A 3 channel FB 100.... Now your talkin!

[@honeybadger1810]

Savage has more of that upper mid cocked gnarl, and is a bit more focused. The fireball has the destructive low end balls and more balanced mids. Both great

[@X9Eric]

Heck yes both are awesome @honeybadger1810!

[@tonefreak3403]

I own a Savage and the power tube choice will make an obvious difference. I think the 6550 is not the best choice for that amp even el-34's will sound greatly different in that amp. My first pick for the Savage is the EL-34 TAD STR. This amp is voiced for the TAD tubes. Those amps are not like a typical Marshall where if you change the power tubes it doesn't change all that much.

[@X9Eric]

Excellent point, I was really bummed about the how the Savage sounded. Never tired 6550s and not too impressed by them at all. Curious about he EL34 version but wish it had 4 EL34s making 100 watts. Did you swap out the tubes? Please share?

[@tonefreak3403]

I tried different tubes like 6l6's, el34's and 6550. For example the JJ el34's sounded much looser even at different bias settings. I truly feel the best tubes that what comes with are the TAD el34's but you have to bias the tubes pretty low for the amp to be tight and have a punchy low response! @@X9Eric

[@kittysofdoom6968]

I am going to say fireball. They both sound great but since I bought a fireball 100 i have to go with it.

[@X9Eric]

Thanks @kittysofdoom6968! You bought a BEAST of an amp!

[@lordgraga]

Try running the Fireball pre-amp through the Savage power amp and vice versa, then you will see if you are right about the powersections.

[@X9Eric]

Lost interest in the Savage ha ha, don't have it anymore. Great amp just not for me at this time,

[@lordgraga]

@@X9Eric Makes sense. I have a Savage 120 MK 1 that I don't exactly love either - though it's a very different amp.

[@YsAbTones]

Fireball ftw

[@shredward666]

I have a Powerball 1 modded by Jens Kruse and I think it sounds better than both of these. But that’s just like, my opinion, man.

[@yousocrazy1199]

ok i love to try this 2 amps but for now i can afford the fireball 100, but i just play in the room and the volume i can play with my 25-50 watts amp is just around 2 volume max and that like 75db in my sound meter (Loud af) but i have a 2x12 engl cab thats why i want to pair with a longer amp cuz most of the 50watts are just half the size of my cab, the problem is if the fireball 100 could still be saturated around that volume 2 as 100 watts? or 100 watts need to be cranked so it will punch you in the face? is it saturated and full sound, still?

[@X9Eric]

Hey @yousocrazy1199, I play these at low volumes and they sound awesome. The beauty of these amps are that I play them low and when I am wanting to FEEL the ground shake I can crank them up and they STILL SOUND AMAZING! LOVE 100 watt amps!

[@yousocrazy1199]

awesome, thanks you Eric 🤘

[@erikanderson9119]

Is it possible to do a clean comparison between the two?

[@X9Eric]

Great questions @erikanderson9119. Originally I totally intended to but unfortunately I do not have the Savage anymore as it didn't work out for me. IMHO though I found that both clean channels sounded amazing, very rich, full and warm-ish for an ENGL. I feel that part of the ENGL sound is that dry, cold, thing and again feel that the Fireball just sounds "livelier". hope that helps!

[@thedddemon]

Yeah the Savage slays. I'd be surprised (and disappointed) if the Fireball was as good.

[@ordohereticus3427]

For many, it’s not just as good, it’s potentially better. Savage is great, but this doesn’t mean that other amps are somehow lesser. Doesn’t mean that one should be disappointed with the Savage.

[@darkscience1466]

Well, how is that disappointment? I had both and sold the Savage. Not really close..

[@ARCHIE_GRISH_]

Without overdrive?

[@X9Eric]

If I use a boost/ overdrive I write it in the description @user-xk5qz8ws1z. Sorry but I don't remember. I think this comparo was no boost.

[@fernandolara2940]

SAVAGE OR ARTIST EDITION?

[@X9Eric]

LOVE these two amps, but VERY curious about the Powerball II. Feel that it may offer the perfect split between these two. Which of these two do you like better @fernandolara2940 ?

[@fernandolara2940]

@@X9Eric The artistic edition is the one that has been recommended to me the most and is the one that catches my attention the most, I think it is more versatile and adapts to all types of music. Your videos are very interesting... Greetings from Colombia 🇨🇴.

[@rikosimmo]

2:20 2:30

[@rossanoponti8139]

savage is modern sound of heavy metaL...VERY POWERFUL....fireball is more Bay Area style !

[@rikosimmo]

1:30 1:46

[@rikosimmo]

What pickup did you use?

[@X9Eric]

Hey @rikosimmo, I used a ESP LTD JM-II guitar loaded with fishman modern fluence pickups.

[@rikosimmo]

​@@X9Eric​cheers legend. Thanks for the time you took to make this shootout!

[@howardgillingham4763]

X9, I knew a guy who said he was from the planet X9 outside the solar system

[@X9Eric]

LOL

[@highgainmaster7856]

Fireball is cheap good but Savage is best Engl amp.

[@X9Eric]

Do you own the Savage? Mk1 or Mk2?

[@highgainmaster7856]

@@X9Eric I used all engls fireball 60 100 powerball 1 2 invader e570 steve morse savage mk 1 and sold them now i will buy savsge mk2

[@X9Eric]

Wow@@highgainmaster7856 you have some AWESOME ENGL experience. How do you use your amps? Playing through 2x12 or 4x12 or? Do you record them? Reason I ask is because I am hoping to learn from you and maybe I was doing something wrong. I REALLY want to love ENGLs but after owning and testing the Ironball SE, Fireball 25, Fireball 100, and the Savage 120 MK2 on this channel I have not been able to get any of them to produce results like what I find in my Marshall DSL100H or not even close to the EVH 5150 III S 100 watt EL34 amps. The Savage Mk2 was the most disappointing because it sounded weak in the room through my 2x12 Mesa Boogie cab and provided the same results I can easily get using a plug ins when recording. Hope to learn from you! Thank you!

[@dildojizzbaggins6969]

Seriously man? Tubes don't have anything to do with the tone of an amp. It's the circuit/voicing that determines how it sounds.

[@X9Eric]

So cool to be able to have the options we do today, each part makes a difference!