ENGL Ritchie Blackmore Signature Head English Part 1

[jonnydubai]

I love this amp. Got it going through a boogie cab and gig it most weekends and recorded my album with it. I got it set up for a Nuno type sound. Chan 4 but gain only half way. Dont really notice that it dosent have reverb. K I L L E R

[zaratustra007]

so, where is the power switch? 

[33vman]

I just ordered this head. I play eveything from blues, blues rock n roll, rock, 70's rock, and metal. Do you think I made the right decision going with this head cause there is no stores in this area that carry ENGL and I didn't have a chance to take one for a test drive before I purchased it.

[johnretrucci]

@33vman In my opinion, you've made a great choice. This is an all-around excellent sounding amp. Even though I don't like the fact that the EQ knobs are shared by both channels, this is a very versatile amp that will let you shine through all of those styles of music you play. Enjoy!!! =)

[Diehardslashfan]

@johnretrucci right! i also have this one! its fuckin amazing!

[Deathz0r94]

The best of times. dude I love you right now.

[johnretrucci]

@Deathz0r94 Awesome song!!! =)

[Deathz0r94]

@johnretrucci I know, I still try to play along to the awesome intro legato lick thinking I'll be that good one day. Emphasis on TRY.

[givemeajackson]

@johnretrucci john retrucci. awesome name XD

[johnretrucci]

@givemeajackson A friend of mine came up with it many years ago and it worked. =)

[tnekf94]

nevermind... i asked the same question. SORRY!

[johnretrucci]

@tnekf94 No need to worry. =)

[tnekf94]

@johnretrucci oh by the way, do you think this is a good amp for Thrash metal? I play alot of megadeth, exodus, slayer, etc...

[johnretrucci]

@tnekf94 It can be used for thrash metal. But depending on the amount of gain you're used to use, you may want to add a booster or something of the sort.

[jamesbonello1]

dude can this amazing head do some over the top death metal/black metal tones..?

[johnretrucci]

@jamesbonello1 Hi, there. If you want to use it for that kind of extreme metal, you need to add an overdrive or a boost on the lead channe. The gain in this head is really great, but it's not that aggresive. =)

[givemeajackson]

@jamesbonello1 fearedse did some death without anything, it has defff nough gain.i played it today, i recommend it.

[johnretrucci]

@christiancoker1 Of course it can. =)

[Crimsomnia]

Doesn't it run 6l6's (5881) already?

[johnretrucci]

@Crimsomnia You can order it with different tubes from the factory. =)

[johnretrucci]

I think I remember that can be done, but I suggest that a specialized tech should do the rebiasing.

[jmastersherm1]

Great demo. Just got my Engl Blackmore with a 4x12 cab and the F5 foot switch. Really great rig :)

[johnretrucci]

I'm glad you liked it. Great purchase, man!!! Enjoy now. =)

[Run0nstr33t]

Did you use any effect pedal? reverb etc?

[johnretrucci]

I think I was using a little bit of delay for leads. Then, for cleans, I think it was chorus + delay.

[ibaldosid]

Hey man, great review!

I was wondering, how much money does it cost in Argentina? Do you have any guitar gear shops you can recommend? I'm considering a visit there for gear buying purposes.

[johnretrucci]

I'm glad you liked it. There're actually not really cool gear stores here in Argentina, but I see gear. If you want something that's not in stock, we can import it on special request. This head goes for USD 2700. If you have further doubts, PM me. Thanks for asking. =)

[ibaldosid]

@johnretrucci

Thanks for taking the time to answer, man, I really appreciate it!

USD 2700 is way above what I can pay for an amplifier as a poor college student, but let's see how it turns out in the future!

The Blackmore is my favorite amp, has all the sounds I look for in a guitar and looks pretty straightforward. Perhaps you could do another video playing a Les Paul (my favorite guitar) through it in the future? :P

[johnretrucci]

I have lots of other videos pending first, but I'll definitely take your suggestion into consideration for the future. Regards. =)

[ibaldosid]

@johnretrucci

I didn't mean to sound like I was rushing you to haha :D

Your channel is worth subscribing to!

[johnretrucci]

Thanks, dude. =)

[trakir]

5:13 - 5:28 that's like hearing petrucci on a change of seasons: live scenes from new york

[johnretrucci]

That always happens to me. It must be how I EQ all my amps and the undeniable Petrucci influencies.

[trakir]

@johnretrucci Aha, anyways, i loved it. Wondering if im gonna by the amp or buy the invader or powerball or something

[BiAjGi]

Hi! I own one of these beasts, and in my product description it says there a re 4 of 5881 (6L6GC) tubes, Not El34.

Is it possible to order it with different tubes ?

[johnretrucci]

I'm not sure you can oreder it with different tubes. What I do know is that a couple of different versions of this head (with different tubes) have been produced. That's why you may find different tube configurations in the same amp.

[MezzyArktide90]

Are you using any pedals in this video ?

[johnretrucci]

I did use a couple, though I don't remember exactly which ones. Anyways, the amp sounds monstruous with any need to add pedals.

[zupanman23]

Hello. I got 1 question =) I got my self that amp to and its really ql. But i dont know if i connected the head and box right, im new at this things so im asking could you tell me all the ways at what ohm in head goes to what ohm in box, and mono and stereo. And what is better? mono or stereo? :D

[johnretrucci]

You MUST use mono connectors becuase the head is mono. The right impedances will depend on the cab you're using -e.g. the typical impedance of Marshall 1960 4x12 cabs is 16 ohms. If you still don't know what to do, look at the back plate of the cab. It should clearly state the right impedance. If you're still unsure about what to do, ask me again. =)

[zupanman23]

Well now i got it connected like this:

8 ohm parallel in head ( the middle one)

to 4 ohm input in box and mono.

Is this correct? :D Friend toold me to do like this but i didnt understand him 100% and im still not shure :P

[johnretrucci]

What cab exactly are you using?

[zupanman23]

Marshall 1960a with 75 Watt 'G12T-75' speakers.

[johnretrucci]

That's the typical Marshall cab. Take a look at the back plate, select mono with the corresponding switch and connect the lead to 16 ohms (on both the head and the cab). =)

[zupanman23]

So if i understand you right, in cab i have to give cabble in 16 ohms and not 4, and in head cabble goes to 16ohms (the 1 that is only one not two)

Like that xD? =)

[johnretrucci]

Exactly. =)

[zupanman23]

Thanks :D But damn... all that time the connection was wrong. Coul this dammage the cab or head?

[johnretrucci]

Not at all. But after making the right connections, you'll prolong tube life and the whole performance of the amp.

[zupanman23]

Ok :D Tnx for all your help! =)

[zupanman23]

Oh! 1 more question xD What cabble do you suggest for connecting cab and head? I now use 1m guitar cabble but lot of ppl say its not good. What cabble should i get, and is there and sound or lamp changes then? I heard the guitar cabble is to thin, so the power cant get in cab...

[johnretrucci]

Don't use guitar cables for that. Buy a specific cable for connecting head-cab. You'll notice that they're thicker than guitar cables. If you can, buy an Evidence Audio Siren II. It's one of the best you can get and you'll definitely hear the difference.

[LazerRazor7]

Nice accent :) this amp is soon in my door , great demo!

[johnretrucci]

I'm glad you like it. You'll surely enjoy your ENGL very much. It's an awesome amp. =)

[xtremesoccer909]

whats the song in the intro at the beginning? awesome demo!

[johnretrucci]

Thanks, dude!!! If you mean the first 20 seconds of the video, that's The Best of Times by Dream Theater. Regards. =)

[vectragt2310]

I have both Blackmore Signatures - the 100 and also the 150 Watts Model and they are both brilliant amps. And side effect of the 150 Watts model is that you can dry your hair in front of the cabinet when it´s on 30% of the volume :D

It is louder than hell !!

[geertsakke]

Is this amp also suitable as a practice amp? I'm looking for a good amp but i live in an appartement so i can't crank it up. But i really don't wonna have a small boxy sounding 8-10" practice amp you know 'cause the sound sucks :)

[johnretrucci]

It is!!! When I recorded this, I was playing at bedroom volume. Of course you can get better results by increasing the volume, but it's also a very nice amp at low volumes. Regards,

Fernando

=)

[themodernguitarist]

Thats also the reason why Ritchie Blackmore went Engl, because they sound better then Marshalls at lower volumes.

[geertsakke]

Sounds great!

What cabinet do you use?

[johnretrucci]

Thanks, man. I always use a Mesa/Boogie Traditional 4x12. Regards,

Fernando

=)

[TheQuailman]

There's a version of this amp with the addition of "Fast Hand Motion" to the name, which runs with EL34s - it's pretty rare though because it was produced in limited numbers and this isn't one of them.

[AxelFlyingV]

Thanks for posting that. Now I recall these must have been when the amp first came out. That's why I got the impression that the RB ENGLS were with EL34. Mine has 5881s though.

[johnretrucci]

I actually didn't know that. Anyways, I tend to like 5881s better. Regards,

Fernando

=)

[ThieleM]

Has the Blackmore been changed? Mine runs on 5881 power tubes not EL34s

[cucuk666]

same thing

[ThieleM]

No they are not.  The 5881 is in the 6L6 group of valves.

[cucuk666]

oh then maybe the amp can be switched between the two? its about the lamp bias and long life, you can put 6L6 `s on too. I

[ThieleM]

The 6L6 family has VERY different requirements than the EL34 family and the Blackmore is not switchable between the 2 valve types.

I sent an E mail to ENGL requesting clarification on the EL34 statement. They replied and confirmed that the Blackmore is a 5881/6l6 amplifier.

The answer here is simple, the EL34 statement is incorrect....unless the amp has been modified by an aftermarket tech.

[cucuk666]

voltagewise yes, but their tone is incredible, I had sovteks and some mesa lamps, they were incredible. Give them a shot I say , its so hard to hurt a valve circuit. I`m so jealous , admire the blackmore from distance only. And had a late experience with an invader, and it changed my concept of valve amp capabilities completely.

[ThieleM]

You cannot substitute 5881'6L6 tubes with EL34's without modding the amp. Unless the amp is made with a tube class switch. To do so you can do all sorts of issues to an amp, grids, resistors and even trans damage WILL eventually result if you are swapping tubes at random....your amp will die. If you dont want to believe me contact ENGL. They will tell you what I am. I dont like 5881s, I find them over the top harsh sounding. My Blackmore has a quad of NOS Phillips 6L6GCs huge improvement

[johnretrucci]

Useful info and true indeed. Regards,

Fernando

=)

[HannoTheMetalhead]

Did you use any effects? Great Sound!

[Thib911]

Dream Theater !!!!!!! Awesome ;)