Framus Cobra or ENGL Powerball?

[slevy007]

Hey guys,

I have read a number of your posts about Engls. I had a question. I may be able to get a spanking deal on either a Framus Cobra or an ENGl Powerball for myself. They both very close in price, within tens of dollars.

Which would you go with?
Im into 80's Metal (Priest, Maiden, Hair metal too ) and Hard Rock(VH, Racer X, AC/DC, etc.). So I'm wondering what all you experienced guys think. I'm looking for versatility, and a number of tones, but awesome tones.

So if anyone can help and/or is selling either of these units, please respond.

Thanks!
slevy007

[guitarshredder7]

power ball all the way i love engl

[Shep]

i found the framous to be more of a fender amp sound.so engl

[whatshisname]

The Framus has more of a Fender sound??? I'm listening to the latest FireHouse CD, right now, and judging from Bill Leverty's tone, I'd say it sits right about in between a Marshall and a Rectumfrier.

Oh, and since Bill is one of my favorite guitarists, I'll vote for the Framus.

Check out some of the tones Bill uses at www.leverty.com and www.wanderlustband.com

[red5]

I have not played a Framus, but the ENGLs will do excellent Maiden/Priest sounds for sure.

Might be worth looking into a SL-X too (try to get a 93 or 94 with Drake transformers in it if you can!).

[slevy007]

Cool. Thanks for all the imput guys!
I'm definetely going to have to try them out in detail.

Anyway, anyone want a block logo 5150?

Steve
slevy007

[red5]

I do if I don't have to pay for it

[slevy007]

Well if it only were a perfect world.

[red5]

Thought it was worth a try!

[Dinosaur]

I haven't tried this particular Framus Cobra, but two other Framus amps were indeed close to Fender with a bit of Marshal on the end of distortion. However, I would prefer the Engl.

[whatshisname]

Oh, are you talking about the Ruby Riot? Bill Leverty compared that one to more of a Vox type class A sound. I guess that would be closer to a Fender, than a Recto. I haven't played through one, though. Also, the Dragon is lower gain than the Cobra, and that one was compared to more of a Marshall style tone. Those are the only current models that I'm aware of.

The Cobra is a cool high gain head, though.

[Dinosaur]

Yes, I mean the red Ruby Riot, very nice amp, and now that I think of it rather Voxy indeed, but also close to Fender. Clean sound was close to a Fender, distorted closer to Vox.

The Dragon full stack had lots of versatility, but rather traditional sounding and marshallish/crunchy. Especially when distorted, it had a strong Marshall character.

I believe I would go for an Engl for a variety of reasons, better priced, more streamlined production and wider user base, better sounding at low volumes and a very individual character which I like more.