User Manual

The ENGL RockMaster amp and the ENGL MetalMaster amp are purpose-designed for performance
and voiced to meet specific sound characters in order to offer the guitar player a perfect platfom for
diverse tonal genres. Both the combo and head versions of each amp model come in exceedingly
compact housings. These amplifier series are perfect for small gigs, home or studio recording, and
practicing at lower volumes without sacrificing tone. In fact, because they are endowed with hip
features such as a balanced Line Out with speaker simulation and a built-in Power Soak with four
variable power stages, these amps are well-suited for a wide range of diverse applications. The Master
knob lets you dial in precisely the desired amount of power amp saturation.
Two EL84 pentode power tubes produce the amp's trademark tone, while two ECC83 double triode
preamp tubes provides authentic tube sound.
These amp models offers plenty of variety for the tone connoisseur courtesy of their two channels
Clean and Lead: while the MetalMaster amp is featuring oodles of front-end overdrive during Lead
mode, the RockMaster's Gain range is perfectly tuned to deliver a broad spectrum of medium preamp
saturation in Clean and Lead channels; nevertheless the Lead Gain level completely suffices for playing
typical fat Lead solos.
Another clear-cut feaure is a specially voiced Mid Boost (RockMaster amp) or Mid Scoop (MetalMaster
amp) switch that shapes those midrange frequencies that matter so much to electric guitar tone.
Moreover these amps also come loaded with a bevy of convenient sound-sculpting features designed
to make your musical life easier and more rewarding, including a built-in reverb system and a serial FX
Loop, both features switchable on the fly via footswitch, likewise channel switching and Mid Shape.
And, although the four foot-switchable features afford you even greater flexibility to shape sounds
spontaneously, handling these remains an exercise in convenience and simplicity.
You'll find guidelines on care and maintenance of tube amps and details for the Power Soak handling
in certain places of this manual. Please read and heed these before operating your amp.
You'll also come across boxes shaded grey throughout the manual. These are located between the
descriptions of the amp's functions and contain handy tips on the preceding function. All critical
information pertaining to the operation of this amp is preceded by "NOTE" or "CAUTION." Please pay
particular attention to these safety tips.
The ENGL team wishes you all the best—may you and your amp enjoy a "harmonically rich" future
together!
Front
1 Input: ¼" unbalanced input jack. Plug your guitar in here using a shielded cord.
2 Clean Gain: Gain control for the Clean channel. This knob determines the preamp's input sensitivity
when the Clean channel is selected and, by extension, the preamp signal's saturation level. It and the
Master (11) knob determine the Clean channel's volume.
A tip from the designer: Here's how this knob's settings relate to the type of guitar pickup.
If you are using single-coils, the preamp will start breaking up at about 6, and at around the 4 or 5
with more powerful humbuckers or an active pickup. If you want a pristine clean sound,
back off the Clean Gain knob setting.
The power amp provides a moderate amount of headroom, so be sure to choose a relatively low
Master knob setting (lower than 5) if you wish to avoid any kind of break-up. Even in Clean mode,
you can push both the amp's preamp and power amp hard enough to overdrive the signal.
CAUTION: Extremely high gain and volume levels can produce powerful feedback. Avoid feedback
squeals; they can lead to hearing loss and damage speakers! At higher volumes, back off the Gain
and Treble levels in order to prevent unchecked feedback!
3 Lead Gain: Gain control for the Lead channel. This Control knob determines input sensitivity when
the Lead is active. Use it to dial in the desired amount of preamp saturation level.
A tip from the designer: You can achieve a moderate preamp saturation or overdrive if you prefer
for typical rock riffs or for rhythm work with Lead Gain knob settings prior to the position 5; ideally
in the range between 1 to 4, depending on the output of the guitar pickup and the amp type.
Higher Lead Gain control settings produces a remarkably rich sustain and a singing lead tone,
perfectly suited for playing solos and lead guitar for example. I would only recommend very high
Gain levels at moderate volume to get additional sustain. In other words, you should avoid Lead Gain
knob settings beyond the position 6 at high output power in order to prevent interaction between
guitar and speakers that possibly causes undesirable feedback.
CLEAN GAIN LEAD GAIN BASS MIDDLE TREBLE LEAD VOLUME
CLEAN
LEAD
MASTER
STAND BY POWER
REVERB
MID
SHAPE
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