Engl Steve Morse Signature 100 head

112 Guitarist October 2008
ENGL STEVE MORSE SIGNATURE 100 HEAD
£2,199
GUITAR AMPS
We like: Huge tonal range and
flexibility; world-class build
quality; massively loud!
We dislike: Morse’s desire
for tweakability may lead to
confusion for we mere mortals
Guitarist says: A potentially
great amp that comes close to
perfection, but that lead
channel is a little too complex
for its own good
Engl Steve Morse
Signature 100 head
PRICE: £2,199
ORIGIN: Germany
TYPE: All valve, three-channel head with
solid-state rectification
OUTPUT: 100 watts RMS
VALVES: 4 x ECC83/12AX7 preamp,
4 x EL34 power amp
DIMENSIONS: 280 (h) x 710 (w)
x 290mm (d)
WEIGHT (kg/lb): 22/49
CABINET: 18mm ply.
CHANNELS: Three.
CONTROLS: Channels 1 and 2: gain,
bass, mid, treble, volume. Channel 3: gain,
bass, lo mid x 2, hi mid x 2, treble, lo gain
volume, hi gain volume, master volume
x 2, depth punch, presence
FOOTSWITCH: Engl Z9 controller (not
supplied) or any MIDI controller.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Dual series/
parallel effects loops, switchable global
gain boost and tone shift switches, noise
gate, preamp and line out sockets, MIDI
control over all channel and function
switching
OPTIONS: Engl Z9 foot controller (£189)
RANGE OPTIONS: None
Synergy Distribution 0121 270 6485
www.engl-amps.com
Test results
Build quality
Features
Sound
Value for money
GUITARIST RATING
controls, so you can emphasise
woody low mids with smooth hi
mids or vice versa. And, of course,
there are still treble and bass as
well as the tone and gain switches.
While it’s possible to use the
amp without it, the MIDI
switching option is definitely the
best way to maximise the Morse’s
potential – you can not only
change channels but also toggle
effects loops, gain boost, tone shift
and master volumes, as well as
those switchable mid-range
controls, making this an amp that
will delight those who enjoy
tweaking every possible setting.
The Engl’s solo lead voice is
characterised by a powerful
soaring treble that cuts through
practically everything without
being harsh or piercing, with
powerful bass and massive
headroom that creates the
impression of virtually limitless
power, even at extreme volume.
We plugged it into a Vintage 30-
loaded 4 x 12 and, with the
masters at around halfway, the
loudspeakers were already
sounding a little stressed,
indicating that this is a serious
power tool capable of filling
football stadium stages with ease.
Undeniably it sounds very good
indeed, and it is operationally
superb with silent switching and
mains hum levels pegged so low
that the rear panel noise gate is a
luxury rather than a necessity.
Verdict
All in all it’s another perfectly
executed feature-laden head from
one of the few designers who can
do this kind of amp really well.
But does the Steve Morse
Signature 100 excite enough to
make us want to part with over
two grand? That’s a tricky one.
The Morse does its job very
efficiently and there’s absolutely
nothing that you could point out
as needing improvement.
However, compared to the
competition (including Engl’s
own staggering SE model) the
lead channel doesn’t quite hit the
bull’s eye.
The multiple mid-range controls
on channel three add f lexibility
The Bottom Line
and choice but make it difficult to
dial in, which is a problem that
many former rack effects users
will identify with. When you
spend this kind of money you’d
expect every control setting to be
a gratifying adventure in sonic
supremacy, yet despite its
perfectly honed EQ curves and
practically non-existent mains
hum, the Morse’s over-
specialised lead channel is fiddly
to set up and not quite as
rewarding to use as you’d expect
for an amplifier at this level. You
can get great sounds from it – but
finding them is tricky and
repeating them isn’t so easy
either. If you just want to plug in
and get a great sound then
channel two is quicker and easier.
Steve Morse fans might see past
all that and buy this head just for
its association with a truly unique
world-class player; others may
find it harder to justify the price.
Nevertheless, in every other
area this is a brilliantly made and
versatile amp that is certainly up
to the most demanding of pro
applications: if you regularly play
huge concert halls and outdoor
festivals then this Engl is
definitely one to pilot.
The Engl’s solo lead voice is a soaring
treble that cuts through practically
everything without being harsh
Steve Morse is known for complicated set-ups so this signature isn’t the simplest head
An impressive array of 23 controls adorn the front of the Engl head
GIT308.rev_engl 112 10/9/08 2:48:51 pm