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Average Price: $30
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$300
$801+
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Description
Unleash the power of your guitar with the ENGL Savage 120, a formidable guitar amplifier head that has earned its place in the pantheon of rock and metal music. Revered by musicians like Gary Holt of Exodus and Evanescence, the Savage 120 is celebrated for its unmatched tonal flexibility and dynamic response. Whether you’re laying down crisp cleans, gritty crunches, or face-melting metal leads, this amp head delivers with precision and clarity.
The Savage 120's 4-channel layout provides a playground for sonic exploration. With a dedicated Clean channel, dual Crunch channels, and a searing Lead channel, you’re equipped to sculpt your sound with precision. Two separate 3-band EQs ensure your tone cuts through the mix, while additional features like Rough/Smooth mode selectors and a Lead Boost offer even more versatility.
Designed for the discerning musician, the Savage 120 offers not just power, but a rich palette of sounds that make it a staple in both live and studio settings. With punchy headroom and responsive dynamics, it’s the perfect centerpiece for a modern rock rig. This is not just an amplifier; it's a piece of rock history ready to be a part of your musical journey.
Key Features:
- 4 Channels: Clean, Crunch 1, Crunch 2, and Lead
- Two separate 3-Band EQs for detailed tone shaping
- 4 dedicated Gain pots with individual volume controls
- Rough/Smooth mode for Crunch 2 and Lead channels
- Sensitivity, Bright, and Contour switches, plus Lead Boost
- Hi Balance control for nuanced sound adjustment
Videos
ENGL amps
ENGL TV - Savage 120 demo by Martin Miller
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Engl Savage 120.
Features and functionality
Comparisons
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Users have compared the treble frequencies of the Engl XXL oversize 4x12 cab favorably, describing them as smoother than those of a Mesa oversize cab.
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90s Mesa 4x12 and Marshall 1960A/BV Vintage 4x12 cabs are recommended over post-2002 V30 cabs, which are noted for harsher treble tones.
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Modern speaker options like HESU Demon and Eminence DV-77 are suggested for a different tonal character than traditional V30s.
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User experience
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Owners appreciate the Savage 120's musical responsiveness and heavy tone, with some remarking on its surprising versatility and saturation levels.
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Aesthetic customizations like the "white on white" package are available for those seeking a more personalized look for their Savage amp.
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Atlas Cabs offers oversized 2x12 and 4x12 options with a one-year lead time, indicating high demand or bespoke craftsmanship.
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Use cases and applications
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For djent and low-tuned guitars, a 2x12 cab offers a tighter sound than a 4x12, which can become boomy.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 9 Ratings
Artist usage
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1:38 into the video, Gary shows some of the gear he's using for recording, stating "the Engl is the sh*t. [...] Scratch track sounds better than most people's album tracks."
I used to use the Savage 120 Engl head but recently switched over to Engl racks. I use the tube preamp 570 and the 100W Stereo power amp going into two Engl cabs housed with Celestion Vintage 30’s.
Japanese musician hide utilized the Engl Savage 120 guitar amplifier head in multiple recordings and live performances, as noted on his Wikipedia page.
In an article by Guitar World, Ihsahn is mentioned using the Engl Savage 120 guitar amplifier head for studio recordings, utilizing both its clean and overdrive settings.
Schenker: I’ve played so many amps! I started actually with Vox, then Marshall, then Boogie, into Hiwatt, then Diezel, then Engl, Soldano. Then I found this Danish guy who makes the Skrdstrup R&D [Triple Drive 50]. It’s an amazing amp. It allows such an exact attack and just enough distortion. Tonight I’ve got that, the Engl [Savage 120] and a Rivera [TBR Series rackmount stereo tube amplifier].
Muhammed stands next to his stack of ENGL heads. On the bottom row is his ENGL Savage 120. Muhammed also used a Savage 120 live at a show on Summer Slaughter 2009.
That was the EVH 100-watt going through Marshall Greenbacks. You’re in the studio and you end up trying different cabinets. I ended up using on Dragonlord, the EVH with the two Celestion 30-watts that comes with the cab. I also used my Engl cab that’s got two speakers in it and I think we had that one up too. I combined that with the Engl Savage 120. Blending stuff is cool but I always try and stick with one amp. When you’re in the studio, you might need a little sizzle here and there so we had other amps just pop in if we needed some extra kick instead of applying a Tube Screamer or whatever.
Throughout the first episode of Dean Lamb's "Shred M.D." series, an Engl Savage 120 can be seen paired with a Mesa 4x12 cabinet in the background of the studio.
Album Usage
The Engl Savage 120 has been featured on the following albums:
Years of Aggression
Suicidal Angels (2019)
Feeling of Unity
Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas (2015)
MTV Unplugged (The Studio Edits)
Scorpions (2014)
MTV Unplugged
Scorpions (2013)
Black Wings of Destiny
Dragonlord (2013)
Exhibit B: The Human Condition
Exodus (2010)
In Sorte Diaboli
Dimmu Borgir (2007)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Engl Savage 120, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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Add recommendation1 alternative for Engl Savage 120, curated by the Equipboard community.
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