Hello GMC

Yesterday my new amp arrived: an ENGL Ritchie Blackmore with a Framus 2x12 cab (Vintage 30).
From the first powerchord that I played I knew I had made the right decision. It simple is amazing . I was looking to get an "Accept"-tone (think: Metal Heart and Fast as a Shark) and this amp totally nails the tone I was going for.

Just wanted to say thx to all the people that advised me a while back in my amp decision and also ask some questions:

- When I start the amp up, I can sometimes hear a "popping" sound. This is only in the first 10 min or so and even with the standby on you can hear it, when the amp is fully warmed up there is no "popping" sound. (about 4-5 times in the first 10 minutes and it returns when I turn the amp completely off to give 2 or 3 more "pops") Is this normal or is there a problem of some sort?

- The amp was delivered by truck so how can I check for damage or even broken tubes? I can clearly see the 4 little tubes burning but the big ones are lit up by LED's so I can't see if they are OK? (everything sound like it should, or atleast I think )

- How do I maintain my amp? How do I take the best care for it? (I know that moving it around is bad but for the rest I know very little)

- My dad wanted to build me a shelve so that I can put the head on it and the vibrations from the cabinet don't damage it, is this a good idea?

- What other advice could you give me? maybe some things that you simple MUST know ....

Here you can see it sittin' pretty beneath my Iron Maiden: the early days flag

That head looks pretty amazing man .... I love the tone from ENGL...

it looks amazing man, congrats!

The popping sound is probably the tubes heating up mate, I wouldnt worry too much unless it is coming through the speaker, which means a wiring issue most probably.
Taking care of tube amps is not too difficult, just dont bang them around too much and give the power on switch planty of time to warm the tubes before turning on the standby, same in reverse when switching off ofc!
As for checking tubes its best to inspect them when it is completely off, just make sure they are seated correctly and dont have any visible damage, you can tap them lightly with a metallic object (knife etc) to see if they are microphonic at which point they will need replacing, be careful of the voltages inside a tube amp, even after it has been switched off it can still carry lethal current in the transformer, if in doubt dont open it up at all!
It wont hurt the amp to be on top of a speker cab, its what they are made for, however putting it on a shelf wont hurt, just ensure plenty of free air circulation around it as tubes get hot, very hot!

Ah good to hear about the "popping" sound, I certainly don't think it's coming from the speakers so ...

About the metallic object thing: I'm kinda clumsy so probably won't do that. That and electrocuting myself doesn't sound so good

And while the amp is warming up I always warm up too. It helps the amp and myself to live longer.

Thx for the reply's guys

That's an excellent idea!


Crackle and pop is usually from a bad powertube but since it goes away I'm not sure. Perhaps if you warm it up before you start playing it'll be fine. (See "stand by" below!)


For maintenance, or best use. Engage the "standby" a couple of minutes when you start it and before you turn it off.

Then play, play play play play and give it some lovin dusting it off with a dry cloth.
When the sound starts getting bad you change the powertubes and bias the amp. Could be years from now so no worries yet.

That is the only Engl amp that I like! The blackmore sounds much warmer and not as sterile as the other ENGLs. It is aimed at hard rock and 80s Metal but ENGL packed soooooooo much Gain in there that you can easily play extreme Death Metal on it! And the clean channel is great too!

Also good choice of cab, the Framus 2x12 is the cheapest and best sounding Vintage 30 cabinet!

Hahaha I remember that it was you that recommended it to me Couldn't thank you enough

I'm an 80's Heavy metal kind of guy and this amp is just a dream . And its totally true what you're saying about the gain: I have the lead knob at 10 O'clock and the hi gain lead at 11 O'clock and have more then enough gain to play any of my favorite songs.

And the Clean channel coupled with my Holy Grail Plus delivers too

So thank you again Zakk

Oh man, such a beautiful view

Almost makes me feel bad for only having a 30W combo...I think I need to buy an ext. cab

looks like it sounds great