Urgent Question for guys with Hot Rod Soldanos/Splawns

[MetalManiac]

Most likely you guys have played JCM800's. Is there anything so special about a early Marshall JMP /JCM 800 that isnt at least as good or even bested by your modern amps?
I understand an early Plexi original amp might be hard to top as a repro, but the JMP/JCM's?

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Urgent Question for guys with Hot Rod Soldanos/Splawns

Do what?

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Urgent Question for guys with Hot Rod Soldanos/Splawns

Do what?

I think he wants to know if modern amps (soldanos and splawns) are just as good as the early JMP/JCM800 2204's and 2203's

[Chickenwings]

Re: Urgent Question for guys with Hot Rod Soldanos/Splawns

I always envied guys with soldanos back in the early early 90s. Most of us were using marshalls.

[astrozombie]

Re: Urgent Question for guys with Hot Rod Soldanos/Splawns

I'd take the marshall. I have been to the promised land, and I'll be damned if it wasn't loud and proud but at the same time singing and graceful.

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Urgent Question for guys with Hot Rod Soldanos/Splawns

How do you quantify better though? No matter how hard a Splawn or Soldano try they will never be a JCM800. Doesnt mean that they cant cop its vibe. It doesnt mean that they arent a better fit for YOU and the sound your after. Just means that each is its own amp and has its own set of plus's and minus's.

[Brow]

Re: Urgent Question for guys with Hot Rod Soldanos/Splawns

I have both my old JCM800 (a 2210, so not a fabled 2203/2204 but I have used those too) and a 2010 Splawn Quick Rod.

The Quick Rod pretty much destroys my 800 in every way. You plug into the Splawn and pretty much instantly you've got access to every 80s Rock/Metal tone you've heard on records. Alot of those recordings were done on 800s and JMPs etc, but they'd been modified and boosted etc whereas my Splawn lets me get those tones by plugging straight into the amp.

I've had my 800 about 12 years now and I'll never get rid of it, but my Splawn will always be 1st choice, basically, because it just sounds better! (to me atleast. Clearer, fuller, heavier (if need be)).

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Urgent Question for guys with Hot Rod Soldanos/Splawns

I have both my old JCM800 (a 2210, so not a fabled 2203/2204 but I have used those too) and a 2010 Splawn Quick Rod.

The Quick Rod pretty much destroys my 800 in every way. You plug into the Splawn and pretty much instantly you've got access to every 80s Rock/Metal tone you've heard on records. Alot of those recordings were done on 800s and JMPs etc, but they'd been modified and boosted etc whereas my Splawn lets me get those tones by plugging straight into the amp.

I've had my 800 about 12 years now and I'll never get rid of it, but my Splawn will always be 1st choice, basically, because it just sounds better! (to me atleast. Clearer, fuller, heavier (if need be)).

Ya I watched a demo for the combo version of the quick rod, I think its called the "street rod" and holy cra*! that thing sounds amazing! a hotrodded plexi, 800 and a super hotrodded 800 all in one! I have an 800 2204 already and its awesome, but the street rod or the quick rod is next on my list!

[Brow]

Re: Urgent Question for guys with Hot Rod Soldanos/Splawns

Ya I watched a demo for the combo version of the quick rod, I think its called the "street rod" and holy cra*! that thing sounds amazing! a hotrodded plexi, 800 and a super hotrodded 800 all in one! I have an 800 2204 already and its awesome, but the street rod or the quick rod is next on my list!

Yep, the Street Rod is a great little amp. It's essentially a 40w version of the QR with a Splawn Small Block (55w Greenback-a-like speaker in it).

I tried 1 out while I was in the shop trying my QR head and while it sounded good, I just don't seem to be able to gel with combos so I passed on it and got my head and an oversized 2x12 with V30s.

[devastone]

Re: Urgent Question for guys with Hot Rod Soldanos/Splawns

Personally, I'd go with the modern amp. Old Marshalls are great, and I've owned Superleads, 800s, and early 900s, all of them were awesome amps. The Superlead and 800s especially needed to be run loud to sound good though, and the soundman was usually telling me to turn down in clubs. I've also had a Hot Rod 50+ which I preferred to the old Marshalls. I haven't tried a Splawn, but hear great things about them. Also, the newer amps will probably be much more reliable than the old amps.

That said, it's hard to go wrong either way, the old Marshalls still have a special place in most rock guitarist's hearts.