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**Gearjoneser** · 10-31-2012, 01:10 AM

Re: Shiva Vs. Splawn

Too long, didn't read. Get your collection of OD pedals out, and continue running them into your vintage Marshall stacks. You can probably cop a good Shiva or Splawn with that rig.

**JOLLY** · 10-31-2012, 07:15 AM

Re: Shiva Vs. Splawn

It doesn't matter because I'm pretty sure that you could have every Splawn and every Bogner, and you'd still say they were overrated and sucked because you don't know how to dial in a good tone on any amp.

**Vasshu the humanoid typhoon** · 10-31-2012, 11:04 AM

Re: Shiva Vs. Splawn

Jerry(what they called German soldiers under the war)........How about you just play, instead of writing a book about sounds?

**UberMetalDood** · 10-31-2012, 07:43 PM

Re: Shiva Vs. Splawn

You're all over the place Jerry. However, I'll offer some of my experience if it's any help to you. There are some big gear whores in my family and it's no coincidence that it rubbed off on me. I absolutely love experimenting with gear. Bogner and Splawn two of the top brands I have ever played. I weighed the options and at one point even tried to make the switch from Bogner to Splawn. However, in the end, Bogner won out every time.

Generally, Splawns will have more gain except with the Shiva 20th and Uberschall. The Ecstasy has a high gain channel (red channel) but it's so good that I have a hard time classifying it has "high gain." What Bogners have is a depth and dimension that many other amps don't have. You just feel like there is something more oozing out in the tone than most amps. There's also something in the feel which makes it fun and inspiring to play. Besides all of that, they have a particular mid range growl and deep bassiness that's thick but not overpowering.

I have played some high-end Dumble clones before and as much as people compare Bogners to Marshalls, I think of them as kind of a Fender/Marshall/Dumble mix. Cleans are typically reminiscent of Fender, overall Marshall type of gain, but a smooth quality and kind of compression that I have heard in Dumble style amps. It's an interesting mix.

Splawn on the other hand is more of the modded/hotrodded Marshall thing. They are very dry in feel and sound. They have a great attack which makes them great for all kinds of metal and shred, and they are as tight as a dolphin's butthole. Take a plexi, JCM800, hotrodded JCM800 but add low end and low mids and you have the basic Splawn sound. The Street Rod has the best cleans I've heard from them to date, but none of their cleans are that great which limits their flexibility. The low and mid gain are actually my favorite sound in Splawn amps. I always though that they sound better with an OD pedal for high gain than the high gain modes.

Splawns are solidly built as are Bogners if not slightly more rugged because they have less switches and stuff, but I have never seen a sick Bogner before so that's that. However, in the tone department, I would have to give a couple of points to Bogner because of the flexibility and overall sound.

Both amp makers offer a lifetime warranty. However, I don't think Splawn limits their warranty on transformers as much as Bogner does. On the other hand, Splawn seems like a small company that's always inundated and never able to deliver in a timely manner. Their build time takes typically 1-2 months because they are as slow as molasses. I have no idea what their repair turn-around is but I would think they wouldn't be any faster to fix one than build one. Bogner, on the other hand, is surprisingly quick most of the time and I imagine they would have repairs done pretty fast. I cannot attest to that but they built and shipped my Shiva 20th Ann. out within a few days.

Bogner offers more options and flexibility, and is willing to substitute tubes and things like that, whereas Splawn is very rigid and doesn't grant requests for tubes and stuff, even if you supply them. I give a couple of points to Bogner for that.

Overall, they're both brands that are built to last a lifetime. Bogner carries their value better than Splawn on the used market, but Splawns seem to sell quicker if the price is right.

The best Splawn I ever played was the Competition. I thought it sounded better than the Quickrod. My 2nd favorite Splawn is the Nitro. It's a bit smoother than the Quickrod and perhaps a bit more versatile in that sense, and it has a better clean channel, but it's kind of hi-fi sounding so that's not everyone's thing.

There is a new 22w Splawn which might have a great clean channel since they base it on a 6V6 power section, but I have yet to play one. However, after playing the Goldfinger 45, I wouldn't consider any other 6V6 amp at this point.

**MetalManiac** · 10-31-2012, 07:57 PM

Re: Shiva Vs. Splawn

^ thats a brillliant review. I knew there was a reason I posted this. Thanks. I know I profited a great deal from this, as I hope some others might down the road.
I'll print this and put it in my portfolio.
For sure Id love an exctasy, but im all about trades. Maybe I can snag one listing it with a cabient.

**UberMetalDood** · 10-31-2012, 09:52 PM

Re: Shiva Vs. Splawn

Dude, even though a lot of vintage type guys knock Engl, I'm telling you that you need to play an Invader. We're talking Marshall style high gain tones, beautiful cleans, great master volume that allows decent low volume tone, and a lot of flexibility. It sounds absolutely incredible. The clean tone is beautiful. If I were you, I wouldn't make a decision about an amp until you get to try one.

I haven't tried the ENGL Retro which is also an EL34 based amp, but I hear it sounds like a vintage voiced Invader but with 2 channels. That's something to check out too and the price range is the same as the regular Shiva.

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