Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

EET_FUK

EET_FUK

New member
I've been GASing for a Quick Rod real bad lately. I know I'd love the amp, but there are a few things holding back. I definitely don't need a full 100 watts. For that reason, I'm considering a Competition, which is 50w and single channel. I wouldn't hesitate if it had a clean channel, but unfortunately that isn't the case. I could pick up a separate amp for clean tones, but that seams like a lot to carry to a gig. And I've heard the newer Quick Rods have a much improved clean channel. However, I'm worried about how the QR would sound at lower volume levels.

The only other amp that would compete for me is the Bogner XTC, which is just out of my price range at the moment. Although, the more I think about it, the more I'm warming up to the idea of picking up a Bogner Blue pedal and rocking it along with whatever Splawn I sprung for.

What do you guys think? Would it be worth it to pick up a QR? Would would the Blue pedal play with one? Either boosting the crunch channel or the cleans. Or should I just get the Competition, assuming the only difference in their dirt channels is the wattage/headroom? Along with my clean amp of choice. What say you? All suggestions appreciated. Thanks for the advice.
 
Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

Go with the Quick Rod and pull 2 tubes. That will run it at about 50W.
 
Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

I've had a Quick Rod for several years now and couldn't be happier with it to be honest. Its not the most versatile amp in the world but it does what it does very well.

The 100w versions are very easy to tame if you get 1 that has the fx loop master volume control on it. They also have a half power switch too.

I also find that they don't take pedals very well at all. I've tried alot of boosts and ODs with mine and haven't been very satisfied with any of them.

Another thing to keep inmind is that they are VERY picky about speakers.
 
Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

You could also consider the Street Rod which is a lower watt sorta-almost version of a Quick Rod.
Two channels still + solo boost, and 3 gears like the QR, but it's 40W, still using EL34s.

If Marshall/Hot-rodded Marshall is what you're looking for, it's hard to beat a Splawn for sound/value for money and good resale value.

plus, Made in USA, good build quality, etc etc.
 
Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

TwilightOdyssey said:
Go with the Quick Rod and pull 2 tubes. That will run it at about 50W.
Click to expand...

Is that safe? And does the half power switch still function properly?

Brow said:
I also find that they don't take pedals very well at all. I've tried alot of boosts and ODs with mine and haven't been very satisfied with any of them.

Another thing to keep inmind is that they are VERY picky about speakers.
Click to expand...

That's unfortunate about the pedals. What speakers do you suggest?
 
Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

EET_FUK said:
Is that safe? And does the half power switch still function properly?
Click to expand...
Yes, it works. Mine did not have half power switch; that does the same thing. Either way, problem solved. The Street Rod and Competition do not sound like a Quick Rod.
 
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Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

I have a Pro Mod and the half power switch just shuts off the outer tubes in the poweramp, so pulling them would be a moot point. But as far as attenuating the volume goes, I've had good luck with using the volume on my EQ pedal, although newer Splawns have a volume knob in the FX loop, which woukd serve the same function.

The clean channel is great to have and the gain knob acts more like a compressor, which is nice. But, except for my guitar with a Dimebucker in the bridge, the distortion channel will cleans up just fine with the guitar volume. This is with the gain and master both at noon, even in 3rd gear, which has more than plenty gain at this setting.

The Pro Mod was just a Quick Rod with a poweramp that will handle KT88s & 6550s. They eventually quit making the Pro Mod and just made the different power section an option on the Quick Rod.

There's some more info in my thread about the amp. https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?269292-NAD-it-s-a-Splawn!
 
Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

EET_FUK said:
That's unfortunate about the pedals. What speakers do you suggest?
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It's not a huge deal breaker for me that it doesn't seem to like Boosts/ODs to be honest. I switch mine either through MIDI or using a custom made 4 button footswitch, so by doing this I can switch between Gears (1+2 or 2+3) as well as OD1/OD2 for each, so I don't miss an OD or boost at all.

As for speakers; that's a whole other subject!

Most people with Splawns seem to like something in the Greenback style, or usually Splawns own Small/Big Block speakers. As I use a 2x12 cab these types of speakers aren't an option for me.

When I bought my Splawn I tried it through a 4x12 with a mix of V30s/G12H30s and it sounded great. My own cab at the time had the G12T75s and it sounded awful. I'm currently using V30s in my 2x12 and it sounds perfectly good, but I will admit to being more than curious of those new G12H-75 Creambacks so might try 1 in the future.
 
Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

Brow said:
It's not a huge deal breaker for me that it doesn't seem to like Boosts/ODs to be honest. I switch mine either through MIDI or using a custom made 4 button footswitch, so by doing this I can switch between Gears (1+2 or 2+3) as well as OD1/OD2 for each, so I don't miss an OD or boost at all.

As for speakers; that's a whole other subject!

Most people with Splawns seem to like something in the Greenback style, or usually Splawns own Small/Big Block speakers. As I use a 2x12 cab these types of speakers aren't an option for me.

When I bought my Splawn I tried it through a 4x12 with a mix of V30s/G12H30s and it sounded great. My own cab at the time had the G12T75s and it sounded awful. I'm currently using V30s in my 2x12 and it sounds perfectly good, but I will admit to being more than curious of those new G12H-75 Creambacks so might try 1 in the future.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I can't switch between gears on mine with the footswitch. Mine is a 3 button that has OD1/OD2, Clean/Distortion, and Solo Boost buttons. But I don't feel left out either because the distortion channel is so responsive to the guitar volume that I'm perfectly comfortable the way it is. And, OP, because of how the Solo Boost is voiced, I've never really had the urge to put an overdrive in front of the amp.

Oh yeah, and about speakers. Ive had good luck with my Splawn cab that I bought with the amp. It has Eminence Governors and Man O Wars in an X pattern. And it sounds pretty good through my Avatar Traditiinal 4x12 with Eminence Swamp Thangs and Texas Heats in an X pattern, although I prefer the Governor/Man O War combo.
 
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Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

Brow said:
I've had a Quick Rod for several years now and couldn't be happier with it to be honest. Its not the most versatile amp in the world but it does what it does very well.

The 100w versions are very easy to tame if you get 1 that has the fx loop master volume control on it. They also have a half power switch too.

I also find that they don't take pedals very well at all. I've tried alot of boosts and ODs with mine and haven't been very satisfied with any of them.

Another thing to keep inmind is that they are VERY picky about speakers.
Click to expand...

Yep to all! I love mine and the loop volume on the back works very well. just dont try to play the amp loud with the loop volume on or it sounds like its broken.. haha. I did this and thought something was wrong with the amp..
 
Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

TwilightOdyssey said:
Go with the Quick Rod and pull 2 tubes. That will run it at about 50W.
Click to expand...

No need for this. It they already come with a 1/2 power switch, and they are designed sound great at low volume. Mine works perfect as a home amp. The FX loop is great, and the clean channel is WAY underrated. It's very versatile, and it has a lot of the great characteristics that makes my 101B so awesome to play - punch, liquid feel, warmth, etc...

EET_FUK said:
Is that safe? And does the half power switch still function properly?

No need to pull tubes.

That's unfortunate about the pedals. What speakers do you suggest?
Click to expand...

Sorry but that information is not true. I use several overdrives with mine and they're great. It all depends on which mode you choose and how you set the gain. The first thing you have to decide is if you are one of those guys who like to set your pedals with the gain low and the output high, or use the gain from the pedal to add saturation. The clean channel also makes an excellent pedal platform.

As far as speakers, well it's not any more picky than a Marshall or any other amp. I've used my Quick Rod with a V30, Man'o'War, WGS Vet 30, Private Jack, and Jensen C12n, and they all sounded great. I find the Man'o'War to be a picky speaker, but the Quick Rod handles it beautifully.

The Quick Rod is just a solid, toneful amp all the way around. There's really nothing you can critique about it without being EXTREMELY picky. Everything about it functions beautifully and very compatible with all kinds of gear.

Probably the member saying this is suffering from a common problem which is crappy cables. Splawns are very high quality amps and if you use low quality cables, it's going to affect the sound. For all we know, he could be using Boss pedals, or too many true bypass pedals, or some other factor. Whatever the case may be, I respectfully disagree with his assertions. You can't go wrong with a Quick Rod.
 
Re: Considering picking up a Splawn. Opinions?

and I always wanted to hear the Silver jubilee..Thats a hot rod Marshall, no? Im also wondering the Mesas take on the hot Rod Marshall- the stage II Stilletto. The Mesas have all those relays-17!..that scares me.
SoSomthing ahs tried a bunch of different amps, and has picked the Splawn, so that says something right there.
 
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