JammerMatt
New member
Whelp, better late than never. Finally got around to posting some Splawnage. I've been super busy, but finally got around to spending some decent time with the new amp. Today I cranked it up loud for the 2nd time since owning it. I was chugging along in 3rd gear, grinning ear to ear this thing sounds so damn good. I suck - but this amp frigging kills. For a short while I had the most incredible tone coming out that I've ever heard come from me - I was happy.
Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself.
A little background. I got the Splawn Competition ($1350 brand new). It's a 50-watt single channel. Features include the 3 gears with 2 overdrive options (usable in each gear). The "Gears" are best summed up as 1st Gear = Hot Rod Plexi, 2nd Gear = Hot Rod 800, and 3rd Gear = Super Hot Rod 800. The amp has a half-power switch to get down to 25 watts, a bypassable effects loop, solo bost - all accessible via footswitch. EL34s.
For speakage I got an Avatar 4x12 loaded with Hellatone 60s and 30s X-Pattern (aged V30s and G12H30s)
Previous to this amp I have been playing a Line 6 Flextone II for 6 years now. In truth, I really like the Line 6 product. It took some tweaking, but I've received nothing but compliments from other guitar players for the Metal tone I get out of it. I decided that at 40, well dammit I've earned a big rig even though I don't really need it.
So enter the Competition. All I can say is frigging "WOW". I had a tad of buyer's remorse at first, thinking "WTH am I going to do with all this amp?" (Just ask Ben) Well, after cranking it up a couple of times all that has gone away. Quite simply, you cannot get a bad tone out of it - I double dog dare ya! In 1st gear even a hack like myself can be coaxing some VH-esque tones - Panama is right there at your beckon call. I'm not an LA style player at all, but even I could "ease the seat back" in 1st gear. 2nd Gear to me is Priest, Maiden, all that fun stuff - but with an extra kick. 3rd Gear to me is Lynch, the real high-gain stuff. It is really a sweet gear, I almost feel like I'm cheating in 3rd gear it sounds so good. Lately I've been dialing back the gain and throwing the Tubescreamer in front just for a different flavor. It pushes it in a different way which I like for lead sounds. It's not as dynamic, it's more compressed, but the sustain is great with that little pedal. Mediocre players like myself sound good with this, and great players should sound incredible.
Playing through the Jackson is all good and fun - but this thing seems to really like Les Pauls. My Paulie sounded from another planet with this thing - like it was screaming from inside it's very soul.
As for the cab - I'm very happy with it. I think it sounds real smooth. I played loud for two hours today. You know sometimes you hear cabs and it's like a pick in your head - no such thing with this cab. Sounds great (to me at least).
The fit and finish are just outstanding. I took a bunch of photos of the guts. However, I heard through the grapevine that Scott gets a little touchy with people posting photos of the innards, so I decided to honor that and not post any photos. I must say, however, the attention to detail is outstanding. The tubes are real... and they're spectacular. In addition, the folks at Splawn know how to do customer service. Could you imagine calling up Marshall and asking to talk to Jim? Well, you can with Splawn. They are Johnny on the spot answering E-mails, and will always take your call. I asked some pretty noobie questions, and they treated me like a pro.
Before I bought this I was hesitant with the price. Then I took a stroll through the GC (read: 7th circle of hell). When I saw 1850 for a Rectifier, 2 grand for a used Jubilee, 2500 for a Soldano, and 1300 or something for a JCM800 reissue, I got over that. At 1350, with a lifetime warranty, this is actually a great bang for the buck as well as being a great amp. If you can live without the clean channel, this things is great.
As for it being 50 watts. Well, let's just say there are probably few people who need more than 50. 50 is quite plenty for someone like me (too much actually).
Anyway, enjoy the pics.
Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself.
A little background. I got the Splawn Competition ($1350 brand new). It's a 50-watt single channel. Features include the 3 gears with 2 overdrive options (usable in each gear). The "Gears" are best summed up as 1st Gear = Hot Rod Plexi, 2nd Gear = Hot Rod 800, and 3rd Gear = Super Hot Rod 800. The amp has a half-power switch to get down to 25 watts, a bypassable effects loop, solo bost - all accessible via footswitch. EL34s.
For speakage I got an Avatar 4x12 loaded with Hellatone 60s and 30s X-Pattern (aged V30s and G12H30s)
Previous to this amp I have been playing a Line 6 Flextone II for 6 years now. In truth, I really like the Line 6 product. It took some tweaking, but I've received nothing but compliments from other guitar players for the Metal tone I get out of it. I decided that at 40, well dammit I've earned a big rig even though I don't really need it.
So enter the Competition. All I can say is frigging "WOW". I had a tad of buyer's remorse at first, thinking "WTH am I going to do with all this amp?" (Just ask Ben) Well, after cranking it up a couple of times all that has gone away. Quite simply, you cannot get a bad tone out of it - I double dog dare ya! In 1st gear even a hack like myself can be coaxing some VH-esque tones - Panama is right there at your beckon call. I'm not an LA style player at all, but even I could "ease the seat back" in 1st gear. 2nd Gear to me is Priest, Maiden, all that fun stuff - but with an extra kick. 3rd Gear to me is Lynch, the real high-gain stuff. It is really a sweet gear, I almost feel like I'm cheating in 3rd gear it sounds so good. Lately I've been dialing back the gain and throwing the Tubescreamer in front just for a different flavor. It pushes it in a different way which I like for lead sounds. It's not as dynamic, it's more compressed, but the sustain is great with that little pedal. Mediocre players like myself sound good with this, and great players should sound incredible.
Playing through the Jackson is all good and fun - but this thing seems to really like Les Pauls. My Paulie sounded from another planet with this thing - like it was screaming from inside it's very soul.
As for the cab - I'm very happy with it. I think it sounds real smooth. I played loud for two hours today. You know sometimes you hear cabs and it's like a pick in your head - no such thing with this cab. Sounds great (to me at least).
The fit and finish are just outstanding. I took a bunch of photos of the guts. However, I heard through the grapevine that Scott gets a little touchy with people posting photos of the innards, so I decided to honor that and not post any photos. I must say, however, the attention to detail is outstanding. The tubes are real... and they're spectacular. In addition, the folks at Splawn know how to do customer service. Could you imagine calling up Marshall and asking to talk to Jim? Well, you can with Splawn. They are Johnny on the spot answering E-mails, and will always take your call. I asked some pretty noobie questions, and they treated me like a pro.
Before I bought this I was hesitant with the price. Then I took a stroll through the GC (read: 7th circle of hell). When I saw 1850 for a Rectifier, 2 grand for a used Jubilee, 2500 for a Soldano, and 1300 or something for a JCM800 reissue, I got over that. At 1350, with a lifetime warranty, this is actually a great bang for the buck as well as being a great amp. If you can live without the clean channel, this things is great.
As for it being 50 watts. Well, let's just say there are probably few people who need more than 50. 50 is quite plenty for someone like me (too much actually).
Anyway, enjoy the pics.
gratz
