Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

W

windsen

New member
Hey everyone,

So I'm in the market for my very first tube head. I've been playing for about 6 years now, currently through a line 6 hd147. I love the thing but would like to start playing through an amp with more feel and "realness" and life to it.

I play a wide range of stuff but mostly heavy rock and metal type stuff (bodom, lamb of god, in flames, killswitch engage, trivium, as i lay dying) but also a variety of other rock forms (ozzy, 80's metal, etc)

I haven't had many opputurnities to actually play a variety amps for myself so it's hard for to me to say the exact tone and voicing im looking for. What I can say is that I'm looking for something with a tight and strong bottom end with a good mid kick. I'm not a fan of real buzzy distortion. Based on the Line 6 models I play, I'm looking for something between the Line6 Big Bottom (tight bottom end) and Spinal Puppet (mid-rich marshally gain) sound.

So far I'm really leaning towards the Splawn Pro Mod (or even Quick Rod). I'm also considering some of the Engl line. I've done a fair amount of researching here and on other boards to get as much info as I can and that's how I've come to like what the Splawn has to offer.

If anyone has experience with any of these amps or anyone with similar tastes could offer some advice it would be appreciated. Thanks.

-Windsen
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

I don't think the Splawn will get you the distortion you're looking for. It's more of a Plexi sound.

I'd go with an ENGL Powerball for that kind of stuff, if you have the cash. Also look into Framus Cobra's and 5150's, depending on your budget.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

Check with forum amp builder Jeff Seal in Houston. If you want high gain in a Marshall type head, he's the man.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

Hey thanks for the input. I forgot to mention, although I like playing heavier stuff like that, I don't use uber amounts of gain. Rather than excessive amount of hi-gain, I'm looking more for thick and powerful sound. I'm not sure if that makes sense. From what I've heard of amps like the 5150 (from clips and from hearing bands use them), hi-gain amps like it sound a bit too thin and sterile for my tastes.

I will look more into the Engls. Thanks.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

Scott, I'm actually going to school in houston so I will check it out. Thanks!
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

deadskinslayer, that clips is awesome! sounds a lot better than most i've heard.

another i wanted to say is that i'm also looking for some versatility in the amp. like i said i'm not going complete hi-gain here. I do like an amp that can do a little bit of classic rock crunch and not just full gain metal. It has been my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) that the 5150 is really designed for exclusively hi-gain playing.

If it's any help, I play using a seymour duncan custom bridge pickup. I much prefer the openness of this pickup to the typcial EMGs seen in heavier music.

Thanks again.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

Sounds like you need an Engl Ritchie Blackmore model. Thick sounding, but not ultra high gain. Plus it's very versatile (4 channel). I own it's little brother, the Screamer and it sounds just as you describe - a mid rich sound with a big tight bottom end.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

windsen said:
deadskinslayer, that clips is awesome! sounds a lot better than most i've heard.

another i wanted to say is that i'm also looking for some versatility in the amp. like i said i'm not going complete hi-gain here. I do like an amp that can do a little bit of classic rock crunch and not just full gain metal. It has been my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) that the 5150 is really designed for exclusively hi-gain playing.

If it's any help, I play using a seymour duncan custom bridge pickup. I much prefer the openness of this pickup to the typcial EMGs seen in heavier music.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the 5150 is pretty much the tried and true heavy-metal-and-only-metal amp. That said, I'm considering replacing it with a JSX, because I might need a better clean tone and more versatility.

I don't think pickups should dictate the amp, but I know what you mean. Every EMG but the 707 has been fairly compressed feeling, and my old Custom felt alot more open. I did, however, find it a bit brittle on the high end, but I digress.

What is your budget? If you have unlimited funds, then I'd suggest a Triaxis/G-Major/2:90 rack setup, or an Ecstasy, but if you only have a grand or something, a JSX would be perfect.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

Hey thanks everyone for their feedback. I will look into the Blackmore and the Ecstacy. About the latter, I love the lead tone from the Line 6 emulation however I can't get a powerful enough rythym tone. The lead tone was warm and punchy but I couldn't quite dial in a strong crushing chugging tone that I liked. But again, this was just a Line6 rendition of the original tone.

As far as budget goes, I was willing to spend the full amount for a new Splawn Pro Mod so around $2000.

Again thanks for all the help. I have much more options to look at now =)
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

I've never been able to get a strong, chugging metal tone out of an Ecstasy. That's what Uberschalls are for!
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

windsen, if you're anywhere near Houston, I would love to personally invite you to the shop... I work on some of the absolute finest amps ever made and make my own....(err, working on getting them ready!)

Right now, I have:

Laney AOR
VHT Pitbull CL/50 w/EQ
Mesa Tremoverb
Carvin MTS 3200
Marshall 2203
Voodoo modded 2203
and of course, my personal favorite...my modded Marshall 2210

all at your disposal for "opinion forming".....

Feel free to call me at the shop (281) 922-5662

Jeff Seal
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

windsen said:
another i wanted to say is that i'm also looking for some versatility in the amp. like i said i'm not going complete hi-gain here. I do like an amp that can do a little bit of classic rock crunch and not just full gain metal. It has been my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) that the 5150 is really designed for exclusively hi-gain playing.



Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a single rectifier could be right up your alley. Great cleans, good pushed bluesy tones, good rock tones, good metal tones.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

windsen said:
deadskinslayer, that clips is awesome! sounds a lot better than most i've heard.

another i wanted to say is that i'm also looking for some versatility in the amp. like i said i'm not going complete hi-gain here. I do like an amp that can do a little bit of classic rock crunch and not just full gain metal. It has been my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) that the 5150 is really designed for exclusively hi-gain playing.
Click to expand...


Ted Nudgent has used one as long as I can remember... And last time I checked he sounded great and wasn't hi-gain.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

i'd say powerball. Sure it does its best under high-gain but is still very versetaille. It has four channels(actually two channels and a boost switch,but since the switch also changes the voicing to some degree the effect stays the same) and a lot of other knobs and switches to shape the sound(i love the depth punch knob).It does cleans quite well and also classic rock sounds.And as most engls it's pretty tight sounding.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

I will, as always, recommend you to take a look at Laney Amplifiers:

www.laney.co.uk

There's alot of great stuff: Laney GH100L/GH50L/GH100TI/VH100R etc. for rock/metal kinda stuff.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

The Splawn is amazing.

How much money are you willing to spend? Do you need channel switching? Are you going to be gigging or touring with the amp? Does it need to work in multiple voltages?
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

Check out VHT amps as well. Very tight and quick with big bottom.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

Buckeyedog said:
Check out VHT amps as well. Very tight and quick with big bottom.
Click to expand...
And GREAT gain stages!
Different tone from the Splawn and Engl mentioned in the title, tho.
 
Re: Making the move to tube, would like input: splawn, engl, others?

Wow. Thanks for all the replis.

Twilight, I'm looking to spend around $2000 (i.e. the Pro Mod) and yea I will be gigging occasionally and channel switching is preferred. The voltage option isn't a big deal.

How would you describe the voicing of the VHTs?

After listening to clips online I'm still leaning towards the splawn. It sounds more "open" , non-compressed sound compared to others but still has a good amount of thump. The problem is, it's hard to be able to go to the store and play one b/c you have to get them from Scott. I'll take a look around the stores in town and see if any of the other amps mentioned here can be found and tested.

Thanks again.
 
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