SPLAWN QR on Full Power *Warning: Hi Wattage Content*

[TwilightOdyssey]

One of the valves in my Splawn Quick Rod died, and while I had the head down from the cabs, I decided to try the amp out in full power instead of half power, which is where I have been running it.

SWEET MOTHER OF MYSTERY!
Volume-wise, it sounds like the amp is running about 20% louder. But tonally, it's a totally different beast. The gain is way crunchier, and the amp has WAY better control over the speakers. There's zero sag, overhang, or tubbiness. It's like a high performance race car - - starts and stops on a dime!

I switched back to 1/2 power (50w) for comparison, and it confirmed what I had heard initially. The tone is way ballsier, more open sounding, as well as being a bit louder.

On my Hot Plate, you can see the difference in the amount of current 100w is pushing as opposed to 50w. Whereas the lights were bearly ticking over on 50w, on 100w it's glowing like a little flashlight.

I know there is a contingent among this forum that doesn't see the need for anything over 20-50w, but in my experience, I'll take 100w+ any day of the week. (Besides, I don't like the sound of power amp distortion.)

You can hear a quick (sloppy) clip here https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=63040

 

[shreder75]

Re: SPLAWN QR on Full Power *Warning: Hi Wattage Content*

I always run it on full power now...it's much bigger sounding and there's alot more low end...

 

[SOLO GUITAR STEWIE]

Re: SPLAWN QR on Full Power *Warning: Hi Wattage Content*

good stuff Ben

sounds nice and tight as well as focused it suits your style of playing well.

chris


p.s. was that the bridge HB or the neck SC (and what pups where they?)...

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: SPLAWN QR on Full Power *Warning: Hi Wattage Content*

I wonder if your half power is running the tubes properly......It's kinda new to be blowing a power tube.

Anyway, I agree about 100 watters. It's like the difference between a 6cyl and a V8. Most of my amps have a halfpower switch, and I find that it makes the tone squashier than running it full-on and just turning it down a little.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: SPLAWN QR on Full Power *Warning: Hi Wattage Content*

I wonder if your half power is running the tubes properly......It's kinda new to be blowing a power tube.

Nah, it was just one valve/freak occurence thing.

 

[shredaholic]

Re: SPLAWN QR on Full Power *Warning: Hi Wattage Content*

I won't take anything less than 4 EL34's in my Plexi, and it sounds so sweet on any volume with the PPIMV that I don't need power amp distortion either to get a great sound.

Check this out TO:

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2581

it's my Plexi with an extra tube gain stage I added (its 100% switchable back to stock 68 Plexi too!), playing some Dokken with the VHII Bridge pickup and NO power amp distortion - I love this tone, sounds quality and it's bedroom volume with the PPIMV!

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: SPLAWN QR on Full Power *Warning: Hi Wattage Content*

were you running the head 1/2 power set at 16ohm into a 16ohm cab? if so, you shouldn't from what i read about the QR. with the QR at 1/2 power you need to run the head at 8ohm when using a 16ohm cab. at full power with a 16ohm cab, use 16ohm on the head.

there was a post about that on the splawn forums a while back.

could that have casued the early tube death?

-Mike

 

[shreder75]

Re: SPLAWN QR on Full Power *Warning: Hi Wattage Content*

were you running the head 1/2 power set at 16ohm into a 16ohm cab? if so, you shouldn't from what i read about the QR. with the QR at 1/2 power you need to run the head at 8ohm when using a 16ohm cab. at full power with a 16ohm cab, use 16ohm on the head.

there was a post about that on the splawn forums a while back.

could that have casued the early tube death?

-Mike

halving the impedence is correct

 

[shredaholic]

Re: SPLAWN QR on Full Power *Warning: Hi Wattage Content*

were you running the head 1/2 power set at 16ohm into a 16ohm cab? if so, you shouldn't from what i read about the QR. with the QR at 1/2 power you need to run the head at 8ohm when using a 16ohm cab. at full power with a 16ohm cab, use 16ohm on the head.

there was a post about that on the splawn forums a while back.

could that have casued the early tube death?

-Mike

I've heard halving the impedance is not necessary but an optional preference thing, and I've never heard of anyone had any problems after pulling 2 tubes and leaving it the same.

 

[shreder75]

Re: SPLAWN QR on Full Power *Warning: Hi Wattage Content*

I've heard halving the impedance is not necessary but an optional preference thing, and I've never heard of anyone had any problems after pulling 2 tubes and leaving it the same.

according to scott splawn it's a necessity if you're running half hte power...