Splawn Quickrod

  • Thread starter Thread starter peterc52
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I had a Splawn Competition back around 2005 or so and that amp was awesome!! I could play at super low volumes in my apartment and it still sounded killer. My amp was back before they had all of the extra features too so guaranteed they sound even better.
 
MetalHeadMike":2521oxka said:
swamptrashstompboxes":2521oxka said:
I have a KT88 Promod and KT88 Nitro and love them. I like the KT88 is my preference for Splawn. They are exceptionally well built and spec'd. I love them.

They do not get along well with just any cab. Forget about it. They tolerate some cabs, hate others. I have never owned such a cab dependent amp. They need volume. Period. If you can't play loud, I don't think you will find them as enjoyable as other amps.

If you can turn them up, you will love them when paired with the right cab. I run mine at half power with one pair of tubes pulled. Still loud as hell.

On the flip side I am loving my Supersport. That is a VERY mean 20 watts, and a killer amp.
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Did your's have the loop level knobs because I felt using those in conjunction with the master & ch volume I could get GREAT lowish volume tones. Of course it sounded much better wound up..kind of goes without saying.
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My big Splawns don't, but I have played newer ones and I don't think they sounded as good. Mine are IIRC 2005-7, the earlier ones with four 12AX7's. I have tried a MXR 10 band in the loop and a pot in a box and did not feel like they were worth being quieter. I have the loop master on the Supersport but TBH I don't find it that great and just play it loud during the day when there isn't a problem and play something else at night. YMMV.
 
Love my Quickrod's!!!
Still have one from way back (2006) and I was hooked as soon as I got it.
Went through a few other QR heads over the years and now have a pair of QR's that were my main gigging amps for a good couple years.

Recently I have gone to the Axe III, for ease of travel for fly gigs and easy, consistent setup.
Yet, when I can, I LOVE to fire up the QR's. All the "newer" features make these amps AMAZINGLY versatile and usable.

Some of THE BEST amps, especially at their price point :thumbsup:
Go play one, you'll understand.
 
Which which would you rather: 50w or 100w QR and why? And what about the new features: mid cut, new/old, etc.
 
I need to try another. I think the Nitro would suit me better but I have played one QR and it wasn't really my thing. I am not sure why but it did not fit the descriptions I am seeing here for whatever reason.

It was super thick and cool but to me just wasn't gainy or saturated enough. Maybe I just didn't dial it in right?
 
Get a 50 or 40 watt. You can put it in triode mode which saturates more and smooths things out. Great for house playing.
 
I pulled 2 tubes and run at half power (50w) all the time now. I put a volume box in the loop but it is usually on 10. Amp volume between 10-11am. Gain 2pm. Pressence 11am. Treble = 0.

Amp volume past 11am is stage volumes. Anything past 1pm and the amp doesn't really get louder. So the volume control is between 9-12pm
 
I also pull a pair of tubes in mine and run at 50 watts. Works great for me.
 
swamptrashstompboxes":1dniir52 said:
I also pull a pair of tubes in mine and run at 50 watts. Works great for me.
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311splawndude":1dniir52 said:
I pulled 2 tubes and run at half power (50w) all the time now. I put a volume box in the loop but it is usually on 10. Amp volume between 10-11am. Gain 2pm. Pressence 11am. Treble = 0.

Amp volume past 11am is stage volumes. Anything past 1pm and the amp doesn't really get louder. So the volume control is between 9-12pm
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So you guys prefer playing two power tubes at 50w on your 100w Splawns? No loss in pleasing fullness for you? Do either of you gig? I mainly gig on small-to-large stages.
 
50 watts is plenty, and the tone is thick. My 50 watt Competition actually has a half power switch that brings it down to 25. Pretty slick. But, I never use it. 50 watts, and a pair of JJ E34L's, and it'll roar.
 
Splawn user and fanboy here.

Absolutely love my 2015 B+ Quick Rod and 1st year Pro Mod 50.

These amps are kind of the opposite of the Friedmans. Open, Super raw, very upper mid focused. They don't have that 3d sound and feel that the Friedman does, but they have the fastest and punchiest attack out of any amp I've ever owned or played.

They are loud, and meant to be played loud any way you spin it. They can definitely sound good at lower volumes, but they truly shine at a loud band volume, much like a 2203/2204.

They can be a bit stiff and unforgiving for some. They will expose your playing unlike any other amp. I find them to be even stiffer than a lot of VHT/Fryette offerings, and that is usually what turns people off of them, but it's what I love about them. They force you to dig in and really focus on hitting each note accurately, and when you do, you are rewarded greatly.
 
Bad.Seed":221i3cmg said:
Splawn user and fanboy here.

Absolutely love my 2015 B+ Quick Rod and 1st year Pro Mod 50.

These amps are kind of the opposite of the Friedmans. Open, Super raw, very upper mid focused. They don't have that 3d sound and feel that the Friedman does, but they have the fastest and punchiest attack out of any amp I've ever owned or played.

They are loud, and meant to be played loud any way you spin it. They can definitely sound good at lower volumes, but they truly shine at a loud band volume, much like a 2203/2204.

They can be a bit stiff and unforgiving for some. They will expose your playing unlike any other amp. I find them to be even stiffer than a lot of VHT/Fryette offerings, and that is usually what turns people off of them, but it's what I love about them. They force you to dig in and really focus on hitting each note accurately, and when you do, you are rewarded greatly.
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This is all 100% accurate. Very dry and unforgiving. The promod is even drier than a Fryette UL IMO. They are very responsive and quick to react with dynamics punchy as hell.

I only run mine at 50 watts because KT88's are expensive AF. I have not gigged a Splawn in a long time but 50 watts is plenty. Pull out a pair of tubes and save yourself $60 every few years FFS. lol
 
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