Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Bird on April 24, 2006, 11:40:18 PM

Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Bird on April 24, 2006, 11:40:18 PM
Anyone tried this one out? I guess the Marshall equivalent would be the 1987X. The Splawn is a little cheaper as well.  TO I'm looking at you here.  :wink:
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on April 25, 2006, 01:42:46 AM
LULUSG actually owns the Competion. I own the Competition's big brutha, the Quick Rod.

There are a couple of sonic similarities to the Splawn and Marshall. Obviously, the Splawn is modelled after the basic Marshall tone. However, the Splawns sound way better (imo); imagine that classic modded Marshall tone you've heard on all those great guitar slinger albums, and you have the basic idea. I posted a clip that I did over the weekend in the Player's section; it has both clean and OD channels, as well as using all 3 voicings of the Quick Rod.

The only differences between the Competition and the Quick Rod are in the wattage (the Competition is 1/2 the wattage) and the way the footswitch operates. Tonally, they are identical. In fact, the footswitch on the Competition is more versatile than the one on the Quick Rod.

Not much more I can say. Craftsmanship, build quality, tone, and customer service are all off the charts. I've never been happier with an amp.

So, yes --- less expensive, hand made, and blows away the Marshall!!!

Phil King has heard my QR at a gig, and can comment on it in that setting.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Bird on April 25, 2006, 09:01:36 PM
Thanks for the info  :D  How' is the clean channel on the Splawn? Marshalls don't do clean, as they say. Is it similar with the Splawn.
     When I first saw the price I thought that it must be the price for a mod. I'd never expected to see a handmade amp for  such a reasonable price.

I'd love to hear what Phil has to say about it live too :twisted:
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on April 25, 2006, 10:41:10 PM
The clean channel is very good. You really need to crank it in comparison to the gain channel, which is fine; there are volumes for each.

Check out the song I posted here:
http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3636

There is a double-tracked clean part that I recorded with the VHII just after the nylon string intro.

I'll tell Phil to post in here.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: PhilKing on April 25, 2006, 10:44:41 PM
It sounds like the Marshall sound in your head!  Basically it seems very versitile but it is never going to be a Fender on the clean sound!

If you love the classic Marshall sounds then it is for you, but if you want clean then buy Orange or Hiwatt.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on April 25, 2006, 10:47:17 PM
Quote from: PhilKing
IIf you love the classic Marshall sounds then it is for you, but if you want clean then buy Orange or Hiwatt.

I will editorialize and say IF YOU WANT THAT CHIMEY CLEAN THAT EMO KIDS AND OLD FOLKS (like Phil ;) )ARE ALWAYS GOING ON ABOUT ....
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: dave_mc on April 25, 2006, 11:04:30 PM
^ hahaha

 :lol:
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: willo on April 25, 2006, 11:18:42 PM
Quote from: TwilightOdyssey
Quote from: PhilKing
IIf you love the classic Marshall sounds then it is for you, but if you want clean then buy Orange or Hiwatt.

I will editorialize and say IF YOU WANT THAT CHIMEY CLEAN THAT EMO KIDS AND OLD FOLKS (like Phil ;) )ARE ALWAYS GOING ON ABOUT ....


True - Marshall cleans ain't so bad. I happen to quite like the clean on my JCM800, it was certainly much better than I expected it to be, given the reputation.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: _tom_ on April 25, 2006, 11:21:27 PM
Would a Splawn Competition give you the tone on Accepts Balls to the Wall.. whilst also being able to do low gain marshall tones like ACDC etc? Please say it will.. I really want a Competition if I ever get enough money.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on April 25, 2006, 11:41:21 PM
Quote from: _tom_
Would a Splawn Competition give you the tone on Accepts Balls to the Wall.. whilst also being able to do low gain marshall tones like ACDC etc? Please say it will.. I really want a Competition if I ever get enough money.

YES a million times over. It can do ANY classic or modded Marshall tone that isn't nu 'metal'.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: _tom_ on April 25, 2006, 11:43:15 PM
Awesome.. the only thing that worries me is that you seem to like thinner tones from what I've heard in your recordings, whereas I dont like it so thin :lol:
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Dakine on April 25, 2006, 11:48:42 PM
Then get an Engl Blackmore  :lol:  :twisted:  :P  :P  :twisted:
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on April 25, 2006, 11:50:20 PM
Quote from: _tom_
Would a Splawn Competition give you the tone on Accepts Balls to the Wall.. whilst also being able to do low gain marshall tones like ACDC etc? Please say it will.. I really want a Competition if I ever get enough money.

That's what the EQ is for, dude!
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: _tom_ on April 25, 2006, 11:50:32 PM
Quote from: Dakine
Then get an Engl Blackmore  :lol:  :twisted:  :P  :P  :twisted:


It sounds pretty hi gain to me, whereas Blackmore (deep purple, right?!) had a low gain sound  :?
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Dakine on April 26, 2006, 12:00:11 AM
I have been researching the cr@p outta it and I look at it like this.
Want a GOOD Gibson, gotta search or buy another make.
Wanna GOOD Marshall, gotta search or buy an Engl Blackmore.
Everything I have heard/read is that it does a Marshall x100.
Check the clips on Rock Solid Amps (yeah I know, but most are not eq'd etc.). There is a good LEAD sample for the Blackmore there (bout 1/2 way down), also another LEAD sample 3/4 way down.

I am NOT into Thrash/Death and like K.I.S.S. stuff (less knobs :)) and am VERY into the Blackmore, in fact gonna buy one when get back to Blighty as it does the cleans and rock stuff so well.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Bird on April 26, 2006, 12:02:52 AM
Thanks for the info TO & Phil  :D  Time to start pinching pennies.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: lulusg on April 26, 2006, 04:43:49 AM
(http://[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y107/BAREKNUCKLESG/DCP_0363.jpg)[/img]


This will give you early and late Van Halen, early and late George Lynch sound and ACDC( that is what I wanted it for). It has Mullards EL34s, but you can modify and upgrade at Splawn amps. Cheers
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Bird on April 26, 2006, 04:48:25 AM
:twisted:  :twisted: Now I've got to get one :!: Very nice
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: dave_mc on April 26, 2006, 01:55:16 PM
only thing to remember about the blackmore is, as far as i know, it doesn't have EL34's, which are a major part of the marshall tone.

Bit like my savage se- it's kind of marshally on smooth mode, and truth be told, i prefer it to a marshall tone, but if someone came and told me they wanted a hot-rodded marshall tone, i probably wouldn't point them the way of the savage se....
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Dakine on April 26, 2006, 02:39:35 PM
Dave, I believe the original BM was a "slow hand" and had 34's. Now they are "fast hands" and have 6550's. However, as it's a valve amp and the valves will need regular changing, I am not bothered as can put in different ones :)
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on April 26, 2006, 02:57:59 PM
Hmm, I thought this thread was about Splawn, not ENGL ...
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Dakine on April 26, 2006, 03:00:47 PM
Sorry Ben  :oops:

Thing is though, Splawn are a US company no? So dealing with Europe could be a hassle? (esp. due to size/weight of amps/cabs).Not to mention voltage differences etc.
This is my MAIN reason for talking bout a German company.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on April 26, 2006, 03:52:43 PM
1. Bird is in Canada, not Europe
2. Splawn amps are voltage switchable (which is a necessity for me)
3. It's still a thread about the Splawn Competion, not how it compares to Engl. (I owned Engl, and the Quick Rod blows it out of the water, btw)
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Dakine on April 26, 2006, 04:37:50 PM
OK Ben
however TOM is not in US or Canada and was interjecting to his questions.
Sorry you are so adament about Splawn, I am SURE they are good amps.
Just NOT for me and not the tone I like (yes have tried one).
It's just "horses for courses" again.
Sheesh, so many threads get sidetracked yet sometimes it causes such controversy.
Was NOT trying to disuade anyone or put Splawn down, just different strokes for different folks.

Again, voltage switching is actually GREAT!
I am in a strange position with being stateside but mving back to UK. But for me I would imagine the shipping costs (if was in UK already) would be huge, apart from import duty. Also, is there any support in Europe? For after sales.
I agree entirely that Splawn is "Class" and never put them down at all. Just interjecting on another persons question/comment is all.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Bird on April 26, 2006, 04:38:14 PM
Just listened to the tune you posted. Love the sound of that amp :twisted:  :twisted:  I like the tune too. The main riff has a very cool Sabbath kind of vibe, very nice.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on April 26, 2006, 09:12:50 PM
Thanx, Bird!!
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: dave_mc on April 26, 2006, 09:27:12 PM
Quote from: TwilightOdyssey

2. Splawn amps are voltage switchable (which is a necessity for me)


man, i hate you ben. Not only have to got me GASsing over HS superstrats for no apparent reason other than they look really cool, now my only reason (bar lack of funds, lol) for not looking into Splawn ("they're only available in the USA, so are the wrong voltage") has just been destroyed as well.

Grrr.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: _tom_ on April 26, 2006, 09:56:51 PM
Well on the subject of the Blackmore head, it does sound pretty good, especially on the "Red Ant Jam" one, sounds just what I want.. cheaper than splawn aswell I'm guessing :lol: Anyway.. sorry for kinda changing the threads subject.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: dave_mc on April 26, 2006, 10:50:39 PM
well, i think i remember reading that the splawn QR was around $1800. That's about £1000. add postage (no idea) and uk customs and you're up around £1300 (that's not too bad actually, when you consider rectos are around £1700).

blackmore is around £800 + footswitch = just over £900 or so.

so yeah, cheaper- but not much use if you want the splawn sound, lol.
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: _tom_ on April 26, 2006, 11:02:31 PM
Quote from: dave_mc
well, i think i remember reading that the splawn QR was around $1800. That's about £1000. add postage (no idea) and uk customs and you're up around £1300 (that's not too bad actually, when you consider rectos are around £1700).

blackmore is around £800 + footswitch = just over £900 or so.

so yeah, cheaper- but not much use if you want the splawn sound, lol.


Yeah haha they both sound good anyway.. cant afford either  :lol:
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: lulusg on April 27, 2006, 12:37:56 AM
I am glad you liked the amp Bird. I am sorry the photo does not do justice to the real color of the amp. It can be seen on the Splawn amp products( they took a photo before they send it).  Saludos :)
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: Muso on April 27, 2006, 10:33:32 PM
I want a SPLAWN, damn this is right up my street. I was gonna look into buying a JCM800 but this seems like its better, but oh my the price tag :( Any ideas of who might sell them in England, or would it be cheaper to ship direct from the USA?
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on April 27, 2006, 11:19:47 PM
I would email Scott directly, actually. :)
Title: Splawn "Competition" Head
Post by: hunter on June 08, 2006, 07:59:01 AM
These amps are indeed interesting.

I have two questions:

1. How to decide whether I need a QuickRod or ProMod? Are the tubes the only difference? Can I change a QR to run on KT88s to become a PM?

2. The switching options. How many sounds can you actually switch? Can you for example switch from clean to drive channel, and then on drive channel between the 3 gears? This is a little confusing on the Splawn site...

Indeed, 1,700$ + shipping + customs/VAT bring you in the range of other interesting amps, but these really seem to be special. If they do Bogner Ecstacy Classic, then they're less than 1/2 the price.