Quickrod 50W vs 100W Tone Differences?

[innogator]

Couldn't find any information from anyone that had tried both. I have a 2018 50W on the way and gotta wonder if I'll miss anything the 100W might bring, other than the selectable B+ voltage switch. I know typically bigger iron => bigger sound and the 50Ws are a little sweeter with more prominent mids. Anyone ever compared both know if there's a tonal difference or if it's strictly headroom?

 

[motorboy1]

I have the 100 watt quickrod that can be switched to 50 watts. There is a difference in sound, 50 has more mids, 100 sounds wider. Not night day difference and I’ll use either depending on mood. Both sound great…

 

[innogator]

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like the 50 should be good but if I like it and just find it lacking a little then upsizing may be in the cards

 

[311boogieman]

Couldn't find any information from anyone that had tried both. I have a 2018 50W on the way and gotta wonder if I'll miss anything the 100W might bring, other than the selectable B+ voltage switch. I know typically bigger iron => bigger sound and the 50Ws are a little sweeter with more prominent mids. Anyone ever compared both know if there's a tonal difference or if it's strictly headroom?

Is that an EL34 based amp? So it does not have the 1/2 power option correct? I guess I lost track of the fact that Scott had a 50w Quick Rod.

@motorboy1 nailed it I think. I had been running at half power (50w 2 - tubes) for so long I forgot how much bigger full power (100w 4 - tubes) sounded. It is not a huge difference though. I do like the option of both on the 100w versions. I have a 2008 so much older than yours @innogator

 

[innogator]

It is EL34 based, I believe they came with EL34Bs stock but this particular one has EL34s swapped in. It does have a half power option as well, pentode/triode I think? Best I could tell, it has all the features of the 100W except the newer B+ voltage selector. I didn't realize there were 50W versions either as you don't see them too often. Anyway, it'll be here later this week so curious how it compares to my Friedmans and Deliverance in particular.

 

[311boogieman]

It is EL34 based, I believe they came with EL34Bs stock but this particular one has EL34s swapped in. It does have a half power option as well, pentode/triode I think? Best I could tell, it has all the features of the 100W except the newer B+ voltage selector. I didn't realize there were 50W versions either as you don't see them too often. Anyway, it'll be here later this week so curious how it compares to my Friedmans and Deliverance in particular.

I'm going to bet not as juicy as your Friedmans but articulation and string separation like your Deliverance.

In my opinion, I don't see how it can run on half power. Not on one EL34 in a push/pull amp like this but I've def been wrong before. I just looked and don't see that listed on the splawn website but again - there may be other ways to do half power.

 

[innogator]

I'm going to bet not as juicy as your Friedmans but articulation and string separation like your Deliverance.

In my opinion, I don't see how it can run on half power. Not on one EL34 in a push/pull amp like this but I've def been wrong before. I just looked and don't see that listed on the splawn website but again - there may be other ways to do half power.

It is kinda hidden but I had to double check again but it does say 50w w half power switch. Doesn't say how though

 

[311boogieman]

Oh cool. That's the dude from Zen amps. He posts here frequently. His QR demo is good for sure. I'm not going to ask him as yours should be in possession soon right?

 

[innogator]

That's right, looking like Monday at this point. Yeah the Zen demos are great though

 

[motorboy1]

It is EL34 based, I believe they came with EL34Bs stock but this particular one has EL34s swapped in. It does have a half power option as well, pentode/triode I think? Best I could tell, it has all the features of the 100W except the newer B+ voltage selector. I didn't realize there were 50W versions either as you don't see them too often. Anyway, it'll be here later this week so curious how it compares to my Friedmans and Deliverance in particular.

For the 50 watt amp the 1/2 power is pentode / triode

 

[kmanick]

my Supersport is an EL-34 model and Scott told me it's in B+ mode by default , so you may want to check with him

 

[innogator]

my Supersport is an EL-34 model and Scott told me it's in B+ mode by default , so you may want to check with him

That's what I've heard about the 50Ws as well so that's what I'm expecting

 

[War_in_D]

Can't speak to the 100w vs. 50w other than using the half power switch, but I've had a 100w and a 22w QR side by side, and I sent the 100w packing and still have the 22 watter. It's plenty loud (for my needs) running a pair of 6V6's.

There is a cell phone clip of it floating around here somewhere.

 

[innogator]

I got the 50W a few days ago. Surprisingly had to crank it to get the volume comparable to an old JCM 2204 I have. I run my amps through a switcher with a single PowerStation attenuator and it was quiet and muffled unless cranked past 3 o'clock where the volume was closer to my other amps. It really came alive when I took it off the attenuator though. Was just strange to me that Splawns have a reputation of being some of the loudest amps but this one isn't really loud until nearly maxed out.

 

[hammered]

I got the 50W a few days ago. Surprisingly had to crank it to get the volume comparable to an old JCM 2204 I have. I run my amps through a switcher with a single PowerStation attenuator and it was quiet and muffled unless cranked past 3 o'clock where the volume was closer to my other amps. It really came alive when I took it off the attenuator though. Was just strange to me that Splawns have a reputation of being some of the loudest amps but this one isn't really loud until nearly maxed out.

Did you try playing the Quick Rod on its own without it hooked to the switcher and attenuator ? Do you have the volume loop pot on the back panel cranked ?
Edit-I see you did play it without the attenuator . But even then your finding it lacks volume ?

 

[innogator]

Did you try playing the Quick Rod on its own without it hooked to the switcher and attenuator ? Do you have the volume loop pot on the back panel cranked ?
Edit-I see you did play it without the attenuator . But even then your finding it lacks volume ?

Yeah I turned the loop off and it's still lacking volume compared to my other amps. After 3 o'clock it really opens up though. I took it out of the chassis and don't see any obvious mods or replaced pots. It was biased a little cold so bumped it up slightly. Sounds great on its own, just nice when I can share my FX loop for all my amps

 

[chumbucket]

I got the 50W a few days ago. Surprisingly had to crank it to get the volume comparable to an old JCM 2204 I have. I run my amps through a switcher with a single PowerStation attenuator and it was quiet and muffled unless cranked past 3 o'clock where the volume was closer to my other amps. It really came alive when I took it off the attenuator though. Was just strange to me that Splawns have a reputation of being some of the loudest amps but this one isn't really loud until nearly maxed out.

It might be in need of service, maybe just worn power tubes. Splawns are notoriously loud amps.

 

[Bash_Man]

I agree.. I've switched my Nitro to 50watts and my OD volume is just past 9 o'clock and it's loud.

 

[311boogieman]

Yeah I turned the loop off and it's still lacking volume compared to my other amps. After 3 o'clock it really opens up though. I took it out of the chassis and don't see any obvious mods or replaced pots. It was biased a little cold so bumped it up slightly. Sounds great on its own, just nice when I can share my FX loop for all my amps

3 oclock?
I can't run mine past 10am without ear protection.
At 50 watts.
So have you run it at half power / 25 watts?

 

[innogator]

3 oclock?
I can't run mine past 10am without ear protection.
At 50 watts.
So have you run it at half power / 25 watts?

Yeah I've tried 25W too and it is quieter and a little spongier in feel. The clean channel is blisteringly loud even before 9 o'clock. The dirty channel doesn't get over 100db until near 3 o'clock (based on cheap decibel meter). I don't always play that loud but that's just to show what I mean. It's not really a problem other than feeling like I have to run the amp near max output to keep the same level as my other amps when using my PowerStation attenuator.