Amps! Splawn, VHT, 5153

  • Thread starter Thread starter PurposeToMelody
  • Start date Start date
PurposeToMelody

PurposeToMelody

New member
Hey all! Haven't posted in here in quite a while! I've been building my pedalboard for quite some time now so I'm pretty excited about that, but recently I've come across a couple of grand that I"m allocating to amps and cabs only... so here is my question for you all.

I'm looking at a Splawn SuperComp with EL34Bs, the 5153, and the VHT Deliverance 60.

I've been a Splawn fan for a very long time, never owned one (just never had the money to justify it) and I've always wanted a Competition or a Super Comp. I love the clarity of the Splawns, they're unmatched in my opinion in that area. They are tight and cut like nothing I've ever heard personally in a mix. As far as my genre goes I've always considered them perfect for what I play (Rock, Hard Rock, Pop Rock and some Pop Punk), but with the jobs I take (writing and lots of studio time) I wonder if I need something more versatile like the 5153. As for the VHT I just seriously love that amp in every way, but the FX loop deal throws me off a lot, so alternatives are welcome.


Basically I'm asking you guys to talk me out of the Splawn if you have a better idea.
 
Splawn are AMAZING if you have an isolated room. It has to be cranked to deafening levels to get the sweet spot. But that spot is SO sweet.
 
The Fanboi in my screams Splawn, the working musician in me says 5153...... Another plus to the 5153 is that, at least in my experience, they sound decent at low volumes.

Either KILL! I don't have any experience with the Deliverance though...
 
I'm loving my Splawn Quick Rod. Hard to get a bad sound out of it. It's done a good job on covering ground. I've got quite a few clips w/ it if you'd like to hear it. Hit me up in the PM's.

I've always wanted a 5153 too though(or maybe Sig X)...part of me worries that I wouldn't put it to use. I sold my Friedman Modded JMP(dumbest thing I've ever done) by convincing myself I needed something with a clean channel...just in case. So I got a Splawn w/ a clean channel and to be honest, I checked out the clean channel the day it came in and I haven't switched it over since. Like before, I just roll back my volume for cleans. It cleans up great.
 
Splawn and/or 5153 would be my choice. Love both those amps!
 
I do love my Rockman stuff (I used to have a whole rack of it! But no more)! It was fun stuff, and simple to carry around and honestly sounded pretty cool.


as for the splawn, it seems like a no brainer! It's pretty clear what you all think about them

now on to the question of cabs, I've been looking at 3 in particular, Obviously the Splawn with big block/small blocks, Mills Acoustic and some of the VHT stuff
 
I like the Splawn 412's. Great cab and speakers for the money. I think there might be some issues with Mills Acoustic but ask around to confirm. If I am thinkinbg of a different company, I apologize.
 
Chubtone":2i96pepg said:
I like the Splawn 412's. Great cab and speakers for the money. I think there might be some issues with Mills Acoustic but ask around to confirm. If I am thinkinbg of a different company, I apologize.
Click to expand...


Oh really? That's interesting, I'll have to look around, I haven't heard about that, but a good friend of mine had a Mills Afterburner I think it was and it sounded hugeeeee.
 
PurposeToMelody":l0apc9ts said:
Oh really? That's interesting, I'll have to look around, I haven't heard about that, but a good friend of mine had a Mills Afterburner I think it was and it sounded hugeeeee.
Click to expand...

I very well might be thinking of another company which is what I was referring to and I would not want to hurt someone's livelihood with an uninformed comment.
 
I own a Nitro and the Splawns are really awesome. Probably more tonal options with the 5153. My other guitarist uses one. Good amps. I also have a Deliverance 120 and I love it but don't think it sounds like what you are looking for. What about an early 5150? They are a lot more versatile than one might think. I always rave about them and will never flip mine.
 
ibenhad":mbh3r7z6 said:
I own a Nitro and the Splawns are really awesome. Probably more tonal options with the 5153. My other guitarist uses one. Good amps. I also have a Deliverance 120 and I love it but don't think it sounds like what you are looking for. What about an early 5150? They are a lot more versatile than one might think. I always rave about them and will never flip mine.
Click to expand...

I'm a big fan of the block 5150's but they're too buzzy for me. I love them for more metal type stuff, but I don't honestly do much production, recording or playing other than the occasional metalcore band in that genre.

I actually really loved the simplicity of the D60/120 and loved how they sounded, but not having an FX loop really screwed me over.
 
If you're only going with one amp, go with the EVH. more versatile with more features. Sounds great. You can find them cheap used.
 
nevusofota":137iwgcl said:
If you're only going with one amp, go with the EVH. more versatile with more features. Sounds great. You can find them cheap used.
Click to expand...

Nah not my only amp, I have a Dual Rec that I use also. I also have some other stuff at my disposal if I need it.
 
The splawn series is great - just not my cup of tea. I would recommend the Splawn out of those three. Speaker wise they love eminence - also check out weber speakers and also WGS speakers.

Cabinet wise the Randall lynch cabinets are loaded with eminence speakers and would compliment that amp great - Mailman runs one here on the forum and loves them. It is also hard to beat the matching cabinets if you're already going with one of Scott's amplifiers. It may sound stupid but Krank cabinets I also want to recommend. 13 ply birch with eminence speakers and ported, or you can get their Revolution series cabinets which are solid poplar (no ply) which have a brighter overall character in the mids with eminence. Definitely check them out.
 
glpg80":r57bxg88 said:
The splawn series is great - just not my cup of tea. I would recommend the Splawn out of those three. Speaker wise they love eminence - also check out weber speakers and also WGS speakers.

Cabinet wise the Randall lynch cabinets are loaded with eminence speakers and would compliment that amp great - Mailman runs one here on the forum and loves them. It is also hard to beat the matching cabinets if you're already going with one of Scott's amplifiers. It may sound stupid but Krank cabinets I also want to recommend. 13 ply birch with eminence speakers and ported, or you can get their Revolution series cabinets which are solid poplar (no ply) which have a brighter overall character in the mids with eminence. Definitely check them out.
Click to expand...


I used to have a set of the WGS V30s in one my cabs! Great stuff.

I've for some reason associate Randall with bad quality, because of some bad experiences I've had, but I'll definitely check those out.

as for Krank cabs, I honestly didn't love the revolution cab my friend had, but thats just me. I'll try them again though and see if my opinion has changed!

Keep the suggestions coming guys! You're all very helpful!
 
PurposeToMelody":ktgsxf6v said:
ibenhad":ktgsxf6v said:
I own a Nitro and the Splawns are really awesome. Probably more tonal options with the 5153. My other guitarist uses one. Good amps. I also have a Deliverance 120 and I love it but don't think it sounds like what you are looking for. What about an early 5150? They are a lot more versatile than one might think. I always rave about them and will never flip mine.
Click to expand...

I'm a big fan of the block 5150's but they're too buzzy for me. I love them for more metal type stuff, but I don't honestly do much production, recording or playing other than the occasional metalcore band in that genre.

I actually really loved the simplicity of the D60/120 and loved how they sounded, but not having an FX loop really screwed me over.
Click to expand...

Fear not Ben Fargen has created the http://www.vintageguitar.com/9950/farge ... 8tr-pedal/ That will fix your FX LOOP issue with the Deliverance. As for the 5150 the bias mod which will cost under 5$ in parts at the Rat Shack will kill the Fizz as will a different tube in V1. YMMV but experiment. 5150's are cheap and everywhere.
 
Go Splawn Quick Rod with either a 2 x 12 or 4 x 12 with Small Blocks and you can't get a bad tone out of it. The clean channel I find to be wonderfully usable. The thing with Splawn is to tune it with your ears, not your eyes. Don't freak out if it sounds best with the mids dimed or the bass completely shut off--use your ears and let the knobs be where they sound best, not where you think they should be.

I actually still have a full ROCKMAN head--used to have two but I sold one. Using Marshall Valvestate 80/80s to power.

Sustainor 100a/Sustainor 200
2 x Instrument EQ
Midi Octopus/Smart Gate
Stereo Chorus/Stereo Echo

thing_of_beauty.jpg


:rawk:
 
Though I have never played a 5153 or VHT, I have owned a Splawn for 2 yrs and the honeymoon phase is still in effect. It has to be the best amp that I have ever played. I keep playing and searching to see if anything can knock it off the top spot but nothing has yet. I more than likey will pick up a few more Splawn amps at some point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top