Fortin Cali Mod Marshall VS Splawn Quick Rod

[Chris6870]

Has SteveK even owned a QR amongst the hundreds of other amps he 's owned

Of course...and a Nitro

Neither lasted very long. I didn't have Tubescreamer though. Dammit....

Tubescreamer?

Yeah, definately not an amp to hide mistakes with gobs of compression and distortion. Turns most people off

Best doorstop I ever bought

Yeah I gotta wonder about the guys who say they don't have enough gain....

 

[rlord1974]

They're both great amps - just depends on what the player is looking for

 

[ericb]

There's NO WAY a Quick Rod 's description of "door stop' could be valid at all. . I own about 10 modded Marshalls, including a Fortin CALI /jcm800bass, a Morin JMP, Egnater/2204, Don Butler-jtm45, 71 Superlead locally modded, Bradshaw/Golub 100 watter, Voodoo-Plexi, BFG-100watter, and others that I just am forgetting about . EACH inspires me to play . . Seriously! I love modded Marshalls and I have stock Marshalls also .

Every one of those amps is pretty damn different to me . I've been using the BFG-modded at my last few gigs, as it has the dual volume/gain feature I like for my gigs, but the Fortin Cali is friggin unbelievably fun to play! SO GREAT. .

OK , now my point. . Many of the BEST SOUNDING clips I've heard on the internet have been SPLAWN clips. I can NOT believe that people would hate that amp if either they a) know how to dial in an amp , b) know how to play or c) play it at levels that amps are intended to be played at. . Maybe I'm WAY off base , and the guys who post the Splawn clips are faking things , but man there great clips 1 after another . They surely seem like they have the sound to me .. What am I missing?

Eric

 

[steve_k]

OK you guys win. Splawn QR's are a great amp with lots of cool features

But, the OP was asking about a comparison to a Cali mod. They aren't even in the same league. Totally different. That's all. It's an easy concept.

And yes, some of the QR clips are nice. But, clips are clips and not to be always trusted....

 

[ericb]

OK you guys win. Splawn QR's are a great amp with lots of cool features

But, the OP was asking about a comparison to a Cali mod. They aren't even in the same league. Totally different. That's all. It's an easy concept.

And yes, some of the QR clips are nice. But, clips are clips and not to be always trusted....

My argument more than likely IS pretty stupid, but how do you explain how great some of the Splawn clips all over the net sound , if the amp is as bad as you say? I'll admit I do NOT have a valid opinion as a Splawn is 1 amp I have not played or owned, but I don't think I'm getting faked out by how good the clips sound. . haa.. . I surely agree the Cali is f'in phenomenal though . The notes almost play themselves on the Cali . My Morin when it was in good shape was sortof like that

Eric

 

[steve_k]

OK you guys win. Splawn QR's are a great amp with lots of cool features

But, the OP was asking about a comparison to a Cali mod. They aren't even in the same league. Totally different. That's all. It's an easy concept.

And yes, some of the QR clips are nice. But, clips are clips and not to be always trusted....

My argument more than likely IS pretty stupid, but how do you explain how great some of the Splawn clips all over the net sound , if the amp is as bad as you say? I'll admit I do NOT have a valid opinion as a Splawn is 1 amp I have not played or owned, but I don't think I'm getting faked out by how good the clips sound. . haa.. . I surely agree the Cali is f'in phenomenal though . The notes almost play themselves on the Cali . My Morin when it was in good shape was sortof like that

Eric

Eric,

I don't think I know you. But, I don't think anywhere I said the QR or anything by Scott Splawn sounded bad. Bad is relative though. Bad to me may be good for you or the other way around. The OP was asking about a comparison of the QR to a Cali mod and there is no comparison and there is really nothing similar in either amp, so it is all a matter of taste and what you want out of an amp. To me, the QR is decent enough at what it was designed to be...a 3 channel amp covering the basic Marshall tones with a few modern bells and whistles to capture Plexi-JMP-JCM in one box at a fair price. It won't do what a Cali mod is capable of though and what it was meant to be. As far as clips go, there are some good ones out there. But, you got to watch clips, the way they are recorded and processed or FX added and not disclosed. This holds true for any amp or clip. I don't like the QR too much and I didn't like the Nitro either. But, that is my opinion.

Steve

 

[Digital Jams]

The QR makes a good doorstop....

Why?

A QR with a great player will sound better than a CCV with a not so great player.

This should be the last post in the thread really. It aint the amp........................

 

[Digital Jams]

I am not a fan but there are guys here that KILL on the QR....

Like Danny said, it aint the amp when the curtain drops and people are staring. Been there and suffered that.

 

[ericb]

OK you guys win. Splawn QR's are a great amp with lots of cool features

But, the OP was asking about a comparison to a Cali mod. They aren't even in the same league. Totally different. That's all. It's an easy concept.

And yes, some of the QR clips are nice. But, clips are clips and not to be always trusted....

My argument more than likely IS pretty stupid, but how do you explain how great some of the Splawn clips all over the net sound , if the amp is as bad as you say? I'll admit I do NOT have a valid opinion as a Splawn is 1 amp I have not played or owned, but I don't think I'm getting faked out by how good the clips sound. . haa.. . I surely agree the Cali is f'in phenomenal though . The notes almost play themselves on the Cali . My Morin when it was in good shape was sortof like that

Eric

Eric,

I don't think I know you. But, I don't think anywhere I said the QR or anything by Scott Splawn sounded bad. Bad is relative though. Bad to me may be good for you or the other way around. The OP was asking about a comparison of the QR to a Cali mod and there is no comparison and there is really nothing similar in either amp, so it is all a matter of taste and what you want out of an amp. To me, the QR is decent enough at what it was designed to be...a 3 channel amp covering the basic Marshall tones with a few modern bells and whistles to capture Plexi-JMP-JCM in one box at a fair price. It won't do what a Cali mod is capable of though and what it was meant to be. As far as clips go, there are some good ones out there. But, you got to watch clips, the way they are recorded and processed or FX added and not disclosed. This holds true for any amp or clip. I don't like the QR too much and I didn't like the Nitro either. But, that is my opinion.

Steve

You don't know me at all . I live in Vermont, am an old rocker , single parent for now. .. haha, at 51 , and have played in 2 all -original bands, and have played in 34 years of cover bands. I have 2 gigging bands currently and am an ampaholic .. I own about 30 amps and about 30 guitars and a shitload of fx. I've loved gear since the late 70's where I used to take roadtrips to the 1st Daddy's Junky Music stores, Lark St Music and Drome Sound etc all over New England and New York , and to Manny's , Sam Ash , Rudy's etc on Lark St in NYC. . In the mid 80's I worked at Time Guitars with Paul Languedoc who you might've heard of! IF not, sorry! lol. . .. Anyway , then came the internet years later and I bought and sold boatloads of boutiquey and rare gear. . Now I have no time to sell , so I 've just enjoyed my gear. I'm 1 of the only guitarists in Vermont who tends to show up at every gig with a different setup.. I can get "MY SOUND" out of almost any decent setup , and I'm very very experienced at that. . HOWEVER, as only anyone who has experience learns, each amp is a bit different, and you have to match your pedals to your amps.. I love hard rock , alt rock ,metal , punk , new wave, hippy jam bands like Umphrey's Mcgee,etc and see concerts a few times a month. . Last concert was RED FANG, the one b4, the ARISTOCRATS with Guthrie Govan and next one , ACOUSTIC COrey Taylor in Boston! (now you know me a little more!!!!)

Anyway you said you didn't say the Splawn sucked but you equated it with a door stop . .Huh. . . Well , to me that means someone said it sucked. Once again , I might've misinterpreted, BUT I know based on the clips I'd never say 'door stop ' for it at all!!!!! Also once again , my 1982 Cali /jcm800-bass amp is about the easiest playing amp I could imagine at any volume, and just plain AWESOME amp , but I don't have the solo volume boost -thing on it , and I tend to need that for my gigs.

I'm just having fun with this ,but figured I'd introduce myself . haha. . I've been on the internet guitar forums since the newsgroups and the original forums since about 1993! Rock on!

Eric

 

[ericb]

I am not a fan but there are guys here that KILL on the QR....

Like Danny said, it aint the amp when the curtain drops and people are staring. Been there and suffered that.

HI Scott, why aren't you a fan of the Quick Rod? It's a totally honest question. . The "Shreder" , Dirty Craig , Chubtone and MANY MANY other videoclips of it sound KILLER KILLER . .I think I remember another guy "Chobley' who used to tour up here regularly back in the day , who used Splawns for years too.. . What am I missing?


Eric

 

[Digital Jams]

I am not a fan but there are guys here that KILL on the QR....

Like Danny said, it aint the amp when the curtain drops and people are staring. Been there and suffered that.

HI Scott, why aren't you a fan of the Quick Rod? It's a totally honest question. . The "Shreder" , Dirty Harry , Chubtone and MANY MANY other videoclips of it sound KILLER KILLER . . What am I missing?


Eric

I have played two QRs and did not like the feel but I will admit that was 4-5 years ago and my chops were not where they are now. For all I know I could totally dig them but at that time it was the feel mostly. I have to admit that I am a big fan of Cameron and now Fortin work, for me they have the feel and tone I am looking for. I have hears some great things from people that have played Nitros, I would love to try that amp. Scott puts out a solid product, I would never refute that.

 

[steve_k]

OK you guys win. Splawn QR's are a great amp with lots of cool features

But, the OP was asking about a comparison to a Cali mod. They aren't even in the same league. Totally different. That's all. It's an easy concept.

And yes, some of the QR clips are nice. But, clips are clips and not to be always trusted....

My argument more than likely IS pretty stupid, but how do you explain how great some of the Splawn clips all over the net sound , if the amp is as bad as you say? I'll admit I do NOT have a valid opinion as a Splawn is 1 amp I have not played or owned, but I don't think I'm getting faked out by how good the clips sound. . haa.. . I surely agree the Cali is f'in phenomenal though . The notes almost play themselves on the Cali . My Morin when it was in good shape was sortof like that

Eric

Eric,

I don't think I know you. But, I don't think anywhere I said the QR or anything by Scott Splawn sounded bad. Bad is relative though. Bad to me may be good for you or the other way around. The OP was asking about a comparison of the QR to a Cali mod and there is no comparison and there is really nothing similar in either amp, so it is all a matter of taste and what you want out of an amp. To me, the QR is decent enough at what it was designed to be...a 3 channel amp covering the basic Marshall tones with a few modern bells and whistles to capture Plexi-JMP-JCM in one box at a fair price. It won't do what a Cali mod is capable of though and what it was meant to be. As far as clips go, there are some good ones out there. But, you got to watch clips, the way they are recorded and processed or FX added and not disclosed. This holds true for any amp or clip. I don't like the QR too much and I didn't like the Nitro either. But, that is my opinion.

Steve

You don't know me at all . I live in Vermont, am an old rocker , single parent for now. .. haha, at 51 , and have played in 2 all -original bands, and have played in 34 years of cover bands. I have 2 gigging bands currently and am an ampaholic .. I own about 30 amps and about 30 guitars and a shitload of fx. I've loved gear since the late 70's where I used to take roadtrips to the 1st Daddy's Junky Music stores, Lark St Music and Drome Sound etc all over New England and New York , and to Manny's , Sam Ash , Rudy's etc on Lark St in NYC. . In the mid 80's I worked at Time Guitars with Paul Languedoc who you might've heard of! IF not, sorry! lol. . .. Anyway , then came the internet years later and I bought and sold boatloads of boutiquey and rare gear. . Now I have no time to sell , so I 've just enjoyed my gear. I'm 1 of the only guitarists in Vermont who tends to show up at every gig with a different setup.. I can get "MY SOUND" out of almost any decent setup , and I'm very very experienced at that. . HOWEVER, as only anyone who has experience learns, each amp is a bit different, and you have to match your pedals to your amps.. I love hard rock , alt rock ,metal , punk , new wave, hippy jam bands like Umphrey's Mcgee,etc and see concerts a few times a month. . Last concert was RED FANG, the one b4, the ARISTOCRATS with Guthrie Govan and next one , ACOUSTIC COrey Taylor in Boston! (now you know me a little more!!!!)

Anyway you said you didn't say the Splawn sucked but you equated it with a door stop . .Huh. . . Well , to me that means someone said it sucked. Once again , I might've misinterpreted, BUT I know based on the clips I'd never say 'door stop ' for it at all!!!!! Also once again , my 1982 Cali /jcm800-bass amp is about the easiest playing amp I could imagine at any volume, and just plain AWESOME amp , but I don't have the solo volume boost -thing on it , and I tend to need that for my gigs.

I'm just having fun with this ,but figured I'd introduce myself . haha. . I've been on the internet guitar forums since the newsgroups and the original forums since about 1993! Rock on!

Eric

Well, welcome to the nuthouse then Eric. Here at RT, opinions are like assholes....everybody has one. Some people forget that. Rock on....

 

[ericb]

OK you guys win. Splawn QR's are a great amp with lots of cool features

But, the OP was asking about a comparison to a Cali mod. They aren't even in the same league. Totally different. That's all. It's an easy concept.

And yes, some of the QR clips are nice. But, clips are clips and not to be always trusted....

My argument more than likely IS pretty stupid, but how do you explain how great some of the Splawn clips all over the net sound , if the amp is as bad as you say? I'll admit I do NOT have a valid opinion as a Splawn is 1 amp I have not played or owned, but I don't think I'm getting faked out by how good the clips sound. . haa.. . I surely agree the Cali is f'in phenomenal though . The notes almost play themselves on the Cali . My Morin when it was in good shape was sortof like that

Eric

Eric,

I don't think I know you. But, I don't think anywhere I said the QR or anything by Scott Splawn sounded bad. Bad is relative though. Bad to me may be good for you or the other way around. The OP was asking about a comparison of the QR to a Cali mod and there is no comparison and there is really nothing similar in either amp, so it is all a matter of taste and what you want out of an amp. To me, the QR is decent enough at what it was designed to be...a 3 channel amp covering the basic Marshall tones with a few modern bells and whistles to capture Plexi-JMP-JCM in one box at a fair price. It won't do what a Cali mod is capable of though and what it was meant to be. As far as clips go, there are some good ones out there. But, you got to watch clips, the way they are recorded and processed or FX added and not disclosed. This holds true for any amp or clip. I don't like the QR too much and I didn't like the Nitro either. But, that is my opinion.

Steve

You don't know me at all . I live in Vermont, am an old rocker , single parent for now. .. haha, at 51 , and have played in 2 all -original bands, and have played in 34 years of cover bands. I have 2 gigging bands currently and am an ampaholic .. I own about 30 amps and about 30 guitars and a shitload of fx. I've loved gear since the late 70's where I used to take roadtrips to the 1st Daddy's Junky Music stores, Lark St Music and Drome Sound etc all over New England and New York , and to Manny's , Sam Ash , Rudy's etc on Lark St in NYC. . In the mid 80's I worked at Time Guitars with Paul Languedoc who you might've heard of! IF not, sorry! lol. . .. Anyway , then came the internet years later and I bought and sold boatloads of boutiquey and rare gear. . Now I have no time to sell , so I 've just enjoyed my gear. I'm 1 of the only guitarists in Vermont who tends to show up at every gig with a different setup.. I can get "MY SOUND" out of almost any decent setup , and I'm very very experienced at that. . HOWEVER, as only anyone who has experience learns, each amp is a bit different, and you have to match your pedals to your amps.. I love hard rock , alt rock ,metal , punk , new wave, hippy jam bands like Umphrey's Mcgee,etc and see concerts a few times a month. . Last concert was RED FANG, the one b4, the ARISTOCRATS with Guthrie Govan and next one , ACOUSTIC COrey Taylor in Boston! (now you know me a little more!!!!)

Anyway you said you didn't say the Splawn sucked but you equated it with a door stop . .Huh. . . Well , to me that means someone said it sucked. Once again , I might've misinterpreted, BUT I know based on the clips I'd never say 'door stop ' for it at all!!!!! Also once again , my 1982 Cali /jcm800-bass amp is about the easiest playing amp I could imagine at any volume, and just plain AWESOME amp , but I don't have the solo volume boost -thing on it , and I tend to need that for my gigs.

I'm just having fun with this ,but figured I'd introduce myself . haha. . I've been on the internet guitar forums since the newsgroups and the original forums since about 1993! Rock on!

Eric

Well, welcome to the nuthouse then Eric. Here at RT, opinions are like assholes....everybody has one. Some people forget that. Rock on....

I was one of the first members at Rig-Talk , and have been here since the days that Chris Snider and Bob Savage ruled the roost . haha. . It's just that I don't post a whole bunch as my life got really busy with kids , job and gigs , and I love the place, but just am not the forum addict I used to be!!! I 100% agree about the opinions, but have just been 100% baffled by how people could say Splawns suck so bad, but I f'in love the clips! Anyway , I need an other amp like a hole in my head, but the only way to prove to myself whether I'll love it or not , is by getting one, as I don't think there's a single guitarist in Vermont who has a Splawn. I know loads of the gigging guitarists here and no Splawns. .............Never played a Cameron either but have loved every clip , but regardless of your brother's taking over the company,etc I have a hard time ethically buying one, even though I want one badly . Fortin on the other hand, is 2 thumbs up for me all around. . He even contacted me once upon a time ago out of the blue to buy my Morin preamp , as I have one of the only ones around . Still have it , although I don't use it, but I love having 1-off gear! Later

Eric

 

[joepete77]

who's nicer, mike or scott? scott will leave you a psalm in the chassis. mike will send BBQ ribs.

I prefer my amps Jesus free. I have had some of Mike's ribs and they are damn good.

Had a weird dealing with Scott a looooong time ago, when he was doing mods only. Turned me off to not be interested in his stuff anymore and I sold both modded Marshalls that he did for me.

i laughed when I read this but I was thinking the same thing Maybe I will ask scott if he can make me a qr with custom pentagram and upside down cross tolex???

 

[ericb]

I am not a fan but there are guys here that KILL on the QR....

Like Danny said, it aint the amp when the curtain drops and people are staring. Been there and suffered that.

HI Scott, why aren't you a fan of the Quick Rod? It's a totally honest question. . The "Shreder" , Dirty Harry , Chubtone and MANY MANY other videoclips of it sound KILLER KILLER . . What am I missing?


Eric

I have played two QRs and did not like the feel but I will admit that was 4-5 years ago and my chops were not where they are now. For all I know I could totally dig them but at that time it was the feel mostly. I have to admit that I am a big fan of Cameron and now Fortin work, for me they have the feel and tone I am looking for. I have hears some great things from people that have played Nitros, I would love to try that amp. Scott puts out a solid product, I would never refute that.

Cool thanks. . I'm being 100% sincere in my puzzledness about why on here and TGP that some people have insinuated the Splawns sucked shit , and almost every clip I've heard just sounds awesome to me .. Anyway , I think the only way to find out for myself is to buy one , as is the only real way for the original poster to find out. There are opinions everywhere and when you hear opinions from guys who play a totally different volume from you , or a totally different style I've learned you gotta try the gear for yourself. . I will say 1 thing, the Fortin Cali jcm800 is extremely bizarre as the volume is SO MUCH LESS with the mod , but it is about the ultimate rock sound I can imagine . It's SO EASY to play too . . Haven't tried with my band yet as mine doesn 't necessarily have a solo-voume boost feature and I prefer to use my loop in Parallel , but maybe I'll switch it to series for my next gig and run an eq or something in there for my lead volume boosts. Damn ,think it's time to start getting ready for the work week now. . BUMMER. . lol

Eric

 

[Lord Toneking]

Welcome to RT Eric

You'll soon see that the Splawn stuff gets quite a bashing around here. I still cant understand it because imo it's simply the best bang for the buck. Customer service at Splawn is also top notch as well. Calling it a doorstop was a slam whether Steve wants to try and spin out of that one or not...a rather tasteless comment for a Mod here on RT if you ask me

The Splawn stuff has a TON of gain but is VERY articulate. Alot of guys struggle with this because if you dont have good chops basically youre gonna sound like crap. It's not gonna hide your mistakes...but as you can see in Chubtone's vid, when youre an accomplished player the amp sounds amazing! It also has a very dynamic touch sensitive feel, not a one trick pony like most say. Notes jump off the fretboard with authority! It's also very finicky with woods, pups and speakers. The clean channel is the weakest part of the amp but everything else built incredibly well...and THOUSANDS less than some other amp builders

Scott Splawn is a devote Christian and does put a scripture passages inside on the chassis. As you may know, in this day and age it is extremely cool to poke fun at anything that has to do with God, Jesus, church, or religion in general. Why people get offended by this is beyond me because the bottom line is that it is a guitar amplifier...an amplifier constantly getting persecuted when like I said, is made with the highest quality and for the most affordable price

By the way, there are such people as the 'Splawn Police' - and I am one of them...proudly

 

[axemane]

The one biggest difference between the Fortin/Cameron/Friedman/etc and the Splawns is that the Splawns have no clipping diodes ala "Jose" style . 4 output tubes and 3 preamp tubes(mine anyway,the older models)Just flat out Marshall ,Marshall modded, and Marshall Hot Rodded tones. Very versatile with the footswitchable gain stages and solo boost. I can get anything from plexi-ish to hotrodded 800, and with an EQ in the loop it can do modern/brootal as well.

Never played a Fortin but I would love to. All of the above are great amps from what I've played/heard.

 

[shreder75]

Welcome to RT Eric

You'll soon see that the Splawn stuff gets quite a bashing around here. I still cant understand it because imo it's simply the best bang for the buck. Customer service at Splawn is also top notch as well. Calling it a doorstop was a slam whether Steve wants to try and spin out of that one or not...a rather tasteless comment for a Mod here on RT if you ask me

The Splawn stuff has a TON of gain but is VERY articulate. Alot of guys struggle with this because if you dont have good chops basically youre gonna sound like crap. It's not gonna hide your mistakes...but as you can see in Chubtone's vid, when youre an accomplished player the amp sounds amazing! It also has a very dynamic touch sensitive feel, not a one trick pony like most say. Notes jump off the fretboard with authority! It's also very finicky with woods, pups and speakers. The clean channel is the weakest part of the amp but everything else built incredibly well...and THOUSANDS less than some other amp builders

Scott Splawn is a devote Christian and does put a scripture passages inside on the chassis. As you may know, in this day and age it is extremely cool to poke fun at anything that has to do with God, Jesus, church, or religion in general. Why people get offended by this is beyond me because the bottom line is that it is a guitar amplifier...an amplifier constantly getting persecuted when like I said, is made with the highest quality and for the most affordable price

By the way, there are such people as the 'Splawn Police' - and I am one of them...proudly

my ass twitches just a little everytime I see that

 

[Vrad]

OK you guys win. Splawn QR's are a great amp with lots of cool features

But, the OP was asking about a comparison to a Cali mod. They aren't even in the same league. Totally different. That's all. It's an easy concept.

And yes, some of the QR clips are nice. But, clips are clips and not to be always trusted....

My argument more than likely IS pretty stupid, but how do you explain how great some of the Splawn clips all over the net sound , if the amp is as bad as you say? I'll admit I do NOT have a valid opinion as a Splawn is 1 amp I have not played or owned, but I don't think I'm getting faked out by how good the clips sound. . haa.. . I surely agree the Cali is f'in phenomenal though . The notes almost play themselves on the Cali . My Morin when it was in good shape was sortof like that

Eric

Eric,

I don't think I know you. But, I don't think anywhere I said the QR or anything by Scott Splawn sounded bad. Bad is relative though. Bad to me may be good for you or the other way around. The OP was asking about a comparison of the QR to a Cali mod and there is no comparison and there is really nothing similar in either amp, so it is all a matter of taste and what you want out of an amp. To me, the QR is decent enough at what it was designed to be...a 3 channel amp covering the basic Marshall tones with a few modern bells and whistles to capture Plexi-JMP-JCM in one box at a fair price. It won't do what a Cali mod is capable of though and what it was meant to be. As far as clips go, there are some good ones out there. But, you got to watch clips, the way they are recorded and processed or FX added and not disclosed. This holds true for any amp or clip. I don't like the QR too much and I didn't like the Nitro either. But, that is my opinion.

Steve

1) Weak back-pedal
2) I've posted a ton of QR clips and a video and always disclose my signal chain. I guess it's depressing to learn there's nothing special in the signal chain.
3) Michael Wagener seems to love the QR, guess he doesn't know anything about tone or gear either.

But ok, if steve_k on RT said it's a "doorstop" it must suck then. Right?

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Every general gear forum I've been a member of, there is always a brand or group of brands/builders/particular amp models that are the most popular/least criticized on the forum. General gear forums have always been that way since the later half of the 90's when I first started reading them. Manufacturer specific "fan" sites are a different story of course.

Splawns have never been in that group on Rig Talk since I've signed up, which was when the site was originally formed. Was even a member of Rig Talk in the original format if anyone remembers that it looked quite a bit different back then.

Since the new ownership Splawns have seemed to become even less talked about or maybe it's just my perception.

Rig Talk is a marketing portal now and is almost a quasi manufacturer specific fan site in some ways. Sort of like a hybrid, just imo.

The closest I've seen Splawns become popular (on forums) was when Shreder75 was in full promotion mode on HCAF circa 2006-2007. That was probably the early origins of how the "Splawn police" term was originally coined but I'm just speculating.

Imagine bashing Fortin on Rig Talk, there would have been a similar response if you bashed Splawn on HCAF back then.