NAD: Splawn Nitro KT88

[PurityS.L.G]

I got my baby back and its going nowhere this time! 2008 model with Heyboers. Just a monstrous amp on all fronts. I gotta say with all of the amps I've owned, this amp takes the cake with the amount of low end punch it delivers. UL and Herbert are the only amps that come close IMO. My Uber and Recto need a boost to deliver a controlled punch like this amp does but still not as big sounding.

So now I'm going to work on recording a video/clips with this beast in stock form, yank out the stock 10k mid pot and perform the 22k Marshall mid pot mod that was discussed by @Nolly in @Bad.Seed Nitro thread. I'll record a vid/clips after to compare the differences and share with all of you guys. I'm really curious if this will solve the infamous Splawn "weird mids" problem that is prevalent with these amps. Stay tuned guys!

With that said, I'm beyond happy to have a Nitro back in my stable. Its still as awesome and PICKY as I remember LOL. I've acquired a lot more boost pedals since selling my last one so I have a long weekend of experimentation to do. So far it sounds the best out of my Mesa Recto OS 412 loaded with Mesa V30/K100 in X pattern followed by my Framus Dragon 412 loaded with GB's. Haven't got it dialed in yet to sound amazing out of my JCM800 cab.

 

[Bash_Man]

Congrats.. The Nitro is a killer amp for sure. I've had mine since about 2007/2008. Would love to try KT88s in mine. I've only ever tried EL34s.

 

[Techdeth]

Killer amp !

 

[RedB4Black]

Awesome.! Killer amp. Congrats! I had a KT88 Nitro long ago.

 

[lessarti]

Splawn's are some of THE most under rated amp builds there is. Great sounds.

 

[PDC]

Love - love - love this post. Rip it up!!!

 

[PurityS.L.G]

Congrats.. The Nitro is a killer amp for sure. I've had mine since about 2007/2008. Would love to try KT88s in mine. I've only ever tried EL34s.

My first one had EL34's that I later modded myself to KT88's. The EL34's I feel hold back the amp in a weird way. The KT88's really open up the sound and let the low end shine more. It also smooths out some of the highs and makes the presence knob more usable with a broader sweep.

Awesome.! Killer amp. Congrats! I had a KT88 Nitro long ago.

I'm surprised you didn't keep it! Now I need Fryette to release that UL MKII already so I can rejoin the Fryette club

 

[Bash_Man]

My first one had EL34's that I later modded myself to KT88's. The EL34's I feel hold back the amp in a weird way. The KT88's really open up the sound and let the low end shine more. It also smooths out some of the highs and makes the presence knob more usable with a broader sweep.

What did you do to "mod it" to be able to install KT88s?

 

[PurityS.L.G]

What did you do to "mod it" to be able to install KT88s?

The easiest way to do it is piggy back a 47k resistor to a resistor next to the bias pot. I believe its R30 or R32. There are a few threads online that will lead you with a walkthrough. Theres even a thread that old forum member erock did with a switch so you can go back and forth between EL34 and KT88.

 

[RedB4Black]

I'm surprised you didn't keep it! Now I need Fryette to release that UL MKII already so I can rejoin the Fryette club

It didn’t last next to my UL. Lol

I’ll be buying that new UL if it ever gets released.

My most recent Splawn was a KT88 QR that ripped. Loved that amp… just didn’t need it after getting an MC2.

 

[ClintN667]

I had the EL34 version and a quick rod at the same time with heybooers. Ended up keeping the Nitro until I sold it to Kyle. I love the unforgiving splawns which leads me to think i need a fryette. I love the percussive tone of them.

The Friedman Buxom boost with the Splawn was freaking perfect. I tried the standard 808, klon type boosts, fortin blade, savage drive before landing on the Buxom Boost. Something about those 2 together was like peanut butter and jelly.

 

[cobrahead1030]

Nice, I've wanted one of those forever, I just can't seem to find one floating around when I've got the funds to buy something.