Should i pull the trigger on this splawn quickrod?

[Devilinside]

I paid $1300 for my mint 2011 including shipping. That does not sound like a great deal

 

[sixstringking713]

thanks for the responses. The one salesman was a prick too so whatever "you like the amp, why dont you just buy it. There's no difference to a new one"

I emailed scott and he said the new ones are coming with a 4 pedal footswitch where you can select the modes


Looks like i'm going to place an order for a 2012 quickrod in the next coming months

 

[Chubtone]

The improvements will be on the 2011-2012 models. They have a little more warmth and a little more saturation. I think they are worth it. I also like the earlier models before the 4th preamp tube was added. I had a 2006 that was wicked. My 2008 was very, very good, but not as good as my 2006. I ended up grabbing either a 2011 or 2012, (don't remember exactly) when Scott told me that he had finished a few more upgrades. I think these last upgrades make a big difference in the "feel".

And I don't think there have been MM transformers in the Quick Rods for years. I believe he has been using the Heyboers for quite some time.

In my opinion, as a store owner, and a Splawn dealer, if I had a 2009 still sitting around unsold, I would try and sell it for straight cost and put a 2012 on the floor of my store.

 

[311boogieman]

^ +1

The only way I'd pay a bit of a premium for a 'new' 2009 would be if I got the lifetime warranty and it had it had very very low shop miles on it (something that would be hard to verify). I still wouldn't pay a $1600 premium.

And yeah he has used Heybour quite a bit over the years and only recently went to Classic Tone as a second source. Can't really speak to the MM trannys.

thanks for the responses. The one salesman was a prick too so whatever "you like the amp, why dont you just buy it. There's no difference to a new one"

I emailed scott and he said the new ones are coming with a 4 pedal footswitch where you can select the modes


Looks like i'm going to place an order for a 2012 quickrod in the next coming months

Yep - I think that is the smartest thing to do. That or find a used 2012. Footswitchable gears seems like a great addition.

 

[glip22]

One complaint I have never ever heard was that a Quickrod will not cut in a mix. I hear the 2012's are kick ass.

 

[iPilot]

Nahh, I'd pass on that one at that price. I bought a practically new 2011 QR with the four button foot switch for $1100 off of Craigslist but that was a very good deal.

 

[Rev]

Get the new lo sag QR. Can't wait for one. Go with Chubtone on the order too.

 

[MORIANO]

I own the first 2012 PROTO Lo Sag QuickRod "Destroyer" B+ Variac style BEAST!
As well as the 2012 newest version update of the QuickRod. Has more gain, more saturation and a slight change in the mid EQ. I have a 2012 Nitro as well and end result is fantastic BROWN tone

 

[racerevlon]

What are the changes to the Nitro beyond the OT? I have a later Nitro with loop volume, but not 2010 or later. Also, the loop volume may have been a retrofit...

 

[splawner]

I own the first 2012 PROTO Lo Sag QuickRod "Destroyer" B+ Variac style BEAST!
As well as the 2012 newest version update of the QuickRod. Has more gain, more saturation and a slight change in the mid EQ. I have a 2012 Nitro as well and end result is Cameron who?

Ya these new 2012's are the real deal...I have played them all and these new ones are killer for sure..... Nice setup by the way

 

[stompboxfreak72]

What are the changes to the Nitro beyond the OT? I have a later Nitro with loop volume, but not 2010 or later. Also, the loop volume may have been a retrofit...

I have a 2008 Nitro and a 2012 Nitro. The 2012 has a slightly better volume taper ( not great, just better) and is definetly more saturated. The resonance/presence controls have much more of an effect than on my 2008. At band volumes I'd say the changes are subtle though. I certainly prefer the 2012 but at a gig I could plug into either and be completely happy.

I also owned a 2009 QR. I did not get along with that amp. It was very dry to my ears and I always ended up playing my Nitro instead. I have a 2012 QR on order with the low voltage option for more sag. It should arrive in a few weeks.

For $1950 you can have the latest updates to the QR. i would never pay $1600 for a 2009.

 

[Mailman1971]

Heck for a couple bucks more you can get the latest and greatest 2012 model.....

yup....this for sure!

 

[scriptphase]

2011 Quick Rod owner here.

I'm not sure what to make of the periodic updates that have happened to the Splawn line the past few years. Scott Splawn reminds me of another great amp builder, Ben Fargen...a guy that knows his stuff, builds a great product, has superb customer service, and was smart enough to realize that one of his biggest sources of competition was his old products now being sold used.

The signature sound Splawn became known for was the amps were dry, tight, they had high-gain with clarity, and a unique midrange that cut through. Adding a 4th pre for a better clean channel was an across-the-board improvement. So was the loop volume and 4-button footswitch to change gears (1st/2nd or 2nd/3rd).

But adding saturation, decreasing the mids, and this lo-sag/softened low end stuff? These changes weren't mentioned as improvements necessarily, but something Scott did based on listening to customer feedback. That's just good business sense...you listen to your customers' need and update your products to keep them fresh...but at what point are these changes watering down the signature tone that sets you apart from all the other hot-rodded amp companies? I bought a Splawn because I wanted an amp that didn't sound like anything else.

 

[splawner]

2011 Quick Rod owner here.

I'm not sure what to make of the periodic updates that have happened to the Splawn line the past few years. Scott Splawn reminds me of another great amp builder, Ben Fargen...a guy that knows his stuff, builds a great product, has superb customer service, and was smart enough to realize that one of his biggest sources of competition was his old products now being sold used.

The signature sound Splawn became known for was the amps were dry, tight, they had high-gain with clarity, and a unique midrange that cut through. Adding a 4th pre for a better clean channel was an across-the-board improvement. So was the loop volume and 4-button footswitch to change gears (1st/2nd or 2nd/3rd).

But adding saturation, decreasing the mids, and this lo-sag/softened low end stuff? These changes weren't mentioned as improvements necessarily, but something Scott did based on listening to customer feedback. That's just good business sense...you listen to your customers' need and update your products to keep them fresh...but at what point are these changes watering down the signature tone that sets you apart from all the other hot-rodded amp companies? I bought a Splawn because I wanted an amp that didn't sound like anything else.

100% correct....I love the Spawn because it does not sound like any amp i have ever played

 

[sixstringking713]

What are the changes to the Nitro beyond the OT? I have a later Nitro with loop volume, but not 2010 or later. Also, the loop volume may have been a retrofit...

I have a 2008 Nitro and a 2012 Nitro. The 2012 has a slightly better volume taper ( not great, just better) and is definetly more saturated. The resonance/presence controls have much more of an effect than on my 2008. At band volumes I'd say the changes are subtle though. I certainly prefer the 2012 but at a gig I could plug into either and be completely happy.

I also owned a 2009 QR. I did not get along with that amp. It was very dry to my ears and I always ended up playing my Nitro instead. I have a 2012 QR on order with the low voltage option for more sag. It should arrive in a few weeks.

For $1950 you can have the latest updates to the QR. i would never pay $1600 for a 2009.

what do you mean by this "low voltage option for more sag"? does this cost more money? Does it emulate a variac?

 

[glip22]

Its just a lower voltage to the power tube plates for less headroom. I am not sure if it lowers preamp tube plate voltages as well. This is really where you would get the sag.

 

[Rev]

2011 Quick Rod owner here.

I'm not sure what to make of the periodic updates that have happened to the Splawn line the past few years. Scott Splawn reminds me of another great amp builder, Ben Fargen...a guy that knows his stuff, builds a great product, has superb customer service, and was smart enough to realize that one of his biggest sources of competition was his old products now being sold used.

The signature sound Splawn became known for was the amps were dry, tight, they had high-gain with clarity, and a unique midrange that cut through. Adding a 4th pre for a better clean channel was an across-the-board improvement. So was the loop volume and 4-button footswitch to change gears (1st/2nd or 2nd/3rd).

But adding saturation, decreasing the mids, and this lo-sag/softened low end stuff? These changes weren't mentioned as improvements necessarily, but something Scott did based on listening to customer feedback. That's just good business sense...you listen to your customers' need and update your products to keep them fresh...but at what point are these changes watering down the signature tone that sets you apart from all the other hot-rodded amp companies? I bought a Splawn because I wanted an amp that didn't sound like anything else.

I have played various QR stages and all of them sounded like a Splawn. Sort of playing a Bogner always sounds like a Bogner. I think the tone sets them apart from the other Marshall vein amps, but also the price. There are some in the Splawn range but most talked about as comparable tone wise is not comparable price wise. For some "modded Marshalls" you could buy a custom Quickrod, a custom Splawn cab, and a used pro mod Charvel and nobody is going to tell the difference when playing Lay it Down.

 

[stompboxfreak72]

What are the changes to the Nitro beyond the OT? I have a later Nitro with loop volume, but not 2010 or later. Also, the loop volume may have been a retrofit...

I have a 2008 Nitro and a 2012 Nitro. The 2012 has a slightly better volume taper ( not great, just better) and is definetly more saturated. The resonance/presence controls have much more of an effect than on my 2008. At band volumes I'd say the changes are subtle though. I certainly prefer the 2012 but at a gig I could plug into either and be completely happy.

I also owned a 2009 QR. I did not get along with that amp. It was very dry to my ears and I always ended up playing my Nitro instead. I have a 2012 QR on order with the low voltage option for more sag. It should arrive in a few weeks.

For $1950 you can have the latest updates to the QR. i would never pay $1600 for a 2009.

what do you mean by this "low voltage option for more sag"? does this cost more money? Does it emulate a variac?

Its a new option Scott just introduced. Search youtube for Splawn Destroyer. Its still a QR but the owner of the prototype got the headshell custom made and dubbed it " Destroyer." scott call is the B+ option. Its not on the website yet.

It cost the same as a new QR $1950 as of now but again Scott has not listed it yet so an upcharge might exist. The low voltage does exactly what you suggest....mimics a variac.

Seach youtube for " Splawn Destroyer"

 

[scriptphase]

I have played various QR stages and all of them sounded like a Splawn. Sort of playing a Bogner always sounds like a Bogner. I think the tone sets them apart from the other Marshall vein amps, but also the price. There are some in the Splawn range but most talked about as comparable tone wise is not comparable price wise. For some "modded Marshalls" you could buy a custom Quickrod, a custom Splawn cab, and a used pro mod Charvel and nobody is going to tell the difference when playing Lay it Down.

I've owned a 2009 QR and the 2011 I have now. Didn't have the chance to play them side-by-side. I didn't hear a huge difference in gain between the two, but the midrange change was more noticeable. Never played a three-pre, but would like to someday to hear why folks love them so much.

 

[MORIANO]

2011 Quick Rod owner here.

I'm not sure what to make of the periodic updates that have happened to the Splawn line the past few years. Scott Splawn reminds me of another great amp builder, Ben Fargen...a guy that knows his stuff, builds a great product, has superb customer service, and was smart enough to realize that one of his biggest sources of competition was his old products now being sold used.

The signature sound Splawn became known for was the amps were dry, tight, they had high-gain with clarity, and a unique midrange that cut through. Adding a 4th pre for a better clean channel was an across-the-board improvement. So was the loop volume and 4-button footswitch to change gears (1st/2nd or 2nd/3rd).

But adding saturation, decreasing the mids, and this lo-sag/softened low end stuff? These changes weren't mentioned as improvements necessarily, but something Scott did based on listening to customer feedback. That's just good business sense...you listen to your customers' need and update your products to keep them fresh...but at what point are these changes watering down the signature tone that sets you apart from all the other hot-rodded amp companies? I bought a Splawn because I wanted an amp that didn't sound like anything else.

My first Splawn was a PRO MOD, killer tone! These 2012 models I own are incredible "Splawn" tone thru and thru, NOTHING from the 2012 amp line could use the phrase "water downed". Is just pure false, but everyone can say what they want.
The new 2012 QR is a slight bit more gain, thats really all it was along with a mid EQ adjustment not to muddy the tone but to make it more BROWN. The gain was added cause Scott had an older QR come into the shop for a repair and he noticed that an 06 or 07 model had more gain than his QR's he was moving out of the shop in 2010. ( Im pretty close with dates Scott mentioned to me on the phone ) All good though, in my book all Splawns have great tone, and if not enough gain, throw your fav overdrive pedal in front and BAM!...you got what you need