Should i pull the trigger on this splawn quickrod?

[sixstringking713]

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

how could they not have enough gain???? The 2009 i played in the shop had plenty of gain...

 

[MORIANO]

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"

Correct dude! In the pic with all 3 Splawns The "Destroyer" Lo Sag is centered, yes I dubbed it that Heres a close up and Splawn did a FIRST of Black Gator front and back panel never before done by Splawn, I wanted a GATOR-STYLE front face JCM800 style concept, and I sent Scott the Gator lol!! Brian who handles the cosemetic tolexing is a genious and the Splawn amps are basically like buying your own Customshop masterpiece!

 

[scriptphase]

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

Wait...is this update to the 2012s only or did it start in 2011? I heard about the mid adjustment and more saturation for the 2011s, then I hear there's been a change to the 2012s along the same lines. Scott has something special going on in his amps and while I hear complaints about "weird mids" and them being too tight/stiff and dry--or whatever--for some guys, I like the fact that those same qualities set his amps apart. That's where the "watered down" comment comes from. No offense meant. If the new stuff still retains that sound and feel, then that's great. I just don't want to see Scott and Co. stray too far from the magic they've brought to the table. If you're telling me it's the real deal then I'll take your word. Love your clips, btw, Rick.

 

[MORIANO]

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

Wait...is this update to the 2012s only or did it start in 2011? I heard about the mid adjustment and more saturation for the 2011s, then I hear there's been a change to the 2012s along the same lines. Scott has something special going on in his amps and while I hear complaints about "weird mids" and them being too tight/stiff and dry--or whatever--for some guys, I like the fact that those same qualities set his amps apart. That's where the "watered down" comment comes from. No offense meant. If the new stuff still retains that sound and feel, then that's great. I just don't want to see Scott and Co. stray too far from the magic they've brought to the table. If you're telling me it's the real deal then I'll take your word. Love your clips, btw, Rick.

I think your right YES 2011, so if you have the 2011 and you LIKE?...your a happy Splawn owner brother! No offense taken, maybe if I was in my twenties, I would freak out HAAAA! Im older now and could care less about much senseless thread hashing lol. Im good and sounds like you love your Splawn like me, congrats and thanks for the kind words on my vids bro! Wish you greatness in all your music endeavours FYI, nothing weird about the mids, these Splawns dont hide mistakes, so if your good, you shine, and if your ok, and make mistakes here and there, well, ...it will be heard loud and clear lol...its ALL IN THE HANDS!

 

[stompboxfreak72]

Hey Rikk thanks for posting the Destroyer vids. I had just returned an Egnater Armageddon to GC and I was digging around youtube and found your videos and contacted Scott immediately. I thought it was the Destroyer model......it was hilarious when he had to inform me that my headshell would say Quickrod and not Destroyer. I'm sure he'll have 10 people calling to order a Destroyer next week anyway.

Im one of the people who thought the QR lacked gain. Its got plenty but its drier than the Nitro. Itraded my QR for a Baron which definetly had all the saturated tones I was looking for. In the end I sold the Baron and used the mobey to fund the 2012 Nitro.

Im hoping that the lo sag option plus changes that have occurred with the QR since 2009 will make this purchase a keeper. I actually would have never traded the QR for the Baron had I to do it over again. Win some lose some.

 

[rocknrolla]

I'll be ordering my new Nitro in a couple months. The 2012's are the shit.

 

[MORIANO]

I'll be ordering my new Nitro in a couple months. The 2012's are the shit.

My 2012 Nitro is a joy to play. FAT Tone.
"The Marshall, that Marshall didnt build", my best way to describe it.
Capture SRV to Hendrix to Halen to Lynch and handle Malmsteen and Gary Moore tones easily.
Its a beast

 

[racerevlon]

The 2012 models are magical. My 2012 QR has SUCH different personality than my earlier one. I've been saving to order a Super Sport but now may have to think about a lo-sag Nitro...