So, I bought a Splawn

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the rossness

the rossness

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Circa 2010, I got a Splawn QuickRod of TGP, only to have it implode during shipping :(. And since then I've wanted one. So, I saw the right listing come up on Reverb and bought a Competition. I knew that Splawn amps used to feel a little "too stiff/ tight" and somewhere along the way, their feel changed. Still stiff and tight, but a little bit more relaxed compared to their earlier models. So, I took a chance and got this Competition.

Upon getting it, I expected to be in that honeymood phase, but wasn't. It seemed less gainy than I had anticipated. What I did like was the feel. Surgically- tight and sensitive amp. And with a Klon style boost, It really got that angry sound. Are there any tips and tricks to getting the splawn to sound more aggressive? Do I need to crank it for that sound?

I'll also add that I think its the perfect amp for Van Halen/ Lynch tunes. I did a quick A/B compariuson with a Synergy Fortin Killer Kali, and liked the splawn more. Less gain, a better feel and WAY more low mids (Which some Synergy modules lack, TBH)

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Nice score , love my Competiton and EL34 Super Sport . Are you using the volume loop pot on the back panel ?
 
Congrats man! I love his newer stuff that’s been turned up significantly. He listens to customers and is very straight up and honest!
 
Every splawn I’ve played has to get stupid loud to really shine. Stupid loud on their 50 or 100w amps isn’t terribly high on the master volume.
 
Check or replace the preamp and/or the power amp tubes.

I have the exact same amp as you do, mine is a 2015. Mine has more gain and a better feel than all the Fridman apps that I had.

I usually use gear one and two, and I never use the foot switch to use OD one and OD two and for me it’s got plenty of gain.

I can play my competition without any boost at all using OD two on gear two and gear three with gain between noon and 2 o’clock, and have no problems with a crushing metal town.

It’s likely not gonna do super modern overly gained out metal. Get an EVH 5153 for that.

I posted on your Facebook post on the Splawn page to set the front panel volume at about nine, and use the loot master volume as your main master volume. I only recently learned that trick. Regardless, I’ve never really had any issues getting great punch and high gain tones at lower level levels, but the amp really does get better as you’re able to get the volume up a little bit.
 
Junk Yard Dog said:
Check or replace the preamp and/or the power amp tubes.

I have the exact same amp as you do, mine is a 2015. Mine has more gain and a better feel than all the Fridman apps that I had.

I usually use gear one and two, and I never use the foot switch to use OD one and OD two and for me it’s got plenty of gain.

I can play my competition without any boost at all using OD two on gear two and gear three with gain between noon and 2 o’clock, and have no problems with a crushing metal town.

It’s likely not gonna do super modern overly gained out metal. Get an EVH 5153 for that.

I posted on your Facebook post on the Splawn page to set the front panel volume at about nine, and use the loot master volume as your main master volume. I only recently learned that trick. Regardless, I’ve never really had any issues getting great punch and high gain tones at lower level levels, but the amp really does get better as you’re able to get the volume up a little bit.
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2010 doesn't have loop volume. That was added with the 2012 update. A volume box or pedal in the loop does the same thing,yea put the master on noon and use the volume control in the loop to adjust overall volume.
 
Chris6870 said:
2010 doesn't have loop volume. That was added with the 2012 update. A volume box or pedal in the loop does the same thing,yea put the master on noon and use the volume control in the loop to adjust overall volume.
Click to expand...
I had an 09 Quick Rod that had the volume loop
 
Chris6870 said:
2010 doesn't have loop volume. That was added with the 2012 update. A volume box or pedal in the loop does the same thing,yea put the master on noon and use the volume control in the loop to adjust overall volume.
Click to expand...
Correct. The OP had one and 2010 but arrived in operable, so he picked up the Comp in the picture he posted and that one has a loop volume
 
Chris6870 said:
2010 doesn't have loop volume. That was added with the 2012 update. A volume box or pedal in the loop does the same thing,yea put the master on noon and use the volume control in the loop to adjust overall volume.
Click to expand...
When I first got the amp, I was playing with the loop-master volume wide open, and the volume on the amp around 9 o’clock. I think that’s why it didn’t sound gainy enough. User error on my part

Today, I decided to see what the loop-master volume was all about. I turned it down to 9 o’clock, turned the amp’s volume up, and it came to life!

I plugged in my PRS NF3 and it sounded fantastic!

I’m actually with you on Dave’s amps. The only Friedman amp I’ve ever really liked was the JJ100. I had a JEL20 and really didn’t care for the 800 side of it. The Splawn has more gain, and plays/ feels way tighter. Also, through my mesa 2x12 with V30’s, it had crushing low end. It makes me wonder what a Nitro is like ;)
 
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