Splawn Competition retube question - UPDATED Biasing info

[napalmdeath]

First off, call me crazy, but is the 1/2 power on all Competition models?? I have a 2015, and I'll be damned if I see any 1/2 power switch anywhere on this thing?

Second, is there an internal trim pot for biasing?? It's killing me to have a pair of JJ KT77's, and chomping at the bit to try them! I suppose I can pull out the chassis and answer my own question, but probably won't until tomorrow. I think the Splawn labeled EL34's are Chinese.. Yuck. Don't care for TAD, Ruby, or any other Sino-made EL34, (or 6L6 for that matter)..

Last, How's the amp with Greenbacks?? I'm really digging Gear 1 for AC/DC tones, but wonder how much sweeter it could be with Greenbacks, as opposed to V30's currently in my Randall cab??

 

[SpiderWars]

There is a bias pot in my Quick Rod, I'd be surprised if there wasn't one in your Comp. Yes the stock tubes are Chinese. I like the QR better with Greenbacks than V30s.

FWIW, I like my QR better with EL34s. I put the Chinese in there just because that's what Splawn uses but I think it sounds better with EH EL34s.

 

[hammered]

First off, call me crazy, but is the 1/2 power on all Competition models?? I have a 2015, and I'll be damned if I see any 1/2 power switch anywhere on this thing?

Second, is there an internal trim pot for biasing?? It's killing me to have a pair of JJ KT77's, and chomping at the bit to try them! I suppose I can pull out the chassis and answer my own question, but probably won't until tomorrow. I think the Splawn labeled EL34's are Chinese.. Yuck. Don't care for TAD, Ruby, or any other Sino-made EL34, (or 6L6 for that matter)..

Last, How's the amp with Greenbacks?? I'm really digging Gear 1 for AC/DC tones, but wonder how much sweeter it could be with Greenbacks, as opposed to V30's currently in my Randall cab??

I thought it was kinda strange also that the half power switch wasn't there but It was no big deal for me as I would`t have used it. I used your Compeititon with EVH Greenbacks in a 2x12 at moderate volumes and with Scumback M75/H75s in an X pattern in a 4x12 at pretty loud volumes. Love that speaker combination in the 4x12 as you get the highs and lows of the H and the mids and warmth of the M. The EVHs sounded really good but I never got the chance to really crank up the amp with those speakers. Sorry that the Ruby went micrphonic , must have been the guy I sold it to fault

 

[napalmdeath]

First off, call me crazy, but is the 1/2 power on all Competition models?? I have a 2015, and I'll be damned if I see any 1/2 power switch anywhere on this thing?

Second, is there an internal trim pot for biasing?? It's killing me to have a pair of JJ KT77's, and chomping at the bit to try them! I suppose I can pull out the chassis and answer my own question, but probably won't until tomorrow. I think the Splawn labeled EL34's are Chinese.. Yuck. Don't care for TAD, Ruby, or any other Sino-made EL34, (or 6L6 for that matter)..

Last, How's the amp with Greenbacks?? I'm really digging Gear 1 for AC/DC tones, but wonder how much sweeter it could be with Greenbacks, as opposed to V30's currently in my Randall cab??

I thought it was kinda strange also that the half power switch wasn't there but It was no big deal for me as I would`t have used it. I used your Compeititon with EVH Greenbacks in a 2x12 at moderate volumes and with Scumback M75/H75s in an X pattern in a 4x12 at pretty loud volumes. Love that speaker combination in the 4x12 as you get the highs and lows of the H and the mids and warmth of the M. The EVHs sounded really good but I never got the chance to really crank up the amp with those speakers. Sorry that the Ruby went micrphonic , must have been the guy I sold it to fault

Tubes go, nobody's fault. It was a preamp tube, anyway, not power. I have tubes coming out my ears, and I would have yanked it anyway!

As far as the half power, it's no deal breaker for me either. I'm extremely happy with the amp, no question!

 

[peckhart]

Bias pot inside. I never tried KT77s in my QRs but tried a bunch of different EL34s and ended up liking the JJ E34Ls the best even over SED Winged C.

The SBs are said to be similar to a Greenback in tone and break up, but they are made to handle more power and keep from farting out on the lows. The QR sounds great through my SB loaded 4x12 and really every amp I put through it sounds great. The other guitar player in my band is using my old QR through a V30 loaded Marshall and it sounds great too. A little more raw and thrashy but I kinda dig it.

 

[~Abstract~]

First off, call me crazy, but is the 1/2 power on all Competition models?? I have a 2015, and I'll be damned if I see any 1/2 power switch anywhere on this thing?

Second, is there an internal trim pot for biasing?? It's killing me to have a pair of JJ KT77's, and chomping at the bit to try them! I suppose I can pull out the chassis and answer my own question, but probably won't until tomorrow. I think the Splawn labeled EL34's are Chinese.. Yuck. Don't care for TAD, Ruby, or any other Sino-made EL34, (or 6L6 for that matter)..

Last, How's the amp with Greenbacks?? I'm really digging Gear 1 for AC/DC tones, but wonder how much sweeter it could be with Greenbacks, as opposed to V30's currently in my Randall cab??

I thought it was kinda strange also that the half power switch wasn't there but It was no big deal for me as I would`t have used it. I used your Compeititon with EVH Greenbacks in a 2x12 at moderate volumes and with Scumback M75/H75s in an X pattern in a 4x12 at pretty loud volumes. Love that speaker combination in the 4x12 as you get the highs and lows of the H and the mids and warmth of the M. The EVHs sounded really good but I never got the chance to really crank up the amp with those speakers. Sorry that the Ruby went micrphonic , must have been the guy I sold it to fault

That little tube was so upset with my playing it just couldn't hold on.





FWIW I didn't play it thru V30's...but I liked it less with T75's than I did Greenbacks.

I'm happy you're digging it and I hope it continues to work out better for you than it did for me.

 

[Lord Toneking]

Competitions are basically a single channel 50w Quickrod right? I don't believe they have 1/2 power for a 50w amp

As far as tubes. I've tried a bunch in my QR and hated KT77's the most. Amp felt super stiff with those tubes imo. I like the Sino and New Sensor Mullards the best fwiw

 

[hammered]

Competitions are basically a single channel 50w Quickrod right? I don't believe they have 1/2 power for a 50w amp

As far as tubes. I've tried a bunch in my QR and hated KT77's the most. Amp felt super stiff with those tubes imo. I like the Sino and New Sensor Mullards the best fwiw

Splawn lists the Competition as 50 watts w/half power switch

 

[napalmdeath]

Definitely a pot inside. I have a bias probe, and I'm not sure I trust it. I tried KT77, E34Ls, and even the stock tubes wouldn't get me colder than 43mA. That's hot! I ordered a new probe, as something just doesn't jive. I also called Splawn and he told me that I should be at 40mA, which doesn't make sense either after I read everywhere that 30-32 was recommended. I'm guessing something is different about the plate voltage on these? I'm afraid to play the damn thing now!

I also found it odd that they list a half power switch on the site, but it doesnt have one. It's a 2015, so it's definitely a newer model.

 

[hammered]

Definitely a pot inside. I have a bias probe, and I'm not sure I trust it. I tried KT77, E34Ls, and even the stock tubes wouldn't get me colder than 43mA. That's hot! I ordered a new probe, as something just doesn't jive. I also called Splawn and he told me that I should be at 40mA, which doesn't make sense either after I read everywhere that 30-32 was recommended. I'm guessing something is different about the plate voltage on these? I'm afraid to play the damn thing now!

I also found it odd that they list a half power switch on the site, but it doesnt have one. It's a 2015, so it's definitely a newer model.

I`m guessing the guy I bought it from who was most likely the 1st owner ordered it without the half power switch

 

[155]

43ma doesnt sound that bad for el34's...

 

[napalmdeath]

43ma doesnt sound that bad for el34's...

I'll wait until I can measure the plate voltage. If it's over 425, that's WAY hot. Probably need to look for some colder tubes that'll bias up.

I just don't like that it's set as cold as it can get. Not much range on the trim pot whatsoever.

 

[napalmdeath]

I got a Eurotubes Pro One Bias Probe that reads both bias and plate voltage. Different story than the other probe I had that has since been retired to the trash can.

For those interested, the plate voltage in this 50 watt Competition is 435. In my calculations roughly 34.5mA would be around 60%, and roughly 40mA is 70%. I settled at 38mA, it seemed just right. The E34Ls I tried were just way hot on their own, as I bought them for my Boogie Stiletto, and had Eurotubes hand pick a quad with a warmer range. Unfortunately, the Splawn doesn't have alot of range. I couldn't get them colder than 43. The KT77s were about average grade, I could get them down to 35mA. So, also make note, it's a good idea to get a pretty cold tube as per the sweep. Anywhere in the 25/30 range.

Sounds beastly! But, I'm still in the fence about keeping it. I can't crank it like it needs to be!