Splawn Competition vs Quick Rod

[midgod07]

I got a QR (2008 ver) because a.) I thought I needed a clean channel and b.) It was a local sale. But guess what, I never use the clean channel and I run it at 50w to save on tubes. Conversely, I don't have all the new bells and whistles available but most of the guys I talk to that do - really like the features so there's that.

funny that you say all that because it made me realize something about myself . . . i always steer clear of 1 channel amps because i don't like having to get up and twist knobs. but i invariably get amps that have way more than i need. i don't do pristine clean, but i like something that can go bluesy to plexi and then hit the hot channel for all the heavy stuff. i'm not a huge pedal user so maybe it's just my own laziness

 

[311splawndude]

funny that you say all that because it made me realize something about myself . . . i always steer clear of 1 channel amps because i don't like having to get up and twist knobs. but i invariably get amps that have way more than i need. i don't do pristine clean, but i like something that can go bluesy to plexi and then hit the hot channel for all the heavy stuff. i'm not a huge pedal user so maybe it's just my own laziness

I hear you. I ended up getting a Recto too so that has a much nicer clean tone IMO. More fenderlike blah blah. But what I also learned is that with Gear 1 low gain you can play clean with just pick attack. This is old but a decent example with no pedals etc.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

I believe he's using Pacific transformers now.

Confirmed by Scott in an email back to me this morning. Curious to learn more about these.

I got a QR (2008 ver) because a.) I thought I needed a clean channel and b.) It was a local sale. But guess what, I never use the clean channel and I run it at 50w to save on tubes. Conversely, I don't have all the new bells and whistles available but most of the guys I talk to that do - really like the features so there's that.

I had a Pro Stock with no bells and whistles and I can tell you that for me, I would definitely get the bells and whistles. Mid-cut, Old/New, rock on my Comp, which is always in B+.

I really want an SLO to but after playing my Comp and using the 10band in the loop to get some frequencies tailored, I'd be very happy getting a Pro Stock to get that 100w punch and get all the bells and whistles and half the price.

 

[MistaGuitah]

Another thing about the Competition is that it was one of the best 50 watt modded Marshall type amps I ever played at lower volume. With the Quick Rod, it had to be a little loud at least, and once I turned it up a certain amount, the FX loop was no longer noisy but it got a bit dryer in feel (as opposed to a looser kind if tube sag). Yet the Competition sounded awesome at low volume and high, and still kept a nice immediate feel to it so it was a lot of fun for soloing.
As for the QR clean channel, I think somewhere around 2015 or 2017, Scott did something different that improved the clean channel. It really did sound good but again, you wouldn't know it if you only tried it at low volume. Once it got a little loud, the clean channel became more lively and jangly, and sounded great with my reverb and chorus pedals.
The Pacific transformers are a big question mark for me in consideration of a new purchase as I'm unfamiliar with then. If it changes ANYTHING about the sound or feel of the Competition then I wouldn't buy one without forst trying it out - and I don't know anyone with a newer Splawn Compeition.

 

[midgod07]

This is great info…I’m embarrassed to say I’ve honestly never thought that deep into changing components, etc, though I’ve noticed with all the shortages people moan a lot about how newer amps aren’t as good - see most of the Friedman forums on the newer BEs. Guess I need to nerd out more before I buy!

 

[Fusionbear]

I love my Competition!

Have gigged it quite a bit and have no issues with it at all.

Cab is a 70's cab re-grilled and birch-ply back panel made by Kerry Wright..

speakers are Scumback BM75LD/M75LD

this is the pedal board I made and use with it:

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Another thing about the Competition is that it was one of the best 50 watt modded Marshall type amps I ever played at lower volume. With the Quick Rod, it had to be a little loud at least, and once I turned it up a certain amount, the FX loop was no longer noisy but it got a bit dryer in feel (as opposed to a looser kind if tube sag). Yet the Competition sounded awesome at low volume and high, and still kept a nice immediate feel to it so it was a lot of fun for soloing.
As for the QR clean channel, I think somewhere around 2015 or 2017, Scott did something different that improved the clean channel. It really did sound good but again, you wouldn't know it if you only tried it at low volume. Once it got a little loud, the clean channel became more lively and jangly, and sounded great with my reverb and chorus pedals.
The Pacific transformers are a big question mark for me in consideration of a new purchase as I'm unfamiliar with then. If it changes ANYTHING about the sound or feel of the Competition then I wouldn't buy one without forst trying it out - and I don't know anyone with a newer Splawn Compeition.

What year quick rod did you have? I would consider getting a new Pro Stock with the B+, but like you said, I’m not too familiar with how they sound with Pacific trannies.