Splawn Nitro VS EVH 5150 III 100 Watt

[Baritonesludge]

Who has or has had both of these amps? which was your favorite? for tightness, clarity, massive low end, punch, articulation and definition. A big thick sound, which is reasonably saturated but still smooth and not fizzy is the end goal! For reference I play metal downtuned to B or Drop A on a custom shop Baritone with EMG 57 / 66 that is inspired by bands like Pantera, Down or Black Label Society! all views appreciated!

 

[Erock]

Who has or has had both of these amps? which was your favorite? for tightness, clarity, massive low end, punch, articulation and definition. A big thick sound, which is reasonably saturated but still smooth and not fizzy is the end goal! For reference I play metal downtuned to B or Drop A on a custom shop Baritone with EMG 57 / 66 that is inspired by bands like Pantera, Down or Black Label Society! all views appreciated!

Have had both, and basically look for the same things. I kept the nitro. The 5153 is a great amp, and meets a lot of those requirements, but it's very saturated and has a ton of gain. I think the nitro would fit your description better IMO. It has an organic raw quality to the gain, which isn't overly saturated or maxed out. It's very tight and precise, with a massive lowend, and a smoother topend. You won't find fizz even if you wanted it.

 

[Baritonesludge]

Who has or has had both of these amps? which was your favorite? for tightness, clarity, massive low end, punch, articulation and definition. A big thick sound, which is reasonably saturated but still smooth and not fizzy is the end goal! For reference I play metal downtuned to B or Drop A on a custom shop Baritone with EMG 57 / 66 that is inspired by bands like Pantera, Down or Black Label Society! all views appreciated!

Have had both, and basically look for the same things. I kept the nitro. The 5153 is a great amp, and meets a lot of those requirements, but it's very saturated and has a ton of gain. I think the nitro would fit your description better IMO. It has an organic raw quality to the gain, which isn't overly saturated or maxed out. It's very tight and precise, with a massive lowend, and a smoother topend. You won't find fizz even if you wanted it.

Awesome! well I've got a Splawn Nitro comin next week and am hopin I'm not gonna have to flip it for a 5153!, have you still got your Nitro?, and do you run El34's or KT88's?

 

[Erock]

Awesome! well I've got a Splawn Nitro comin next week and am hopin I'm not gonna have to flip it for a 5153!, have you still got your Nitro?, and do you run El34's or KT88's?

Yep, still have it and still dig it. Mine is a 2010 model with KT88. I've tried EL34 in it, and while I liked the extra grind, I prefer the KT88. It seems to add a level of clarity with the extra headroom that I really dig. Congrats btw.

 

[Baritonesludge]

Awesome! well I've got a Splawn Nitro comin next week and am hopin I'm not gonna have to flip it for a 5153!, have you still got your Nitro?, and do you run El34's or KT88's?

Yep, still have it and still dig it. Mine is a 2010 model with KT88. I've tried EL34 in it, and while I liked the extra grind, I prefer the KT88. It seems to add a level of clarity with the extra headroom that I really dig. Congrats btw.

Cheers dude, yeah its comin with the El34's loaded, but am thinkin I will also swap over to KT88's....what brand of 88's work best for you and did yours originally come with 34's or 88's and require a resistor change to accommodate the bias range?

 

[Erock]

Awesome! well I've got a Splawn Nitro comin next week and am hopin I'm not gonna have to flip it for a 5153!, have you still got your Nitro?, and do you run El34's or KT88's?

Yep, still have it and still dig it. Mine is a 2010 model with KT88. I've tried EL34 in it, and while I liked the extra grind, I prefer the KT88. It seems to add a level of clarity with the extra headroom that I really dig. Congrats btw.

Cheers dude, yeah its comin with the El34's loaded, but am thinkin I will also swap over to KT88's....what brand of 88's work best for you and did yours originally come with 34's or 88's and require a resistor change to accommodate the bias range?

Gonna depend what year it is. Mine is a 2010, so there is a piggybacked resistor in the bias circuit to accommodate extra current for kt88. They used to use the same board, and just piggyback the resistor. After 2011, I think they started using the specific resistor value. I just ran a little switch to the piggybacked resistor so I could switch it in/out if I wanted. I think if yours is el34, you should theoretically be able to piggyback it for extra current. I would assume it's the same transformer, but I would ask Scott about it. He's been very helpful when I've had questions over the years.

For brands, I really liked his stock Splawn labeled tubes actually, but I'm using JJ in it right now and I like these too. Didn't care much for sovtek in it.

 

[Baritonesludge]

Awesome! well I've got a Splawn Nitro comin next week and am hopin I'm not gonna have to flip it for a 5153!, have you still got your Nitro?, and do you run El34's or KT88's?

Yep, still have it and still dig it. Mine is a 2010 model with KT88. I've tried EL34 in it, and while I liked the extra grind, I prefer the KT88. It seems to add a level of clarity with the extra headroom that I really dig. Congrats btw.

Cheers dude, yeah its comin with the El34's loaded, but am thinkin I will also swap over to KT88's....what brand of 88's work best for you and did yours originally come with 34's or 88's and require a resistor change to accommodate the bias range?

Gonna depend what year it is. Mine is a 2010, so there is a piggybacked resistor in the bias circuit to accommodate extra current for kt88. They used to use the same board, and just piggyback the resistor. After 2011, I think they started using the specific resistor value. I just ran a little switch to the piggybacked resistor so I could switch it in/out if I wanted. I think if yours is el34, you should theoretically be able to piggyback it for extra current. I would assume it's the same transformer, but I would ask Scott about it. He's been very helpful when I've had questions over the years.

For brands, I really liked his stock Splawn labeled tubes actually, but I'm using JJ in it right now and I like these too. Didn't care much for sovtek in it.

Woah! that's awesome dude! a switch is such a great idea, so its R30 which is the bias resistor...well mine is a 2014 model, I sure hope they still use the same transformers! coz I read somewhere they no longer use the Heyboer trannies, has yours still got those in being a 2010?...great advice I'll either go for the JJ's or the Winged C's....have you ever thought about 6550's?

 

[Erock]

Woah! that's awesome dude! a switch is such a great idea, so its R30 which is the bias resistor...well mine is a 2014 model, I sure hope they still use the same transformers! coz I read somewhere they no longer use the Heyboer trannies, has yours still got those in being a 2010?...great advice I'll either go for the JJ's or the Winged C's....have you ever thought about 6550's?

Thanks man, yeah it's pretty simple but handy. I have thought about 6550, and will be trying them at some point, but I'm pretty satisfied with the Jj for now. I always like to experiment though.

Also yes, mine has the Heyboers, the newer ones have the Custom Tone transformers. I actually meant between the kt88 and the el34 versions though. The kt88 version has to handle a higher heater current. I know he used to use the same transformer for both versions, but I'm not sure what he's doing now since the transformer change.

 

[Baritonesludge]

Woah! that's awesome dude! a switch is such a great idea, so its R30 which is the bias resistor...well mine is a 2014 model, I sure hope they still use the same transformers! coz I read somewhere they no longer use the Heyboer trannies, has yours still got those in being a 2010?...great advice I'll either go for the JJ's or the Winged C's....have you ever thought about 6550's?

Thanks man, yeah it's pretty simple but handy. I have thought about 6550, and will be trying them at some point, but I'm pretty satisfied with the Jj for now. I always like to experiment though.

Also yes, mine has the Heyboers, the newer ones have the Custom Tone transformers. I actually meant between the kt88 and the el34 versions though. The kt88 version has to handle a higher heater current. I know he used to use the same transformer for both versions, but I'm not sure what he's doing now since the transformer change.

Cool man!yeah I tried to call earlier to check with the team at Splawn re the trannies but it was already after 5 so they musta been closed already, will try em again on Monday....Have you heard any of the newer amps with the Custom Tone's in, do they sound as good as the Heyboers?

 

[311boogieman]

^actually the best time to catch Scott is after 5

I think it will be harder to catch him live M-5 8-5. At least that is my experience. Welcome to the Splawn club - you are going to shit bricks once you get it.

Yes he is using the Custom Tones now. Most all of the clips I've heard of new amps sound great. They are a bit different than the older ones from what I've read. I've not seen a new one let alone play one. Below I think Erock was saying he thinks the transformers are the same whether you run KT88s or EL34s (Nitro vs QR). Mine has Heyboers. Massive pieces of iron they are.





The bias mod with the piggy backed grid resistor is documented well on the Splawn proboards. Let me know if you don't find it. Speaking of which, I would create a thread over there on some of your questions. Not that Erock hasn't answered them well, but it will probably jive well with Scott if you tell him you started a thread on his site regarding your questions. He super friggin busy as you can imagine. He also provides some of the best customer service in the business. Maybe send in an email as well.

Gonna depend what year it is. Mine is a 2010, so there is a piggybacked resistor in the bias circuit to accommodate extra current for kt88. They used to use the same board, and just piggyback the resistor. After 2011, I think they started using the specific resistor value. I just ran a little switch to the piggybacked resistor so I could switch it in/out if I wanted. I think if yours is el34, you should theoretically be able to piggyback it for extra current. I would assume it's the same transformer, but I would ask Scott about it. He's been very helpful when I've had questions over the years.

For brands, I really liked his stock Splawn labeled tubes actually, but I'm using JJ in it right now and I like these too. Didn't care much for sovtek in it.

Hey Erik!

Holy snap! I need to do the resistor bias switch. That is a great feature. Glad to hear you are still rockin Splawn.

 

[Erock]

Cool man!yeah I tried to call earlier to check with the team at Splawn re the trannies but it was already after 5 so they musta been closed already, will try em again on Monday....Have you heard any of the newer amps with the Custom Tone's in, do they sound as good as the Heyboers?

Haven't played a nitro with the new trannies yet, so I couldn't tell you. The clips sound good though, and I haven't hear any grumblings.

Hey Erik!

Holy snap! I need to do the resistor bias switch. That is a great feature. Glad to hear you are still rockin Splawn.

Hey brother, yeah was really simple. They should just include a switch stock. Yeah, still diggin the nitro, glad to see the red beast is still rockin too!

 

[Rev]

The new Classic Tone transformers are fantastic. Compared to my 2010 QR with Heyboers I love the new feel and tone of the updated version. I've only played the new Pro Stock with the new transformers. I feel that the newer Splawn amps have a slight tilt towards that classic Marshall sound than the previous offerings. They have much more of a perceived gain as well. Not sure how much more gain is on tap but the saturation/perceived gain is enhanced for that smoother dynamic response. Plus, the amps are not as sensitive to different speakers and guitars. Everything you throw at it sounds great!

 

[nevusofota]

Since you have the Nitro coming, go to your local GC and pick up a 5150III 100w. Take it home and compare it side by side with the Nitro using your gear. Return within 30 days with no penalties if its inferior to your ears.

 

[stompboxfreak72]

I'll play. I had a 2008 Nitro and sold it after my 2012 Nitro arrived. I also own the 5153 50 watt and the 5153 Stealth. I also had the 5153 100 watt but sold it last week as the Stealth was superior for me over the 100 watt standard.

These amps are polar opposite in feel in my opinion. The Splawn is a well documented as dry, unforgiving, massive and loud. The 2012 has a bit more grease than the 2008 did. The 5153 is a gain monster and about as forgiving as an amp can get. I use the 5153 mostly these days bc Im doing 80's hair metal. The Nitro also does it well but the Stealth is perfect for my current gig. The 5153 lacks the bottom end you will get from a Nitro. I loved the idea of Dual Recs but was always fighting the flabby bottom end. The Nitro is more mid voiced than a Dual Rec but in my lowly opinion covers some of the same sonic territory.

I love both amps, If my modern rock cover band does a show doing Foo Fighters, Disturbed,Godsmack etc than its the Nitro hands down. For the 80's its the 5153 for me all day long.

 

[the4thlast1]

I agree with stompbox.....They are very different amps. Ive owned 3 Nitros and several EVH amps. I like both amps for different reasons.

Compared to the EVH amps the Nitro is Dry, clear and less saturated. Bigger low end, more low mids. Overall a stiff amp compared to the EVH

EVH has less lowend, more saturation , more high mids.... Smoother, looser more compressed. This part is opinion but I think the Evh is a more forgiving, more rewarding and has a better feel overall. I would choose the EVH in most situations. With that being said the Nitro is crushing with the right setup, it can be a killer knock you on your ass metal monster.

 

[wizardy]

Nitro is Nice but make sure your other guitarist
Uses a low mid focused head or youll get lost in the mix especially on lower tuning..
Nitro e or eb tuning is awesome

 

[eddyrox]

I've owned both, and Scott's stuff is great, but like Stompboxfreak72, I'm all about the 5153 and 5153 S

 

[DET1973]

Is there an amp that combines the saturation of the 5153 & the low end of the Nitro? What about a quick rod with the B+ Option?

 

[stompboxfreak72]

Is there an amp that combines the saturation of the 5153 & the low end of the Nitro? What about a quick rod with the B+ Option?

I had one of the first B+ that was made. It was spongier and a little more forgiving than the first QR I had but in the end it was still a Splawn. Its an unforgiving, dry monster of an amp. Its like the Nitro with a different voicing and I prefer the modern tones of a Nitro. Splawn does not make a forgiving amp.

 

[nevusofota]

The 5150III and a Mesa 4x12 with V30's has plenty of low end. I think more than with the matching cab.