A
Alpha Stryke
Well-known member
splawn is what Salmon do upstream.
good thing about those amps there's room on front for 11 more knobs.
splawn is what Salmon do upstream.
good thing about those amps there's room on front for 11 more knobs.
glpg80
Well-known member
Repairing and designing are not mutually inclusive skillsets. He probably prioritizes building new designs over repair work because there’s only so much time in a day. However my argument is that if you’re great at repair work, then it shouldn’t take long…..Sure you could find a tech for repairs, but you think the manufacturer would stand behind their product and give a repair estimate regardless of who owns it.
Nothing in his amplifiers seems custom enough to warrant straight repair denial when substitutions will work to get it functioning. I can see denial of free repair under warranty for amplifiers people bought used sure, but to deny outright when the whole thing is analog?
Last edited:
J
jasonP
Well-known member
If the whole thing is analog and not custom in this amp, then any amplifier repair shop should be able to repair it rather than having to ship it back to the manufacture? Why spend the money to ship it back and take the risk on shipping it?
glpg80
Well-known member
Definitely agree. But if the owner wants it gone through by Splawn himself to make sure it’s in tip top shape - likely a better decision over a local tech - then that’s for the owner to decide right?
Denials can happen and there’s always arguments for them - sometimes timing wise if he’s backed up - but supporting your designs should be expected.
And yes I still stand by the fact that troubleshooting is not a skill easily to master. It can be a deep rabbit hole with ground loops, broken wires, intermittent issues, etc. If you’re not experienced at it regularly it can and will take away significant time from building new designs, especially as amplifiers get increasingly more complex.
ZEEGLER
Well-known member
I've never owned a Splawn, but I've considered buying one when I've seen them pop up for sale. After reading this thread, they are no longer in consideration.
J
jasonP
Well-known member
I think having a repair shop is a whole another animal in itself and I agree with you on that. I think for guys like you and I that can work on their own stuff is kind of a moot point and would still consider an amp from him but I would hope that Scott would be willing to stand behind his products that he is selling.
H
harddriver
Well-known member
Stranger things have happened....................
SoooRad
Well-known member
The Quickrod I had sounded great, but had been damaged in shipping before I got it, and the seller didn't disclose that, which rubbed me the wrong way for a funny reason.
While I had seen it in photos on forums and stuff, I hadn't actually experienced an amp with shipping damage, and it scared me off getting something from a small builder shipped to me new.
Fast forward a couple years, and that Morris Sirrom I have some videos of hits Reverb for a good price, so I take the plunge, and what do you know, it gets damaged in shipping
I was able to bring it back to the Morris shop, as he's fairly local. And unlike the experiences detailed here with Splawn, Morris DID go through my amp while I was in the room, allowed me to burn 5 hours of his time talking shop and playing amps, I got fresh out the oven chocolate chip cookies from Mrs. Morris, AND he wouldn't take my money on the repair.
So, within a couple weeks I placed an ordered for another Morris
All that is a long winded thing to say, support the companies who support you when you need them.
While I had seen it in photos on forums and stuff, I hadn't actually experienced an amp with shipping damage, and it scared me off getting something from a small builder shipped to me new.
Fast forward a couple years, and that Morris Sirrom I have some videos of hits Reverb for a good price, so I take the plunge, and what do you know, it gets damaged in shipping
I was able to bring it back to the Morris shop, as he's fairly local. And unlike the experiences detailed here with Splawn, Morris DID go through my amp while I was in the room, allowed me to burn 5 hours of his time talking shop and playing amps, I got fresh out the oven chocolate chip cookies from Mrs. Morris, AND he wouldn't take my money on the repair.
So, within a couple weeks I placed an ordered for another Morris
All that is a long winded thing to say, support the companies who support you when you need them.
hammered
Well-known member
Put me on the short list here that hasn't had any issues with Scott Splawn but with that said I've never had to potentially send him back an amp for rapairs. I've called him a few times asking about the serial numbers and years of the Splawn amps were made that I bought used. I bought a mini head shell from a few years back and that went smooth and back in 2012 I ordered a Super Sport from him and all good there
napalmdeath
Well-known member
Yeah, he told me this AM he was running behind and it's now first of next week. In all fairness, he cut the build time in half, but I'd typically never pay in full for something not done, I don't care who it is, but I digress...
Bxlxaxkxe
Amp ho
I find it really surprising that Splawn won’t fix his own amps. Weird as shit honestly.
By the way, Jorg and Reinhold have taken care of me multiple times on used amps. As has Mesa and basically every other amp maker ever when a problem arises.
By the way, Jorg and Reinhold have taken care of me multiple times on used amps. As has Mesa and basically every other amp maker ever when a problem arises.
jimistheman
Active member
I just took delivery of a new Splawn Quickrod 100 earlier this week. It sounds amazing!!!!! I’m also taking delivery of one of his guitars early next week. It’s the purple sparkle one recently shown on his FB and Insta pages. While I can’t speak to support of prior year amps, my dealings with Scott have been great. I definitely feel like he’d support me if I have any issues. YMMV of course, but I thought I’d share my recent experiences.
DanTravis62
Moderator
I think they invariably sound good - I've owned a couple qrs and a nitro mini. Not great, or world-shattering, but good sounding. For the prices they go for, sometimes they are a solid deal.
Never had any maintenance issues with them, but probably wouldnt buy one used unless it was a project or something
Never had any maintenance issues with them, but probably wouldnt buy one used unless it was a project or something
ZEN Amps
Well-known member
Don't know much about Scott other than he didn't reply to two emails about two amps - one bought new - and yes can confirm both had references to Bible verses on the chassis. Didn't bother me in the slightest, but seemed odd.
On repairing old amps from non-original buyers - this sounds harsh, but from his perspective that's not a customer. It's someone looking for a service tech. And this may sound counter-intuitive, but the best person to service a product is not necessarily the manufacturer.
If the maker is saying no to servicing old products, you do not want them working on your amp. They are either not capable/equipped to do the work, can't spare the time, or simply don't want to. Not the right ingredients for getting quality work done in a timely fashion.
Any good tech could fix a Splawn, and because they do that kind of work full-time it will likely be a better experience all round.
So yeah it's a shame he won't take on the work, but bullet dodged. Recommending another tech who could, and then providing even basic support, would have been an infinitely better PR exercise than suggesting a new one though. Luke 10:33-34.
On repairing old amps from non-original buyers - this sounds harsh, but from his perspective that's not a customer. It's someone looking for a service tech. And this may sound counter-intuitive, but the best person to service a product is not necessarily the manufacturer.
If the maker is saying no to servicing old products, you do not want them working on your amp. They are either not capable/equipped to do the work, can't spare the time, or simply don't want to. Not the right ingredients for getting quality work done in a timely fashion.
Any good tech could fix a Splawn, and because they do that kind of work full-time it will likely be a better experience all round.
So yeah it's a shame he won't take on the work, but bullet dodged. Recommending another tech who could, and then providing even basic support, would have been an infinitely better PR exercise than suggesting a new one though. Luke 10:33-34.
dstroud
Well-known member
hmmm this makes me want one even more…
thegame
Well-known member
I don’t believe Jesus would’ve approved of Mr Splawn turning away those in need. Just another CHINO it seems (Christian in name only)
K
Kelly
Well-known member
Splawn's shop isn't too far from here. I played a show in his hometown a few years back. The sound tech was talking to me about my Fryette amp, and told me he was thinking about starting a pedal company. He said "If Scott Splawn can start a company anybody can". LOL.
T
tjnx
Well-known member
Looking at his videos they seem to sound great live, but I think its best to know what you're getting in to before pulling the trigger.
Other than the obvious repair issues they seem like a good deal which makes getting a clear picture that much more important for me.
I'd like to narrow it down between a Quickrod, Morris 67, Snorkler, EVH 5153 el34, and possibly an MGL 50. I played a used splawn comp (?) and it tracked fast like the EVH which I like, having it cut live makes it the most appealing as long as its reliable.
Other than the obvious repair issues they seem like a good deal which makes getting a clear picture that much more important for me.
I'd like to narrow it down between a Quickrod, Morris 67, Snorkler, EVH 5153 el34, and possibly an MGL 50. I played a used splawn comp (?) and it tracked fast like the EVH which I like, having it cut live makes it the most appealing as long as its reliable.
jimistheman
Active member
Oh wow—LOL! I’m in Greensboro, so his shop is probably about an hour and a half away. I may take a ride to check things out.
Briman24
Well-known member
I had a 2015 quick rod and a 2018 quick rod with all 3 new options on it. Both were great quality amps. Built really well. Both had Bible verses inside chasis.
I also owned a 2006 competition for about 5 years. Zero issues with that one also.
I had an original Pro Stock that was one of the first he ever made. It was insanely loud and the tolex was peeling off in a few place but was built like a tank.
I dealt with Scott twice over the years. I dion't remember what it was about as i never had issues. Once by email and once by phone. He was very friendly and helpful.
I also owned a 2006 competition for about 5 years. Zero issues with that one also.
I had an original Pro Stock that was one of the first he ever made. It was insanely loud and the tolex was peeling off in a few place but was built like a tank.
I dealt with Scott twice over the years. I dion't remember what it was about as i never had issues. Once by email and once by phone. He was very friendly and helpful.
