Splawn Quickrod vs EVH 5150iii 50 watt

[Speeddemon]

Damn, this thing sounds good. I can't get my 5150 to sound this open.

https://youtu.be/S_ilB_UT0OY

I've listened that clip and while it sounds awesome (and a nice mix of Dokken and Loudness riffage), my (re-tubed) 5150 III 50W isn't that far off.
Blue channel,
Gain 6
Bass 7 (or 8)
Mid 4
Treble 7
Volume 3
Presence 4
Depth 6
(settings x/10).
Just don't use EMG's.

 

[ledvedder]

Damn, this thing sounds good. I can't get my 5150 to sound this open.

https://youtu.be/S_ilB_UT0OY

I've listened that clip and while it sounds awesome (and a nice mix of Dokken and Loudness riffage), my (re-tubed) 5150 III 50W isn't that far off.
Blue channel,
Gain 6
Bass 7 (or 8)
Mid 4
Treble 7
Volume 3
Presence 4
Depth 6
(settings x/10).
Just don't use EMG's.

What did you retube with? And what speakers do you use?

 

[Speeddemon]

Damn, this thing sounds good. I can't get my 5150 to sound this open.

https://youtu.be/S_ilB_UT0OY

I've listened that clip and while it sounds awesome (and a nice mix of Dokken and Loudness riffage), my (re-tubed) 5150 III 50W isn't that far off.
Blue channel,
Gain 6
Bass 7 (or 8)
Mid 4
Treble 7
Volume 3
Presence 4
Depth 6
(settings x/10).
Just don't use EMG's.

What did you retube with? And what speakers do you use?

V1=RFT ECC83
V2=NOS Sylvania 5751
V3=JJ 5751

and there's one or two Sovtek LPS's in there somewhere I believe.
Speakers; either one of my 2x12 Marshall cabs: G12-65 + a '86 G12-T75 (doesn't sound at all like the modern ones)
or a HB cab with a Vintage 30 and a G12K85.

 

[ledvedder]

Damn, this thing sounds good. I can't get my 5150 to sound this open.

https://youtu.be/S_ilB_UT0OY

I've listened that clip and while it sounds awesome (and a nice mix of Dokken and Loudness riffage), my (re-tubed) 5150 III 50W isn't that far off.
Blue channel,
Gain 6
Bass 7 (or 8)
Mid 4
Treble 7
Volume 3
Presence 4
Depth 6
(settings x/10).
Just don't use EMG's.

What did you retube with? And what speakers do you use?

V1=RFT ECC83
V2=NOS Sylvania 5751
V3=JJ 5751

and there's one or two Sovtek LPS's in there somewhere I believe.
Speakers; either one of my 2x12 Marshall cabs: G12-65 + a '86 G12-T75 (doesn't sound at all like the modern ones)
or a HB cab with a Vintage 30 and a G12K85.

I've got an RFT and 2 JJ 5751's on the way. I'm hoping they'll help out in some way.

Right now I have -
V1=Tungsol
V2=jj ecc83s
V3=Ruby 12AX7AC7 HG

 

[TX6Strings]

I've never played a QR, I've heard them in YT clips, but I did have a first year Nitro for about six months. I wish I had known about the volume box trick at the time because with out it or the newer mod Splawns are VERY loud. Listen very closely to YT clips because Splawns have a very unique mid range. My Nitro had it as well (to a certain extent) and it's usually a love it or hate it kind of deal. You'll never dial it out. Someone also mentioned that they are very unforgiving amps...this is very true. The model you're looking at doesn't have the B+ mod so it's going to feel stiff and unsaturated compared to the 5153 50watt (I have one). Bear all these things in mind before making the switch. Splawns sound great in a mix but for bedroom players they can be a nightmare if you don't know what you're getting into. I had a lot of complements on my tone while gigging the Nitro but ultimately I couldn't get along with it.

I may have to try the retube suggestions in this thread because next to my BE100 my 5153 50watt sounds like a Boss distortion pedal.

 

[stompboxfreak72]

I have owned two Nitros and two QRs. Year is everything in my mind. Lord Tone King has a 2005 or 2006 QR with the original circuit and 3 preamp tube configuration. I played his QR recently and it slayed any QR I owned. Scott is now making a 50 watt QR with a half power switch and a switchable B+ option. He will also build the old circuit for you. To me the 50 watt with the old circuit is the way to go but that is my lowly opinion.

The EVH mini sounds good at low volume. The Splawn will eat the EVH in a mix hands down. But for bedroom playing ( if that is your application) the Splawn can be hard to tame and get its best tone. The built in fx loop volume on newer models helps but it changes the amps character a bit. My Nitro is very saturated at low volume but cranked it is a less forgiving amp than an EVH. Splawns have that "mid" thing that I personally love but you may hate. I would avoid buying a Splawn blind. I love them but not everyone does.

 

[Chris6870]

There's a few Quick Rods on GCs used site. You can try it out and return it to your local GC if its not for you.

 

[BMoore77]

Get the Splawn and be done with it. Trust what you hear and not forum hype.

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

Mine owns...i have a 2005 3 pre with the Kruse Variac Powerscaling...even at 5 watts, it will shake your nuts...

The splawn clips here are mine: http://www.krusekontrol.com/kruse_variac

 

[evhfan]

IDK...I've had a Splawn since Scott was making his own line...but the 50 watt 5153 is tough to beat...

 

[JerEvil]

Mine owns...i have a 2005 3 pre with the Kruse Variac Powerscaling...even at 5 watts, it will shake your nuts...

The splawn clips here are mine: http://www.krusekontrol.com/kruse_variac

That Quick Rod clip at 5w sounds juicy! Love it!

I can't say enough about my Quick Rod. I am REALLY interested in the new version he is releasing but not sure if the features would have me move my current one on to buy the new guy. Maybe I'll trade my QR for a Nitro and buy the new one?

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

I've never played a QR, I've heard them in YT clips, but I did have a first year Nitro for about six months. I wish I had known about the volume box trick at the time because with out it or the newer mod Splawns are VERY loud. Listen very closely to YT clips because Splawns have a very unique mid range. My Nitro had it as well (to a certain extent) and it's usually a love it or hate it kind of deal. You'll never dial it out. Someone also mentioned that they are very unforgiving amps...this is very true. The model you're looking at doesn't have the B+ mod so it's going to feel stiff and unsaturated compared to the 5153 50watt (I have one). Bear all these things in mind before making the switch. Splawns sound great in a mix but for bedroom players they can be a nightmare if you don't know what you're getting into. I had a lot of complements on my tone while gigging the Nitro but ultimately I couldn't get along with it.

I may have to try the retube suggestions in this thread because next to my BE100 my 5153 50watt sounds like a Boss distortion pedal.

This. I don't know what it was, but I love my EVH 5153; it was so easy to play with the saturation and was a great metal amp. Does hard rock well, too, and I don't play clean. Side-by-side, the Splawn made the 5153 50w sound like a toy. ...And I still love the 5153.

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

I've never played a QR, I've heard them in YT clips, but I did have a first year Nitro for about six months. I wish I had known about the volume box trick at the time because with out it or the newer mod Splawns are VERY loud. Listen very closely to YT clips because Splawns have a very unique mid range. My Nitro had it as well (to a certain extent) and it's usually a love it or hate it kind of deal. You'll never dial it out. Someone also mentioned that they are very unforgiving amps...this is very true. The model you're looking at doesn't have the B+ mod so it's going to feel stiff and unsaturated compared to the 5153 50watt (I have one). Bear all these things in mind before making the switch. Splawns sound great in a mix but for bedroom players they can be a nightmare if you don't know what you're getting into. I had a lot of complements on my tone while gigging the Nitro but ultimately I couldn't get along with it.

I may have to try the retube suggestions in this thread because next to my BE100 my 5153 50watt sounds like a Boss distortion pedal.

This. I don't know what it was, but I love my EVH 5153; it was so easy to play with the saturation and was a great metal amp. Does hard rock well, too, and I don't play clean. Side-by-side, the Splawn made the 5153 50w sound like a toy. ...And I still love the 5153.

This is why I own both.

 

[the1984]

Two totally different amps, IMO.

IF you just need high-gain amazing-ness, go for the Splawn for SURE!

 

[ledvedder]

My tubes arrived today. An RFT ecc83, 2 JJ 5751's, and a Sovtek LPS.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've had two EVH 50 watt heads and a 100 watt head. I REALLY wanted to like the 50w because it was so easy to gig with, I just couldn't get along with that synthetic toyish gain sound. Mind you, my main amp has been a Splawn QR since 05-06 so I use that amp as the standard. I sold all the EVH stuff and still use the trusty old 3 pre QR. It's just a better made, more touch dynamic and better sounding amp imo

This. I've had 2 5153s, and they just sounded OK to me. Played one through a Marshall 425B cab and that was better, but still kinda sterile. I know everyone loves them but I'd take a number of used Marshalls/VHT/Mesa/Framus etc etc over the EVH in the same price range. Rolled tubes and it didn't change my opinion. Decent amp but there's better out there IMO. Stealth is a different story I'm sure.....

 

[shreder75]

I have a quick rod for sale. Just saying

 

[shreder75]

But to be fair, the qr and evh are totally different amps. Apples and oranges

 

[ledvedder]

But to be fair, the qr and evh are totally different amps. Apples and oranges

Since you have both of them, what would you say are the big differences?

 

[shreder75]

But to be fair, the qr and evh are totally different amps. Apples and oranges

Since you have both of them, what would you say are the big differences?

The evh is more modern and compressed, and in keeping with that the tone is primarily coming from the pre amp . The quick rod is a modded marshal that relies more on the power amp.

They're both great. They're just different. The problem with a lot of the replies here is that I see people ignoring that these are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AMPS and going right into "this is better" mode.

I have tons of qr vids on my YouTube page -- shreder75 . Check them out and see if you dig the vibe. You'll like it or you won't. But like I said, I do have a QR up for sale.