Splawn Quickrod - What do you guys think?

[bbaug14]

I'm currently in the market for a new amp for my cover band. We do a lot of classic rock stuff (AC/DC, Free, Aerosmith, Darkness, Zep) and also do some more modern rock stuff (Buckcherry, Jet, Kravitz, Pearl Jam, My Chemical, etc.). So, basically Plexi to Hot Rodded JCM800 tones. It seems like the Quickrod really fits the bill for this but most of the clips I've seen/heard only cover the heavier stuff. So, what are your guy's thoughts on this? Will the Quickrod get me that early AC/DC to current AC/DC tones and all the other classic rock stuff? I've listened to clips of the Fargen Olde 800 and it slays. So does the Yeti. But I need a channel switcher. Just wanted to know what the consensus was. Thanks.

 

[endofall]

I love the quickrod, and had one for several years. I plan on picking up another one in the near future. The quickrod does a really good job at covering a lot of Marshall tones. For the type of music that you listed I honestly think that it would be perfect. I did find that it is a little picky with cab/speaker combination, but it always seemed to sound really good. It is a very "tight" sounding amp and does not hide any mistakes in playing though, so that is something to keep in mind (never played one with the b+ mod). When I had it, I always played my Edwards Les Paul copy with a MCP detroiter with it, into a Splawn 4x12 loaded with small blocks, and big blocks. The tone was amazing.

 

[JerEvil]

I love mine. It will be perfect for what you're playing. I run my QR through 2 Splawn 2x12's with Celestion Creambacks.

http://tonefinder.com/?section=id&value=14442

Here's a clip of mine using my iPhone. Set for a gainier tone than you may need but I think it sounds great.

 

[splawner]

Awesome amp

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

It's too bad that the QR is so picky about speakers or I'd be all over one.

 

[BrokenRomeo]

I love mine...sounds good though all the speakers I have tried, I have one of the new ones though, so the voicing is a little different than the older ones...

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

I love mine...sounds good though all the speakers I have tried, I have one of the new ones though, so the voicing is a little different than the older ones...

Even V30's?

 

[Joe-TX]

How do you guys think it would sound through my 5153 EVH 4x12 cab?
Or a Marshall cab loaded with V30's?

 

[JerEvil]

How do you guys think it would sound through my 5153 EVH 4x12 cab?
Or a Marshall cab loaded with V30's?

I think it'd be killer personally.

 

[moltisanti]

i have the Competition which is the Quickrod without the clean channel and i use it for exactly what you have mentioned, the EQ is a little unusual but when you get used to it and dial it in for your cab it sounds epic. i'm running a Matamp 2x12 with g12M Creambacks

 

[sandman]

Yep. Quickrod will do what you want. I'm running Quickrod B+ into stock EVH 2x12.

 

[bbaug14]

Yep. Quickrod will do what you want. I'm running Quickrod B+ into stock EVH 2x12.

Do you find the B+ makes that much of an impact? I was looking at buying used and you can not have this option added after the fact as its a custom transformer that is not a drop-in replacement.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

I Just wanted to know what the consensus was. Thanks.

I wouldn't make a purchase based on a forum consensus, imo. You could get an overwhelming consensus and still not like the amp when you plug in and play, happened to me a few times.

Having said that I think the Quickrod would technically work for what you describe with it's feature set. Regardless of the gain level/gear mode the tone is Splawn I would definitely not consider it a Marshall clone the mids are different, compared to the Fargen you mentioned which seems more slanted in that direction again just imo.

The clean is actually a very good utility clean channel, I actually found the cleans on the Splawn's I used to own quite useable (both were 4 preamp tube models btw).

 

[Joe-TX]

Yep. Quickrod will do what you want. I'm running Quickrod B+ into stock EVH 2x12.

Do you find the B+ makes that much of an impact? I was looking at buying used and you can not have this option added after the fact as its a custom transformer that is not a drop-in replacement.

My exact next question. If anyone can answer this it would awesome.

 

[Dimebag11]

I'm a huge fan of the QR! It really likes G12T-75 watters.

 

[JerEvil]

I Just wanted to know what the consensus was. Thanks.

I wouldn't make a purchase based on a forum consensus, imo. You could get an overwhelming consensus and still not like the amp when you plug in and play, happened to me a few times.

Having said that I think the Quickrod would technically work for what you describe with it's feature set. Regardless of the gain level/gear mode the tone is Splawn I would definitely not consider it a Marshall clone the mids are different, compared to the Fargen you mentioned which seems more slanted in that direction again just imo.

The clean is actually a very good utility clean channel, I actually found the cleans on the Splawn's I used to own quite useable (both were 4 preamp tube models btw).

This is a good point. I think my Splawn sounds more like what Marshall's are supposed to sound like to me, if that makes sense. I thnk my Quick Rod nails the types of tones you want so with that said, it has the Marshall vibe. My QR is also reminiscent of my VHT Deliverance in terms of the tight mid range attack. The amp is super versatile and goes from "mild to Wylde" easily.

I actually keep the gain full bore on my clean channel for a slight OD sound. Stays nice and clean on a neck pick up as long as I don't dig in too hard. Switch to the bridge and put some muscle to the picking and it's great for Black Crowes/ACDC type tones.

 

[sandman]

Yep. Quickrod will do what you want. I'm running Quickrod B+ into stock EVH 2x12.

Do you find the B+ makes that much of an impact? I was looking at buying used and you can not have this option added after the fact as its a custom transformer that is not a drop-in replacement.

I've never played a standard Quickrod so I can't answer your question. Sorry.

 

[bbaug14]

I Just wanted to know what the consensus was. Thanks.

I wouldn't make a purchase based on a forum consensus, imo. You could get an overwhelming consensus and still not like the amp when you plug in and play, happened to me a few times.

Having said that I think the Quickrod would technically work for what you describe with it's feature set. Regardless of the gain level/gear mode the tone is Splawn I would definitely not consider it a Marshall clone the mids are different, compared to the Fargen you mentioned which seems more slanted in that direction again just imo.

The clean is actually a very good utility clean channel, I actually found the cleans on the Splawn's I used to own quite useable (both were 4 preamp tube models btw).

This is definitely a fear of mine, but I have no way of trying one first hand, so I'm kind of stuck. Like you said, on paper, it fits the bill. The Fargen sounds fantastic in the Fargen demos, but at the end of the day it's a single channel amp and I need at least two. The Quickrod has three and a solo boost. It's perfect for gigging if it'll get those classic Marshall tones or thereabouts.

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

I've had numerous Splawns and there are much better amps for those sounds IMO. Just my opinion.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

This is definitely a fear of mine, but I have no way of trying one first hand, so I'm kind of stuck. Like you said, on paper, it fits the bill. The Fargen sounds fantastic in the Fargen demos, but at the end of the day it's a single channel amp and I need at least two. The Quickrod has three and a solo boost. It's perfect for gigging if it'll get those classic Marshall tones or thereabouts.

I understand completely, I've bought "blind" many times myself in the past and still do on occasion.

It's the only way to try many of the non-mainstream amps talked about on forums quite often.

Looking for a consensus has little value though, just imo.

At the end of the day there is still some risk but you can reduce it. Reading opinions and listening to clips is a start but can be very misleading and easy to have a different result when you actually plug in.

Buy carefully with the assumption you may flip it, and the price differential (if at all) is the "rent" to try the amp out to see if it's for you.

Also if you buy used consider if the amp's tone or features have changed since the build date of the used amp. With Splawn's there are certain year markers where new features were introduced and the tone changed.

Good luck.