Tell Me About the Latest Splawn Quickrods...

[Junk Yard Dog]

...I'm all over the shop for something to replace my EVH5153, which I enjoy, but want something new.

I talked to Scott Splawn and they recommended the Quickrod B+ for what I do, which is mainly covers of rock/hard rock/early thrash and some metal. I play gigs few times a month, don't use many effects, need a solo boost, and need to rock the Marshall vibe, PLUS some occasional Alice in Chains and Tool.

I never use a clean channel, so I'm also looking at the Pro Stock, with or without the Drop B+.

Cheers!

 

[Gadzz]

I had a 2010 Quick Rod and currently play a 2012 Street Rod both are great! You won't find better customer service on the planet!! The product quality is world class!! I am also curious on the drop b option for a future head like you I will go single channel as I'm never on the clean and if I need it the Street Rod is plenty good enough for me!!

 

[billm408]

Can't tell you anything about the B+ version (it's my understanding that it's a plate voltage drop), but I own an '05 and '12 QR and both are great. I play the same stuff you do- hard rock/classic metal covers. FWIW, the '05 is my #1. The newer versions have a few features and options that the older ones don't, but my '12 is slightly darker with a touch more saturation & sag. Not in a bad way, but my preference is a tighter, punchier sound. Especially for old school stuff. Either way, you can't go wrong with a Splawn.

 

[JerEvil]

Well do to my own mishap, mine is a 2013 B+ and it fucking slays! I have owned many good amps - Mesa, Marshall, VHT and even after the honeymoon, the Quick Rod is still bad ass enough to have me totally disinterested in looking at anything else.

I also play covers in the same vein as you.

 

[splawner]

They rip

 

[Erock]

They are killer man. I've regretted trading my 06 QR for years. It had the gears, but the old clean channel so only 3 pre tubes. I traded it for an 07 that had the first updated clean. It was a cool amp, definitely a better clean, but lacked some of the aggression my old one had on the lead channel. I couldnt believe my luck when a guy wanted my older one for a brand new one, but hindsight is 20/20. Tried a couple more, and just figured that old one was special. I recently got my hands on a new 2013 with the b+ option, after talking to scott, and its a wicked amp IMO. Reminds me a lot more of the old one I had, but better. Gear 3 has always been my favorite on the QR, as I like a lot of gain. Gear one was always a bit too tame for me. I think gear one is my favorite on the new one. It seems to have a bit more lowend, and is definitely more aggressive across all the gears. I'm liking the b+ option too, not sure its that big a difference actually after talking to people, but it does have just a little "give" to the feel. Not loose, but just feels a bit easier to play. Really diggin it, its a keeper for me.

 

[stompboxfreak72]

I had a 2012 Qr B+ which I sold. I also have the 5150 III 100 watt and 50 watt heads. The feel of these amps is polar opposite. The 5153 is super saturated and has loads of gain and you dont have to fight it or boost it to play leads. The QR is a dry amp and articulate as it can be. You cannot hide sloppy playing with a QR. In a mix a Splawn will eat a 5153. Actually...a Splawn dominates every mix. The amps just flat out have BALLS. Just be aware that the feel is nothing like the 5153.

I had a 2009 QR that I did not gel with. The B+ has more useable volume and gain and was a huge improvement to my ears over the 2009 I owned. In the end I discovered that I prefer the Nitro voicing so I flipped the QR just to try something different as I have a 2012 Nitro also. Even though the QR ultimately is not the amp for me I will say that I cannot recommend it enough if you like Marshall tones and a drier feel. I have bought 4 Splawns direct from Scott and he is currently building me Splawn guitar which should arrive in the next few weeks. He is a fantastic builder to work with and the quality of his amps is unreal at the price point.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

This is all great info, guys! I really appreciate it.

I'm torn between the following:
-Quickrod
-Quickrod Drop B+
-Pro Stock
-Pro Stock Drop B+

If the new QR's are a bit less middy, but with more saturation, maybe I won't need the Drop B+. But remember, I'm used to a 5153. Also, if it cleans up well, I may not need the clean as I always use my guitar volume for clean (I hardly ever use clean channels) and I hear the Pro Stocks are a bit more harsh or aggressive, so maybe that's the go.

Can't decide!

 

[Lord Toneking]

My main amp since '05 has been my old 3 pre QR. I did pick up a B+ model for my buddy and got play on it for a couple weeks. In the end I found it wasn't as tight, aggressive and punchy as my older '05 model. Still a great sounding amp but I just liked the drier more focused attack of mine

It definitely was better at lower volumes tho

 

[sandman]

I had a 2012 Qr B+ which I sold. I also have the 5150 III 100 watt and 50 watt heads. The feel of these amps is polar opposite. The 5153 is super saturated and has loads of gain and you dont have to fight it or boost it to play leads. The QR is a dry amp and articulate as it can be. You cannot hide sloppy playing with a QR. In a mix a Splawn will eat a 5153. Actually...a Splawn dominates every mix. The amps just flat out have BALLS. Just be aware that the feel is nothing like the 5153.

I had a 2009 QR that I did not gel with. The B+ has more useable volume and gain and was a huge improvement to my ears over the 2009 I owned. In the end I discovered that I prefer the Nitro voicing so I flipped the QR just to try something different as I have a 2012 Nitro also. Even though the QR ultimately is not the amp for me I will say that I cannot recommend it enough if you like Marshall tones and a drier feel. I have bought 4 Splawns direct from Scott and he is currently building me Splawn guitar which should arrive in the next few weeks. He is a fantastic builder to work with and the quality of his amps is unreal at the price point.

Yep, what stompboxfreak72 said. I bought his QR B+. His description is spot on. I had a 5153 50 watt once. I much prefer the feel and tone of QR.

 

[sandman]

My main amp since '05 has been my old 3 pre QR. I did pick up a B+ model for my buddy and got play on it for a couple weeks. In the end I found it wasn't as tight, aggressive and punchy as my older '05 model. Still a great sounding amp but I just liked the drier more focused attack of mine

It definitely was better at lower volumes tho

Your buddy let you play his amp a few weeks? Sounds like an awesome guy. LoL

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

I had a 2012 Qr B+ which I sold. I also have the 5150 III 100 watt and 50 watt heads. The feel of these amps is polar opposite. The 5153 is super saturated and has loads of gain and you dont have to fight it or boost it to play leads. The QR is a dry amp and articulate as it can be. You cannot hide sloppy playing with a QR. In a mix a Splawn will eat a 5153. Actually...a Splawn dominates every mix. The amps just flat out have BALLS. Just be aware that the feel is nothing like the 5153.

I had a 2009 QR that I did not gel with. The B+ has more useable volume and gain and was a huge improvement to my ears over the 2009 I owned. In the end I discovered that I prefer the Nitro voicing so I flipped the QR just to try something different as I have a 2012 Nitro also. Even though the QR ultimately is not the amp for me I will say that I cannot recommend it enough if you like Marshall tones and a drier feel. I have bought 4 Splawns direct from Scott and he is currently building me Splawn guitar which should arrive in the next few weeks. He is a fantastic builder to work with and the quality of his amps is unreal at the price point.

Yep, what stompboxfreak72 said. I bought his QR B+. His description is spot on. I had a 5153 50 watt once. I much prefer the feel and tone of QR.

So since you both have experience with 5153's AND QR's with and without the B+ Option, which do you think makes the most sense for me? I play GNR, Alice in Chains, Tool, Black Crowes, Kravitz, Zepplin, COC, Metallica, etc...

Since the new QR's have more sag and gain (ala the EVH??), would I want the B+ Option? What do you guys think? Cheers!

 

[sandman]

B+

 

[dfrattaroli]

I have a 2009 QR that I love. My "favorite" amp is my Mark IV but I think I actually play the QR more. Mine has the loop volume and sexy Boa tolex. It's the best Marshall I've ever owned.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

B+

Scott also recommended the B+. Said to think of it as more "Early Van Halen". ...Now I need to determine if I need a clean or not.

 

[sandman]

B+

Scott also recommended the B+. Said to think of it as more "Early Van Halen". ...Now I need to determine if I need a clean or not.

First Gear/OD2 with gain at 3 o'clock...good starting point for some evh tones...the clean channel on the qr is nice....not as nice as the evh 50 watt clean in my opinion...but nice

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

B+

Scott also recommended the B+. Said to think of it as more "Early Van Halen". ...Now I need to determine if I need a clean or not.

First Gear/OD2 with gain at 3 o'clock...good starting point for some evh tones...the clean channel on the qr is nice....not as nice as the evh 50 watt clean in my opinion...but nice

Does it clean up well on all three gears using guitar volume? I get the sense the clean channel makes is less "raucous", so I hear the single channels tend to be more "harsh". I just don't want the balls and roar to be compromised with the B+.

Cheers!

 

[sandman]

it cleans up well with rolling guitar volume yes

 

[ElMuchoDingo]

i owned a 08 quickrod, 2 5153 100w and 1 50 watt evh and as they have said, night and day difference. to add my perspective and why i sold the splawn, the splawn on my best playing days was a blast to play, on my worst it sounded aweful, it wasnt the amp it was my technique. you get out of that amp what you put in it. they are really, really, stiff. that being said if you want tight, chunky, super as in hear every string articulate sound its the perfect amp. im actually thinking of picking up another just to have to play on the good days. very loud and eq them by ear, i always ran the treble low

 

[stompboxfreak72]

B+

The B+ is a bit more saturated and is 70-80 watts so it can be pushed a little more. The one thing about Splawn amps is that they are crazy loud. The loop volume helps but also is not good for your tone.

The clean channel is serviceable. You can easily use a volume pedal on a Promod and get away without a clean. But if Scott recommends the B+ I would seriously consider it.