Try to describe the differences: Brown eye, CCV and Splawn

[peterc52]

I am maybe looking for a higher gain Marshall sound than a stock 2204/2203, so of course these comes to mind, but can someone try to describe the differences?

 

[thiswaythatway]

CCV has the most preamp gain by a fair margin. Splawn to me sound like Splawns, how should we say this.......cutting mids. Slightly drier tone compared to the other 2. Brown Eye to me sounded more like stock Marshall with some more gain added.

 

[jski59]

I had a splawn and currently have a Marsha...I would say the splawn was overall more aggressive and way stiffer than the Friedman (although the Marsha can get pretty aggressive with the sat switch/HBE etc).
The Marsha is it for me...it's got this chewy, stringy feel that I love.

I've never played a Cameron, but the clips sound great...although I thought a lot of the modded Marshall clips had lost the Marshall vibe.

 

[BMoore77]

Get a Splawn ...save 2k

 

[garey77]

The Splawn will not make you happy if you liked the Cameron... You'd be better off with possibly a bogner ecstasy or maybe if funds are an issue, an Uberschall... maybe a Peavey 5150 or 6505 I had a Nitro for about a year and a half, it had a fantastic clean tone and the gain side got brown as hell if you worked it right (for me this worked with a volume pedal in the loop), but the gain side was like... 80% there. My Ecstasy head red channel killed my Nitro lead channel (ultimately), but the Splawn actually had a better sounding clean channel. Give and take, I guess.

 

[Tone Monster]

I owned a splawn. It sounded good but I sold it. Now I have a CCV. It's much meaner, nastier, and gainier (if desired). The CCV is over the top.

 

[JakeAC5253]

Pretty much the Brown Eye/Hairy Brown Eye are closer to the stock sound with more gain and texture, but the CCV and XTC are differently voiced (XTC because it's comparable to the amps mentioned and I can't comment on any Splawn, haven't played any). The XTC is like a fatter looser Marshall, with a bit more gain, but still very organic as far as modded Marshalls go. The CCV is just balls to the wall tone if you can find a good one. Playing a cranked CCV into a Greenback cabinet is definitely an experience... and I'm glad I got the chance to

 

[steve_k]

Dan described it right. These are 3 totally different amps. Friedman's BE/HBE is pure modded Marshall all the way with more balls. If you are looking to retain Marshall tone, but more and better, then Friedman is your choice. I never could warm up to a Splawn. Nothing bad to say about them, they just don't get there, as compared to the others. However, you can pick them up for cheaper. There are plenty new CCV clips, so have a listen and you will see it departs from the traditional Marshall tone with more modern grunt and growl.

 

[oldmanmetal]

I am maybe looking for a higher gain Marshall sound than a stock 2204/2203, so of course these comes to mind, but can someone try to describe the differences?

Anal, Frozen Pizza, and Jesus.....

 

[BMoore77]

Well said !! LOL

 

[steve_k]

I am maybe looking for a higher gain Marshall sound than a stock 2204/2203, so of course these comes to mind, but can someone try to describe the differences?

Anal, Frozen Pizza, and Jesus.....

 

[aftec]

Don't rule out the SLO.
It's like the difference between Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Southern Comfort. They do the same trick the end of the day, but with different flavors.

 

[supersonic]

Here's my take. The Splawn sounds dry and tight like a good AC/DC rythmn track. The Friedman is a hot rodded plexi tone, very VH, but will get heavier. The CCV sound a lot more modern and metal than the other two. Depends on what flavour you're after.

 

[peterc52]

Right now I'm gassing so much after the CCV!!!

 

[AndyK]

I have heard a '79 JMP 2203 boosted with a Tube Screamer sound very close to the CCV. Saves a TON of money that way too! See the thread below!

 

[BMoore77]

Hey Tonemonster, your clip of the CCV playing the Mercyful Fate stuff was kiler. But for me, that price tag is just too much. The Splawn is probably the best bang for the buck. I played mine through a friend's vintage modern cab and got some great 80s tone happening. I will say that the Splawn is very particular when it comes to speaker combinations. I dont understand the AC/DC comparison with this amp because it gets WAY more gain than that. But, the Splawn is more unforgiving than most amps in that it will not mask sloppy playing. I have played through a friend's Cameron modded Marshall, Dave Bray Marshall, Bogner xtc, Cornford and I have to say that the Splawn was the best for me..But again, great Fate clip. Highly underrated band. Give us some more clips.