Post by jscarp on Aug 9, 2006 0:15:57 GMT -5
Hey friends of tone! August 8, 2006
The new, revised Pro Mod has arrived! Scott just shipped me my 3rd version of his Pro Mod (8/8/06). This one has the added 4th preamp tube for the newly designed clean channel. The new clean channel now has both a dedicated pre-gain and master level. Likewise, the drive channel still has its own pre and master level. NO more shared pre-gain level. Don't get me wrong, I like the second version of my Pro Mod, but this one is SO MUCH IMPROVED! The new clean channel has hints of blackface twin (without the high-end harshness), some of the blackface deluxe but with bigger tone - maybe moving into the fullness of an AC-30 without the breakup. Mine just arrived today at 5PM E.S.T. so I have not had enough time to play all of my guitars, nor use any effects. So far, one of my McCarty's, a couple of Les Paul Stds., and a G&L A.S.A.T. Z-3 have sounded incredible!!!!! Sounds are huge! The clean bass control as well as treble control are very responsive, and provide a nice gutsy tone, with clearly-defined chordal vocings. I've run through a variety of clean and drive settings: jazz standards to balls-out classic rock: STP (Plush, Vaseline, Meatplow, etc..), old school Steely Dan (Don't Take Me Alive, Green Earrings, Kid Charlemagne) classy Dan (Peg, AJA, Black Cow), Zepp (Dyer..., Dancing Days, Communication BD, etc.., Van Halen 1 through Fair Warning, King's X!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The new Pro Mod handles them all! (Transistor fans go elsewhere, please. Eventually, you'll learn).
I ordered mine with JJ power tubes. Some differences noted between this new one and the last Pro Mod: New version seems to have less low end (only tested through my Bogner 4x12 w/ (2) Celestion G12H's and (2) V30's in an X pattern). New version has better responsiveness to guitar volume attenuation (even when using Les Pauls - burstbuckers, 490s/498s) - extremely helpful for dynamics for those of us who care about texture and tone!!!! [note: I still love my original Pro-Mod - w/ Mercury Magnetics transformers and Sovtek KT-88 power tubes, as well as my second Pro-Mod version with the updated Heyboer transformers/Sovtek KT-88's).
More to follow when I have time to test out the loop for time-based effects, as well as various overdrives ( Tim, OCD, Zendrive, Fulldrive, Keeley mods, etc.....), and additional guitars and cabs.
The new amp clean channel gives up the middle eq control in order to fit in the pre-gain control. Scott has the mids preset at 12 o'clock - doesn't seem to hurt. The clean channel stays very clean, even with the pre-gain dimed. SRV fans may not be as happy: no Bassman/Dual Showman tweed tones from what I've messed with. The clean stays clean! I've bought and tried a bunch of amps trying to arrive at one that will do both clean, as well the perfect overdrive. These include the Suhr Custom Audio Amp OD-100 SH model, Bogner Shiva (EL-34's), Mesa Mark IV, Mark III, (garbage JCM2000 DSL - 2 of them (: ha - live and learn - but still better than Mesa!!!), Bogner Ecstasy Classic, Engl Powerball, even the nasty Line6 Vetta II garbage, etc....... Nothing compares to my Pro-Mods - except for my friend's (Todd Stricklin) Quick Rod.
Cosmetically, the new amp face plate extends the entire width. I ordered mine in black tolex, with the JCM800-looking black mesh facing, along with the gold metal face plate. The Splawn logo is nicely set off by the white cord trim. Thank you, Scott, for another killer amp! May God continue to bless you, your family and business!
As usual, Scott's amp sounds the best when played at moderate levels - using quality cabs & cables (George L's, Evidence, and/or Pete Cornish). Once again, Scott comes through with a solid quality built and MONSTROUS SOUNDING AMP!!!!
Jim Carpenter, Versailles, KY
The new, revised Pro Mod has arrived! Scott just shipped me my 3rd version of his Pro Mod (8/8/06). This one has the added 4th preamp tube for the newly designed clean channel. The new clean channel now has both a dedicated pre-gain and master level. Likewise, the drive channel still has its own pre and master level. NO more shared pre-gain level. Don't get me wrong, I like the second version of my Pro Mod, but this one is SO MUCH IMPROVED! The new clean channel has hints of blackface twin (without the high-end harshness), some of the blackface deluxe but with bigger tone - maybe moving into the fullness of an AC-30 without the breakup. Mine just arrived today at 5PM E.S.T. so I have not had enough time to play all of my guitars, nor use any effects. So far, one of my McCarty's, a couple of Les Paul Stds., and a G&L A.S.A.T. Z-3 have sounded incredible!!!!! Sounds are huge! The clean bass control as well as treble control are very responsive, and provide a nice gutsy tone, with clearly-defined chordal vocings. I've run through a variety of clean and drive settings: jazz standards to balls-out classic rock: STP (Plush, Vaseline, Meatplow, etc..), old school Steely Dan (Don't Take Me Alive, Green Earrings, Kid Charlemagne) classy Dan (Peg, AJA, Black Cow), Zepp (Dyer..., Dancing Days, Communication BD, etc.., Van Halen 1 through Fair Warning, King's X!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The new Pro Mod handles them all! (Transistor fans go elsewhere, please. Eventually, you'll learn).
I ordered mine with JJ power tubes. Some differences noted between this new one and the last Pro Mod: New version seems to have less low end (only tested through my Bogner 4x12 w/ (2) Celestion G12H's and (2) V30's in an X pattern). New version has better responsiveness to guitar volume attenuation (even when using Les Pauls - burstbuckers, 490s/498s) - extremely helpful for dynamics for those of us who care about texture and tone!!!! [note: I still love my original Pro-Mod - w/ Mercury Magnetics transformers and Sovtek KT-88 power tubes, as well as my second Pro-Mod version with the updated Heyboer transformers/Sovtek KT-88's).
More to follow when I have time to test out the loop for time-based effects, as well as various overdrives ( Tim, OCD, Zendrive, Fulldrive, Keeley mods, etc.....), and additional guitars and cabs.
The new amp clean channel gives up the middle eq control in order to fit in the pre-gain control. Scott has the mids preset at 12 o'clock - doesn't seem to hurt. The clean channel stays very clean, even with the pre-gain dimed. SRV fans may not be as happy: no Bassman/Dual Showman tweed tones from what I've messed with. The clean stays clean! I've bought and tried a bunch of amps trying to arrive at one that will do both clean, as well the perfect overdrive. These include the Suhr Custom Audio Amp OD-100 SH model, Bogner Shiva (EL-34's), Mesa Mark IV, Mark III, (garbage JCM2000 DSL - 2 of them (: ha - live and learn - but still better than Mesa!!!), Bogner Ecstasy Classic, Engl Powerball, even the nasty Line6 Vetta II garbage, etc....... Nothing compares to my Pro-Mods - except for my friend's (Todd Stricklin) Quick Rod.
Cosmetically, the new amp face plate extends the entire width. I ordered mine in black tolex, with the JCM800-looking black mesh facing, along with the gold metal face plate. The Splawn logo is nicely set off by the white cord trim. Thank you, Scott, for another killer amp! May God continue to bless you, your family and business!
As usual, Scott's amp sounds the best when played at moderate levels - using quality cabs & cables (George L's, Evidence, and/or Pete Cornish). Once again, Scott comes through with a solid quality built and MONSTROUS SOUNDING AMP!!!!
Jim Carpenter, Versailles, KY
Absolutely no thin sound, period! 
