Pro Mod at low volume and PU's

[havoc41]

Looking for feedback (help) from the forum... Have read about Splawn, listened to many clips and am on the verge of pulling the trigger on a Splawn Pro Mod. Trouble is I've never actually heard one in person, and sound clips only say so much. There are so many variables from player to guitar to FX to amp level to cab to mic to recording software to EQ and so on.

Here's the scoop. I'm a hobbyist... intermediate skill level, record and/or jam on the weekend, tried several combos (Dr Z Maz, Bogner Shiva, Mesa Stiletto Ace, and others) none were a complete home run. FX i use are usually modulation or delay, sometimes boost... prefer organic (not super buzzy) amp based distortion. Dig Marshall through the ages... Hendrix, Beck, Gilmour, Page, VH, hair bands, some 80-90s rock and metal... more modern stuff too, things like Porcupine Tree, Injected, Andy Timmons, Joe Bonamassa and so on

I'm leaning toward the Pro Mod because i always crave low end and want to be able to get a modern sound. And though a half stack is overkill for me but i figure what the hell, always wanted a half stack.

Here's the thing, I don't play usually at high volumes, bedroom, small/mid sizes room volume. How does the Pro Mod do at lower (half power) type volumes? Is there still the fantastic dynamics and low end i hear in the clips at lower volumes... Anyone tried putting a power brake between the amp and cab?

Second questions are around PU's, i notice most people use higher output PU's, has anyone run lower(ish) power PU's through a PR or QR? More specially, Duncan EVH 78, Lollar Blackface... anyone running a PRS HFS or #9 PU through a PR?

Thanks for reading.

[DonaldDemon]

havoc41,

based on the desription of the tone you are describing I think the Splawn fits perfectly. Non-buzzy/muddy Marshall style gain is exactly what the Splawn does best. The Pro Mod does have more low end as you said. I know its hard to buy based on clips but I took the same chance and was completely happy. Most of the clips on Scott's site capture almost exactly how you will hear the amp. However, and this is just MY opinion, if I were a bedroom player I would not buy a 120 watt head to play. These amps actually do sound really good at lower volumes but they sound GREAT at higher volumes. I would be frustrated if I had to play this amp not to its full potenial. Some get around this by putting a volume pedal in the loop or using a rack processor to control volume and it seems to work well. I have never tried it because I don't play the amp at home. Some use a power brake and some like it, some don't. Do a search on here and you will find good suggestions and clips for playing low volumes.

[havoc41]

Thanks for this Don... I've been listening to all sort of sound clips, (as you suggested) i have done some additional looking at lower volume type conversations and i figured I'd call Splawn and run my questions my them. It's all good.... and Splwan suggested something i had not though of, a QR with JJ KT77's

Bottom line, I really don't think i can go terribly wrong, and reading between the lines, i think your right, be a shame not to find a way to crank it...

Rich

[DonaldDemon]

havoc41 said:

Thanks for this Don... I've been listening to all sort of sound clips, (as you suggested) i have done some additional looking at lower volume type conversations and i figured I'd call Splawn and run my questions my them. It's all good.... and Splwan suggested something i had not though of, a QR with JJ KT77's

Bottom line, I really don't think i can go terribly wrong, and reading between the lines, i think your right, be a shame not to find a way to crank it...

Rich

No problem sir. It's all subjective I guess. I like to be able to get some power tube saturation. I use a similar trick with my Rivera combo using the effects loop and the send/return level knobs and that works great. I would guess a line level volume control would do the same for a Splawn. The way I see it is it can't hurt more than a few hundered bucks of resale to at least try one of the best Marshalls out there.