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Post by zavorash on Nov 9, 2005 19:37:19 GMT -5
I've been in the market for a new amp recently and I was fairly sure of my next purchase (a THD Bivalve), but then I was referred to the Quickrod. Upon further investigation, I must admit it looks very tempting.
I play mostly in the lower/mid gain spectrum, a lot of Hendrix and ZZ Top. I also enjoy the occasional high gain lead, so the QR's greater available gain was certainly a plus over the Bivalve.
However, I need an all-purpose amp. That is, I need tonal flexibility and volume flexibility. I expect to be using this for everything from bedroom practice to decent sized gigs. Are there any plans to develop a lower wattage head? (I can always grab an attenuator, but those can be a bit pricy...)
The other amps I've been looking at are the Orange Rockerverb (30 & 50), Rivera Fandango 55, Dr Z Prescription Extra Strength, Koch Multitone, and the aforementioned THD Bivalve. Any comparisons to these amps would be most apreciated.
And basically, I just wanna hear what you guys think about the Quickrod, and if it would be a good fit for moi. Thanks everyone.
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Post by shreder75 on Nov 9, 2005 19:55:30 GMT -5
with second and third gear you should be ok as far as mid gain goes...one of my clips has a bastardized version of 'tush' in it...it's on the soundclips page.. Matt Schiariti....that's my name! heh
anywho, there's a few low gain clips up there other than mine...even some rush =)
as far as needing an attenuator..you really don't need it for the bedroom..does it sound better loud? sure...does it sound sh!tty at bedroom volumes? hell no....
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Post by zavorash on Nov 9, 2005 21:08:48 GMT -5
haha, thanks man. The quick rod is sounding better all the time; I just wish I had some kind of access to them where I live. But if worse comes to worse, I can always buy from ebay and resell if it isn't a great match for me. Though ebay seems to be pretty barren of Splawn products, so I'll have to keep my eyes peeled.
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Post by Dirrty Craig on Nov 9, 2005 22:15:32 GMT -5
Don't forget the half-power switch,, instant 50 watter. I use it for practice, small clubs and large gigs in front of 20,000 people. Its all good at any volume. Just about any scenario you can think of I've done it this year with my Quick Rod and it hasn't let me down night after night. Best piece of gear I've ever owned.
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Post by shreder75 on Nov 10, 2005 6:59:10 GMT -5
haha, thanks man. The quick rod is sounding better all the time; I just wish I had some kind of access to them where I live. But if worse comes to worse, I can always buy from ebay and resell if it isn't a great match for me. Though ebay seems to be pretty barren of Splawn products, so I'll have to keep my eyes peeled. it's a great amp! I bought mine without having played one in person..which usually is a recipe for disaster in my experience..but I lucked out big time....I love the thing! every so often one does crop up on ebay..but they're usually the first or second versions....but they do show up..not as often as engls, vhts, mesas, bogners, etc, etc..which goes to show you that people buy these things and keep em =) and with good reason =D
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Post by shreder75 on Nov 10, 2005 7:00:15 GMT -5
Don't forget the half-power switch,, instant 50 watter. I use it for practice, small clubs and large gigs in front of 20,000 people. Its all good at any volume. Just about any scenario you can think of I've done it this year with my Quick Rod and it hasn't let me down night after night. Best piece of gear I've ever owned. yep, I thought of that last night..I don't use half power much...I think it sounds better at full power, even at lower volumes.. check thsi guy out..'20,000'...I'm lucky to play in front of my own band much less that many people..you bastid...lol
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Post by craggin on Nov 10, 2005 8:25:29 GMT -5
I'm another one who bought a QuickRod without ever playing one...I knew it was the amp for me 20 seconds after I plugged it in. It actually sounds decent at bedroom levels...I'd say it sounds great at bedroom levels but once you turn it up and run some power through it...you'll see why I say lower volumes sound "decent".
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Post by shreder75 on Nov 10, 2005 8:29:09 GMT -5
hahah..yep, what craggin' said
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Post by Dirrty Craig on Nov 10, 2005 10:11:38 GMT -5
I change it up alot, I like the way it sounds both ways. Depending on the room or stage, I'll change it and get the results I'm after.
I only played 5 gigs this year (opening for Nationals), with 15-20,000 or more and the rest were small, medium and large clubs ranging from 10 to 1000 people. Were the biggest w-hores in Florida, we'll play anywhere,, LOL.
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Post by shreder75 on Nov 10, 2005 11:58:12 GMT -5
I change it up alot, I like the way it sounds both ways. Depending on the room or stage, I'll change it and get the results I'm after. I only played 5 gigs this year (opening for Nationals), with 15-20,000 or more and the rest were small, medium and large clubs ranging from 10 to 1000 people. Were the biggest w-hores in Florida, we'll play anywhere,, LOL. nothin' wrong with that dude..I'd be happy to start playin' out regularly ANYWHERE at this point...can't wait till friggin' december....can't come soon enough...it'll be the first in hopefully a long line of splawn beheadings..heheh
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Post by scottdh on Nov 10, 2005 12:34:46 GMT -5
I'll put a 3rd on everything Craig & Shred said. From what you describe, the QR sounds perfect for you and any future needs you will have. I have been amazed at its flexibility - the amp seems to morph itself to what you do stylistically.
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Post by shreder75 on Nov 10, 2005 12:53:36 GMT -5
yep, what scottdh said....
and one other thing...if you don't get it you'll a) be missing out on a great amp and b) we'll all curse you for the rest of your natural life..
some things to consider..lmao
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ag
Newbie
Posts: 15
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Post by ag on Nov 10, 2005 23:14:07 GMT -5
Zavorash - it's a tough call to know if an amp is right for you by listening to the samples and what people have to say. It's also tough to figure out if the amp is going to cut it when auditioning one in a store. If you need to play real clean a lot of the time you should probably look elsewhere. Most people play with the gain turned up quite a bit, but it sounds good with the gain turned down too, very much like the hendrix and zz top you mention when using a strat. I think it sounds great at that and cleans up pretty good with the guitar's volume control. The amp has very good dynamics and clarity through a wide range of gain settings, and you can a ton of tones out of it just messing with the gtr volume and how hard you pick. As for a bedroom amp, I think you need to turn it up a little louder than that to get it to the range where it does it's thing. When I practice I use a pod and headphones and that works fine for practicing. The amp is meant to be (I think anyway), a good sounding cranked marshall that is more controlable and useable with more gain flexibility. On the other end of the spectrum, I can't imagine this amp ever not being loud enough. I play in a loud band and leave it on 50 watts and I am still borderline too loud. One 100 watts it's just a little louder and brighter, but just not needed. Anyway, if someone said I had to play 10 hendrix tunes I would be all smiles with the QR and a strat. Hope that helps a little.
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Post by zavorash on Nov 11, 2005 20:12:51 GMT -5
thanks for the comments, everyone. The QR definitely remains high on my list.
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Post by shreder75 on Nov 12, 2005 9:24:06 GMT -5
by the by, I haven't played through all the amps you've mentioned, but I have played through a THD...now, I don't knwo if I was using it right or if it had the wrong tubes for my style loaded up, but I couldn't get an ounce worth of gain outta that thing...
I've played through alotta amps...5150, mesa boogie triaxis w/ simul class 290 power amp, triple recto, diezel herbert, badcat, genz benz el diable, marshall DSL and TSL, mesa dual recto, tremoverb, stiletto, road king, vht pittbull and I would take the QR over any of these in a heartbeat, no matter what the price range...yes, even over the herbert...the herbert sounded good, but it didn't sound worth the $4400 price tag to me, I don't care how many bells and whistles it had...the QR just sounds better to me..
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