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Post by shreder75 on Nov 19, 2005 15:09:27 GMT -5
I think they did start a post like that a few months back..
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Post by Hacksaw on Nov 19, 2005 17:50:53 GMT -5
Didnt have much activity?
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Post by Dirrty Craig on Nov 19, 2005 22:14:45 GMT -5
Well I'll tell you one thing and Scott and every amp maker should hear this... Everything should be footswitchable , PERIOD. From a live player standpoint theres no walking back to your amp and "switching gears" in the middle of a song. Not going to happen my friend. I agree with you 100%...I mean, I really don't see why you'd 'need' to switch from one gear to another in the middle of a song...but it would still be nice to have the option..for whatever whacky reason any of us would come up with.... Well being in a cover band it would be real practical. I mean I prefer the least amount of gain on my rhythms, think Vh, AC/DC , Dokken sound right, but when I hit a solo I want over the top gain like Gilbert, saturation like Lynch's solos, feedback, sqeals all that,,. Theres one reason right there. Another reason, clean channel. I want my clean to be pretty clean, so like on 1st or 2nd gear and I want to hit 2nd or 3rd on the solo. FOOTSWITCHABLE baby. If this feature were implemented it would be clincher on me getting a new one right now... cause I'm still REAL happy with my non-3rd gear QR now.
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Post by shreder75 on Nov 20, 2005 11:22:26 GMT -5
the solo boost doesn't give ya enough over the top oomph on your leads, craig?
as far as the clean, the mode switch has no effect on that...
if you're happy, then save some cash for another splawn guitar..lmao....
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Post by morecowbell on Nov 20, 2005 13:58:36 GMT -5
I like 2nd gear on my QR, and I don't seen to use as much gain for my rhythm stuff as most of you guys even though I play alot of the same 80's style rock. I just like more "stringyness" in rhythm tone where it sounds like you're hearing alot of the guitar itself and not just preamp tubes, Lynch and all those guys did that great. But I like a little more gain in my lead tone than what OD2 offers, so I still use I dab of Tube Screamer for leads along with the solo boost. Just a touch, like the gain set at about 9:30. No, the QR doesn't need more gain because it's got PLENTY, but the TS does give another option at the touch of a button. Plus, you can tweak the tone if you like as well.
Now if I could get away with playing as loud as I'd prefer, I'd probably not use the TS so much because I'd get a little more saturation out of the power tubes once I hit the solo boost, but those gigs are the exception for me.
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Post by jimbax on Nov 24, 2005 23:58:34 GMT -5
1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear....there just isn't that much difference between 2nd and 3rd gear. When I switch between 2nd and 3rd I can BARELY tell a SLIGHT gain increase SLIGHT....the sound is a little 'bigger' in 3rd gear, 2nd gear will cut a little better, first gear is lower gain but still modded Marshall, slightly 'barky' vibe AC/DC-Zep etc...I knew George Lynch and hung with him in the late 70's early 80's (my Band was 'ArchRival' his was 'AirBorne' and then later 'Xciter' before joining Dokken) we used to go out and get old Marshall 50 watters (73' or earlier ONLY!!!) for about $400 out of the Recycler newspaper (musician's gear rag...) bring em' back to his practice studio in Buena Park CA and crank em, everything on ten! play Judas Priest riffs etc...(George was a HUGE JP fan then) if the amp had no 'sack' we would open it up and George would solder a diode or 2 across the output tubes (clip job someone showed him how to do..) and we would try it again (the early Marshalls had hand wound trannys and each would respond different...) if it rocked we would fight over who gets to keep it...if it BARKED we took the diodes off and re-sold it in the recycler paper. Both George and I play a 'lighter touch' lagato style that requires more tube saturation (we can pick fast but prefer smooth) only difference is George would 'fan' his 3 picking hand fingers out straight as he rested his right hand on the bridge of the guitar, mine are more relaxed in the same position...ALL THIS TO SAY....to each his own gear! it depends soley on YOUR playing style as to whether you would want or NEED 3rd gear (I have it and like having it as an option, though stay mainly in 2nd gear...) I use a Fulltone OCD pedal to get the major saturation I like when I play super fast legato solos...I turn the OCD off when I need a more 'purcussive' feel to the notes.
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Post by VomHalen on Nov 25, 2005 2:32:04 GMT -5
1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear....there just isn't that much difference between 2nd and 3rd gear. When I switch between 2nd and 3rd I can BARELY tell a SLIGHT gain increase SLIGHT....the sound is a little 'bigger' in 3rd gear, 2nd gear will cut a little better, first gear is lower gain but still modded Marshall, slightly 'barky' vibe AC/DC-Zep etc...I knew George Lynch and hung with him in the late 70's early 80's (my Band was 'ArchRival' his was 'AirBorne' and then later 'Xciter' before joining Dokken) we used to go out and get old Marshall 50 watters (73' or earlier ONLY!!!) for about $400 out of the Recycler newspaper (musician's gear rag...) bring em' back to his practice studio in Buena Park CA and crank em, everything on ten! play Judas Priest riffs etc...(George was a HUGE JP fan then) if the amp had no 'sack' we would open it up and George would solder a diode or 2 across the output tubes (clip job someone showed him how to do..) and we would try it again (the early Marshalls had hand wound trannys and each would respond different...) if it rocked we would fight over who gets to keep it...if it BARKED we took the diodes off and re-sold it in the recycler paper. Both George and I play a 'lighter touch' lagato style that requires more tube saturation (we can pick fast but prefer smooth) only difference is George would 'fan' his 3 picking hand fingers out straight as he rested his right hand on the bridge of the guitar, mine are more relaxed in the same position...ALL THIS TO SAY....to each his own gear! it depends soley on YOUR playing style as to whether you would want or NEED 3rd gear (I have it and like having it as an option, though stay mainly in 2nd gear...) I use a Fulltone OCD pedal to get the major saturation I like when I play super fast legato solos...I turn the OCD off when I need a more 'purcussive' feel to the notes. first, great story! second, i remember being a kid (and a HUGE LYNCH fan) and seeing that fan motion for the first time and trying to copy it...i couldn't do it....ha! third, this is what i'm trying to find out about third gear...if the difference between third and second is the same as second and first then there isn't much of a difference (at least to my ears)... fourth, can i start a thread and just have ya tell us stories about you and lynch (...ha!...just kidding...well, not really ;D)
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Post by Hacksaw on Nov 25, 2005 3:19:12 GMT -5
Welcome to the Board Jimbax!
I agree, percussive! the QR responds very well to touch. More so than other amps I have played. sure added a deeper expression for me.
Judas Priest !! Seen them every chance I had over the years..
Jimbax, how many of those marshalls you guys still have? still fight over them ? LOL
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Post by jimbax on Nov 25, 2005 10:19:23 GMT -5
Thanx for the welcome guys! I saw some of the posts and couldn't resist my 2 cents...I grew up in the LA music scene of the late 60s and on...I met George (along with Gene Simmons who was thinking of producing either Xciter or Van Halen (guess who he chose?) and a whole host of other GREATS of that time (including Randy Rhoads whom I shared the stage with a couple of times when he was in Quiet Riot (we were on the same bill as: Arch Rival) I still consider Randy the single most impressive guitar player (including Eddie VH) I ever met...as far as technique, style and just outright COOLNESS!) I was not surprised when Randy got the Ozzy gig. I was actually invited to audition for Ozzy then, I loved Black Sabbath but couldn't get to Burbank (where the auditions were) that afternoon...besides, I knew I was a notch below the capacity of Randy and George though our band had great visability then...I was never a huge JP fan like George though I knew a few tunes, I remember showing up to one of their rehersals (Xciter) and jamming with MicK (drummer) on the JP tune "Exciter'...I taught it to George that night, he was stoked...I got tons o' stories but won't bore on....The QR 3rd gear is not a BIG difference over 2nd, as a matter of fact, Scott describes it as 'same as 2nd but more gain' it's barely audible and though you can 'feel' it it isn't over the top as far as gain is considered. Now, on to 'purcussive' playing....anyone that appreciates EVH and emmulates him will recognize that his style is VERY percussive. You need a 'tight' bottom end to replicate this (that's why Fender and Vox amps won't respond as well because they are what we call 'squishy' you can't stop on a dime with those amps gained out or cheesy preamp distortion) the Marshall circuit when maxed output tubes are saturated you get a fat 'blooming' sound yet can control the purcussive attack of the notes...this is a VERY SUBTLE thing and takes MAJOR dialing in according to your hands and style as to how much saturation you can handle, we have all heard players who's sound doesn't match their 'hands' even though they may have decent chops we recognize something is wrong...so, know your style and limitations, don't under or over-process (saturation/gain) or you will limit your impact as a player. Another factor is where your sound 'fits' into the mix of your band. Make recordings and listen back to them, get feedback from others....I like purcussive playing for rhythm and some solos but kick in the OCD when I go major lagato to give me a little help without mudding up or feeding back. Oh, BTW those old Marshalls are long gone, though I still have a 'rough' mix demo George gave me of the scratch tracks for Dokken's first 'album' Breaking the chains on cassette tape, (Paris is Burning is on there though it was an Xciter song before Dokken..) George also made me a 'Mighty Mite' strat back then, that's long gone too...
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Post by Hacksaw on Nov 26, 2005 2:44:51 GMT -5
Jimbax, Glad to read your two cents, Enjoyed reading the history! you are blessed.. shared a stage with the master, Randy Rhoads, and all the others. I cannot imagine all the things you learned from all the talent you where surrounded by. was it at all overwelming at times?
How is the LA music scene? Also are you working on anything to be released these days? would love to hear your splawn in action. Its very interesting you wrote more about percussive playing. The stopping on a dime really seems amazing with the splawn. it seems to retain tone. how does it compare to the marshalls you used in the past? the splawns feel more dynamic to me. you covered a lot of ground. very cool.. Sonic signatures is something I have been working on for years. blending, yet finding my home in the mix, no matter the content, make it fit. but as you mention, I seem to find myself going overboard with saturation at times. controlled yes, but not needed at the time. I try to stay expressionate with the sonic content, thats when it happens! LOL love diving in, Just gotta remember to breath sometimes. awesome advice Jimbax.
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Post by jimbax on Nov 26, 2005 14:57:46 GMT -5
The experience was and is absolutely HUMBLING...I followed them around like a puppy follows it's master...George Lynch lived and worked close by (Downey, CA) so I was able to hook-up with him.... he and I 'clicked' because we both liked Early Scorps, Michael Schenker (Early Scorps & UFO) and early Judas Priest (when they were more hard rocK instead of commercial metal...) ALL these guys used the same amp we were after (Marshall plexi to 73')...I only met Randy Rhoads once at the Starwood in LA he wasn't playing just hanging...our bands shared the bill a few times because our 'promoter' (Puck Enterprises) was the same and we both drew huge crowds. We actually headlined a show where Quiet Riot actually mopped up (last act around 1 am) HOW EMBARRASING IS THAT!!! (for us that is...) I worshipped the guy (in a 'good' way) he had a stage presence and chops that were light years ahead of anyone at that time...I was VERY sad when he died in 82'... I was invited (informally) to try out for Quiet Riot when Randy left but Carlos from a band called 'Snow' got the gig...they were playing 'kiddie' commercial stuff anyway (not my bag...) until the 'Bang Your Head" album....(that was actually a 'Snow' song titled: "No More Booze" Quiet Riot converted to: "Bang Your Head"....(ARG...)). Any-th-hoo...The QR amp sounds like the hopped up Marshalls of the day (and more importantly: "feels" like them) it has a bit of an exaggerated mid-hump that cuts more than the early Marshalls but I am messing with 'scooping' the mids a bit on the QR and you are there! The QR is ALOT quieter than the roasting Marshalls because you had to run em' wide open to get the goods and this translated to major noise! HHHIIIISSSS....drove sound guys nuts ...I was dragging 2 stacks of 100 watt Marshalls to club gigs in LA..running one stack WIDE OPEN and one as back up AND the sound guy was mic'ing the amp and running it through the house PA which was HUGE ROASTING LOUD!!! I had a monitor but never needed it because stage volumes then were MAJOR LOUD! drummers loved it! our drummer (and most of the day) were going through drum heads like crazy as they POUND the drums trying to keep up with the volume IT WAS FUN!. Had to make sure the Marshall was well outside of the vocal mics...it DEFINITLY added to the excitment and feel of those shows now you go to a show and the sound guy wants you to use a cheesy POD run straight into the board (NO WAY!!!! or put my amp cab back stage and point it away from the stage...arg...) and a bozo the clown moniter mix is all you get on stage it is really hard to get the feelin' when your sound is cheesy....The excitment and the feeling of your amp cranked on stage is what inspires you to play BEYOND!! Rock music has gone backward in this area!!! I've almost come to blows with control freak sound guys....then, even if you win they punk you in the mix! OH FOR THE GOOD OL' DAYS!!! because of the major volume my ears would 'ring' for days afterward! (BTW I had my hearing tested and I am ABOVE average for the old man that I am... ) I sent a coupla clips to Splawn (VERY informal so I don't know if he will post them???)
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Post by jimbax on Nov 26, 2005 15:07:57 GMT -5
Oh, BTW...I feel like an old grandpa sitting in a rocking chair telling stories of the old days....I guess at 45 it's TRUE!
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Post by motrock on Nov 26, 2005 16:28:31 GMT -5
Hey Jim, welcome to the board man. I talked to Terry Kilgore over at the Plexi Palace every once in a while. Did you know him? He said he was good friends with George in the 70s. Also EVH. Your stories are pretty cool. I like hearing about the rock scene when the greats were just bar bands. I have the Exciter album. Very cool to hear that stuff!
You ought to post your clips on here. Looking forward to hearing them!
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Post by Hacksaw on Nov 26, 2005 16:28:52 GMT -5
LOL... Jimbax, its great to hear your history, reminds me of the good days when we didnt care about things, crank it up and make it roar. Living out in the country now,( last 15 years) we have a blast. a dedicated studio/jam area with room for everyone, ( up to 10 so far, with small audiance)) I havent had my splawn for more than a week and I am very impressed with it. AND since I am 43, I also lived the history of past years and greatly miss the fun. we come pretty close on the jam sessions here at the jam house. We where mid central US. tour, thats about as far as we got, Chicago to houston area. but man it was fun, managment was out of Kanas City, sure booked us, Lots of bus time. and very Humbling for me when I stood where WASP's Blackie Lawless was. I remember the first time I was told in a club I could only use one cab on stage. the fight was on. ( in a club for 1500!) I advised them the drummer wouldnt be able to hear hahah.. yea it worked once. I , like you dont like the line6. I tried the POD pro, seemed dead compared to the tubes running. misses dymanics and all the punch. we used a couple of carvin x100b in 81 if I remember the year. ( the avatar pic on the left is from 1982 I think.. Dean Flying V Probably playing some UFO), The power of the amps rippin the stage was a awesome rush. and people just kept getting closer and closer to the stage, they love it as much as we do. I used those until they went up in smoke hehehe.. that was cool too. traded back to the marshalls. the Splawn has a quietness compared to the old days with the roar. that reminds me, those back stage partys, they where something, I keep expecting some kid to show up and call me dad! hahaha,, or like you said... grandpa. I hope scott posts the Clips. I am very interested in hearing what your sounding like these days.. speaking of hearing I havent tested in a few years.. I still hear the tv so I guess I am OK? LOL Any issues with Carple Tunnel? I just went through it. 2 specialists and my drummer at the wheel as the antistethiologist. yes I was happy. hahah.. healing well.. My other two guitarist friends went through the same things as well.. seems we all experiance the right hand having a problem. any one else? I noticed it when i started dropping picks a lot more that usual.
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Post by jimbax on Nov 26, 2005 17:31:00 GMT -5
never knew the Plexi Palace guys...I don't think? I got my gear mostly from Whittier Music and that area...Gtr center didn't exist then...(at least I didn't know about it...)...I play lots of different styles but the QR makes me wanna play more to VH and purcussive chops...I don't have any carple tunnel probs yet maybe it's because I'm left handed overall but play guitar right handed...this gives me unique advantages and disadvantages...my email is: baxterfamily@hotmail.com send me a quick email and I will email you a 2 minute noodle/solo thing I did this morning off the cuff (mp3)..
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