Help in choosing

[rockerjt]

Hey All;

I am kind of tossed up on my new amp, and maybe all of you can help. I loved the Splawn modded JMP Marshall that I used to have, and have been thinking about getting a Quickrod now that I can afford one. I have a chance at a Bogner Ecstasy Half stack in perfect shape for a similar price as the Splawn half stack would cost. The Bogner sounds pretty good, but a bit generic. It is a very flexible amp though, and I can do everything from a great clean sound, to great classic rock, to metal. The problem is, I loved that Splawn marshall and the sound I got out of it. I am hoping some of you here will be able to tell me if you can get a good classic rock sound out of the amp (I play anything from Guns to Aerosmith-old Aerosmith to Thin Lizzy, etc.), in addition to a good clean and good hard rock sound (Ozzy, etc.). Also, how fast are you guys getting these heads (because I am without an amp, and can get the Bogner right away). How reliable are the amps? How are the cabinets? Scott has been really helpful, but I want to hear from the guys that play these things before I pull the trigger one way or another.

Thanks.

JT

[BOZ]

Hi rockerjt,i have never played a Bogner Ecstasy but i have owned many amps in the past,over 20 years worth! I got my Quickrod more than 2 years ago without having played one,being in the UK,so i was taking a chance to say the least. The Quickrod is the best amp i have ever used full stop!i play in a rock covers band and it handles the lot.I can honestly say that my search for that tone! is over also 2+ years and no problems at all! i hope i dont regret saying that! ;D

[motorcop71]

The Quickrod that I have with EL34's to me, is the ideal hard/classic rock amp. If you want an amp that sounds like what a Marshall SHOULD sound like, this is a great amp. With the three gears and two chanels, I find it to be pretty versatile as well. If you are into VH, Ratt, Dokken, Dio, Ozzy, ETC. this amp kills. The new clean channel is really good and if you listen to some of the latest sound clips, some of the guys do a nice job of showing off the wide range of tones available. I don't have any personal experience with the Bogner head, but I hear they are nice too.

As far as ordering time, the key is to go through a dealer that already has build dates reserved for them. I went through www.rebelamps.com and I couldn't be happier. Josh Sage is a great guy to do business with and if the timing is right, sometimes you can get an amp designed with YOUR choice of cosmetics within a couple of weeks. There are several reputable dealers on this forum so I would check them out to see who might have a date that fits your needs.

I also purchased a matching Oversized 2x12 cab and couldn't be happier with it. The quality and construction is second to none. I have had Boogie, Marshall, VHT , Bogner, 5150, Soldano, and Diezel cabs, and the Splawn cab is at least as good as the best, but better than most.

I know it's a scary proposition to buy something without having played/heard it in person. Of course everybody's idea of a great amp is different, but for me, I am glad I made this choice. Splawn is also a great company to do business with and they really stand behind their products. Good luck with whatever you decide. ;D

[shreder75]

I've played a bogner XTC classic....I still own my quick rod =)

[shinysurface]

rockerjt said:

Hey All;

I am kind of tossed up on my new amp, and maybe all of you can help. I loved the Splawn modded JMP Marshall that I used to have, and have been thinking about getting a Quickrod now that I can afford one. I have a chance at a Bogner Ecstasy Half stack in perfect shape for a similar price as the Splawn half stack would cost. The Bogner sounds pretty good, but a bit generic. It is a very flexible amp though, and I can do everything from a great clean sound, to great classic rock, to metal. The problem is, I loved that Splawn marshall and the sound I got out of it. I am hoping some of you here will be able to tell me if you can get a good classic rock sound out of the amp (I play anything from Guns to Aerosmith-old Aerosmith to Thin Lizzy, etc.), in addition to a good clean and good hard rock sound (Ozzy, etc.). Also, how fast are you guys getting these heads (because I am without an amp, and can get the Bogner right away). How reliable are the amps? How are the cabinets? Scott has been really helpful, but I want to hear from the guys that play these things before I pull the trigger one way or another.

Thanks.

JT

Like what was said above, to get a Quickrod fast you need to buy a used newer model (if you want the updated clean channel) or buy from a dealer that is expecting one soon.

The Bogner also is 3 channels, not 2. So you have more options on the floor. The effects loop is tube buffered and switchable from the footswitch.....it just has more features in general.

Also if you buy a Bogner used, chances are you could break even on selling it if you didn't like it, if you needed an amp right away and couldn't find a Quickrod.....

I enjoy my Quickrod alot, but I have to admit I wouldn't mind having an XTC as well

[shinysurface]

shreder75 said:

I've played a bogner XTC classic....I still own my quick rod =)

You played Vlads, right?

The Classic and 101B are voiced a bit different, not sure which one this guy has a line on......

[TuskerKevin]

My Quickrod is one of the first ones built. I play nearly every weekend with it and it has never let me down. I absolutely LOVE the amp (just ask VomHalen...I never shut up about it!)

Excellent at classic rock, hard rock.....it just kills!

[joshsage]

Dude, get the XTC for the cost(if it is a 101b or classic), i hate saying it... You can make some cheese on that deal, then if it isn't your cup o' tea, sell it pocket some coin and get a splawn. That is my .02
Josh

[rockerjt]

Thanks for the advice guys; I'll let you guys know what I decide to do later in the week.

As far as the amp is concerned, can you guys get good tones (Slash, Whitford, Moore, etc.) out of it with out it being too "metal".

Thanks again.

JT

[Superchiks]

rockerjt, save time & $ and buy the QR. Be a man; do the right thing.

[hollywood]

FREE ADVICE= ;D ON THIS FORUM Buy the Splawn....

[shreder75]

shinysurface said:

shreder75 said:

I've played a bogner XTC classic....I still own my quick rod =)

You played Vlads, right?

The Classic and 101B are voiced a bit different, not sure which one this guy has a line on......

yeppers! I've never been able to get my hands on the 101B

[motrock]

rockerjt said:

Thanks for the advice guys; I'll let you guys know what I decide to do later in the week.

As far as the amp is concerned, can you guys get good tones (Slash, Whitford, Moore, etc.) out of it with out it being too "metal".

Thanks again.

JT

Oh yeah! This amp can get great warm yet hard rocking tone. It can do metal if you want. Most of the newer bands that use the Quick Rod and Pro Mod(Rich Ward - Stuck Mojo, Tony from Godsmack, etc.) are trying to get more of that Vintage Marshall feel. I can do AC/DC, Van Halen, Judas Priest, and old school Metallica with the Quick Rod. The point is, it stays warm yet aggressive. With the 3 gears you have your pick of whatever you want. Lets say you don't like a metal tone for something and you want something like a Plexi - all you have to do is switch to first gear. Thats simple........unless you really want to mess with the EQ. Oh.......and this is the only amp that I have ever played on; next to an older Marshall JCM 800, that sounds fantastic with all knobs turned at noon, including the preamp gain. Other people will vouch for this! It sounds great with everything at noon. I have not moved from that since I got the amp! When I owned my 5150s, Laney GH100L, etc. I was always messing with the EQ. I never thought I would have an amp that sounded perfect right off the bat. As a matter of fact, I didn't have to set the EQ. Scott set everything at noon and I have never had to move.....except for experimenting every once in a while.

[chubtone]

I've owned two different Bogner Ecstasy's. I originally had a 100b (the holy grail of Bogners) and recently I had a 101B. When I became a Splawn dealer I took the first Quick Rod home to test it against the Ecstasy. I'll tell you, that Ecstasy was on ebay the next day. It's been gone for almost 9 months and I haven't missed it for one second.

The HUGE problem I had with both of my Bogners is that it seems like you are always so close to nailing that tone in your head. And you tweak the 38 different knobs and switches endlessly, constantly looking to find that perfect tone. The problem is, after years of turning knobs and flipping switches, I realized that the sound I want to hear is not in that amp. The Splawn lets me plug in and just play and write and record without endless knob tweaking. I love it!

If the Ecstasy was $1199 new and the Quick Rod was the current $1850 I'd still buy the Splawn. And like these guys have said, if you buy from a dealer, you get the amp way faster. I had one in stock that was available but I just sold it two days ago. The next one is due in a couple of weeks. Josh probably has one coming in soon too.

[DonaldDemon]

chubtone said:

The HUGE problem I had with both of my Bogners is that it seems like you are always so close to nailing that tone in your head. And you tweak the 38 different knobs and switches endlessly, constantly looking to find that perfect tone. The problem is, after years of turning knobs and flipping switches, I realized that the sound I want to hear is not in that amp. The Splawn lets me plug in and just play and write and record without endless knob tweaking. I love it!

This is the exact reason I love my Splawn. There are many great amps out there and some have a certain tone exclusive to that amp in there if you spend the time to find. After alway being so close to a great rock sound with my other amps (Mesa, Rivera, Newer Marshalls, Orange, Ampeg, etc) I LOVE the fact that no matter where I set the dials that killer rock tone is right there. Its not some friggin secret of the right room, weather conditions, moon phase, eq, toggle switch configuration, power settings, decibles, whatever. It is right there. Set everything at noon and there you have it, rock perfection. Clear, cutting, articulate and aggressive rock tone. Wnat to tweak it? Adjust bass, treble, presence and gain to taste. Either way you can't make this amp sound bad!