Post by windsen on Oct 19, 2008 12:35:07 GMT -5
splawn con 2008 was held this weekend at the splawn shop in dallas, nc. scott and crew were gracious enough to open up the shop on the weekend, let us demo anything in the shop, show us around, talk shop, tech, gear, etc...they also grilled hotdogs and burgers for us. i had a great time and was well worth the trip up (despite having so much difficulty actually getting to NC).
so the new amp debuted at the event is the "SUPER COMP". it's basically a single channel nitro or like a beefed up competition, with some cool new features. it's available in a 100 watt version (w/ the 50/100 watt mode switch) or a 50 watt version (w/ the triode/pentode switch). there was only the 100 watt version there. it's got the same gain structure and resonance knob as the nitro, just with no clean channel. the cool new features are apparent on the footswitch. in place of the clean/dirty button, there is now the "mode" switch. this is essentially like the OD1/OD2 function on the nitro, which is a bit different than the OD1/OD2 on the quickrods. for the nitro/supercomp, this function boosts the lows and low mids and thickens up the sound. the footswitch also has an "OD1/OD2" switch, which is like the OD1/OD2 swtich on the QR, which kind of adds a bit of gain and acts like a slight mid boost. this was VERY cool, and is great for giving the nitro a bit more bite and upper mid boost. the last button is the same solo function as all the other splawns that gives you a separate volume boost.
so in summary the super comp is a single channel nitro tone machine avaible in a 100(down to 50) watt version or a 50 (down to 25) watt version, each w/ 1.) MODE function (low/low mid boost), 2.)OD1/OD2 function (upper mid boost) 3.) solo volume boost.
other cool new features to splawn products in general: there's an option to get footswitches made with a disconnecting cable via five-pin connector on the pedal. very cool. not sure if there is an upcharge for this feature. the footswitches also have a new housing that is slightly different. they are even sturdier and look great. also, all the cabs handles mounting are truly recessed now. the handles themselves have always been recessed but now the actual cutout for the handle housing is recessed into the wood. so now even the screws heads that hold the plate housing in place are flush with the side of the cab. it's a minor change but is really cool, imo. also, splawn is no longer using jj preamp tubes. they have switched entirely to tung-sol pre's, which sound great. the tung-sol el34b's are also a big hit and seem to be what most amps are shipping with now.
no 3 channel eliminator just yet, but they are still talking about it. there is also still talk of midi-switching, but again, not yet. so just be patient for those who have been asking. scott and crew and working as hard as they can just to fill orders for their current amps.
on to the pics:
The supercomp. I love the bolt look on the cutout. Scott said they'll offer the bolts for any cut-out:
super-comp on a white cabe
AWESOME wet/dry rig scott had setup. tone-tastic.
the man playing through the rig
i meant to get more shots of this shelf. there were a lot of really cool headshell designs that you can't see in this pic.
compeition. i REALLY liked this amp. it was my first time playing a competition and seriously dug the crap out of this thing. it rolled off great for cleans but when ran open, had some serious bite and girth. the 212 it was running through sounded GREAT. if i were to get another splawn, it would be without a doubt a 50 watt splawn (either a comp or a super comp).
a quickrod being re-tubed with 6550s. this one is going to be used on the next COLD album
brian working up a plexi front panel
Again, I had a great time. It was really nice putting a face to everyone and finally getting to meet Scott and Josh from the shop. These guys are awesome people. The shop is tiny but EVERYTHING about these amps is made within a 10min radius of that tiny shop. It's really amazing to see how much honest work and love is put into each product coming out of that place. Everything there were monster players. I think I spent more time just hanging out with people talking about gear than actually playing. I had a blast.
sorry i couldn't make it out to chrismac. i was really out of it all day due to my travel mishaps and collapsed as soon as i got back to the hotel and slept for like 12 hours. chrismac, thakns for hosting the party, wish i could've made it and got to meet you.
special shoutouts: first and foremost, thank you scott were letting us have this event and welcoming us into the shop and letting and hang out and play the gear. thanks vom, dave and kevin for shuttling me around. you guys rock and were a pleasure to meet. josh sage...GREAT seeing you again. i enjoyed to talking gear and hanging out over the weekend. shredder and TJ, you guys are SICK players and great guys to boot. matt and jeremy, you dudes can tear that sh*t up. great meeting you guys and keep on rockin. donald, i enjoyed meeting you. you're a super cool dude i really dig your playing. sorry to hear about your wrist, but you still rocked it. josh mauldin , it was really, really awesome finally getting to meet you. thanks for answering so many of my questions and just being a great guy. i enjoyed talking gear and just hanging out. tree, you're the man. great meeting you. keep up the great work. to everyone else, nice meeting you as well and i had a great time. hope to see you next year.
so the new amp debuted at the event is the "SUPER COMP". it's basically a single channel nitro or like a beefed up competition, with some cool new features. it's available in a 100 watt version (w/ the 50/100 watt mode switch) or a 50 watt version (w/ the triode/pentode switch). there was only the 100 watt version there. it's got the same gain structure and resonance knob as the nitro, just with no clean channel. the cool new features are apparent on the footswitch. in place of the clean/dirty button, there is now the "mode" switch. this is essentially like the OD1/OD2 function on the nitro, which is a bit different than the OD1/OD2 on the quickrods. for the nitro/supercomp, this function boosts the lows and low mids and thickens up the sound. the footswitch also has an "OD1/OD2" switch, which is like the OD1/OD2 swtich on the QR, which kind of adds a bit of gain and acts like a slight mid boost. this was VERY cool, and is great for giving the nitro a bit more bite and upper mid boost. the last button is the same solo function as all the other splawns that gives you a separate volume boost.
so in summary the super comp is a single channel nitro tone machine avaible in a 100(down to 50) watt version or a 50 (down to 25) watt version, each w/ 1.) MODE function (low/low mid boost), 2.)OD1/OD2 function (upper mid boost) 3.) solo volume boost.
other cool new features to splawn products in general: there's an option to get footswitches made with a disconnecting cable via five-pin connector on the pedal. very cool. not sure if there is an upcharge for this feature. the footswitches also have a new housing that is slightly different. they are even sturdier and look great. also, all the cabs handles mounting are truly recessed now. the handles themselves have always been recessed but now the actual cutout for the handle housing is recessed into the wood. so now even the screws heads that hold the plate housing in place are flush with the side of the cab. it's a minor change but is really cool, imo. also, splawn is no longer using jj preamp tubes. they have switched entirely to tung-sol pre's, which sound great. the tung-sol el34b's are also a big hit and seem to be what most amps are shipping with now.
no 3 channel eliminator just yet, but they are still talking about it. there is also still talk of midi-switching, but again, not yet. so just be patient for those who have been asking. scott and crew and working as hard as they can just to fill orders for their current amps.
on to the pics:
The supercomp. I love the bolt look on the cutout. Scott said they'll offer the bolts for any cut-out:
super-comp on a white cabe
AWESOME wet/dry rig scott had setup. tone-tastic.
the man playing through the rig
i meant to get more shots of this shelf. there were a lot of really cool headshell designs that you can't see in this pic.
compeition. i REALLY liked this amp. it was my first time playing a competition and seriously dug the crap out of this thing. it rolled off great for cleans but when ran open, had some serious bite and girth. the 212 it was running through sounded GREAT. if i were to get another splawn, it would be without a doubt a 50 watt splawn (either a comp or a super comp).
a quickrod being re-tubed with 6550s. this one is going to be used on the next COLD album
brian working up a plexi front panel
Again, I had a great time. It was really nice putting a face to everyone and finally getting to meet Scott and Josh from the shop. These guys are awesome people. The shop is tiny but EVERYTHING about these amps is made within a 10min radius of that tiny shop. It's really amazing to see how much honest work and love is put into each product coming out of that place. Everything there were monster players. I think I spent more time just hanging out with people talking about gear than actually playing. I had a blast.
sorry i couldn't make it out to chrismac. i was really out of it all day due to my travel mishaps and collapsed as soon as i got back to the hotel and slept for like 12 hours. chrismac, thakns for hosting the party, wish i could've made it and got to meet you.
special shoutouts: first and foremost, thank you scott were letting us have this event and welcoming us into the shop and letting and hang out and play the gear. thanks vom, dave and kevin for shuttling me around. you guys rock and were a pleasure to meet. josh sage...GREAT seeing you again. i enjoyed to talking gear and hanging out over the weekend. shredder and TJ, you guys are SICK players and great guys to boot. matt and jeremy, you dudes can tear that sh*t up. great meeting you guys and keep on rockin. donald, i enjoyed meeting you. you're a super cool dude i really dig your playing. sorry to hear about your wrist, but you still rocked it. josh mauldin , it was really, really awesome finally getting to meet you. thanks for answering so many of my questions and just being a great guy. i enjoyed talking gear and just hanging out. tree, you're the man. great meeting you. keep up the great work. to everyone else, nice meeting you as well and i had a great time. hope to see you next year.
and I still think you're lying about your 'broken' hand.....LOL....