New StreetRod combo has landed!

[philm]

Nice looking! I'm going to look into this as a head. A 50 watt QR with a little more saturation (not a ton) was what I wanted out of my old '07.

[holyroller]

DUDE WERE IS THE REVIEW??? WHAT'S GOING ON!!!!!!

[ronmail65]

Mar 2, 2010 19:50:49 GMT -5 holyroller said:

DUDE WERE IS THE REVIEW??? WHAT'S GOING ON!!!!!!

The fact is, I haven't played it whole lot. But I'll tell you what I think so far.

Other than testing the clean channel, loop volume, half power, and the OD2 function, I haven't used these features at all. My home base on the amp (as far as settings and features) has been as follows: gain channel, 2nd gear, tone and gain settings at noon, using the solo boost, volume as high as 11 o'clock, running a Boss GT 10 in 4CM hook-up (programmed with max volume at 50% - same concept as using loop volume). All settings on the GT-10 are the same ones I've been using with my PM.

Functionality-wise, I have no complaints. I'm using it the same way I've been using my PM for a while. It's a formula that works well for my purposes.

I've been playing it mostly with a PRS Mira and a custom super strat guitar with Duncan PUPs. Compared to other Splawns I've owned (PM, QR, Comp), the amp is quite a bit warmer and the gain is more saturated. It still cleans up to a low grit using the guitar volume knob, but not as much as the other Splawns I've owned and probably not enough to satisfy someone who wants pristeen cleans (use the clean channel for that). It's also not quite as pick sensitive as my PM which is probably a result of the lower wattage.

I like that the volume is more manageable and the knob is less sensitive. To put that into context, I played a 1 set gig last weekend with a full band using the settings noted above. I had the amp on a tilt back stand on the floor mic'd through the PA. I was basically using it as a monitor. In that regard, it was a little too quiet for me. I probably should have taken the volume up to noon (and again, this is at full power setting, with a volume pedal in the loop at 50% of max). And, frankly, in the moment as I was playing, I didn't think the amp sounded that great. I was doing minor tone knob tweaks throughout the set -- the tone knobs seem to be more sensitive as compared to my PM (probably a result of the SR being turned up higher). One other thing I noticed -- the amp seemed less prone to feedback than the PM.

After the set, I was given unsolicited compliments from guitar players in other bands on the bill who said my tone was great. They said they liked it better than the sound of my other rig (my PM, with GT-10, running through a split Vintage 30 and G12H cab). They said my tone was smoother, warmer, and fuller. This has got me thinking about switching out the speakers I use with my PM...

And, as I mentioned earlier in the thread, the amp is very well made, comes with removable casters and the standard 3 button QR / PM footswitch.

I've been through several combos over the past 18 months or so (Mesa MKIV, Rivera Chubster, JVM 215c, and Bogner Alchemist). The SR is my favorite. Weight / size is about average (maybe slightly on the larger / heavier side - but not stupid heavy), and the best package of features and tone to meet my needs. The only thing I would change about the SR is to add on board reverb or a reverb / delay thing (like on the Alchemist). I might also add 2 switches to the front panel of the amp -- 1 for clean channel, and 1 for OD 1/2. For some reason, these additional features would be more important to me in a combo format versus a head.

[chrismac]

thanks for the review sir. i am ready for some new clips of this thing. i will be buying on as soon as the money situation is a little better. i have heard it in person but havent had the opportunity to play one.

[ronmail65]

An an update to my review on the SR above... I recently experimented with swapping speakers between the SR and what I have been using with my PM (more details in a related thread in the PM forum). The relevant thing I learned that I wanted to share in this thread is that I believe the SR has a warmth, smoothness, and gain saturation beyond that of the QR.

Although the SR is based on the QR, I'd have to say it's got it's own sound -- perhaps even more distinct than the QR vs PM type of comparison. Most of my previous comments were based on a direct comparison to my PM rig. At the time, I just assumed the SR sounded like a QR. Now, after more playing and experimentation with the amps, I'm changing my mind.

I'm not saying this is a good or bad thing, it's just different. Personally, I like it.

I don't own a QR anymore, but I'd love to hear a review from someone who has been able to A/B the QR and the SR.

[dcf]

very cool ronmail65,