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Post by atguitarist on Jan 4, 2011 12:32:08 GMT -5
Ok Splawnites,
Getting close to being a position where I can cure my GAS for a Nitro w/KT88s. Going to purchase a matching cab at the same time. Using 7s tuned down a half step so I need to makes sure the bottom end isn't muddy. Kind of leaning towards the SB/BB mix.
Play metal in the vein of Lacuna Coil, Within Temptation, etc.
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Post by snappinnecks on Jan 4, 2011 20:48:06 GMT -5
I would stay away from BBs with 7 strings tuned to Bb.
Here is my opinion (they are like butt holes, everyone has one).
Nitro- go no lower than C# or Db tuning or it gets a little too low mid heavy and you have to put an Eq in the loop to crank the mids to have some cut and clarity in a band situation.
Quickrod- will handle the Bb tuning better since it has more upper mids and wont need any juice from the outside to get a good midrange heavy tone (since that is where guitars sit in the mix).
I am assuming you want ample mids and cut to your tone. If you are looking for a super thick death metal drone tone then the Nitro will do the trick. If you want good tone in that tuning go with a quickrod. Also I would also recommend EL34s instead of KT88s.
A Nitro with KT88s will make a guitar with 9s sound more modern and thick and completely rule the stage and studio.
A Nitro with KT88s will make a 7 string guitar tuned to Bb sound like mud. You have to follow the buy sell trend of amps and pay close attention to the tunings people that are happy with the amps use and the tunings the people who can't seem to find that perfect tone with the particular amp you are gassing for are using. I know I know KSE (drop C) uses Nitros. Yeah but they also boost the poo out of the preamp with a Maxxon to tighten it up! Just saying. Anyhow.
As far as speakers go good luck. I would recommend finding some that can handle the tuning you are using without farting out or sounding flubby.
SBs are awesome, but are more vintage "standard tuning" voiced IMO like Greenbacks. I loved the set I had using standard drop D in my Splawn cab. I even used one in my ISO cab for a while and recorded full power into it (100 watts) with no issues.
I have owned two Quickrods and three Nitros (two with EL34s and one with KT88s).
I got the best drop tuned tones out of my Quickrods going lower than C#.
C# and higher the Nitro hands down was the best!
Amps are voiced "for the most part" with standard tuned guitars in mind. Always have this in your head when amp shopping. A modern voiced amp will have more low mids.
Tuned low-Amp with upper mids works best
Standard tuning -modern voiced amp will work great and give a thin sounding guitar and monster low end.
Make sense?
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Post by atguitarist on Jan 5, 2011 10:06:37 GMT -5
Hmmm....food for thought. I might have to consider the Quickrod. I have Historically been a 6L6 guy though. Have only heard a few KSE songs but I do kind of like the tone they got on the song "The End of Heartache".
Thanks for the input.
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Post by snappinnecks on Jan 6, 2011 13:16:51 GMT -5
Bro you are considering an amp company that builds hot rodded Marshallish based amps built around EL34 tone. Think a nice thick/warm midrange bark. That is Splawn. That's what players want (or most players). You won't find anything under $2k that can beat Splawns tone and build quality.
Splawns are not Mesa or Peaveys though and don't react like them to cover slop with fizz.
You will not be sorry with your Splawn purchase. Just chose the right voicing/amp for the music you play.
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Post by Lewis on Jan 6, 2011 17:01:38 GMT -5
Think a nice thick/warm midrange bark. That is Splawn. That's what players want Thaz rite... ;D |
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Post by MetalHeart on Jan 6, 2011 21:41:01 GMT -5
I notice that the SBs fart out a little when using tunings other than stardard or drop D.
What would be a good speaker that would hold up to those lower tunings?
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Post by bubbastain on Jan 6, 2011 23:39:00 GMT -5
When I had my Nitro (EL34s) I used SB's and V30s in an X pattern. F'ing incredible. I thought it sounded great with all V30s(Marshall 1960AV. so Celestion "marshall"G12 Vintage). When I added the two SB's it was perfect. I tune drop C and use EMG 81 and 10-60 strings. No farting out. Don't know how a slightly down tuned 7 would be though. Also, I would rather use cheap you tube clips instead of KSE recorded tones to "help" me decide on an amp. Not saying that's what your doing. First off, they probably used several different amps, many layers of tracks and all the post eq/compression ect ect. I guess that applies to just about any record.
I like Lacuna Coil but I can't make out the guitars recorded or live.
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Post by atguitarist on Jan 7, 2011 12:06:08 GMT -5
Don't get me wrong, I know better that to judge any guitar tone by studio recordings  As far as KSE, honestly not that into them they do have a cool guitar sound for what they do but it wouldn't fit my current band or what I write outside of that. I like Lacuna Coil but don't like their guitar sound (Line6). Within Temptation uses Uberschalls - a little fizzy for my taste. Most of the bands I have been into the past and into now by and large use Marshalls (though one recently switched to Orange). Have tried to like Mesas but they just don't twirl my beanie. As to the 6L6 that has mostly been because I've played Peavey forever - Butcher, VTM, Ultra. Now using a 3120 which after spending a year with it, can't get into it. The best it has sounded was with JJ KT77s and a 12DW7 (to cut some of the saturation). Have 6L6s in it now and I'm not impressed. Ruby EL34s sounded decent. still wishy washy about the KT88 thing. If I go the Nitro route, I may get one with EL34s and later try the KT88s after appropriate mods. I do like a darker sound of the Nitro but the QR really seems like a versitile amp that may also cover the sound I am more into as well as the nitro: www.youtube.com/watch?v=06EeJxWfrSg&feature=related (Draconian - Marshall JMP1 preamps into Marshal Power amps) www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8y1hksw51E&feature=related (Swallow the Sun - also Marshalls at this time and from what I've seen, they recreate this guitar sound live very well) I did see some vids of a Nitro and QR running through a cab with Eminence ManOwars and Governors in an X pattern and that sounded pretty good. I have about a month and a half before I have the $$$ needed for a head and cab so I have plenty of time to deliberate. Thanks for the input! |
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Post by atguitarist on Jan 7, 2011 13:56:17 GMT -5
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Post by snappinnecks on Jan 7, 2011 14:52:26 GMT -5
I notice that the SBs fart out a little when using tunings other than stardard or drop D. What would be a good speaker that would hold up to those lower tunings? I have been using WGS HM75s for around a year with no issues or farting in a 4X12. I also use one in my ISO and run full power (100 tube watts into it) at decent volumes and it doesn't fart in drop C, B,Bb even using my baritone it performs well. The HM75s sound nothing like a G12-T75 to me. They have way more mids than the Celestions. |
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Post by MetalHeart on Jan 7, 2011 18:11:26 GMT -5
Thanks snappinnecks.
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Post by bubbastain on Jan 7, 2011 23:48:29 GMT -5
LOL! Those are my videos. I recorded those the day before I sold my Nitro. The second longer video was much louder than the first. Camera mic couldn't really handle it. Was just making a test video to show that the amp worked. That cab was a 1960AV with the Marshall G12 Vintage speakers. Was running Winged =C= EL34s. Easier to get a EL34 version and add a piggyback resistor to allow KT88s. I had no desire to run 88s in mine because I thought it sounded fantastic already. I used to have a Peavey 3120 too. I liked that amp. Never got around to putting a lower gain preamp tube in there. I used the 2nd channel and never put the gain past 10 o'clock. Right now I'm running either my slightly modded VTM60 and my Splawn Competition and they both sound great. Running them together sounds amazing. I love it. |
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Post by atguitarist on Jan 9, 2011 0:36:11 GMT -5
LOL! Those are my videos. I recorded those the day before I sold my Nitro. The second longer video was much louder than the first. Camera mic couldn't really handle it. Was just making a test video to show that the amp worked. That cab was a 1960AV with the Marshall G12 Vintage speakers. Was running Winged =C= EL34s. Easier to get a EL34 version and add a piggyback resistor to allow KT88s. I had no desire to run 88s in mine because I thought it sounded fantastic already. I used to have a Peavey 3120 too. I liked that amp. Never got around to putting a lower gain preamp tube in there. I used the 2nd channel and never put the gain past 10 o'clock. Right now I'm running either my slightly modded VTM60 and my Splawn Competition and they both sound great. Running them together sounds amazing. I love it. Yeah, I remembered that those were yours.  I kind of kick myself for selling my VTM years ago but honestly, I didn't know any better. Putting the 12DW7 worked out well in the 3120 - made the gain knob much more usable for sure. Basically what you get at 10 o'clock is moved out to about 1-2 O'clock. Smoothed the gain out a lot. The amp REALLY takes well to the KT77s. 6L6s BLOW in the 3120. I have decided against KT88s for now - concerned it may make my bottom end to muddy. The real question is Quick Rod vs Nitro. I have been checking out more QR vids and I am liking what I am hearing. This vid is swaying me pretty heavily www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHZBfLAYiTE (fixed link) |
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Post by erock503 on Feb 6, 2011 16:29:11 GMT -5
I have decided against KT88s for now - concerned it may make my bottom end to muddy. The real question is Quick Rod vs Nitro. I have been checking out more QR vids and I am liking what I am hearing. This vid is swaying me pretty heavily www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHZBfLAYiTE (fixed link) just a word of advice, if you do end up getting a Nitro, I would strongly at least consider the KT88 version. It's not boomy like you would imagine the bigger bottles imparting, it's kind of the opposite of what I thought too. They actually help the lowend and make the mids very manageable and strong. Seems like the majority of guys I've known that owned the KT77/EL34 version eventually sold them, while most of the guys I knew with the KT88 version still have the amp, including myself. Just personal opinion. |
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Post by sbk on Feb 8, 2011 15:36:22 GMT -5
I have decided against KT88s for now - concerned it may make my bottom end to muddy. The real question is Quick Rod vs Nitro. I have been checking out more QR vids and I am liking what I am hearing. This vid is swaying me pretty heavily www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHZBfLAYiTE (fixed link) just a word of advice, if you do end up getting a Nitro, I would strongly at least consider the KT88 version. It's not boomy like you would imagine the bigger bottles imparting, it's kind of the opposite of what I thought too. They actually help the lowend and make the mids very manageable and strong. Seems like the majority of guys I've known that owned the KT77/EL34 version eventually sold them, while most of the guys I knew with the KT88 version still have the amp, including myself. Just personal opinion. So true!! I have a first generation Nitro with KT88`s and I am still tickled to death with it.Going on 3 or 4 years.I am a firm believer that the Nitro is at home with KT 88`s. |
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