Splawn vs ?

[chrisp86]

Hi

I know there are loads of this vs that threads but I am looking for a new amp and would like some opinions.  I'm in the UK so it's difficult to actually try the more boutique US amps like splawn, bogner, soldano etc.

I currently have a Cornford MK50 and looking for something a bit more high gain and most importantly something a bit different.  

I'm thinking either; Splawn Nitro/Super Comp, Bogner Uberschall/Shiva or Mesa Dual Rec/MkIV.  Can anyone give me a rough tone comparison of these amps or a general idea of what might be close to the Cornford?

Thanks

Chris

[splawndude]

Hey Chris,

Welcome to the Splawn boards.

I don't have enough experience to answer your question directly. I will just give you a few tidbits. The amps you are looking at are all so different.

The Bogners will probably have more saturation and compression but probably not quite as brutal as the Nitro. The Dual Rec will definitely have more compression and probably the same amount of gain/brutality. The Mark is in a different league altogether with arguably better cleans and leads but not nearly the low end of the Nitro. If you are looking at Splawn and also Bogners and a Dual Rec then you probably want to focus on the Nitro vs the SuperComp. I have a Quick Rod (EL34s) and play stuff like Killswitch Engage all the time but it really needs a clean boost out front and an EQ pedal (frowned) in the loop to get into Dual Rec territory.

Maybe someone else with more experience in these amps can confirm what I'm saying or offer a different opinion.

The Nitro is basically a super pissed off modern Marshall with great cleans and sh!t loads of tight low end. The note definition and clarity is where the Splawn probably beats out the rest imo.

What I recommend, if you have not already, is post this question over at www.rig-talk.com Lots of experienced guys over there that can help further. All the amps you are looking at will be ungodly expensive to purchase new in the UK - so I would highly consider buying a used one.

I also recommend that you check out some of the on-line Amp Shootout demos on youtube. Here are few:


and
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=splawn+nitro+metal&oq=splawn+nitro+metal&gs_l=youtube.3..0.8384.11375.0.11557.18.9.0.9.9.0.138.956.3j6.9.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.tFq0z-BeIAY

I thought there was one with a Nitro in the shootout but now I can't find it.

Good luck man!

[chrisp86]

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for all the great info!  Yeah, the cost is the biggest problem and not much on the used market either sadly.  Splawn actually look like one of the most reasonable.

I'm really liking the Nitro and that will probably give me the punchier gain I am looking for.

[Tempest]

The Nitro is great, as long as you don't mind the massive low end. It can do really good classic rock sounds, and is loud enough to kill a domestic pig at fifty paces. The best thing about it is the clarity and definition that you don't usually find in a high gainer...and it's tight chug is second to none. Try to get one with the loop volume.

[chrisp86]

Thanks, thats great!  A really tight chug sound is what I'm looking for so Nitro/Super Comp is getting better by the post!