Soldano SLO - What do you really think of them?

[bilbal]

I had an SLO years ago and thought it was the most incredible amp I have ever owned. Stupidly, I traded it in for a Shiva and cash. If I had ot to do over, there is no way I would have done it. The Shiva was a great amp, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't in the same league as the SLO. I do believe having each of the amps would be great because they are that different.

Fast forward to last week. After 3 years of being out of work due to a severe back injury involving multiple surgeries (many of you know my story) and having to live on a meager Worker's Comp check every two weeks, I am finally coming into a considerable amount of cash any day now. Anyway, I am without an amp and I'm going to buy another SLO. I haven't heard one since mine left, I was wondering what you guys think of them and what I should expect from it. The one I am getting is as stock as Michael Soldano designed it years ago. That said, I am not sure what tubes they are using these days. Can someone help me out here?

[jazzandmetal?]

I love them. Best choice out there for metal or shred IMHO. Not so crazy about the cleans, but I heard the mods help with that if you wanted to get them.

I drove to Maryland to check Diezels and Bogners with my friend. ( Chuck Levins )
He ended up getting an SLO we found at GC in Rockville. Killer amp. He also plays with a boogie Triple Rectifier.

[bilbal]

The one I am getting is a stock SLO just the way Michael Soldano designed them years ago. I guess I can always have the mods done after. I just loved mine the way it was (stock). Actually it's still not to late to have the mods done. Can anyone give me list of the mods and what they do?

[StompBoxBlues]

I lusted after one ever since hearing Haynes is using one in Govt Mule and ABB. Then to find out Clapton used it on "From the Cradle" I couldn't wait anymore. I wanted on with Haynes mod, played one a friend had with the mods and loved it but only one of the mods was really interesting for me. I forgot which (sorry), but what I really wanted was his, he wouldn't sell.

I bought a used, stock, Soldano and it lives up to everything I wanted.
Jazzandmetal mentions something I heard a lot, about "cleans not the best" but I heartily disagree. I LOVE the cleans on the thing as much as I love that OD channel. The amp is simple in design, and gives you enough options with the crunch/clean switch and all...

And I have a number of amps, some with great (general opinion) clean, but the cleans on my SLO-100 inspire me. I only wish it had reverb, but not if it would change the main sound (which probably is the case).

Like Haynes, I use mine for blues and rock, not metal, and it works great. At decent volumes it is very touch sensitive.

Go for it! I found right after I got mine that it was noisy, and making some sputtering noises even when nothing plugged in. I changed out the tubes. I found (as usual with amps) that V1 most, and V2 made huge differences, so having a few 12AX7 tubes, I auditioned about 4, and one of them was head and shoulders way above the others...but it is slightly microphonic. I made the decision it was worth it and bougtht some extra (expensive) good 12AX-style tubes to try when this one gets too microphonic.

At about the same time I bought a VERY expensive boutique amp, (most I've paid for an amp) with tons of bells and whistles, and am having a helluva time with it. Really is making me unhappy...I struggle with the thing, then go over to the SLO-100 and plug in and with no effort...the sound is just THERE...and solid and responsive and harmonically rich.

I have tinnitus and some amps (even though I like their sound) irritate it..not the Soldano. My ears love it's sound, but also it seems to not have the frequencies that make "hard" hits on my ears...some amps at lower volumes get the tinniotus raging...the SLO doesn't improve it, but it doesn't affect it apparently even at higher volumes. Weird.


Enjoy!

[bilbal]

Yup just waiting for the cash to show up. The amp is already done and waiting for me to send the cash for it. It's a stock SLO with boa cab. I'm super stoked to get it. I plan to get an ES335 as a gift to my SLO. Hopefully they will enjoy a long life together. I wish the cash would hurry the heck up and get here. I'm going crazy and can't sleep - as you can tell by my posting at 3:30am

[cisspcism]

The cleans are good, the crunch mode on clean is good, lead channnel is good but is tricky as it is bright and has the lower mids scooped out. An eq boost around 200hz warms the amp right up

I have Bass at 5, mids at 5 and treble at 6 with presense at 3. Gain is at 5 as you dont really need much more than that.

[Rayneman]

I, too traded a SLO I had for a Shiva awhile back. Bad move for what I was looking for, but that's another story. Anyway...I ended up with another, nearly new stock SLO fairly recently. I really think its a great rock amp. There are those that do the super-heavy low-end thing better, there are those with (well, nearly every other high end amp) better FX loops and alot of amps have a nicer clean channel (or maybe, a clean channel that keeps up with OD channel better).

That said, there is that "something" with the SLO that no other amps seem to have. I got pretty close with a Modena 90. I like to use my SLO when my band plays and I can stay on the OD channel and its a big enough place where I can wind it up...when I need one sound, the SLO is my amp. They are also supremely reliable IMO.

[ecbluesman54]

I really love mine. i have a Shiva, and the SLO is a different animal than the Shiva is. I think the Shiva is a bit more versatile. I think channel 1 on the SLO is often overlooked as a great channel. I also really like the cleans that it is capable of.


http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff288/ecbluesman54/5-18-08004.jpg

[MikeyG]

I like Channel 1 in crunch mode better ... it has a bit more shimmer, and can be used for a Plexi crunch, and a nice clean with the guitar volume dialed back.

But still, it falls behind many channel switchers in cleans. IMO.

[jazzandmetal?]

I like Channel 1 in crunch mode better ... it has a bit more shimmer, and can be used for a Plexi crunch, and a nice clean with the guitar volume dialed back.

But still, it falls behind many channel switchers in cleans. IMO.

Crunch mode is a great sound from the amp. I just don't think the cleans on the amp are anywhere near as spectacular as the OD you can get from the amp.

[AnthonyL]

So, how are they at low volumes? Can they be used at home like the Shiva?

[Rayneman]

So, how are they at low volumes? Can they be used at home like the Shiva?

IMO, not really. You don't get the same sustain and scortching (if that's what you want) distortion at lower volumes. Its not BAD, but there are much better amps for lower volume playing.

[photios]

keep the MV up to 2:00 and the SLO is one of the best amps ever.

I too love the cleans and again, keep the MV up and the amp is chock full of low gain, mid gain and high gain tones that all just kill it.

[studiodunn]

the distortion...Oh that distortion. One of the best lead tones eve IMO.

[louderock]

Are those Eminence speakers in the Soldano cabinets? How are those heads with other cabinets?

[cocobolo]

I have the depth knob on my SLO. Its like a presence for the bass. Very useful for dialing in the low end for different cabs i.e. my avatar closed back 212 is a little boomy and my 212 open back needs a little more. Also helps to make the amp sound fuller at low levels. I play it in a one bedroom apartment with the master on 1 or 2 and it sounds great on the clean and crunch channels. I don't use the lead channel as much because it is either off or tear your head off loud.

[TNJ]

Crunch mode is a great sound from the amp. I just don't think the cleans on the amp are anywhere near as spectacular as the OD you can get from the amp.


Well,
I have an Ecstasy Classic that I'd like to match up with a SLO sometime.
2 heads, 2 412 cabs and 1 guitar...could be interesting.

Nothing against the Soldano, I've played through a couple of them, and they do rawk.

Just dont forget about the XTC...it truly IS all that as well... and definitely more versatile to my ears.

S.
j

[MikeyG]

I have an XTC Classic and SLO right now. They can be fairly similar. The XTC has more low end (although with the depth mod, the SLO is right there with it). The SLO growls more for rhythm, it's got a real nice gnarlyness to it (think W Haynes) ... the XTC has better cleans, and I like XTC Plexi mode better than SLO Crunch mode (they are designed for Plexi crunch). For lead tones, it's a toss up, they both kill ... the 2 best lead tones I've ever had -- don't make me choose. If you can find a better lead tone than Gary Moore's (SLO) on Blues Alive, I want to know about it. For rhythm, the SLO has a slight edge, because it's more Marshally. In versatility, the XTC wins ...

If you can own both, I recommend it. If I were forced to choose, I'd probably keep the XTC.

That's how I see it.

[bilbal]

I just got off the phone with Michael Soldano. Let me tell ya, the simple fact that he called me backed after receiving an email from me, further proves to me what kind of company I am dealing with. We spoke for about 20 minutes and he answered EVERY question I could think of with great detail and went out of his way to ensure I knew enough about what I was getting into. As I mentioned, I owned an SLO years ago. I told Michael that I wanted my new one to be as close to stock as possible - you know, like he originally designed it. He told me what preamp and power tubes to have put into it and everything else I should do to ensure that it is as close to his original design as possible. So that's what I'm doing. He seems like a really good guy and it was cool to talk to him.

I can't wait to get my SLO - FINALLY!!!!!

[Jim S]

I have had my SLO since 1990. I had the depth mod added about 2 months ago. I appreciate the depth mod especially on the clean/crunch channel.


I love this amp. I will never part with it. I play all styles and it's great for all but death metal. Metal, classic rock, fusion, funk, jazz, country.

Cleans are not the forte (like a Fender Super Reverb) but they are very good.
Crunch and lead are to die for.

Those people that say that it sounds fizzy or bright simply have NOT taken the little time needed to dial it in. And with a no frills control layout, it does take only a little time. Think it's bright naysayers, try this:

OD 9 Bass 11 Mid 2 Treble 2 Prescence 8-9 Master whatever



.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/sloandx99.jpg

[m4dm4x]

Don't forget lifetime transferable warranty, it does everything I ever wanted an amp to do!! This is a 1992 and will be mine for a long time!!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b244/blaxel/DSC03901.jpg

[lespaul6]

I have two, just because...those who said keep the master between 5 and 6 are correct...It pushes loud and clean in a live situation with incredible string to string definition. Excellent versatile amp. I sold my shiva the day after I got it from ebay...sounded worse as you turn it up expecially on the drive side. Global master was another problem, choked the amp in my opinion....yuck. By the way, mine are stock, as intended. good luck

[cg]

I had one and absolutely loved it! I would love to have another. One of the very best rock amps ever made.

[DEMENTED]

Hey Bill, I had a '91 SLO that was all stock, no mods and some real nice JAN Philips 7581's in it..I kept it about 2 years trying everything I could to love it....just couldn't bond with it and sold it dirt cheap. Good amp but it wasn't quite what I wanted. What style of music are you gonna play through it?

[gtr777]

I've had mine for years now and would never part with it. I don't get those that put down the clean sound, while it's not an old fender it does sound great and have amazing punch. No need to describe the overdrive, we all know how good it is. I'm driving an 800 series straight Marshall cab. Mine is stock with no mods and as long as you can push the amp a bit I don't see the need for the depth mod. It has plenty of low end

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n312/gtr777/DSC00830.jpg

[bilbal]

Well I just spoke to Lynn Burke (Blues City Music) in Tennessee and it seems my head is packed up and ready to ship. I am going with the stock design (as intended by Michael) with a JJ at position one and Tungs through the rest of the preamp and Sovtek power tubes. I am foregoing any mods because, as I mentioned previously, I want this thing to be a close to the original design as possible - nothing more, nothing less. I loved my old one the way it was and want to replace it. My talks today with Michael and Lynn pretty much assured what I thought in the beginning.

I am in a Dead band but plan to use my Triaxis and 2:90 for it. The Soldano is for more rock/blues stuff and I'll try it out with the band once or twice too :). I just want it because I can afford to get it at the present time so I'm going for it. The only question now is if I want to order a second - LOL!!!!:jo

[B_of_H]

The whole reason I didn't give up on guitar in high school was michael houser of widespread panic. (jimmy herring is his replacement-houser died of pancreatic cancer in 2002)

His clean tone was fantastic and his dirty sounds cut like a chainsaw through a very dense band. Herring used one for a while before a storm killed it and he went to a fuchs TDS/ODS. During that time I was loving his tone though.

http://divingin2memphis.com/images/mikey4.jpg

I just recently started thinking about buying one. I'm not sure if that is the way i'm going to go. I really don't need 100 watts and I love having a fenderish clean tone.

Has anyone tried the Lucky 13?

[StompBoxBlues]

I just got off the phone with Michael Soldano. Let me tell ya, the simple fact that he called me backed after receiving an email from me, further proves to me what kind of company I am dealing with. We spoke for about 20 minutes and he answered EVERY question I could think of with great detail and went out of his way to ensure I knew enough about what I was getting into. As I mentioned, I owned an SLO years ago. I told Michael that I wanted my new one to be as close to stock as possible - you know, like he originally designed it. He told me what preamp and power tubes to have put into it and everything else I should do to ensure that it is as close to his original design as possible. So that's what I'm doing. He seems like a really good guy and it was cool to talk to him.

I can't wait to get my SLO - FINALLY!!!!!

How about sharing the info? I would kinda like to know which tubes Mike recommends for getting the amp as original also!

[Guitar James]

One of the best amps out there. I would buy another in a heart beat.

[Ed Reed]

The SLO has a GREAT overdrive channel. The clean channel (to me) needed more low end.

I sold mine to a friend who died and now it sets in his wifes garage and she won't sell it back.

[Dave Orban]

I had a full stack for backline in an outdoor gig several years back. That sucker was LOUD! Kind of a tweaked Marshall sound, to me. Sounded great, did the Dickey Betts thing real well.

It would be a little much for my uses, but not a bad amp at all.

[Guitar James]

I just got off the phone with Michael Soldano. Let me tell ya, the simple fact that he called me backed after receiving an email from me, further proves to me what kind of company I am dealing with. We spoke for about 20 minutes and he answered EVERY question I could think of with great detail and went out of his way to ensure I knew enough about what I was getting into. As I mentioned, I owned an SLO years ago. I told Michael that I wanted my new one to be as close to stock as possible - you know, like he originally designed it. He told me what preamp and power tubes to have put into it and everything else I should do to ensure that it is as close to his original design as possible. So that's what I'm doing. He seems like a really good guy and it was cool to talk to him.

I can't wait to get my SLO - FINALLY!!!!!
Great story! Mike seems like a really genuine guy. One of the original fathers of the Highgain tone IMHO.

[gtr777]

I just retube mine and at first had a JJ in V1 and later switched it to an LPS. The LPS was just a little smoother in V1. I left a JJ in V2.

[Jim S]

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff288/ecbluesman54/5-18-08004.jpg


:drool


,

[Unabender]

I would say Soldano SLO and Avenger have been the only amps I have ever GASsed for... but the price, oh the price... I guess it's worth it, but it's still a lot.

[Jim S]

I would say Soldano SLO and Avenger have been the only amps I have ever GASsed for... but the price, oh the price... I guess it's worth it, but it's still a lot.

Not cheap but not insane if you purchase a used one.

[bilbal]

How about sharing the info? I would kinda like to know which tubes Mike recommends for getting the amp as original also!

put a JJ in 1 and Tungsol (sp?) in the rest of the preamp and throw Sovteks in the power side. According to M.S., the biggest thing that you can do to his amps to change how they sound is fool around with different speakers. With reference to the preamp tubes that he likes and uses in his amps, they make a small difference in comparison to speaker choice.

[Rod]

I loved my purple SLO 100,,, If you could play it with the master volume at 1 o'clock, it was the best amp ever made for me...problem for me was that it was so F'''n loud... Evan and Jay from Bedrock [at the time] tested the RMS output and it was putting out 130 watts RMS!!! [after reading the tinnitus thread, I'm glad I sold it]...but what a sound!!!!

[Ricker]

I loved my purple SLO 100,,, If you could play it with the master volume at 1 o'clock, it was the best amp ever made for me...problem for me was that it was so F'''n loud... Evan and Jay from Bedrock [at the time] tested the RMS output and it was putting out 130 watts RMS!!! [after reading the tinnitus thread, I'm glad I sold it]...but what a sound!!!!

Hey Rod

So you have tried both Budda and Slo.
I've got a budda sd80 and an sd18 but have always been intrigued by the Slo but never played one...........
How does the sound and feel of Budda and the Slo100 compare.
What does the Slo do better

Pre Thanks
Rich

[Rod]

Hey Rod

So you have tried both Budda and Slo.
I've got a budda sd80 and an sd18 but have always been intrigued by the Slo but never played one...........
How does the sound and feel of Budda and the Slo100 compare.
What does the Slo do better

Pre Thanks
Rich

Hi Rich...I've only played/owned the Budda 18....The 18 [and I LOVE what it does]...compared to the SLO is spongy without the headroom and the huge girth of sound...Four 5881's is gonna be much bigger sounding than 2 EL84's, but there is a similarity in their sound and tightness on the low end...If I could try an SD80, then we could really tell the differences

[Ricker]

Hi Rich...I've only played/owned the Budda 18....The 18 [and I LOVE what it does]...compared to the SLO is spongy without the headroom and the huge girth of sound...Four 5881's is gonna be much bigger sounding than 2 EL84's, but there is a similarity in their sound and tightness on the low end...If I could try an SD80, then we could really tell the differences

Well pull in then......come try my sd80 .....I'm just down the drag........about 10000kms to the right....
A few flights and a few beers you'll be here.....he he

Thanks
Rich

[yngwie308]

I know Gary Moore used SLO 100's on the Evening With The Blues, live VHS tape, but I understood that for Live Blues he changed to a Hot Rod 50, IIRC.:phones
yngwie308

[bilbal]

bump

[Zilmo]

Crazy loud, but way cool.


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Zilmo/IMG_9115.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Zilmo/IMG_9125.jpg

[skoora]

Are those Eminence speakers in the Soldano cabinets? How are those heads with other cabinets?

They do use Eminence. I think the amp, all of his amps, sound much better through Celestions. I played a SLO at a GC through it's cab then switched to a Celestion loaded cab next to it and it was night and day richer and clearer in the midrange and treble. I do wish you could get the bass up a little higher on the lead channel for metal rhythm stuff and stay tight. It seems just as the bass is starting to kick in it starts to flub a little. (This is with the preamp at about 4-5 and the bass can't really get above 12 O'Clock). That being said it still has the best plug and play, rock tones I've heard except for a few 69-72 marshalls I've owned.

[lgehrig4]

Hey Rod

So you have tried both Budda and Slo.
I've got a budda sd80 and an sd18 but have always been intrigued by the Slo but never played one...........
How does the sound and feel of Budda and the Slo100 compare.
What does the Slo do better

Pre Thanks
Rich

Rich,

I had an SD80 and I currently own an SLO. First a disclaimer that I do not play in a band so my needs are different. They both have a similar smooth sustaining OD, but the Budda is darker and the SLO is capable of higher gain. The master on the SLO works much better and I am probably the only person alive who likes the SLO at lower volumes. It doesn't have the girth at low volumes, but it still has sustain and touch sensitivity. The Budda has a browner tone and I think they actually compliment each other real well if you want a couple high gainers in your collection.

My SLO is bone stock. I would like to try out the depth mod, but the guys at Soldano are busy and discourage sending amp to them for this. I plan on trying out some KT-66s at some point.

Jeff

[bilbal]

When I spoke to Michael Soldano the other day, he told me that unless you play with the gain above 5, the depth mod isn't worth having. Others may disagree but that came directly from the designer of the amp. He could have very easily told me that the amp is best with all the mods and I would be none the wiser for it. He's a cool guy!!

Mine is coming bone stock as well.

[MikeyG]

When I spoke to Michael Soldano the other day, he told me that unless you play with the gain above 5, the depth mod isn't worth having. Others may disagree but that came directly from the designer of the amp. He could have very easily told me that the amp is best with all the mods and I would be none the wiser for it. He's a cool guy!!

Mine is coming bone stock as well.

Well I disagree with the builder. The amp only gets thicker and more compressed as the gain gets higher. I play with the gain from 9:00 to 12:00, and I think it makes a HUGE difference. I would think volume would play much more of a role, in whether or not you needed the depth mod. The punchy low end comes out much better at higher volumes.

[lgehrig4]

I think he said that because he does not want to perform these mods. I called the other day and was told that they are too busy and to call back at the end of July. He told me straight up that it is not worth it financially to do these because it takes time from away from building the amps. I think it's something they probably don't mind when they are slow.

Has anyone tried KT-66's. I'm real curious about these

[bilbal]

I have never heard any SLOs with the mods so I cannot say anything either way. Perhaps he was just trying to save having to do the mods, I will never know. I do know that I loved my SLO years ago that was stock so that's the way I went this time too. Hopefully I will not ever miss the mods and enjoy this one as much as I did my first. Tone will tell.

[kruts]

The 12000 series speakers loaded in the 4x12 cabs suck. The V30 speaker is much much better with the SLO.

They do use Eminence. I think the amp, all of his amps, sound much better through Celestions. I played a SLO at a GC through it's cab then switched to a Celestion loaded cab next to it and it was night and day richer and clearer in the midrange and treble. I do wish you could get the bass up a little higher on the lead channel for metal rhythm stuff and stay tight. It seems just as the bass is starting to kick in it starts to flub a little. (This is with the preamp at about 4-5 and the bass can't really get above 12 O'Clock). That being said it still has the best plug and play, rock tones I've heard except for a few 69-72 marshalls I've owned.

[Jim S]

The 12000 series speakers loaded in the 4x12 cabs suck. The V30 speaker is much much better with the SLO.

Depends what you like to hear. I find the Soldano Power sEminence peakers much smoother than the Vintage 30s.

[Jemlite]

I have a SLO with 5mods...
KT66's
Depth
Warren Haynes
Demartini/SRV mid switch
Effects loop bypass switch

I can say every mod makes a difference and the switches are very noticeable when on (some amp settings dictate the response like drive and volume). Great sounds are everywhere... I have a hard time deciding settings from one week to the next. You can find a great use for everything, and it makes the amp so flexible yet still a monster.

KT66's; Super big and breathy sounding with authority. Maybe a little less modern sounding with more bottom than with 6L6's or 5881's (which I have played). It sounds like a 100w amp even at home volumes. Turned up it'll neuter ya. Very old school Marshally.

Depth mod; Adds huge, tight bottom-end whatever volume your at. Most needed at lower volume if you ask me (don't know what Mike Soldano is saying)... in fact as I get louder I typically turn it back. This mod really helps the cleans also. IMO a must have, love it.

Warren Haynes; I don't use this so much (and I play mostly Les Pauls), but I like knowing it's there as I tweak and try new settings.

Demartini/SRV mid cut; I like it on the Clean setting. Makes the cleans a little rounder and more Fendery.

Effect Bypass; Is noticeable! I think it cuts out the whole circuit, preamp tube and all. Adds some articulation and punch.

The only thing I don't have is the Half Power switch Soldano can do... The Master Volume on SLO's are so good IMO it's not needed anyway.

Speakers make a huge difference also. I am using new EV12L's with great success. I gig a few times a month and this setup is the most satisfying since the old days when there were clubs you could actually get a 100w Marshall past 3 on...

[slo100]

I have found the sound (to my ears) using Marshall cabs with Greenbacks. The 25s have a quick breakup and I can play the amp with lower preamp settings to really get that sweet tone. I agree with Mike that switching up cabinets can really yield a ton of variations in tone and response of the amp more than the mods will. I prefer the stock models, as well, as they were originally designed. Mine has a Haynes mod but stays off.

FWIW I have a Bogner 100B and these amps contrast quite well. I don't think they are anything alike. To me the SLO is really a hot-rodded Orange pushed to insanity and the Bogner is the hot-rodded Marshall with a million bells and whistles. They compliment each other well but are not replacements for one another in my mind.

[jetydosa]

I actually played one for the first time (and Ive been playing guitar for 25yrs) yesterday. I was blown away! It is high gain, but very clear, stout non-fuzzy sound. The cost is way outta my league, but I understand the Avenger might be the ticket if it really is the crunch channel from the SLO.

[guitarvc]

Among the best amps ever designed

[daveowens2007]

had one and dumped it..would consider another if the price was really low..
there are so many other (better) choices out there.I have a Mako CHW and
its way better then the SLO.

SLO is a 1 trick pony...unless you run a boost in front.I watched Warren Haynes
of Govt Mule one night and he's running the rig that i used to have ( SLO
on top of a Marshall cab.)..and i realized why i sold it...not for me..

[lgehrig4]

KT66's; Super big and breathy sounding with authority. Maybe a little less modern sounding with more bottom than with 6L6's or 5881's (which I have played). It sounds like a 100w amp even at home volumes. Turned up it'll neuter ya. Very old school Marshally.


This just sealed the deal for me. Can you recommend a brand?

[louderock]

I actually played one for the first time (and Ive been playing guitar for 25yrs) yesterday. I was blown away! It is high gain, but very clear, stout non-fuzzy sound. The cost is way outta my league, but I understand the Avenger might be the ticket if it really is the crunch channel from the SLO.

Is the Avenger or any other Soldano the same as the SLO lead channel? I don't need 2 channels.

[jetydosa]

Yeah, thats what the guy at GC said to me when I was trying it and balked at the price. I just checked Soldanos web site and appears he was right about the Avenger:

" If you want the overdrive of the legendary SLO
100, and that’s all you want, this is the amp for you: a 100 watt head
with the SOL 100 overdrive circuit, and no channel switching or effects
loop to complicate things."

[lgehrig4]

Yeah, thats what the guy at GC said to me when I was trying it and balked at the price. I just checked Soldanos web site and appears he was right about the Avenger:

" If you want the overdrive of the legendary SLO
100, and that’s all you want, this is the amp for you: a 100 watt head
with the SOL 100 overdrive circuit, and no channel switching or effects
loop to complicate things."

Similar, but not exactly the same. I think the transformers are the bid difference. I think someone on this thread would know the details.

[Jemlite]

This just sealed the deal for me. Can you recommend a brand?

I've got Groove Tube Gold Series KT66's in mine... Not sure if they still make them, or they call them something else now. I think the Gold Lion reissues are supposed to be the shit now..

[procos]

Well,
I have an Ecstasy Classic that I'd like to match up with a SLO sometime.
2 heads, 2 412 cabs and 1 guitar...could be interesting.

Nothing against the Soldano, I've played through a couple of them, and they do rawk.

Just dont forget about the XTC...it truly IS all that as well... and definitely more versatile to my ears.

S.
j

Steve,
I know how you like to try alot of amps so if you decide to let the XTC Classic go let me know. I am looking for another high gain head and would love to pick up an XTC.

Thanks,

Chuck

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Good amp, well built. I got one for $1750 the day before Christmas on ebay when nobody was bidding. Kept it for a year. Seemed to me the EQ changed when I switched channels, that was my only peeve. For an amp that expensive, you would think it would have a separate EQ for each channel. Anyway, I sold it and don't really miss it, but would buy another if I could get a smokin deal on it. :) The rhythm channel could do a most excellent classic rock crunch if the gain was turned down!

[slo100]

The SLO has all high grade components and more importantly DeYoung transformers. Everything else in the Soldano line has Mercury Magnetics (which are still excellent). Every component on an SLO board is mounted to the chassis, not the board, and it is all military grade. The SLO also comes with a lifetime warranty that is transferable which is nice.

Just for comparison purposes:

Bogner guts:
http://www.sandimascharvel.com/amps/Bogner%20Innards.jpg


Soldano guts:
http://www.sandimascharvel.com/sloinnards.jpg

The debate has long raged regarding discrete tone stacks for each channel. What I love about the SLO is that it has not changed a bit since its original design. It has some now-old fashioned features such as shared tone, series loop, and very few bells and whistles. Part of its beauty is its simplicity. And to me...it does NOT sound like a Marshall at all. LOL!

That's what Marshalls are for.

Last thing...SLO amplifiers hold their value quite well and due to the warranty, buying used is generally safe in terms of resale value if you decide to go another direction.

[stan p]

I never had a SLO, but I had a HR50, GTO and SP-77. I find that Mik;s cheaper poducts still let me get most of that iconic lead sound. I cannot really think of a better fusion / rock lead tone than the Soldano lead. The most beautiful thing about it is the amount of expression and control over the sound it gives you (attack ... decay ...). I tried SLO and found it more transparent and refined than all other above Soldano products, but definitely not a must. If money is an issue (as it is for most people) these cheaper soldano (pre)amps will get your 90% there (my experience). I also tried a Decatone head with 4x12 Soldano cab. IMO it has the best clean amp sound of all. While not as thick as some iconic fenders, it was pure and dynami and could be controlled from thunder to wisper with just a pick attack! I am still lasting over the 99-series preamp! This must be soldano heaven!

[Weasel]

Here's a different take on this whole thing. I bought an Avenger when they first came out and sent it in to have it modded, mine runs on EL-34s (Mullard) Tungsol 12ax7s and DeYoung Trannies. So you ask, why didn't you just get a SLO? Price!!

When the Avenger's first came out they ran about $1200.00 the upgrades ran about $600.00 So, for around $1800.00 I have a SLO with a depth control and more crunch ala the EL-34s (Smoother too.) Yea.....it's a one trick pony, but I use it with either a Splawn, or my old Marshall 2203.

BTW....The Soldano loves the 4x12 Hiwatt cab, the other two get Marshall 1960TV cabs. I've been using this set-up for a few years now and works great IMHO.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/jabel54/Gear/Amps.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/jabel54/Gear/Amps_2.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/jabel54/Gear/Soldano-back.jpg

[stan p]

bought an Avenger when they first came out and sent it in to have it modded, mine runs on EL-34s (Mullard) Tungsol 12ax7s and DeYoung Trannies.


I seriously thought of dooing the same thing. My guess - the result is indistinguishable from the SLO.

I also wonder if Lucky 13 can be modded to have the SLO lead channel.

[Randy]

I've had a couple of SLO's and an Avenger with the DeYoung OT - they are really not the same thing at all. There are certainly similarities and the Avenger is a great amp but quite different from the SLO IMO.

[stan p]

I've had a couple of SLO's and an Avenger with the DeYoung OT - they are really not the same thing at all. There are certainly similarities and the Avenger is a great amp but quite different from the SLO IMO.

What were the differences? Which one did you like better? Thank you. Stan

[Randy]

What were the differences? Which one did you like better? Thank you. Stan

I definitely preferred the SLO by a large margin.

First, the SLO had a lot more useable gain - the Avenger was surprisingly low gain and it got much more compressed and dark as you cranked it. It did work well with a boost though. I happen to like a lot of gain so take that critisicm FWIW. It probably has plenty for most guys.

Also, the Avenger seemed to have a slight harshness to the upper mids and highs that I couldn't dial out. The SLO didn't have that issue.

The main thing though was just the 'quality' of the tone. The SLO was much more complex and touch sensitive. Plug a 335 into the SLO and crank the depth and it could get very Dumblesque. Back off on your guitars volume and it got a world class low gain tone that was still every bit as touch sensitive, instead of sounding like a choked high gain amp.

The Avenger was a great amp that I liked a lot, but the SLO just out-classed it all around.

[Weasel]

Low gain? Harsh? Not with the EL-34s I have more gain than I'll ever use, it has as much as my Splawn and it's not harsh at all.

[Randy]

Low gain? Harsh? Not with the EL-34s I have more gain than I'll ever use, it has as much as my Splawn and it's not harsh at all.

OK then, enjoy.

[stan p]

Plug a 335 into the SLO and crank the depth and it could get very Dumblesque. Back off on your guitars volume and it got a world class low gain tone that was still every bit as touch sensitive, instead of sounding like a choked high gain amp.

I kind of discovered that efect with all SOldano amps and preamps that I played, but I never tried the Avenger.

Is there any chance to get that wild animal (the SLO) to play at room levels?

[Randy]

I kind of discovered that efect with all SOldano amps and preamps that I played, but I never tried the Avenger.

Is there any chance to get that wild animal (the SLO) to play at room levels?

Absolutely, I find the SLO sounds great at low levels.

[stan p]

Sounds like a winner to me

[Ricker]

Sounds like a winner to me

Yeah the slo definitely does sound like a winner.........
Wish I could play one....
One day guys .......one day when I'm big I'll get a Slo100.

On all the V-amp and Pods and Line6 amps I always choose the Slo100 so I'm sure I will love this amp.

I will have to wait a few years though........

Rick

[Jim S]

I love this amp. Just got a custom made box for my SLO-R:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/Soldano%20SLO%20creamy/Soldanostack.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/Soldano%20SLO%20creamy/Soldanopurplerack.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/Soldano%20SLO%20creamy/Soldanopurplerackfromabove.jpg

[Sharkey5150]

I have an Soldano SLO 100 Purple Face rack mount head....I bought it new about 12 or so years ago......I love it but don't know a whole lot about it. Playing pro most of my life ,currently playing in 80's cover band. Thinking of down sizing my rig . How much is it worth or better yet what could I get for it? Thanks......http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=98364917&albumID=1942577&imageID=26081551

[MikeyG]

Well, I tried the XTC trick for getting good cleans, on the SLO100. Seems to work very well with the SLO too.

Dime the volume, and bring the gain control up slowly for your proper volume level. Really adds some sparkle to the cleans.

[Killcrop]

The SLO is a great amp indeed. It sounds nice at low levels however it was meant to be played loud. When that amp hit around 7 on the volume it comes unglued. At that point it has, what I believe to be, the best rock tone of any amp I have played. Unfortunately at that point it is now louder than a jet engine.

Give the SLO a try on 7 and you will hear what I am talking about.

[DEMENTED]

The SLO is a great amp indeed. It sounds nice at low levels however it was meant to be played loud. When that amp hit around 7 on the volume it comes unglued. At that point it has, what I believe to be, the best rock tone of any amp I have played. Unfortunately at that point it is now louder than a jet engine.

Give the SLO a try on 7 and you will hear what I am talking about.

Hey, I am 99% sure I got my first SLO from you in May '03, it was a '91, black tolex, no mods or fx loop and had Jan Philips 7581 power tubes. On the 'ole eBay it was.

[joshsage]

I absolutely love SLO's had a blackface fully modded kt66 one....I loved that amp alot!
Josh

[qwer]

How does the SLO lead channel compared to Hughes & Kettner Triamp channel 3B?

[se7en]

How does the SLO lead channel compared to Hughes & Kettner Triamp channel 3B?

Bump, I would like to know as well.

[boogieplaya]

I like the slo sound for high-gain rock. Back in the 80's it was the amp to have. Now there are lots more to choose from that are better.

[se7en]

I like the slo sound for high-gain rock. Back in the 80's it was the amp to have. Now there are lots more to choose from that are better.

Better is subjective...especially when you consider the SLO has something that no amp since has been able to capture exactly since. For example I find Mesa Rectifiers (which were based heavily on the SLO design) to lack the clarity of the SLO and is why I sold my Triple Rec. as soon as I got the Soldano. IMO, it's still a standard by which hi-gain amps should be judged by in terms of clarity, string separation, reliability and ability to cut through the mix and sit well with the rest of your band. Perhaps you could give examples of what you consider "better"?

[stan p]

Better is subjective...especially when you consider the SLO has something that no amp since has been able to capture exactly since. For example I find Mesa Rectifiers (which were based heavily on the SLO design) to lack the clarity of the SLO and is why I sold my Triple Rec. as soon as I got the Soldano. IMO, it's still a standard by which hi-gain amps should be judged by in terms of clarity, string separation, reliability and ability to cut through the mix and sit well with the rest of your band. Perhaps you could give examples of what you consider "better"?

Recto for rythms and SLO for solos would do a nice metal setup!! Also I can only imagine how these would work in stereo!!!

[rkstarr]

sharkey you link goes to that akon moron not the beautiful slo

[bilbal]

Well, I have had my SLO (second) now for about 3 weeks. I wanted to wait before I made a premature judgment on it. I was going to comment on what I remember from my first but who gives a f*** about that one? It's gone and will never come back. The new one has the goods!!!

I just this minute got through jamming and it is simply a wonderful amplifier. The cleans are clean and it has huge headroom. I use the crunch mode on the clean side because I like to have a little hair on everything. While it does have said "hair" on it, the tone is bright, articulate, and plenty loud enough for anything I will ever play. Switching over to the second channel is what an SLO is all about. Bring the pre up to about 7 and it's just what I need in a lead tone. The above poster that mentioned getting the vol up over 7 is dead right. The amp basically screams to life at that point. Obviously I cannot keep it there for home. I usually keep the mains down around 3 or 4 - even there it's too loud, really.

My Trussart Steelacaster sounds phenomenal through it. The two are really where my tone is at. Although my Modulus Blackknife is sick through it. The Modulus on the second channel is the best hard rock guitar tone I have ever heard. The Trussart gives me killer classic rock tone. This amp is the best amp I have ever heard - bar none!!! Of course I love the tone from a Bludotone and most of the other Dumble types but that is another animal all together. I will have one of them some day too but for now (and for a long time to come) my SLO is more than perfect and all I need.

bilbal

[bilbal]

Well, I tried the XTC trick for getting good cleans, on the SLO100. Seems to work very well with the SLO too.

Dime the volume, and bring the gain control up slowly for your proper volume level. Really adds some sparkle to the cleans.

Yeah that's a great trick. I use to do it with my Dr. Z Maz. I don't find it to be effective with my SLO though. It definitely changes the eq response but the added noise is kind of a hassle. Maybe it would be better in a band setting where there is enough ambient noise to drown it out. I'll give it a try at the next rehearsal.

[gregc]

Not a fan; played SLOs 2x, both at jams, good gigging volume. Just not my thing.

[StompBoxBlues]

Well, I have had my SLO (second) now for about 3 weeks. I wanted to wait before I made a premature judgment on it. I was going to comment on what I remember from my first but who gives a f*** about that one? It's gone and will never come back. The new one has the goods!!!

I just this minute got through jamming and it is simply a wonderful amplifier. The cleans are clean and it has huge headroom. I use the crunch mode on the clean side because I like to have a little hair on everything. While it does have said "hair" on it, the tone is bright, articulate, and plenty loud enough for anything I will ever play. Switching over to the second channel is what an SLO is all about. Bring the pre up to about 7 and it's just what I need in a lead tone. The above poster that mentioned getting the vol up over 7 is dead right. The amp basically screams to life at that point. Obviously I cannot keep it there for home. I usually keep the mains down around 3 or 4 - even there it's too loud, really.

My Trussart Steelacaster sounds phenomenal through it. The two are really where my tone is at. Although my Modulus Blackknife is sick through it. The Modulus on the second channel is the best hard rock guitar tone I have ever heard. The Trussart gives me killer classic rock tone. This amp is the best amp I have ever heard - bar none!!! Of course I love the tone from a Bludotone and most of the other Dumble types but that is another animal all together. I will have one of them some day too but for now (and for a long time to come) my SLO is more than perfect and all I need.

bilbal

Congratulations man! That amp is just a total winner.

Couple of things, I had trouble following (just reread the threads) what you ended up getting, did you go stock or with mods? If with mods, which ones and what do you think of them?

Also, I think I asked before, wasn't it you that heard from Mike about the best tubes to use in it? Just curious which ones they would be. I bought a bunch, and the V1 tube makes a huge difference. I spent a good day trying different ones deciding on one that though slightly microphonic still...had IT.

What kind of speaker cab also? Which speakers?

I've bought a few (even more expensive) amps in the last year, and the SLO...it's just always sounding fantastic. I don't spend hours dialing it in, I get a great sound practically wherever (well...I do tend to need the bass turned up a little high...but that is okay) it's dialed and can fine tune it in seconds.

Will definitely try the trick just mentioned of master all the way up, adjust gain to get corect volume...

I have tinnitus, and swear the sound of the SLO even at higher volumes is like a balm to my ears. Had to sell my Deluxe Reverb II, even though I loved the sound...at low volumes just a half hour with that amp had the ears raging with tinnitus, but the SLO I can play fairly high for a long time without problems.

[cisspcism]

Turn down the trebl to zero and push the mids to 10 and then have bass to taste and this amp sounds awesome and is no longer bright but very thick and still cuts very well

[StompBoxBlues]

Turn down the trebl to zero and push the mids to 10 and then have bass to taste and this amp sounds awesome and is no longer bright but very thick and still cuts very well

It's kinda funny...for sure myself, and from what I read a number of others, find it hard to go so drastic EVEN when our ears are telling us it is right. I've been working on it, and it sure does help. Many things, amps, pedals, are designed to be about right in the middle of the travel of knobs, etc. but there are the others that you just need to play around with and then can sound great. Thanks for the tip! I'm going to try it out.

I had actually been setting the bass up slightly back from maximum, mid around 6, treble down under 5, it was hard to leave it there and felt "wrong" but sounded right so I learned to get over it :JAM.

[Ricker]

Turn down the trebl to zero and push the mids to 10 and then have bass to taste and this amp sounds awesome and is no longer bright but very thick and still cuts very well

I'm sure this setting is not gonna do any favours to the Clean channel???

Rick

[StompBoxBlues]

I'm sure this setting is not gonna do any favours to the Clean channel???

Rick

I'm going to try it and see. Still also have the "bright" switch if needed...and presence.

Personally, like I said, I love the cleans as well as the lead channel on the SLO, at least as I have been setting it. But worth a try to see...

[se7en]

Turn down the trebl to zero and push the mids to 10 and then have bass to taste and this amp sounds awesome and is no longer bright but very thick and still cuts very well

Just tried these settings (well, brought back the mids slightly) and it sounds killer. Not big on the clean sound though...I used to be able to get them sounding pretty good with the crunch switch activated and lower preamp settings...but, cranked to 11 it works well for crunch rhythms. Thanks for the tip!

[guitarvc]

When the SLO was my amp of choice, I had the DeMartini mod which made the clean channel more Fenderesque, the Warren Haynes mod (Even though Warren is my fav, i couldnt get it to work for gigs because I needed more gain...see the rest) KT66 powertubes and a Soldano Surfbox in the loop for reverb and trem.

I would use channel 1 as a dedicated clean channel and use a Fulltone Fat Boost for clean solos. It worked pretty well. Channel 2 was my overdrive and would use an Ernie Ball Volume pedal to go from crunch rhythm to solo. The Warren Haynes mod didn't allow for enough crunch when using the volume pedal for rhythm and lead.

I switched to the Bogner Shiva because of the lower wattage factor and the adjustable solo boost ( then a mod for $150 ). I now use an Egnater Mod 50 because I have 2 rhythm channels and 2 lead channels (clean and overdrive) My tone is set now.

All that being said, the lead tones of the SLO are hard to beat. If I was a touring pro instead of a club hack I would use it in conjunction with other amps. I'm not, so I don't anymore. Still got one though that I break out every so often. hehehehe!

[cisspcism]

Just tried these settings (well, brought back the mids slightly) and it sounds killer. Not big on the clean sound though...I used to be able to get them sounding pretty good with the crunch switch activated and lower preamp settings...but, cranked to 11 it works well for crunch rhythms. Thanks for the tip!

Yeah its a balancing act, clean tones want less mids and high gain tones want more mids. I use the crunch mode though on the clean channel like you. Right now I have preamp gain 5, bass 8, mids 10, treb 0, presence 6 and volume at 5 and it sounds great.

but with me I find I used the mids knob as my knob to bring in the body and highs. Even on my Bogner I boost the mids a crap load and lower the treb alot.

[cisspcism]

I'm sure this setting is not gonna do any favours to the Clean channel???

Rick

Its not to bad and the bright switch can help that, but I used the crunch mode and roll back volume on guitar for clean tones and its doable, but then again I didnt get the slo 100 for clean tones anyway

[bilbal]

Congratulations man! That amp is just a total winner.

Couple of things, I had trouble following (just reread the threads) what you ended up getting, did you go stock or with mods? If with mods, which ones and what do you think of them?

Also, I think I asked before, wasn't it you that heard from Mike about the best tubes to use in it? Just curious which ones they would be. I bought a bunch, and the V1 tube makes a huge difference. I spent a good day trying different ones deciding on one that though slightly microphonic still...had IT.

What kind of speaker cab also? Which speakers?

I've bought a few (even more expensive) amps in the last year, and the SLO...it's just always sounding fantastic. I don't spend hours dialing it in, I get a great sound practically wherever (well...I do tend to need the bass turned up a little high...but that is okay) it's dialed and can fine tune it in seconds.

Will definitely try the trick just mentioned of master all the way up, adjust gain to get corect volume...

I have tinnitus, and swear the sound of the SLO even at higher volumes is like a balm to my ears. Had to sell my Deluxe Reverb II, even though I loved the sound...at low volumes just a half hour with that amp had the ears raging with tinnitus, but the SLO I can play fairly high for a long time without problems.

No my SLO is dead stock, the way Michael designed it 22 years ago. When I was first deciding what I wanted, I ended thinking I wanted the amp to be as close to Michael's original design as possible. So, I called, spoke to him, and asked how I should proceed. His advise to me was, no mods, a very clean and quiet V1 (JJ), the rest of the preamp tubes should be EH12AX7, and the power amp tubes should be Sovtek 5881. As far as I can remember, that is what he told me. I am going to send him an email right now to be sure. I will correct this post if necessary.

Bill

[bilbal]

OK - the email requesting Michael's exact tube compliment recommendation for a stock SLO has been sent. I will probably get an answer tomorrow at some time.

[se7en]

Yeah its a balancing act, clean tones want less mids and high gain tones want more mids. I use the crunch mode though on the clean channel like you. Right now I have preamp gain 5, bass 8, mids 10, treb 0, presence 6 and volume at 5 and it sounds great.

but with me I find I used the mids knob as my knob to bring in the body and highs. Even on my Bogner I boost the mids a crap load and lower the treb alot.

I imagine I'll just run an EQ on my Gmajor for the crunch channel if it bothers me. I appreciate those settings...My SLO has never sounded better. I never thought of the mids as bringing in the highs, either. Do you own a Bogner XTC 101b, by any chance? If so, I'd be interested to hear how you set yours up.

[Ricker]

No my SLO is dead stock.

Bill

Yeah I read that is was real dead stock when it arrived the first time....;)

Rick

[bilbal]

Yeah I read that is was real dead stock when it arrived the first time....;)

Rick

Oh Chr***, it was dead alright. You could not possibly understand the pain in my gut I had once I realized it wasn't my error (ie bad cables, hooked up incorrectly, stupid mistakes). I actually almost throw up on it. Now it's back to life and is incredibly awesome - Thank God!!!! I'm glad I can joke about it now. I wasn't very receptive to jokes then though!!! I was actually kind of a d*** to the guy who's store it was purchased from. I have since apologized and there are no hard feeling as far as I'm concerned. It was a stupid mistake - a $4000.00 stupid mistake. I hope you can understand why I was less than cordial for a moment :D

Bill

[cisspcism]

I imagine I'll just run an EQ on my Gmajor for the crunch channel if it bothers me. I appreciate those settings...My SLO has never sounded better. I never thought of the mids as bringing in the highs, either. Do you own a Bogner XTC 101b, by any chance? If so, I'd be interested to hear how you set yours up.


I have the bogner 101b and use the red channel for lead tones

Excursion=L for lower mids
Presence at 1-2 oclock
Treble at 8 oclock
mids 3 oclock
Bass at 10 oclock
Volume at noon
Gain at 1 oclock
no pre eq, structure set to high and A/B new modes

Clean channel
excursion= T
is presence off
treb 1 oclock
mids 10 oclock
bass 1 oclock
Volume all the way up
and then use gain for loudness
this is the recommended way to get the 101b to sound like a super reverb

[neojack15]

About 4 years ago, I was lucky enough to be doing a gig where they supplied the equipment. i had heard a SLO 100, never owned one, considered asking for it for this gig but I needed a channel switcher so I received the decatone. The dec was ok, and no slo. oruntately, yes there is a santa, one of the stage workers damaged the amp so I finally got my slo 100 and I used a modded twin for cleans. WHAT AN AMP. I tried to buy it at the end of the gig but they wouldn't sell it to me but instead sold the entire compliment of sound and stage equipment to a wholesaler. AAARRRGGGHHHH.

I eventually bought a lucky 13 which i love. One of the few amps I have kept. Its cleans are tremendous and its gain channel is great too. Its a very versitle working amp.

But if i ever get the money, I will by another slo in an instnat. i used mainly the crunch channel and the oomph I received in my chest reminded me of my plexi I had in the late 70's. What an amp. Absolute tone.

[bilbal]

Cool story. While I am absolutely smitten with the drive of my SLO, I really like the clean channel set to crunch and worked with the volume of the guitar. It's a lot more dynamic and extremely more usable than many think. There is not one thing about my SLO i don't love. It's staying!!!

That said, I would like to try out a Lucky 13. I have heard great things about the clean side of it. Maybe one day. I really want another SLO before I buy anything else - don't ask why - I just want another. Crazy??? Probably - LOL!!!

b

[FeloniousBishop]

I used to own an SLO-100. It's one amp I wish I still owned. Great crunch channel. Fine grained texture to the sound on that channel. It is tight but not huge in the bottom end. The clean channel though was a little too hard and tight and I much prefer say an older Fender amp for a clean sound.

So in the end it was a one channel amp for me and that's why I sold it (at the time) but it would be nice to still have it.

It is probably the only amp I've ever sold that I actually really liked the sound of. The guy I sold it to was the guy I bought it from and he was really glad to have it back.

[johnnyjellybean]

This is the 3rd time I am owner of the SLO I have now and it will go to the grave with me this time around. It is SLO # 008 and was the 1st NAMM show model for 1987 when Mike introduced his amps to the world. It is also the SLO pictured in all the early advertising in Guitar Player mag etc. It has the chrome tranny endbells and the chrome metal logo. I have owned this amp for a total of 14 years in the past and I am stoked that I am getting it back again. It traveled the world with me and it's like seeing an old friend again. PS: These early amps have a special mojo (more gain and a slightly creamier top end)thanks to a slightly different routing of the signal even though the components are the same as 1990 and up. (The routing and the physical placement of the components on the circuit board is different)

I am lucky I got it back this third time around. The first time it was sold to a collector in California (I'm in Montreal) and after having terrible seller's remorse , a month later I asked him to sell it back and he refused. After calling him several times over the course of a year and offering him $500 more than he paid me, he said "I'll never sell it...it's staying in my collection!" Well 3 years later I got a call from a friend of mine in Ottawa Ontario asking me ..."wasn't your SLO serial number #008? Well it's on Ebay!" I freaked ! I logged on and used "buy it now" and bought it back for $200 less than I sold it for!! The last time I sold it was 4 years ago. I was hard up for some cash and actually traded it for a 68 Les Paul Custom which I did very VERY well with and so I didn't look back. Just recently ,I decided to call the guy I traded with and ask him about the amp. He told me he had sold it to a local collector for big money about a year ago and that he didn't have any idea how to contact the new owner . Three weeks ago, I put an ad on a local internet site looking for the guy and got a response from some guy who had sold him another amp. I got his contact info, called him and low and behold we struck a deal. I traded him a sum of cash plus a 3 month old Decatone that I had got in a straight trade for a Splawn QuickRod (which I quickly went out and replaced!). I did very well again! I still can't believe I was lucky enough to get it back and own it a 3rd time. I smile every time I walk into the guitar room. The amp sounds absolutely amazing and even better than I remembered it to be. I'm still stoked
http://stevesegal.hypermart.net/slo1002.jpg

[joolzriff]

another thing to like about them....the box is smaller than a standard amp head and they are much lighter to carry about....a real bonus.....ive been carry'n things that weigh like a jcm800 for yrs now and thats what stuck in my mind about the SLO was the transporting of it....awesome.......silly bugger i sold it:NUTS

[StompBoxBlues]

This is the 3rd time I am owner of the SLO I have now and it will go to the grave with me this time around. It is SLO # 008 and was the 1st NAMM show model for 1987 when Mike introduced his amps to the world. It is also the SLO pictured in all the early advertising in Guitar Player mag etc. It has the chrome tranny endbells and the chrome metal logo. I have owned this amp for a total of 14 years in the past and I am stoked that I am getting it back again. It traveled the world with me and it's like seeing an old friend again. PS: These early amps have a special mojo (more gain and a slightly creamier top end)thanks to a slightly different routing of the signal even though the components are the same as 1990 and up. (The routing and the physical placement of the components on the circuit board is different)

I am lucky I got it back this third time around. The first time it was sold to a collector in California (I'm in Montreal) and after having terrible seller's remorse , a month later I asked him to sell it back and he refused. After calling him several times over the course of a year and offering him $500 more than he paid me, he said "I'll never sell it...it's staying in my collection!" Well 3 years later I got a call from a friend of mine in Ottawa Ontario asking me ..."wasn't your SLO serial number #008? Well it's on Ebay!" I freaked ! I logged on and used "buy it now" and bought it back for $200 less than I sold it for!! The last time I sold it was 4 years ago. I was hard up for some cash and actually traded it for a 68 Les Paul Custom which I did very VERY well with and so I didn't look back. Just recently ,I decided to call the guy I traded with and ask him about the amp. He told me he had sold it to a local collector for big money about a year ago and that he didn't have any idea how to contact the new owner . Three weeks ago, I put an ad on a local internet site looking for the guy and got a response from some guy who had sold him another amp. I got his contact info, called him and low and behold we struck a deal. I traded him a sum of cash plus a 3 month old Decatone that I had got in a straight trade for a Splawn QuickRod. I did very well again! I still can't believe I was lucky enough to get it back and own it a 3rd time. I smile every time I walk into the guitar room. The amp sounds absolutely amazing and even better than I remembered it to be. I'm still stoked
http://stevesegal.hypermart.net/slo1002.jpg


Great story! Happy reunited(ness?), must be a great feeling!

I bought a used SLO-100 this year, and am just loving it. It just plain delivers it all. Sat down last night (haven't gotten to play it in a band yet, well...a jam band and it sounded great but not my old normal band) and just did a quickie recording test on a song I've been writing, and BOY does it ever come through in all it's glory. No EQ, sm58 mic, record, and on playback...nothing to tweak...sounds alive and harmonic and just like heaven. And I don't have any mods on mine, and it was at lower volume...still GREAT!

I think I am going to have to try and get a second one...at least.

I can see there would be no point in asking how much for yours? :Devil

hehehehehhe....

[Guitar James]

Still my favourite highgainer.

[bilbal]

This is the 3rd time I am owner of the SLO I have now and it will go to the grave with me this time around. It is SLO # 008 and was the 1st NAMM show model for 1987 when Mike introduced his amps to the world. It is also the SLO pictured in all the early advertising in Guitar Player mag etc. It has the chrome tranny endbells and the chrome metal logo. I have owned this amp for a total of 14 years in the past and I am stoked that I am getting it back again. It traveled the world with me and it's like seeing an old friend again. PS: These early amps have a special mojo (more gain and a slightly creamier top end)thanks to a slightly different routing of the signal even though the components are the same as 1990 and up. (The routing and the physical placement of the components on the circuit board is different)

I am lucky I got it back this third time around. The first time it was sold to a collector in California (I'm in Montreal) and after having terrible seller's remorse , a month later I asked him to sell it back and he refused. After calling him several times over the course of a year and offering him $500 more than he paid me, he said "I'll never sell it...it's staying in my collection!" Well 3 years later I got a call from a friend of mine in Ottawa Ontario asking me ..."wasn't your SLO serial number #008? Well it's on Ebay!" I freaked ! I logged on and used "buy it now" and bought it back for $200 less than I sold it for!! The last time I sold it was 4 years ago. I was hard up for some cash and actually traded it for a 68 Les Paul Custom which I did very VERY well with and so I didn't look back. Just recently ,I decided to call the guy I traded with and ask him about the amp. He told me he had sold it to a local collector for big money about a year ago and that he didn't have any idea how to contact the new owner . Three weeks ago, I put an ad on a local internet site looking for the guy and got a response from some guy who had sold him another amp. I got his contact info, called him and low and behold we struck a deal. I traded him a sum of cash plus a 3 month old Decatone that I had got in a straight trade for a Splawn QuickRod (which I quickly went out and replaced!). I did very well again! I still can't believe I was lucky enough to get it back and own it a 3rd time. I smile every time I walk into the guitar room. The amp sounds absolutely amazing and even better than I remembered it to be. I'm still stoked
http://stevesegal.hypermart.net/slo1002.jpg


Great story!!! Now keep it this time damn-it!!! LOL :D. I would love to hear the difference between yours and mine. I got mine about 3 months ago. I sold my first SLO and moved into a Bogner. Big mistake. That was 10-11 years ago. I had always wanted to replace it. So, I recently came into a bit of cash and the SLO was first on my list. This one will never go anywhere. There is just something about an SLO that separates it from the others. IMO, the best amp on the planet, at least for me!!

HANG ON TO THAT SLO THIS TIME, JOHNNYJELLYBEAN.

[flvinny521]

http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=%5BCacheBuster%5D&adtype=1&size=1x1&type=4&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FCustom-Soldano-SLO-Guitar-Amp-With-Matching-Cab_W0QQitemZ130257608668QQcmdZViewItem%3Fhash%3Di tem130257608668%26_trkparms%3D72%253A1210%257C39%2 53A1%257C66%253A2%257C65%253A12%257C240%253A1318%2 6_trksid%3Dp3286.c0.m14Here (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FCustom-Soldano-SLO-Guitar-Amp-With-Matching-Cab_W0QQitemZ130257608668QQcmdZViewItem%3Fhash%3Di tem130257608668%26_trkparms%3D72%253A1210%257C39%2 53A1%257C66%253A2%257C65%253A12%257C240%253A1318%2 6_trksid%3Dp3286.c0.m14)'s a sweet one on the 'Bay right now!


http://i14.ebayimg.com/08/i/001/09/a0/1ed7_3.JPG
http://i2.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/0c/8a/7f64_3.JPG

[Bobby D]

I have been a Soldano fan and user since the early 90s.

I have been lucky enough to use SLOs for gigs, but have not owned one....yet.

In the 90s, I had a really nice Hot Rod 50 head and matching 2x12 Soldano cab. The head was green lizard looking tolex, and the cab was purple. It was kinda ugly, but it sounded great :)

I had been missing the Soldano sound, and got myself a really early Reverb-O-Sonic from 1994 with factory "crunch" mod. 100% stock, with the soldano branded eminence speakers. 2x12 combo configuration.

It's such an amazing sounding amp, I know that the channels are based on the SLO, but you don't get the high gain madness channel. That's fine for me, as I like to add that sort of stuff with pedals, and this amp loves pedals.

Got it loaded with GT Black Plate 6L6 reissues, and mullard re-issue 12ax7s.

I have been vacillating about selling or trading it, because I really am desiring a Marshall 18 watt 2061 head, or 1x12 combo. Or one of the many many clones of that style circuit, seems like they are breeding everywhere these days!

But every time I plug into the ROS, it makes me want to keep it. It's such a BIG sounding combo, and it has this presence about it that few combos have. It honestly sounds big and full like a 4x12 cab. AND it sounds really decent at low volume situations.

I gig for a living, so I carry this stuff around A LOT.

Which makes me want something a bit smaller and lighter, like the Marshall 2061 head and a small 1x12 cab.

Ah, the life of a gear junkie. :dude

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/lvxnova/ros-1.jpg

[Jim S]

Soldano porn



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/Soldano/soldanogear.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/Soldano/soldanovhtrack.jpg

[VoodooChild24]

I'd really love to try the SLO but don't have money to buy one.

[Shark Diver]

Jim, you know you want to send that SLO this way. :)

Sweet rig!

[Jim S]

Jim, you know you want to send that SLO this way.

Sweet rig!...and these aren't the droids you're looking for.



:BEER

[ShredHeadJHJ]

I just got a Soldano Decatone & it's an awesome amp!!! The more I play it the more I kinda wish it had separate EQ's, & a clean reverb, but it's not a big deal. The thing is that this amp is capable of doing so much, but lets say I set channel 2 up for a metal crunch, the other channels will sound find, but I won't have much pop on the clean channel, for example.

[gsf]

They are all tone machines capable of getting what the user likes best. Didn't dig Clapton with it SLO, though I suspect that's the lace sensor/effects combination. Warren Haynes' LP's work great w/the SLO. Had a great 1/2 hour session w/a Hot Rod 50---would have bought, but had too many amps at the time.

[pavlov]

The SLO is one of the amps that i was stoked to play for a LONG time. I was even planning on buying one before i ever played one. Once i played one i was really letdown by it. It didn't sound good until it was SHAKING the walls, and i was surprised by how much gain it didn't have.

And for the price these amps cost! No thanks.

[Jemlite]

The SLO is one of the amps that i was stoked to play for a LONG time. I was even planning on buying one before i ever played one. Once i played one i was really letdown by it. It didn't sound good until it was SHAKING the walls, and i was surprised by how much gain it didn't have.

And for the price these amps cost! No thanks.

:huh I guess we'll never figure out why the same amp, with great reviews, can be such a different experience for some people... Seriously though, as far as I'm concerned, (and without a doubt in my mind), something was wrong with that one dude... Whether set up, speakers, tubes... something was off.

My SLO has decent gain at any volume... even bedroom ain't so bad. I don't think I've ever done a gig with the MV over 5 (usually run it 3-4), and big crunch and tone is always there... for any extra I'll kick on a pedal.

[SReynolds]

The SLO is one of the best amps made to date imho. Killler crunch and rythm tone and some of the best lead tones I've ever heard. If your on stage with and equal player and you don't have a top notch amp the SLO player will hand you your ass tonewise. I've seen it happen to pros let alone flunkies like me. You gotta take some players opinion with a grain of salt because they don't sound good through anything. I let a friend play my rig one night (non slo) very touch sensitive amp, I mean you better be on your toes. He couldn't get away from it fast enough. Kinda funny cause I was setting him up, but needless to say he didn't like the amp at all. Awesome player he just had'nt come in contact with that kinda amp. Oh well I got side tracked but the SLO is a BADASS AMP.:horse

[se7en]

Great amp if you can crank it..good at lower volumes, but too trebly, IMO...I had one and sold it...wasn't worth it to me, when other amps I own have a better master volume. Great lead sound, rhythm wasn't thick enough for me, unless it was ridiculously loud. Depth mod made things too flubby on the low end. Close, but no cigar for me. I wish they'd come out with a new amp with a better loop and master volume...

[Shark Diver]

...and these aren't the droids you're looking for.



:BEER

:p My Jedi is slipping.

[ShredHeadJHJ]

Shark Diver, I get a chubby every single time I look at your gear list.

[jpage]

Where do people use amps like the SLO nowadays? Not trying to be a wise ass but really...the SLO is a great amp but needs to be opened up to sound the way it is supposed to. Not choked to death by an attenuator. And why would you lug around all of that just to play it under a blanket? Like putting a gov'nor on a Ferrari.

Waaaay to big for anything I, or anyone I know would ever use it for.:dunno

[ecbluesman54]

Where do people use amps like the SLO nowadays? Not trying to be a wise ass but really...the SLO is a great amp but needs to be opened up to sound the way it is supposed to. Not choked to death by an attenuator. And why would you lug around all of that just to play it under a blanket? Like putting a gov'nor on a Ferrari.

Waaaay to big for anything I, or anyone I know would ever use it for.:dunno

I find mine to sound great at very low volumes. Its always better to be able to open it up, but even at the lowest volumes it sounds as good as anything I have ever played through.

[jpage]

Rock on brother--do you play around Boston ever? I'd love to hear it in person.

[ecbluesman54]

Hey jpage, doing the cover band thing in the Plymouth / Cape area. Small clubs, but the master works real well.

[Wizard of Ozz]

To everyone that says the SLO sounds "good" at any setting below 11:00 (insert bedroom, low volume, small club, etc.)... I have a different definition of "good".

If you want a great tone at low volumes, the Bogner XTC, Diezel VH4/Herbert, or Marshall JVM all do the cranked tone at low volume thing way better IMHO.

The SLO is a great amp and is built like a tank, but it needs to be cranked to sound it's best. 11:00 on the lead channel volume is a minimum... however this is too loud for most places... unless you're playing arenas, major league ballparks, Wembley Stadium, or Budokahn. It needs volume!!!

[jpage]

I look forward to checking your band out this summer! If you can, PM me your band's name. I just moved to the Boston area fairly recently but I've been playing with some guys and am hoping we'll be ready to be playing out by this summer.

Damn job keeps getting in the way...

[suparsonic]

My Slo sits in the corner gathering dust. I prefer the smoother tones of my XTC, 5153 or X99. Gets a little fatiguing after a while.

[EVHindenberg]

My Slo sits in the corner gathering dust. I prefer the smoother tones of my XTC, 5153 or X99. Gets a little fatiguing after a while.
Wanna trade that bad boy for a Cameron modded '83 2204 in awesome condition? It has the Aldrich mod with bass boost and tube buffered fx loop.

[blastastick]

Where do people use amps like the SLO nowadays? Not trying to be a wise ass but really...the SLO is a great amp but needs to be opened up to sound the way it is supposed to. Not choked to death by an attenuator. And why would you lug around all of that just to play it under a blanket? Like putting a gov'nor on a Ferrari.

Waaaay to big for anything I, or anyone I know would ever use it for.:dunno

People playing in larger venues, metal, or loud music. Not for the bedroom guys, or the local blues jam.

[mainly]

My Slo sits in the corner gathering dust. I prefer the smoother tones of my XTC, 5153 or X99. Gets a little fatiguing after a while.


do you want to sell it?

[DEMENTED]

The SLO is one of the amps that i was stoked to play for a LONG time. I was even planning on buying one before i ever played one. Once i played one i was really letdown by it. It didn't sound good until it was SHAKING the walls, and i was surprised by how much gain it didn't have.
And for the price these amps cost! No thanks.

+1 in my experience, tried for almost 2 years to get along with it but finally had to sell .

[joolzriff]

OMG the SLO has so much gain its ridiculous...each to his own of course,i couldnt imagine using any more gain than even on 6 pre..and thats hard rock/metal
so let me ask you guys,what are you doing to need more gain,I'm really curious to learn about what we are all using these amps for

[suparsonic]

Wanna trade that bad boy for a Cameron modded '83 2204 in awesome condition? It has the Aldrich mod with bass boost and tube buffered fx loop.
Thanks for the offer, but I'm in Australia, besides it's a '88 model so I'm going to hang onto it. I might just take it to rehersals next week! It does sound nice with my Les Paul and EVH Greenback quad.

[suparsonic]

My Slo sits in the corner gathering dust. I prefer the smoother tones of my XTC, 5153 or X99. Gets a little fatiguing after a while.
I'm going to retract that coment. I just dusted it off, wow, now I remember why I'm hanging onto it. Clean, articulate, dynamic overdrive, nothing does it like a SLO!:love:

[mainly]

I'm going to retract that coment. I just dusted it off, wow, now I remember why I'm hanging onto it. Clean, articulate, dynamic overdrive, nothing does it like a SLO!:love:


thanks alot....

:puh

[jnug]

My SLO has decent gain at any volume... even bedroom ain't so bad. I don't think I've ever done a gig with the MV over 5 (usually run it 3-4), and big crunch and tone is always there... for any extra I'll kick on a pedal.

i agree, the slo has more than enough gain. i don't even use all oF the gain it has, i usually keep my pre gain at 2-4,.

[Jemlite]

People playing in larger venues, metal, or loud music. Not for the bedroom guys, or the local blues jam.

:huh I be curious to know how long you owned a SLO, and under what circumstances had you tried to make it work before you decided this? Do you play in a band that gigs and came to this conclusion after using it?

[Jemlite]

Where do people use amps like the SLO nowadays? Not trying to be a wise ass but really...the SLO is a great amp but needs to be opened up to sound the way it is supposed to. Not choked to death by an attenuator. And why would you lug around all of that just to play it under a blanket? Like putting a gov'nor on a Ferrari.

Waaaay to big for anything I, or anyone I know would ever use it for.:dunno

I gig mine all the time. From small hole in the wall bars to outdoor events and everywhere in between. I have never had a problem controlling volume. And the tone and crunch are always there. Tunes range from old school blues, classic, and newer rock.

The MV works great on mine. It does not need to be on 11 to get it's tone. It's not a bedroom amp... but then again what is? a Princeton? a POD? It's a gigging amp that's a whole lot more controllable than most of the lower wattage non master amps raved about here.

And as far as lugging all that around.... a head and a 212 cab? SLO's are smaller and lighter than most heads.

[blastastick]

Many of the people here commenting on they can't use it because it is too loud, play in their bedroom or small jams. I play a different style of music than classic rock, blues, or muzak Jazz. It requires loud amps, such as a SLO, opened up. There are plenty of low watt amps for these types of players. SLO is for loud music.

[voodoosound]

Many of the people here commenting on they can't use it because it is too loud, play in their bedroom or small jams. I play a different style of music than classic rock, blues, or muzak Jazz. It requires loud amps, such as a SLO, opened up. There are plenty of low watt amps for these types of players. SLO is for loud music.

SLOs are for just about any kind of music at just about any volume. The master on them work exceptionally well and the haynes mod gets rid of any unwanted brightness at low volumes. I'd say your comment just shows your limited experience with an slo and other types of music. Early SLOs make exceptional blues amps. You just have to know how to dial it in.

[MesieBooga]

+1
my SLO gigs at the volume 2 to 3. W/ Green backs (older ones) it really is a warm tone. It's great when the amp is up to 6 with my UA, but doesn't have to be. (My UA has only 1 speaker out and I use 2 4x12's)

[blastastick]

SLOs are for just about any kind of music at just about any volume. The master on them work exceptionally well and the haynes mod gets rid of any unwanted brightness at low volumes. I'd say your comment just shows your limited experience with an slo and other types of music. Early SLOs make exceptional blues amps. You just have to know how to dial it in.

A SLO needs to be cranked to sound it's best, no matter what style you are playing. I have seen warren many times, and he opens it up. BTBAM plays one as well, of course different style of music. I have played on many SLO's, early ones, and newer ones. Some with the mods, some without. I never said blues could not be played on them. Just talking about the general bedroom players, and the local blues jam guys. These are not the amp you would see brought to that kind of scenario.

[voodoosound]

A SLO needs to be cranked to sound it's best, no matter what style you are playing. I have seen warren many times, and he opens it up. BTBAM plays one as well, of course different style of music. I have played on many SLO's, early ones, and newer ones. Some with the mods, some without. I never said blues could not be played on them. Just talking about the general bedroom players, and the local blues jam guys. These are not the amp you would see brought to that kind of scenario.

While I agree any 100 watt amp sounds best cranked for metal or hard rock it is not necssary to crank it for Blues, Jazz, Funk or FUsion. Based on your retourt I see my point went over your head. I kind site one example of a pretty well known local blues player that uses or was using an SLO100R he plays very small veues like the baked potatoe. His tone is phenomenal.
In most cases the tools used are not as important as the experience applied. You will learn that with more experience.

[blastastick]

While I agree any 100 watt amp sounds best cranked. Based on your retourt I see my point went over your head. I kind site one example of a pretty well known local blues player that uses or was using an SLO100R he plays very small veues like the baked potatoe. His tone is phenomenal.
In most cases the tools used are not as important as the experience applied. You will learn that with more experience.

Retort, potato, venues. Corrected them for you. I play for a living actually, it is not a hobby. Have for many years. Certain tones, for certain types of music must be cranked. You will probably not learn this, because you more than likely play, listen to, and are involved with more traditional styles of music.

[voodoosound]

Retort, potato, venues. Corrected them for you. I play for a living actually, it is not a hobby. Have for many years. Certain tones, for certain types of music must be cranked. You will probably not learn this, because you more than likely play, listen to, and are involved with more traditional styles of music.

I'm sorry is playing for a living supposed to give you some type of merit or experience? I know lots of cats that play for a living as I used to in the lates 80s. Some of them actually know how to play more than 3 styles others don't.

My point of all this is by the comments you're making about the SLO it is very clear you have a very limited understanding of what the amp can do. So one can deduce by that, that either A: you don't have much experience with an SLO or B: YOu don't have much experience.

Also, yes you would be correct that I play more tradiotional types of music. Jazz, Classical fusion, Hard Rock, Funk and many things in between. After playing for several years during the late 80s at earbleed levels for people that at the time we thought "this music is over their heads". I actually discovered later after more experience under my belt, if the audience doesn't get it, it doesn't matter. Prog Metal was not for everyone in the mid to late 80s. After, all the garbage I hear out there these days what exactly is non traditional? Metal is metal no matter what verb you put in front of it. THe only difference is some is good and some is not.

Feel free to correct my spelling if you care. I don't.

[jharpersj]

I found the same thing, needs to be cranked, has a suck clean channel and efx loop. I will say the gain channel when cranked is amazing

I'm sorry is playing for a living supposed to give you some type of merit or experience? I know lots of cats that play for a living as I used to in the lates 80s. Some of them actually know how to play more than 3 styles others don't.

My point of all this is by the comments you're making about the SLO it is very clear you have a very limited understanding of what the amp can do. So one can deduce by that, that either A: you don't have much experience with an SLO or B: YOu don't have much experience.

Feel free to correct my spelling if you care. I don't.

[voodoosound]

I found the same thing, needs to be cranked, has a suck clean channel and efx loop. I will say the gain channel when cranked is amazing

The fx loop is at -10 for rack mount gear. Pedals do suck through it. The clean is awesome but then again some folks can't appreciate it. All depends on what you use the amp for, what you expect out of it and if you have the experience to pull it off.

What this tells me is that you prefer power amp distortion to preamp distortion. Then this begs the question why use an SLO? Why not use a Marshall with no master?

[Jim S]

The clean on the SLO does not suck, IMHO. I think it's very good to excellent. It comes close to but does not quite match my BF SR.

One needs to spend time with amp and be open minded to playing with the tone controls in perhaps unconventional settings.

.
.

[voodoosound]

The clean on the SLO does not suck, IMHO. I think it's very good to excellent. It comes close to but does not quite match my BF SR.

One needs to spend time with amp and be open minded to playing with the tone controls in perhaps unconventional settings.

.
.

Exactly my point. Glad someone with more experience understands.

[blastastick]

The fx loop is at -10 for rack mount gear. Pedals do suck through it. The clean is awesome but then again some folks can't appreciate it. All depends on what you use the amp for, what you expect out of it and if you have the experience to pull it off.

What this tells me is that you prefer power amp distortion to preamp distortion. Then this begs the question why use an SLO? Why not use a Marshall with no master?

You keep saying if people have experience they can get certain things out of them. I have experience, and like them. To sound great they need to be cranked. A Marshall cranked does not sound the same. If I am playing that kind of music, why would I use a SLO? It is common knowledge these need to be cranked. People who have owned them, or played them for any length of time knows this. I think you are the one with little experience regarding these amps, and are playing little blues jams, or jamming with some buddies in the garage. If you show up with a SLO at one of these jams, people will not be happy for sure. Here is a little sample, oh yea it is not a SLO.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7338112

[voodoosound]

You keep saying if people have experience they can get certain things out of them. I have experience, and like them. To sound great they need to be cranked. A Marshall cranked does not sound the same. If I am playing that kind of music, why would I use a SLO? It is common knowledge these need to be cranked. People who have owned them, or played them for any length of time knows this. I think you are the one with little experience reagrding these amps, and are playing little blues jams, or jamming with some buddies in the garage. If you show up with a SLO at one of these jams, people will not be happy for sure. Here is a little sample, oh yea it is not a SLO.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7338112

I am not going to argue with you any longer your clip explains everything. I will say though that you do not need an SLO a pod through the P.A would suffice.

[blastastick]

I am not going to argue with you any longer your clip explains everything. I will say though that you do not need an SLO a pod through the P.A would suffice.

Actually this was Amplitude, and all the instruments were played by me, except the programmed drums. I just sold my Mad Professor, and am getting a Peters Chimera, along with my modified Engl Rack setup live. I clicked on your "studio", and there is nothing even there. Website coming soon. This type of music live has to be loud. I alo play Holdsworth era UK type of Jazz Fusion, but I am sure that could be a POD as well. Do YOU own a SLO?

[voodoosound]

Actually this was Amplitude, and all the instruments were played by me, except the programmed drums. I just sold my Mad Professor, and am getting a Peters Chimera, along with my modified Engl Rack setup live. I clicked on your "studio", and there is nothing even there. Website coming soon. This type of music live has to be loud. I alo play Holdsworth era UK type of Jazz Fusion, but I am sure that could be a POD as well. Do YOU own a SLO?

LOL!! I might own 1 or 2.

[Shark Diver]

Funny that people have such a closed mind sometimes. I have played just about every type of amp out there, in my bedroom and out, and I definitely rank the SLO right at the top. There are other amps that I like as well, but the SLO fits me pretty well. I don't have to crank it. Does it sound a little better cranked. Who knows? Physical fact that we perceive music differently at higher volumes, so maybe it's us more than the amp. Maybe not.

You don't have to like the SLO, but it's pretty rude to tell the people who own them, use them, and love them that it can't do the very thing we are using it for. ;)

You'll have to crank any amp to get it over that guy screaming. More power to ya. To each his own.

[Jemlite]

Why the heck are we arguing with a Jazz/Fusion guy about a SLO?

For anyone that has never played a SLO, it absolutely does not have to be cranked to sound good...

[Ricker]

For all you guys out there that haven't played a SLO.......
this amp sucks big time.

I've never played one and may never get the chance so I will continue.............this amp sucks....;)

R

[Jemlite]

for all you guys out there that haven't played a slo.......
This amp sucks big time.

I've never played one and may never get the chance so i will continue.............this amp sucks....;)

r

:d lol

[suparsonic]

I've owned 4x Slo's, 2x X99s' and a Decatone over the past 20 years. The Slo shines at 5 or above on the master volume, more so than any other amp I've played. Same as any valve amp it gets a thickness to the tone at high volumes, but where other amps compress and lose defenition the Slo comes alive. Low volumes, I'd prefer my Bogner.

[ShredHeadJHJ]

I just upped the bias on my Decatone & now it sounds like loose mushy garbage WTF? I thought a hotter bias would tighten the tone a little, not kill it.

[blastastick]

I've owned 4x Slo's, 2x X99s' and a Decatone over the past 20 years. The Slo shines at 5 or above on the master volume, more so than any other amp I've played. Same as any valve amp it gets a thickness to the tone at high volumes, but where other amps compress and lose defenition the Slo comes alive. Low volumes, I'd prefer my Bogner.

:agree These amps were made to be cranked.

[ShredHeadJHJ]

Man, I really think Soldano's must love to be biased really cold... What do you guys think??

[baron55]

I just upped the bias on my Decatone & now it sounds like loose mushy garbage WTF? I thought a hotter bias would tighten the tone a little, not kill it.


Hotter bias will cause the amp to loose definition from a colder bias.

On high gain amps, you don't want the bias too hot, or you will loose definition at higher volumes and they will mush out. High gain amps get most of the tone from the preamp, the poweramps are designed to stay realtively clean with little to no breakup. Increasing the plate current (hotter bias) will lower the headroom and cause the tube to clip quicker resulting in more powertube distortion, which normally sounds good, but on an already distorted preamp signal will sound mushy and pretty much undesireable. Now on lower gain amps, hotter bias settings are desired because you want the poweramp distortion and sag because the preamp is relatively clean.

On high gain amps 70% plate dissipation usually means less definition and clarity and mush.. But that depends on tube type. El34's of course are the easiest to break up then you have KT88's and 6550's on the other end which will stay together better at higher bias settings.

I have found on higher gain amps to set the bias in the 60% to 65% range for a tighter cleaner tone.

Cranking the bias hotter (70%) really comes from the lower gain amps, who need more power tube breakup to get the breakup they need.

Of course cold biased amps don't sound good either.


Best way to bias is to set the plate dissapation at around 60% and bias by ear as long as you don't go over 70%. Most will find with most 6L6 and EL34's they sound overall the best in the 60 to 65% range.

The reason for 60% to 70% is generally where most amps have a sweet spot on the bias. More than 70% can cause the tubes to pull more than the rated plate current. Too less and you get into a cold sterile sound with even crossover distortion present.

[ShredHeadJHJ]

The amp lost a LOT of heart & a LOT of gain. The tone thinned out & it lost gain. Now the clean channel is even distorting. It just sounds like pure crap now. I'm going to put it back down to 25ma, which is pretty cold, but it sounded good there. I didn't know those ma were so finnicky!!! Thanks for explaining.

[Jemlite]

:bong TGP has got to be one of the best places, and at the same time, the worst place to get gear advice on the net... To each his own. Experiences differ, it just depends on who's experience and influence someone takes advice from... roll the dice boys. :thud:barf

[bilbal]

I love, love, love my SLO. It's the best purchase i have ever made. I want another one!!!!

The only thing better than an SLO is two SLOs!!!

[joolzriff]

i played w/ a classic rock outfit last night ...SLO and soldano cab...i was a bit weirded out by the speakers in the soldano cab at first as ive only had it a week but the moment i got to a venue in a good room it came alive...i had my clean channel set on clean pre 8 and the drive channel on 2 and the TONE was pure classic rock w/ my own unique sound to it...i owned a bogner xtc that i used to used for this gig but the SLO trampled it into the ground...GOD was my sound good last night,best its been in years.......
to be honest i think i prefer the soldano cab to my bogner or is it just the honeymoon..i dunno

[blastastick]

http://i40.tinypic.com/ftpv9d.jpg

I like their cabs as well.

[joolzriff]

http://i40.tinypic.com/ftpv9d.jpg

I like their cabs as well.thats exactly what i got,same colour too...it sounded realy realy good,didnt miss the bogner,

[paul1122]

good, but big bucks

[joolzriff]

good, but big bucksthing is it aint big or heavy..its a light cab and 28x28x14

[suparsonic]

What speakers are in it?

[joolzriff]

What speakers are in it?x12000

[ShredHeadJHJ]

What thing I've found out about this Decatone: it likes to be biased cold! It has more gain AND more volume at colder settings, which I thought was really odd.

[jnug]

The clean on the SLO does not suck, IMHO. I think it's very good to excellent. It comes close to but does not quite match my BF SR.

One needs to spend time with amp and be open minded to playing with the tone controls in perhaps unconventional settings.


i agree, i've been playing soldanos for probably 4 years now, i like them, one thing i have found is that i set my eq up way different than any amp. it took me a while to get away from more conventional settings, then i started enjoying my soldanos. but it took some time playing and trying different things for me to learn this. my soladano makes be a better player. it makes me keep good technique because i know if i don't it will show it. i use my guitar volume and tone knobs to control tones. there are alot tones available in the slo it's up to the user to spend some time to learn them and learn how to control them. soldano's don't start giving up the goods until they are at 5 or more on the volume but they do sound good at low volumes just better cranked:bow they sound and feel so good cranked that you don't ever want to play them at low volumes . soldanos are great amps but i can see how they are not for every one

[walshb]

I gig mine all the time. From small hole in the wall bars to outdoor events and everywhere in between. I have never had a problem controlling volume. And the tone and crunch are always there. Tunes range from old school blues, classic, and newer rock.

The MV works great on mine. It does not need to be on 11 to get it's tone. It's not a bedroom amp... but then again what is? a Princeton? a POD? It's a gigging amp that's a whole lot more controllable than most of the lower wattage non master amps raved about here.

And as far as lugging all that around.... a head and a 212 cab? SLO's are smaller and lighter than most heads.

I also gig with mine, with a 2x12. Not that much to haul around, especially considering the tone I'm getting! We have a loud drummer and another guitar player in the band; anyone think I'm worried about keeping up with them? bwahahaha!

[Roccaforte Amps]

Hotter bias will cause the amp to loose definition from a colder bias.

On high gain amps, you don't want the bias too hot, or you will loose definition at higher volumes and they will mush out. High gain amps get most of the tone from the preamp, the poweramps are designed to stay realtively clean with little to no breakup. Increasing the plate current (hotter bias) will lower the headroom and cause the tube to clip quicker resulting in more powertube distortion, which normally sounds good, but on an already distorted preamp signal will sound mushy and pretty much undesireable. Now on lower gain amps, hotter bias settings are desired because you want the poweramp distortion and sag because the preamp is relatively clean.

On high gain amps 70% plate dissipation usually means less definition and clarity and mush.. But that depends on tube type. El34's of course are the easiest to break up then you have KT88's and 6550's on the other end which will stay together better at higher bias settings.

I have found on higher gain amps to set the bias in the 60% to 65% range for a tighter cleaner tone.

Cranking the bias hotter (70%) really comes from the lower gain amps, who need more power tube breakup to get the breakup they need.

Of course cold biased amps don't sound good either.


Best way to bias is to set the plate dissapation at around 60% and bias by ear as long as you don't go over 70%. Most will find with most 6L6 and EL34's they sound overall the best in the 60 to 65% range.

The reason for 60% to 70% is generally where most amps have a sweet spot on the bias. More than 70% can cause the tubes to pull more than the rated plate current. Too less and you get into a cold sterile sound with even crossover distortion present.



that all depends on the circuit. I never bias by plate dissapation. FWIW

[Ampmasterzero]

I had a soldano sl60 and it was one of the best sounding amps I had ever heard... Until I played an slo my friend had and I was completely floored and I mean completely! I've had tons of mesas, an engl powerball which I still have, vht's, marshalls and a stupidly long list of other amps and I can say hands down that the slo is top tier! I'd. Take one over any orange engl bogner or diezel any day any time! Now if I could only get enough cash off craigslist for that powerball....

[Jim S]

Rig update:




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/Soldano/SoldanorigswithSurfVHTSpace.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/Soldano/SurfSLO.jpg



Surf boots ?




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/Soldano/surfboxboots2.jpg

[Shark Diver]

Jim, you need to send the Surf Box out here to the coast and have Mike make you a Ski Box. :BluesBros

[billconnorsfan]

Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y9o8rB7z64&)'s the best way to decide whether or not you like SLO's!

[Jim S]

Jim, you need to send the Surf Box out here to the coast and have Mike make you a Ski Box. :BluesBros

That is too f'in funny!!!

Here's the literal incarnation of that:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Ski/Shane%20McConkey/shanestickerbox1.jpg

[Guitar James]

Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGpsKQEXyMA) is some great tone by are very own jdzialak

[Jim S]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwgGaIz45d0&feature=related

[SgtThump]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwgGaIz45d0&feature=related

I've seen that video and it's freaking awesome. Is that you (I don't think so, but hell, who knows...)?

Chris

[SgtThump]

I actually just bought a new SLO today. This amp was pretty much next on my list, but I didn't expect to buy one so soon. I unexpectedly ran across a really, really good deal on a brand new SLO today and jumped on it. As far as I can tell, there are no mods. It has a loop, a line out, and black croc tolex.

Bigtime honemoon phase, but I'm really digging it so far (owned for less than 10 hours.)

[Giga]

I actually just bought a new SLO today. This amp was pretty much next on my list, but I didn't expect to buy one so soon. I unexpectedly ran across a really, really good deal on a brand new SLO today and jumped on it. As far as I can tell, there are no mods. It has a loop, a line out, and black croc tolex.

Bigtime honemoon phase, but I'm really digging it so far (owned for less than 10 hours.)

That's great Chris ! keep us posted...

Giga.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

I bought a SLO and kept it about a year. I was impressed with the workmanship quality and customer service. I thought the clean to crunch channel was the best thing about the amp. The over drive was nice too, but not the last word in solo tone. The thing that was disappointing about the amp was I had to tweek the EQ whenever I switched channels. I don't understand why an amp that expensive has a shared EQ? Whatever.... it was a good experience overall. :) Mine was a mint red 2004 that I got off ebay on Christmas eve for just under $1,800. Amazing price! but I don't think I would pay much more than that for that amp.

[Zootallures]

I actually just bought a new SLO today. This amp was pretty much next on my list, but I didn't expect to buy one so soon. I unexpectedly ran across a really, really good deal on a brand new SLO today and jumped on it. As far as I can tell, there are no mods. It has a loop, a line out, and black croc tolex.

Bigtime honemoon phase, but I'm really digging it so far (owned for less than 10 hours.)

Thump, what's up Bro?
It's Rick (Inca Roads), different name here.
You diggin' the SLO better than the Landry?

[GuitarGuy510]

Rig update:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/Soldano/SurfSLO.jpg



That looks awesome Jim! :D

[SgtThump]

Thump, what's up Bro?
It's Rick (Inca Roads), different name here.
You diggin' the SLO better than the Landry?

Hey man! Nah, I'm not going that far. :) I just got the SLO yesterday, so it's too early for me to make any big comments like that.

I actually compared the Landry and SLO quite a bit last night at low volumes and they're similar. I'll make a better comparison as I get more time on the SLO.

[Randy]

Hey man! Nah, I'm not going that far. :) I just got the SLO yesterday, so it's too early for me to make any big comments like that.

I actually compared the Landry and SLO quite a bit last night at low volumes and they're similar. I'll make a better comparison as I get more time on the SLO.


The SLO tone is really designed for sitting in a mix. It sounds great alone in a room at low volumes, but I find it sounds somewhat grainy and coarse by itself. Put it in a mix though and all those artifacts get swallowed up by the rest of the mix and your left with pure, fat tone that is incredibly touch sensitive.

The opposite of a lot of modern high gain amps that sound like something right off of a mastered album by themselves, yet put them in a mix and they disappear... :confused:

[SgtThump]

The SLO tone is really designed for sitting in a mix. It sounds great alone in a room at low volumes, but I find it sounds somewhat grainy and coarse by itself. Put it in a mix though and all those artifacts get swallowed up by the rest of the mix and your left with pure, fat tone that is incredibly touch sensitive.

The opposite of a lot of modern high gain amps that sound like something right off of a mastered album by themselves, yet put them in a mix and they disappear... :confused:

I agree with you and the Landry is the same way - meant to be in a mix with a band. Still sounds good at home at all levels, but just really sits in a band mix perfectly.

My Einstein fits the "sounds like something right off a mastered album" description. But surprisingly, it can be tweaked a bit to sound killer in a band mix too. It just does it differently.

[Melodyman]

I actually just bought a new SLO today. This amp was pretty much next on my list, but I didn't expect to buy one so soon. I unexpectedly ran across a really, really good deal on a brand new SLO today and jumped on it. As far as I can tell, there are no mods. It has a loop, a line out, and black croc tolex.

Bigtime honemoon phase, but I'm really digging it so far (owned for less than 10 hours.)

Congrats Chris, still have the Landry and Einstein? :)

[SgtThump]

Congrats Chris, still have the Landry and Einstein? :)

Believe it or not, but yes!

http://www.chrissnider.net/images/gear052709.jpg

[Jim S]

Less knobs = mo' betterer

....imho

[stratotone]

I actually just bought a new SLO today. This amp was pretty much next on my list, but I didn't expect to buy one so soon. I unexpectedly ran across a really, really good deal on a brand new SLO today and jumped on it. As far as I can tell, there are no mods. It has a loop, a line out, and black croc tolex.

Bigtime honemoon phase, but I'm really digging it so far (owned for less than 10 hours.)

Congrats! I'm still digging my '95, but I had to put a depth control on it for playing low volumes around the house. Just lacks low end until you crank it... at gigs I have the depth off usually.

[SgtThump]

Congrats! I'm still digging my '95, but I had to put a depth control on it for playing low volumes around the house. Just lacks low end until you crank it... at gigs I have the depth off usually.

Thanks Pete. I can't yet tell if I want the depth mod or not. Need more time for sure. Is that something you could do for me if I sent the amp to you? (and paid you for doing it, of course.)

I actually just started my own thread, so I don't sidetrack this one anymore.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=555208

[Jim S]

There are a lot of thread on the Soldano 'stock' mods. I have the Depth and Scoop Dimartini mod.
Soldano added these mods to my amp for about $150 or so. I did both at the same time which reduced labor costs as they only had to open up and close the amp only once.



The Depth is nice but not necessary, esp in a band setting. I just turn it up a tiny bit as it can add prodigious low end.

Scoop / Dimartini works on Clean/Crunch only. To my ears it 'tightens' up the tone esp when driven ala AC/DC The Jack or old skool Marshall. ....less BF Fendery or open with the scoop engaged.

[se7en]

I had one. Sold it. If I could've cranked it to 5 or louder, I might have kept it, but as such found the master on my Bogner's a lot better. Add in the troubled fx loop, too much brightness!!!!, mediocre clean/crunch channel and I couldn't justify keeping it. Great lead channel, but c'mon, Soldano...you're kidding yourself if you don't think you can improve on a 20 year old design.:puh

[Shark Diver]

I had one. Sold it. If I could've cranked it to 5 or louder, I might have kept it, but as such found the master on my Bogner's a lot better. Add in the troubled fx loop, too much brightness!!!!, mediocre clean/crunch channel and I couldn't justify keeping it. Great lead channel, but c'mon, Soldano...you're kidding yourself if you don't think you can improve on a 20 year old design.:puh



Couldn't disagree more. The crunch channel is amazing. I believe Mr. Clapton, amoung others, agrees. Last time someone tried to improve on a perfect design we ended up with New Coke. :worried And I don't use the loops of any amps.

But it's all personal taste, even though I think Bogners are cool, I've never kept one, including a 100B, Fish, Uber and Shiva.

[se7en]

Couldn't disagree more. The crunch channel is amazing. I believe Mr. Clapton, amoung others, agrees. Last time someone tried to improve on a perfect design we ended up with New Coke. :worried And I don't use the loops of any amps.

But it's all personal taste, even though I think Bogners are cool, I've never kept one, including a 100B, Fish, Uber and Shiva.

I couldn't get on with the crunch channel and I thought Clapton had better tone when he was using lower gain amps, instead of Soldanos. :dunno To me, the Bogners just sound wider in the midrange...the SLO had great cut in those upper mids, but I didn't find the midrange to be as full and warm. Some like Ferrari's, others like Lambos...what I can say. I may own one again someday, but it would most likely be an Avenger.

[Shark Diver]

I couldn't get on with the crunch channel and I thought Clapton had better tone when he was using lower gain amps, instead of Soldanos. :dunno To me, the Bogners just sound wider in the midrange...the SLO had great cut in those upper mids, but I didn't find the midrange to be as full and warm. Some like Ferrari's, others like Lambos...what I can say. I may own one again someday, but it would most likely be an Avenger.

Yeah, I hear ya, we all hear and like different things. If we were in a band together with Soldanos and Bogners we would have amazing tone! :dude

[se7en]

Yeah, I hear ya, we all hear and like different things. If we were in a band together with Soldanos and Bogners we would have amazing tone! :dude

Oh hell yea!...I used to run my 101b and SLO in stereo for a practice or two...good god, was that huge! I think I drowned out the rest of the band. :dude Like I said, I really love Soldanos, but they're just not quite there for me...I'm sure I'll be back to revisit them someday again. Their customer support is top notch and so is their build quality. I was very impressed with my time as a Soldano owner.

[Jim S]

Gig Update

I auditioned for a hard rock band last night: Beatles, Johnny Cash, 70s Jeff Beck, to Aerosmith, Buck Cherry, Toadies, Nickleback. etc.

Sadowsky swirl strat & Les Paul > Teese Picture Wah > SLO stock tubes > Soldano 2X12 cab w/ Soldano speakers

I turned the Depth Knob to zero and the bass to about 2:00.

Tone was fantastic. Not only did I think so but the other three guys in the band loved the sounds I was getting. I didn't even ask what they thought; on their own impetus "you're getting some righteous tones out of that thing!!"

I got the gig. :aok
.
.

[SgtThump]

Gig Update

I auditioned for a hard rock band last night: Beatles, Johnny Cash, 70s Jeff Beck, to Aerosmith, Buck Cherry, Toadies, Nickleback. etc.

Sadowsky swirl strat & Les Paul > Teese Picture Wah > SLO stock tubes > Soldano 2X12 cab w/ Soldano speakers

I turned the Depth Knob to zero and the bass to about 2:00.

Tone was fantastic. Not only did I think so but the other three guys in the band loved the sounds I was getting. I didn't even ask what they thought; on their own impetus "you're getting some righteous tones out of that thing!!"

I got the gig. :aok
.
.

Awesome and congrats!!!! What rigs did the other guys use?

[Jim S]

Awesome and congrats!!!! What rigs did the other guys use?
Thanks. I'm the only guitar player in the band: vox, guitar, bass, drums

When I pulled out the two guitars, I think I could have landed the gig with amp on standby.

;)

[Shark Diver]

Thanks. I'm the only guitar player in the band: vox, guitar, bass, drums

When I pulled out the two guitars, I think I could have landed the gig with amp on standby.

;)

Yeah 'cause with the Depth knob on zero it couldn't have sounded that good.:rolleyes:

Congrats!

[joolzriff]

talking of depth mods...i had 2 19 yr old kids round here the other day,they wanted to check out the soldano.....
so it was SLO and bogner 4x12 w/ greens...i went upstairs to make a call whilst they jammed their death metal down stairs on my rig.....as i came down the stairs the bass and tone from the amp were simply out of this world...HUGE HUGE thick tone w/ tons of low end for mega riffing...the tone continued as i enterd the room...
depth mod=none.....none at all on my amp:aok...if i had one it could possibly ruin what i got going on...wish somebody else could experience what i'm hearing

[Shark Diver]

It's a cool mod. Since you don't have to use it even if you have it, it's nice for those that want it. We all have different cabs, speakers, guitars, taste, etc. So, if anyone is one the fence about it I'd recommend at least trying it. I don't use it, but plenty of guys do.

[Young Angus]

I sold my SLO for an Orange RV50 and a fair bit of cash a while ago....STUPID STUPID STUPID!!!

I since sold the Orange because they just don't compare. A Komet 60 is my main rig and I love that amp more than the SLO, but you can only use it LOUD. The SLO could give you great sounds at any volume. You need to work a bit to tame it and although it's not as straightforward as some other amps to get that "versatility" out of, it can be done. I used to set up the lead channel for great rhythm/lead and then when I went to clean I'd kick in a clean boost or a tiny bit of compression to add a bit of sparkle that it would otherwise be lacking and it worked great on stage.

The SLO is so tight, while being so full and fat at the same time, and BIG, and most of all it's tone is just of such a higher quality that mostly everything else out there.

Mine was all modded when I got it but I trust the person who created such an amazing amp and had it put back to complete stock and it sounded so much better.

With amps I have realised that the simpler the better, and the SLO is a shining example of this!

[Jim S]

The SLO is so tight, while being so full and fat at the same time, and BIG, and most of all it's tone is just of such a higher quality that mostly everything else out there.

Mine was all modded when I got it but I trust the person who created such an amazing amp and had it put back to complete stock and it sounded so much better.

With amps I have realised that the simpler the better, and the SLO is a shining example of this!

Extremely well said. :aok




I've had my SLO for 20 years and while I am curious about other amps, it really smokes nearly everything I've tried and smothers any real amp g.a.s. I might think about when I read TGP.
.

[SgtThump]

What do you guys have your bias set at on your SLOs? Do you know? I have my setting written down and it's in the basement, but I believe it's at 32mA or something for 6L6 power tubes. Curious what everyone else likes.

[Jim S]

I never biased it. Never checked.

Truth be told, I never changed the tubes in almost 20 years. I sent mine to Soldano to get the Depth and Demartini/Scoop mods last summer. Bill told me one of the tubes was bad so they replaced what was needed.

[Jemlite]

I have KT66's in mine set up directly from Soldano. I experimented a little with the bias just by ear... and I settled on a little hotter than what they had. The internal trim pot was at 1:00 and I turned it counter clockwise to 11:00. (Bill told me turning towards the front of the amp was hotter).

I have no idea what it reads on a meter but it sounds killer and everything has run fine for some time now... The cleans are great too.

[SgtThump]

I have KT66's in mine set up directly from Soldano. I experimented a little with the bias just by ear... and I settled on a little hotter than what they had. The internal trim pot was at 1:00 and I turned it counter clockwise to 11:00. (Bill told me turning towards the front of the amp was hotter).

I have no idea what it reads on a meter but it sounds killer and everything has run fine for some time now... The cleans are great too.

I bet going from 1:00 to 11:00 on the bias adjustment pot makes a HUGE difference in the bias setting. Those pots are always really sensitive and even moving it a tiny wee amount changes the bias settings drastically.

You could've gone from 25ma to 100ma with that big of a turn!

[Jim S]

This thread needs more color

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20guitar%20bass%20amps/Soldano/SoldanorigswithSurfVHTSpace.jpg

[StompBoxBlues]

It's a cool mod. Since you don't have to use it even if you have it, it's nice for those that want it. We all have different cabs, speakers, guitars, taste, etc. So, if anyone is one the fence about it I'd recommend at least trying it. I don't use it, but plenty of guys do.

I notice I have a hard time getting BY your posts...seem to linger just a lot longer on it. May have to do with that incredible picture of MM on each one...

To be honest, it is hard to concentrate on what you wrote.

[Shark Diver]

I notice I have a hard time getting BY your posts...seem to linger just a lot longer on it. May have to do with that incredible picture of MM on each one...

To be honest, it is hard to concentrate on what you wrote.

:D I hear ya. I use visuals to distract from the fact I really don't know what I'm talking about. :roll

[StompBoxBlues]

:D I hear ya. I use visuals to distract from the fact I really don't know what I'm talking about. :roll

Um...what?

[Burst59]

At about the same time I bought a VERY expensive boutique amp, (most I've paid for an amp) with tons of bells and whistles, and am having a helluva time with it. Really is making me unhappy...I struggle with the thing, then go over to the SLO-100 and plug in and with no effort...the sound is just THERE...and solid and responsive and harmonically rich.


Let me guess is it a Fuchs TDS?

[Jim S]

:D I hear ya. I use visuals to distract from the fact I really don't know what I'm talking about. :roll
" It's like the Yankees. Do you know why the Yankess always win? It's the pinstripes".


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