Soldano Hot Rod 100 + XL VS SLO

[kurtsstuff]

I think I know why they quit building these. I just scored a Hot Rod 100 Plus XL and call me crazy but....I like it alot more than I did my SLO??
No real clean channel to speak of (just like the SLO) but for a low to mid crunch on the "Normal" channel then take it over the top on the "Overdrive" channel and I'm pretty jazzed!! yes..I'm scratching my Noggin...I don't get it??

[ToneGrail]

I have the HR50+ and the Decatone. I think that the HR is a bit harsher sounding than the Decatone.

[Ronstrat63]

I currently own a Hotrod 50+ and an SLO. I certainly would not say they are the same amp, however, I am hard pressed to explain the price differential.

Both superb amps. They do not sound exactly the same. Trannys and warrenty are much better on the SLO.

[Ronstrat63]

Maybe I'm nuts but I think the SLO has 1 wonderful clean channel and one OK Clean channel. You must roll off your guitar volume to get clean cleans.

It may not be an ideal jazz amp but I love the cleans when played with single coils.

[kurtsstuff]

I've owned the HR 50's in the past but found them real harsh sounding but this HR100 plus XL (maybe it's the XL?? lol!) seems damn near perfect. The tone has me playing every Lynch era Dokken tune I can think of....cool stuff..oh yeah....I'm an 80's diehard throwback balding ex big hair kinda dude....lol!!

[JackButler]

Back up here!
Man I am so ont he fence of snagging a SLO. I have a HR100+ now with mods, Soldano told me my amp is very close to the real deal, but that damn ? in the back of my mind keeps getting to me!
They said a SLO would be tighter and warmer and maybe more touch responsive. Thing is the tightness I can do without, the warmth and repsonse would be cool. I just can't imagine one sounding better than this one I already have though!

[FireBottle]

Just wondering why it is that I still feel compelled to own the SLO since I just bought a HR100+. Am I just being GASsy? I got a used one at the local GC for 1550 out the door. Serial # is SHOP 1 so it's probably a prototype or demo. Does the 'clean' on the clean/crunch switch offer usable options that you SLOwners dig a whole bunch?

[Jim S]

Originally Posted by FireBottle

Does the 'clean' on the clean/crunch switch offer usable options that you SLOwners dig a whole bunch?

Yes but generally I leave it on CRUNCH and vary the preamp gain and use my guitar volume control.

[FireBottle]

Thank you Jim S...you can always be counted on for promptly offering keen insight. This is how I use my normal channel generally - getting cleaner tons with my guitar's volume knob. The HR100+ is beastly varmint. Badder ass than the 50+ (more defined base, better dynamics. Someone mentioned mods for the 100+...wondering what those might be.

[suparsonic]

Originally Posted by Jim S

Yes but generally I leave it on CRUNCH and vary the preamp gain and use my guitar volume control.

I like to roll down the guitar volume on the OD ch for my cleans, I have the OD ch loudest so the volume is about right for verses. Or some times I adjust the cruch pre and volume for a particular song.

[JB6464]

I have a 1999 HR100+ and had Bill Sundt take the XL-Mod out of the amp,sounds much closer to my SLO without it.
I also had him put the SLO knobs on it as well , can't stand chicken head knobs.
Besides the difference in transformers and more hand wiring involved in the SLO , there is still some different components used on the PCB to give the SLO that extra mojo. Not that the HR100+ is slacking in that department but they each have their own thing going on.
The HR100+ to me sounds slightly more modern with the MM transformers and the SLO has slightly more gain in the lead channel with more 3D liquid tones.
I like them both equally and i think their both great amps. And i like having two slightly different sounding amps than two that sound exactly the same.
My 2 cents worth.

[Marcus71]

Originally Posted by Ronstrat63

I currently own a Hotrod 50+ and an SLO. I certainly would not say they are the same amp, however, I am hard pressed to explain the price differential.

Both superb amps. They do not sound exactly the same. Trannys and warranty are much better on the SLO.

Same here.

[MRscratch]

the SLO is the top amp. getting any of the others is like this
You are dating the uglier sister. she puts out almost as well as her hot sister,
but when you turn the lights on, you KNOW that you want the HOT sister.
that my friends, is my patented analogy! LOL

[FireBottle]

Originally Posted by MRscratch

the SLO is the top amp. getting any of the others is like this
You are dating the uglier sister. she puts out almost as well as her hot sister,
but when you turn the lights on, you KNOW that you want the HOT sister.
that my friends, is my patented analogy! LOL

I think this may be the truth.