Soldano Blues ?'s

[JackButler]

Ok, been going crazy trying to decide on which MArshall-veined amp to get. Already have my cleans covered fr Bluesy stuff with a stable of amps. I just am looking for a Marshall or simialr amp for some thumpin Blues grind and classic rock.

I had a Hot Rod so many years ago, so I can't even relate to what it did anymore as styles and tastses change. Ideally a SLO since Haynes and Clapton get good tones from theirs, but obiously if a HR would do it, great!
Singel channel or switcher is fine for what I'm looking for, only need be on a single channel that I can back off guitar volume and clena it up some to make it through the tune if it calls for it. Pristine not needed. The depth and Haynes mods sound ideal to me from what I have read, and that's been quite alot lately.

Problem is, seems like most users play harder Rock opposed to what I'll be using it for, so hopefully sdome guys can chime in here and help to ease my pain and make up my mind on which way to go.
I'm almost on the verge (still might) of just snagging a decent MArshall and having it modded to suite my tastes.

[Dave L]

Are you asking whether to go with a SLO or a HR? Well, in my book there´s a simple reason why the SLO is that much more expensive... I think it sounds better through the whole range of tones, and I´m basically a sucker for classic and "modded hot" rock tones. If money isn´t a factor, there´s no real reason to look at the Hot Rods... to my ears, of course. Others may think otherwise.

But there are literally hundreds of options out there for that kind of tone. I ended up playing Riveras, but I´m sure I could just as easily have ended up with something I never got around to trying.

[JackButler]

No neccesarily. I have read that the channel on the HR is the same as the SLO. If I am simpyl wanting a good singing crunch channel that I can back off, the HR might be a wiser choice, but if the SLO is the hands down winner for tones that is where I will go.

[Jim S]

The SLO can do a lot of great tones. It cleans up reasonably on the OD channel and nicer on the crunch channel.

You could cut the cost considerably and get the single channel Avenger.

[JackButler]

Just actually looked at their site and saw that Avenger. Have you heard it? What about that Lucky 13?
Don't get me wrong, a channel switcher would be nicer for what I do. Set up light clean with OD of choice for rythmns and hit the lead channel for, well leads. But if it cleans up like any old MArshall I should be good to go on any model I hope.

[Dave L]

Originally Posted by JackButler

No neccesarily. I have read that the channel on the HR is the same as the SLO. If I am simpyl wanting a good singing crunch channel that I can back off, the HR might be a wiser choice, but if the SLO is the hands down winner for tones that is where I will go.

Yeah, I´ve also heard that it´s the same... but I find that they sound different. It probably has to do with the OT and other components that aren´t that same. To me the SLO just sounds better... fuller and more powerful, with less fizz. Admittedly I´ve never tried a HR100, just HR50´s, so the difference in wattage may affect my experiences as well. The HR50 is a good amp, no doubts there, but the SLO I find better.

[Jim S]

LUCKY 13: supposedly clean channel stays clean; lead channel screams. I played one years ago and it was too long ago for me to remember sonic details. But I think it was hard to breakup the clean channel unlike the clean/crunch of the SLO.

[JackButler]

Thanks Jim.
Think I narrowed it down to a HR or SLO, depedning on $ and finding one used.

[lv]

I actually preferred an el34 avenger to the SLOs I've owned.

[JackButler]

Any details Lou? I like the differences in the depth mod. From the clip the depth sounds like it kinda blankets the amp, but would be nice for some things.

[lv]

Originally Posted by JackButler

Any details Lou? I like the differences in the depth mod. From the clip the depth sounds like it kinda blankets the amp, but would be nice for some things.

I'm a big fan of Warren Haynes' SLO tone from the 1st Gov't Mule album. The Avenger comes closer to those tones at reasonable volumes - no need for the WH mod as the the amp is voiced overall thicker and smoother.

Jack, I highly recommend calling Bill Sundt at Soldano and asking him the construction and tonal difference between the SLO, HR, and Avenger. A big part of the extra cost of the SLO is due to much more labor involved in handwiring all the tube sockets, switches, and controls. I think Bill told me it take about 8 hours to build an SLO.

[MikeyG]

Adam Stark posted a killer video clip of blues guitar, LP through an SLO. Blues tones are in there for sure.

[Eric Pykala]

Just watched a DVD of Gary Moore at Montreux in '90, playing the "Still got the Blues" tour. Two SLO's and amazing tones. If you're also a fanatic about build quality, I used to rep for Mike Soldano, and watched an SLO being built one day at the factory. I have never seen an amp built with such excellent components and attention to detail. There isn't an extra millimeter of wire in that thing. Also, perhaps the lowest noise floor of ANY amp I've tried. Expensive and worth it!-Eric

[loudgtr]

I wouldn't recommend the Depth on a Soldano. Mike Soldano himself thinks it's not necessary. 'Blanket the amp' is actually a good decription IMHO.

My Avenger 50W version has it as all Avenger's do and I really could live without it. I use it very little. Takes away from some of its sweetness IMO.

YMMV.

[MikeyG]

Originally Posted by loudgtr

I wouldn't recommend the Depth on a Soldano. Mike Soldano himself thinks it's not necessary. 'Blanket the amp' is actually a good decription IMHO.

My Avenger 50W version has it as all Avenger's do and I really could live without it. I use it very little. Takes away from some of its sweetness IMO.

YMMV.

I would, I think it's essential.

So I guess you gotta decide for yourself.

The Avengers seem to have enough low end stock, for my tastes. In fact I preferred the stock Avenger to the stock SLO, just for high gain.