Soldano SLO?

motrock · 06-17-2004, 04:06 PM

So what do you guys think? Is this amp seriously the most awesome high gain amp ever built? I think that instead of biasing my 5150 II I am just going to get an SLO. I have a friend who has one and is amazing!

**VHF** · 06-17-2004, 04:12 PM

I don't know anything about the SLO, but what do you mean "biasing your 5150II?" It already has a bias adjust, just take a screwdirver and move it around and try and find a sweet spot you like.

classalpha · 06-17-2004, 05:18 PM

[ QUOTE ]
motrock said:
So what do you guys think? Is this amp seriously the most awesome high gain amp ever built? I think that instead of biasing my 5150 II I am just going to get an SLO. I have a friend who has one and is amazing!

[/ QUOTE ]

The SLO is a great, well-built amp and the overdrive channel is way out there as far as gain is concerned- it has more articulate, "up front and present" gain than any souped-up Marshall in existence and much more of it than you will ever need.

But what I disliked about the SLO I had was it's lack of edge- the SLO's high gain stack was sort of "pushy" rather than "edgey", like the typical, dimed-out Marshall sound.

In contrast, the 5150 has more bite and crunch than the SLO and a bit closer in edge to Ed's Holy Grail plexi... which is what I think Ed was looking for when designing the amp with James Brown, the engineer from Peavey- not the soul singer.

The 5150 is near the same tone as the SLO, save for the Peavey's innovative resonance control and Marshall-like crunch.

If you really have to have the SLO-100 gain sound but don't want to spend the crown jewels just to get one, hunt around on eBay or elsewhere for a first version, made in Japan Soldano SP77 preamp.

It's a two TOTALLY INDEPENDENT channel, rackmounted preamp and gets a damn close approximation to the SLO, but went for about 1/3rd the price of it's American made, full amp brother.

The second series of SP77 preamps are Korean made. I only had the early 90s M.I.J. SP77 model which I ran through my 5150 Mk1 head's return loop as a redundant backup for the SLO, so I can't quite attest to the Korean version's sound quality.

The SLO is just an awesome amp. But with the measurably more affordable and similar sounding 5150 available, I wouldn't recommend getting the SLO unless you've got the disposable income to burn, just the like the elitist look of the SLO-100 stacked proudly behind you, or both. [img]images/smilies/afro.gif[/img]

motrock · 06-17-2004, 06:58 PM

Wow man! There is some info that I didn't know.

See, right now I am jumping back and forth between two amps.

SLO-100 and an Engl Savage.

To me the Engl has the edge that you are talking about. But I have never played one, and I have played on the SLO several times.

I like the 5150 II and all, its just I want to be able to get something different than that. I wouldn't mind doing what I said in the other thread, by getting the adjustable bias modded so I can play the amp at 38ma a tube, and get the lead channel modded to the original specs.

After doing all of that work to the amp to get it were I want it, the option of just getting a new amp might not be a bad thing!

motrock · 06-17-2004, 07:00 PM

I might add, I have seen used SLOs for like $1800 on ebay. New there like $2999!

classalpha · 06-18-2004, 02:16 AM

[ QUOTE ]
motrock said:
Wow man! There is some info that I didn't know.

See, right now I am jumping back and forth between two amps.

SLO-100 and an Engl Savage.

To me the Engl has the edge that you are talking about. But I have never played one, and I have played on the SLO several times.

I like the 5150 II and all, its just I want to be able to get something different than that. I wouldn't mind doing what I said in the other thread, by getting the adjustable bias modded so I can play the amp at 38ma a tube, and get the lead channel modded to the original specs.

After doing all of that work to the amp to get it were I want it, the option of just getting a new amp might not be a bad thing!

[/ QUOTE ] I know Lynch loves the Engl amps... didn't he use an Engl when he made his instructional video in the early 90s? [img]images/smilies/headscratch.gif[/img] If so, there's certainly is quite a lot of edge and bite to George's scary, screaming sound with those amps. [img]images/smilies/icon_jam.gif[/img]

motrock · 06-18-2004, 11:17 AM

Lynch used them on Wicked Sensation combined with the SLOs! [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

classalpha · 06-18-2004, 04:53 PM

[ QUOTE ]
motrock said:
Lynch used them on Wicked Sensation combined with the SLOs! [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ] I dig that first Lynch Mob album... [img]images/smilies/icon_cool.gif[/img]

There's definitely a very thick and aggressive rhythm tone on that title track and the others. He achieved a nice mix with those two amps. I believe though that some of the leads on that album were recorded with Aspen Pittman's red and/or purple tolex Marshall plexis... if I'm not mistaken... [img]images/smilies/headscratch.gif[/img]

Regardless, great tones overall on that release. [img]images/smilies/icon_jam.gif[/img]

motrock · 06-18-2004, 06:56 PM

Your right about the Aspen Pittman. I almost forgot about that one. It was the purple one........Lynches fav!

Shawn Lutz · 06-23-2004, 04:51 PM

They are great amps for the hot rodded high gain tone. I don't know much about the 5150 but if I had to choose I'd go with the SLO, that are that cool [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]. Yep...look on eBay you can get a better deal on them

formulaet · 06-28-2004, 05:46 AM

Man, in '92 I had both a 5150 and an SLO-100 and they sounded quite different. The 5150 was spongerier, the Soldano would cut you in half!! Lots of harmonics with this searing high-end. I t sounded best through 25watt sprkrs.

There was a slight-sag after you picked.

This time I'm gonna try something else. That heavy-saturated rectified sound did'nt breathe like I wanted all the time.

My thoughts are...Save money, check out something cheaper!! 2995.00 is way-overpriced!!!!!!!!!!! I paid 1950.00 in '91, that's with only slave out option. I got it factory direct from Mike then. Now you go through retail [img]images/smilies/mad1.gif[/img]

wahwah · 06-28-2004, 06:53 AM

I'd want George Lynch's hands throwing in for that price![img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img]

Kammo1 · 06-28-2004, 12:09 PM

[img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img] Hey wahwah me too. I am a huge Lynch fan and I very nearly bought a Soldano Decatone from a guy I made a guitar for in Worcester but at the lat minute let me down and he wanted £1200 for the amp and cab [img]images/smilies/wutblau.gif[/img] well I'm sure this was an absolute steal but I'm afraid he found out too soon and decided to keep it still it would have been my dream rig with my Skull&Bones and a Soldano well what else could a man want [img]images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] yep "LYNCHS GODAMN HANDS!!!!!!!!" Kammo1

wahwah · 06-29-2004, 08:23 AM

I tried one that a local guy used and it was red hot but I couldn't control it as well as the 5150 I've got. I've found most valve amps not to be as responsive...I know this flies in the face of public opinion but I can burn much better with a Line6 Flextone than I can with my 5150 head...don't know why, it just all blends better.[img]images/smilies/dunno.gif[/img]

biggus dikkus · 07-03-2004, 04:09 PM

i play a Cornford Hellcat head , my bud has a SLO100 , he said in terms of gain the Cornford leaves the SLO reeling , its boutique hand made in england, 35 watts 4xel84 , 2 channels, modern and vintage, covers every tone you will ever need and built to last a lifetime ...........its the amp ive been waiting years for , try one , and bring your wallet !