Anje
Well-known member
Thanks for your answer.
Rackman
Well-known member
I still wonder if there was something wrong with my 2150. Obviously it was stereo, but in terms of sound it was a very poor substitute for the SM100R and I sold it.
I think my Rivera Hammer 320 is superior to the SM100R though if you don't take portability into account.
Dave L
Well-known member
Yeah, we all have different ears. When the 2150 disapperad Soldano just kept on recommending the 2902 as a first option, so he apparently had an ear for that wide "loud" sound. I think you gotta be real careful with the depth on the 2150, though, plenty of punch at the bottom of the dial as well.
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pipboy90
Well-known member
I don’t know who started saying that the new BAD SLOs have Heyboer transformers, but they do not. They’re made by Magnetic Components Inc. Mike himself says this at 52:17 in this Tone Talk video from 2020:
Mike and Dave also say the new transformers are as good if not better than the old ones.
Mike and Dave also say the new transformers are as good if not better than the old ones.
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pipboy90
Well-known member
I can’t imagine what the 2150 sounds like. I have an X88-IR paired with a 2902 and I have to be careful with how much depth I use. It has a ton of low end on tap.
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Lightning
Well-known member
Magnetic Components went out of business 5 years ago they were in Schiller park Illinois, Mike Soldano went with Heyboer when Magnetic Components went out of business
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pipboy90
Well-known member
Ah, you’re right. My mistake
FourT6and2
Well-known member
Techdeth
RESIDENT ROCK PROFESSOR
Here’s my Soldano tone .
scottosan
Well-known member
i will counter with a rhetorical question. Why would you need a device to measure frequency response if the wires around and inductive core didn't affect the tone? Such a device exists because how an inductor is made affects the frequency characteristic, which are measurable. Both pickups and output transformers are both affected by the same inductive principles. The core material and mass affect the inductance. The wire and method used to wind also affects the inductance along with resistance, capacitance, voltage potential. All of those things combines define the resonant peach and q factor. My point is that everything affects everything. It is virtually impossible to make a clone of a pickup or transformer unless identical (not identical spec) materials are used, identical wire, identical wind pattern, identical tension. You can create a similar spec transformer capable of converting a primary impedance to a secondary impedance with most of those variables being different, but they will sound differentI get the feeling that you're trying to show me up here with your question. But maybe I'm just imagining it.
The question was rhetorical, because I know from experience that most of the time only very small differences exist. It depends on how carefully these pickups are wound. But as for your question: I measure my pickups and pickup circuits using this pickup measurement device engineered by John Colbourne.
View attachment 448086
It can also measure the frequency response of the pickup with or without the passive electrical network of the guitar. the Frequency response looks like this and can be exported to a computer.
View attachment 448087
So, I know what I am talking about.
Have a nice day from the "bad" engineer that "no one would hire"...
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Eazy-ESP
Well-known member
I don’t know how you guys managed to get anything out of that video. I tried. Way too much fiddling.
M
ms17a
New member
It is interesting—what you seem to think I supposedly said. We are in complete agreement regarding your description of the phenomena associated with manual production of pickups oder transformers. However, depending on the quality of that craftsmanship, the differences may be greater, smaller, or even irrelevant. However, differences do not depend on company names.
If the primary goal of this discussion is to prove who is right—and to win a contest of expertise—I’m out. Feel free to declare yourself "the winner" of whatever it may be.
LPMojoGL
Well-known member
The BAD SLOs had em, for a short time. Mike sold Soldano in 2018, BAD started production in 2019, and Classictone ended production November 2020.
Mine has the Classictones.
I've suggested to people looking to buy a newer SLO to track one down with the Classictones.
They sounded better than what is being used today, when I compared em. The guy that worked the GC premium amp/guitar room in the DFW area (who got all the best amps/guitars, and worked with some of our fav guitar heroes), used the amp I have now at the guitar shows and in the amp room to demo guitars.
I believed him when he said there's a difference, and the BAD amps with the Classictones are the ones to get.
It sounded great compared to 2 different Mezzabarba MZeros.
After flipping 2 OGs, I'm holding onto this one. FWIW.
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Lightning
Well-known member
Soldano(BAD),Suhr,Friedman,Bogner and many others all us Heyboer transformers
anomaly
Well-known member
That's what I don't like about the SLO, that weird top end it has, kinda smooth but grating
at the same time. If those were my only amps, I'd probably never play guitar. Some people love them though so... What do I know??
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ms17a
New member
Do you know if there was the same change for the SLO 30? How can I identify the Classictones?
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Lightning
Well-known member
More then likely the SLO 30 would have heyboer
M
ms17a
New member
Thanx, I will have a look inside when I am back home...
glpg80
Well-known member
They also buy in bulk to save on cost as they are knee deep in the marketing aspects of amplifier design and production in bulk.
Nothing wrong with Heyboer, but I strictly use Mercury Magnetics. I was able to speak to the chief engineer directly to get a custom PT and choke. Any company that prioritizes that kind of service gets my business. Heyboer and Hammond were either impossible to get a hold of, or I was told whatever they have online is what they have to sell.
lespaul6
Well-known member
Ive also read that the new bad slo circuit is not the same as the og.. further, that the bad rack unit however, is the same as the og circuit ? anyone confirm?
