90s Soldano 4x12 w/ Eminence Legends — Good Match for SLO + Grunge/Alt Rock?”

[Vashf]

Hey all,


I’ve got a local lead on what’s said to be a 90s Soldano 4x12 cab loaded with Eminence Legend speakers. Seller’s asking $750 USD, pickup only.


I’m running a Soldano SLO-100 rack head that I recently scored for cheap too good to pass up. My style leans toward heavy 90s stuff: Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Tool… but I also dig 60s/70s/80s rock in general. Basically, if it makes you pull a mean face while playing, I’m into it


I don’t know much about the older Soldano cabs. Has anyone here actually played through one of these Legend-loaded 90s models with an SLO? I’m curious how they stack up against the later V30 versions. Would I be better off holding out for an oversized Mesa cab instead?


Any insights or experiences with this setup would be really appreciated.

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[Jack Luminous]

I have an older 90s purple slant cab with X12000 speakers. So different form you straight cab. But the Eminence Legend are in the same ballpark as the X12000 tonally. They sound smoother and flatter than V30, which are more piercing and agressive high-mids.
Still, they do work very well with the SLO which has plenty of treble. It certainly would work for 90s alt-rock/metal. Less for classic 70s tone.

 

[Vashf]

Thanks, that’s really helpful. I actually am chasing that 90s alt-rock grind more than the vintage stuff, so it sounds like the Legends could be a good match. What do you think about the prize? Is it a good deal?

 

[Kelly]

I'd offer less. People can't give away 4x12s these days.

 

[D-Rock]

Front loaded. I'd opt for a rear loaded cab personally.

 

[Lightning]

I checked out the new Soldano 4x12 slant cabinet sounds amazing built like a tank also heavy 95lbs

 

[Snave]

$750 is steep. I'm not overly fond of any Eminence speakers, and would take a regular rearloaded cab over a frontloaded one for rock tones. Those original Soldano cabs are also smaller than traditional 4x12 cabs (28x28x14 instead of 30x30x14).

You could probably find a Marshall 1960BV (G12 Vintage speakers) or Peavey 412MS (K85 speakers) for less and it would do the tones you cited much better. If you're dead set on Mesa then look at the Rectifier Traditional (aka Stiletto) 4x12—it pairs better with non-Rectifier amps than the oversized.

 

[Nigel]

If you want the sound of the 90's you want a Mesa OS or a Marshall 1960A/BV.

Chains/STP: Marshall

Soundgarden/311/Nu-Metal/Bush/Nirvana etc.: Mesa

Also you want OS if you go Mesa for 90's tone. Trad cabs can sound constricted/hard on the bass unless you're doing tight metal. I love mine with 50 and 100 watt non-Mesa heads and find the Trad cab is not the Mesa sound in my head.