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.

 

[Vashf]

Thanks to you all, I am more confused now haha, but I guess I am going after a Marshall 1960BV, or Mesa. There are some local opportunities that I can even try with a swap

 

[BackCrack]

Just my 2¢...

If the SLO is stock, the factory Emi's seem to tame the amp's high end in a good way.

If the bright cap on the lead channel's gain pot is taken out (which is all the Haynes mod does on pre-BAD's), the SLO seems to get along better with a lot of different cabs.

Personally, I like running my SLO's with the clean/crunch channel bright switch off. And then I physically remove the bright cap on the lead channel (permanent Haynes mod). This allows more knob range with the Treble and Presence pots, as well as being less cab dependent.

An underlying thought is Mike's preferred 5881 factory bias settings...not very hot...really allows the high end to come thru the power section.

stock SLO: Emi cab works great
no bright caps: any cab is great

Again, just my 2¢...

 

[anomaly]

Eminence legends do not sound that great IMO. I've heard a comparison of a Vader cab loaded with legends against a Mesa OS cab and the Mesa sounded WAY better, there was no comparison.