A José and a SLO Walk Into a Bar

[Harry Dunne]

I GASed for a SLO for years because my favorite players sounded amazing with them. But when I finally got one I found the tone kind of sterile and lacking character and also didn’t care for the stiff feel. I much prefer the aggressive upper mids of modded Marshalls as well as the touch sensitivity. They do sound great for smoother liquid leads, but I don’t care for the rhythm tones at all.

 

[Rick Lee]

^^^ Said it better than I could.

 

[Harry Dunne]

Owned 2 slo 30's and 3 100's. The Friedman Jose slays it.
Literally shipped sold and shipped off my last slo 30. Too much low mids and sizzle that cannot be dialed out.

Yeah, I noticed that too. The SLO had a way of sounding harsh and muddy at the same time - like those upper frequencies were always present no matter how you dialed the amp in.

Edit: I feel the same way about its derivative amps like the 5150, 5150 III, and dual rectifier. I guess I just don’t care for high gain/preamp based 6L6 circuits.

 

[Rick Lee]

I think this is one of the coolest looking amps ever. But it collects dust while I play my Marshall 1987S, Suhr SL67 and old GK 250ML.

Edit: Don't think I don't love my SL67. I have two, which is why one is for sale in my signature.

 

[cragginshred]

Yeah, I noticed that too. The SLO had a way of sounding harsh and muddy at the same time - like those upper frequencies were always present no matter how you dialed the amp in.

Edit: I feel the same way about its derivative amps like the 5150, 5150 III, and dual rectifier. I guess I just don’t care for high gain/preamp based 6L6 circuits.

That changes a lot when you put a SD-1 into the front. But you cannot dial out the fizz

 

[cragginshred]

I just put a Lambertones grinder pup in and was so impressed I did this video using my Friedman Jose yesterday

 

[mentoneman]

is there a consensus on what bridge pickup is “the” one for the Jose these days?

 

[Anje]

I guess, as much as there is a consensus on what is "the" one in front of an old Marshall

 

[cragginshred]

is there a consensus on what bridge pickup is “the” one for the Jose these days?

My Friedman Jose sounds great with an Aldrich and as you can hear in the above video clip the Lambertone grinder is my favorite with it
After being turned on to them high op pups just sounds like a firehose with no definition.

 

[mentoneman]

has anyone tried the Fishman Fluence pus or maybe EMGs with good results?

 

[DanTravis62]

I think this is one of the coolest looking amps ever. But it collects dust while I play my Marshall 1987S, Suhr SL67 and old GK 250ML.

Edit: Don't think I don't love my SL67. I have two, which is why one is for sale in my signature.

That's so sad man, SLO's are legendary for a reason and it pains me that one so cool looking is collecting dust =(

I know SLOs are love/hate, but they might be the best lead tone high gainer of all time, and if you pop a boost in front of the crunch channel they can do the heavy rhythm shit just fine IME

Obviously if that low end isn't to someones taste, it isn't to someones taste, but they are legendary for a reason

I got to visit Mike's shop in west seattle many times, and play his personal italian flag amp multiple times

I've never owned one or had the cash to own one, but they are amazing and anyone who has the lead chops will love em

 

[Rick Lee]

I'm just not a high gain guy (anymore). I just about never use a boost or distortion pedal. My 100w Marshall/Metro clone build needs a pedal, but it's really the only one of my amps that does. All others have enough on tap already. And I just like the vintage tone of old Marshall NMVs more than the modern tone of an SLO. I'd like this amp to go to a good home.

 

[mentoneman]

I'm just not a high gain guy (anymore). I just about never use a boost or distortion pedal. My 100w Marshall/Metro clone build needs a pedal, but it's really the only one of my amps that does. All others have enough on tap already. And I just like the vintage tone of old Marshall NMVs more than the modern tone of an SLO. I'd like this amp to go to a good home.

me too

i play through hotter pickups from time to time and realize pairing the right ones with certain high gain amps can be a very addicting one trick pony.


but more times than not for me, it’s totally hit and miss.

 

[Rackman]

SLO's where it's at

 

[Rick Lee]

I bought the 1987S that was listed here a few mos. ago. It just spanks everything else. I cannot believe how awesome it sounds. I'm 55, a total gear nerd with more sh....tuff than I could ever need for the few gigs I have. But it's the kind of amp that makes me want to sell all others, except that I always have to have a few spares for every spare. I know Soldanos and Friedmans have their fanbois. And I've had several of each. But I tend to end back up with Marshalls. So the SLO needs to go to a fanboi. If I had money to burn, I'd keep it, just because it looks sooooo cool.

 

[splitendz]

I just put a Lambertones grinder pup in and was so impressed I did this video using my Friedman Jose yesterday

Sounds killer bro