Abandoning my dream amp. Am I crazy?

[the rossness]

Am I crazy?

I’ve wanted an SLO since forever, and now that I’m in a position to get one, I find myself shrugging my shoulders at it, kind of unsure. I put it on this metaphorical pedestal and now that I’m listening to it’s tones, I’m mostly unimpressed. Yes, the OD channel is cool. But I think I can get those tones on a Peavey 5150 if I set the mids high enough. And with the price difference between the two, maybe I can get something else? Maybe a VH2 or Dmoll?Maybe a Headfirst? Maybe a Ceriatone? Maybe another Splawn? I dunno???

Part of me thinks I’m crazy for abandoning the amp I’ve always wanted just as it becomes affordable to me, yet part of me really does think a 5150 will get me in the ballpark with a lot of $$$ leftover.

Am I crazy for this logic?

 

[SoooRad]

I know exactly what you mean, because I have done a similar thing recently. Now that I'm in a position where I could afford any of the amps I've lusted after (Not necessarily all at once or anything), and it realistically came time for the rubber to meet the road, that's when I had to look at them and get critical of them. a Big part of me wants to do the Plexi thing, WDW, etc. But it just doesn't make sense to do that. The juice isn't going to be worth the squeeze.

The SLO is great, but I think when you build something up like that in your mind, it only disappoints.

 

[PBGas]

I bought one because I had to! It's the amp I was avoiding for years and when I finally tried one, I knew it was what I have always wanted. No disappointment whatsoever.

Mine started with the amazing X88-IR and I continue to use that live! I then got a 100R and love that one as well!

 

[rsm]

Get one and see; that's the only way to know. Sure you may take a hit on resale, but that comes with territory of these amps, and at least you'll know for yourself.

IMO

I really thought I wanted a Splawn Quickrod; but before I ordered one I looked around at other options. In the end, I ended up with a Bogner Helios Eclipse and couldn't be happier with the tones and the feel.

You never know until you try; and trying always has a price when it comes to gear.

 

[Devin]

Have you actually played one or are you just going by clips?


I def recommend you play one. I never cared about them until I finally got to jam through one and then I became a believer

 

[Les Zombie]

I owned SLO-100 a couple times and liked it alot. Nice amp.

 

[CarlF]

The SLO should be more like the preamp the X 88IR.
It should have all those various features and also three channels.

 

[the rossness]

Have you actually played one or are you just going by clips?


I def recommend you play one. I never cared about them until I finally got to jam through one and then I became a believer

Mostly going by clips.

However, there’s a shop nearby with the SLO 30 combo, but I can only play it on like .5 on the volume in the shop.

I also played a Mezzabarba Skill 30 locally too. That one at least, I was able to play at a reasonable volume. And dare I say it, but I liked it more than the SLO 30 for those heavy/ thick tones (especially at a lower volume). Fwiw, the SLO felt a little more touch responsive and played more like a blues amp that could be used for high gain (at least that’s how I remember it)

That said, I’m not in love with the crunch settings on either amp.

 

[harddriver]

I'd say if you have always wanted an SLO then you may actually have to buy an SLO to ward off the "what if"?

If you truly dislike the clips now then maybe your tastes have changed but I find clips only do amps so much justice versus standing in front of them actually playing them.

Alot of people have said the Mezzabarba's are SLO based amps.

 

[harddriver]

 

[the rossness]

I know this guy Bill from one of my Beer-shares and he’s got the Eric Strekel MZero. I think they sound great. He’s never taken it out of his condo or opened it up on the volume. I keep asking him about it. Such a shame :/. Super cool amp. I think his is blue snakeskin.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

We all know all roads lead back to Marshall and the predictable pedal and mod friendly JCM800 so just save yourself the hassle and come back to the chosen one. Stick a hot mod in it, mod it, stack pedals into it, use an EQ in the loop. If you have one, you likely already have what you need. Go get a mysnikov preamp and put it into the poweramp of your JCM800 and boom! You now have a SLO modded Marshall.

 

[DrewJD82]

I went through something similar but with a guitar; I almost bought an EBMM JP for $3500 because I’d wanted one for a long time and wanted to splurge, but in the end decided to get 4 mid-priced guitars instead and could not be happier with that choice 4 years later.

 

[BABMusic]

I think life is too short to not try your favorite amp (the one you think might be your favorite). At least you'll know, and can move it if it doesn't live up.

 

[RaceU4her]

dont worry, should you want another there are always plenty for sale

 

[CrystalSky]

Am I crazy?

I’ve wanted an SLO since forever, and now that I’m in a position to get one, I find myself shrugging my shoulders at it, kind of unsure. I put it on this metaphorical pedestal and now that I’m listening to it’s tones, I’m mostly unimpressed. Yes, the OD channel is cool. But I think I can get those tones on a Peavey 5150 if I set the mids high enough. And with the price difference between the two, maybe I can get something else? Maybe a VH2 or Dmoll?Maybe a Headfirst? Maybe a Ceriatone? Maybe another Splawn? I dunno???

Part of me thinks I’m crazy for abandoning the amp I’ve always wanted just as it becomes affordable to me, yet part of me really does think a 5150 will get me in the ballpark with a lot of $$$ leftover.

Am I crazy for this logic?

The answer to all questions is IIc+

 

[Rackman]

I find the SLO great *in theory* but in practice the layout is not conducive to playing gigs with one un-augmented, and I'm not going to buy a 100w monster and then not gig it, or bring a 2nd amp or a bunch of gain pedals. I feel like the Ecstasy is a better live amp but not the same sounding.

The X88/SM100R is more functional, but not quite the same tonally. The X88IR my opinion is still out. Honestly the Synergy SLOII module is probably the best version of the SLO from my perspective. It pairs nice with the Fryette LXII. Better than with the SM100R I have. And I can put a 3 other modules including dedicated clean in the same space and weight as an SLO.

I realize the original 5150 is a close relative, but the power amp never sounded good to me. I'd take a Recto (also related) before I'd take a 5150. No opinion on the Fender 5150s.

 

[BABMusic]

And also, Mike Soldano is cool, so that's another good reason to try one.

 

[fek]

From your sig, it appears that you already have the Synergy SLO. I would stick with that and use the money for something else. I didn't love the SLO30 that I had, but I do love the Synergy SLO and SLOII.

 

[the rossness]

I went through something similar but with a guitar; I almost bought an EBMM JP for $3500 because I’d wanted one for a long time and wanted to splurge, but in the end decided to get 4 mid-priced guitars instead and could not be happier with that choice 4 years later.

Right? I had always wanted a Caparison and got one for my Bday a few years ago. Its a super-cool guitar, but I almost never play it. It mostly just sits in its case.