Diving into the deep end... Soldano SLO + CAA Classic Plus?

[white buffalo]

First post. Howdy.

Been a single channel guy my entire life--usually 30 watt EL84 amps--, always looking for the best clean sound and then using pedals to get to where I wanted to go in terms of gain. After over a decade of doing this, I'm pretty content with the gain sounds I get from pedals, but have always wanted to have a sweet "big rig" which wouldn't need pedals for gain.

A Diezel VH4 has been a dream since I started playing over 12 years ago, but I think that level of gain is just too much for what I do, so I'm holding off going that direction for a while.

Just the other day I played a CAA OD100 Classic Plus which really appealed to me. I spent a couple hours with it and was honestly shocked at how incredible the clean channel was. I'd maybe even put it on par with the cleans of my DC-30, which are my favourite cleans to date. I was equally impressed with the extremely open and uncompressed gain channel. Even with the gain cranked the amp seemed to be extremely clear and articulate and put out exactly what you put in.

Then there's the venerable SLO which has been another dream amp of mine for over a decade.

At first I was looking at this as a CAA vs. SLO matter, but I've decided (I think) to go for both and run them together. CAA for clean + mid-gain and SLO for higher gain stuff.

What do you guys think? Are there some other options I should be exploring?

Here's a quick and messy clip I made yesterday to demonstrate the level of gain and style of playing I'd be using the amp(s) for:

https://soundcloud.com/user-378614181/klon-ocd

I think the above clip is more what I'd be using the SLO for, while the below is more what I'd be using the CAA for (as well as cleaner

https://soundcloud.com/user-378614181/cc1jam2

I need a versatile setup as I do all sorts of stuff from effect-drenched ambient which relies on big pristine cleans to more EVH style stuff and everything in-between.

I play Tele's, Strat's and sometimes buckers. Looking for a good LP again.

 

[Rdodson]

That mid gain tone you are getting is fantastic.

If you go down the SLO route, don't overlook (as many do) the CRUNCH channel. Set right, it is really amazing. Massive stuff there to explore.

First post. Howdy.

Been a single channel guy my entire life--usually 30 watt EL84 amps--, always looking for the best clean sound and then using pedals to get to where I wanted to go in terms of gain. After over a decade of doing this, I'm pretty content with the gain sounds I get from pedals, but have always wanted to have a sweet "big rig" which wouldn't need pedals for gain.

A Diezel VH4 has been a dream since I started playing over 12 years ago, but I think that level of gain is just too much for what I do, so I'm holding off going that direction for a while.

Just the other day I played a CAA OD100 Classic Plus which really appealed to me. I spent a couple hours with it and was honestly shocked at how incredible the clean channel was. I'd maybe even put it on par with the cleans of my DC-30, which are my favourite cleans to date. I was equally impressed with the extremely open and uncompressed gain channel. Even with the gain cranked the amp seemed to be extremely clear and articulate and put out exactly what you put in.

Then there's the venerable SLO which has been another dream amp of mine for over a decade.

At first I was looking at this as a CAA vs. SLO matter, but I've decided (I think) to go for both and run them together. CAA for clean + mid-gain and SLO for higher gain stuff.

What do you guys think? Are there some other options I should be exploring?

Here's a quick and messy clip I made yesterday to demonstrate the level of gain and style of playing I'd be using the amp(s) for:

https://soundcloud.com/user-378614181/klon-ocd

I think the above clip is more what I'd be using the SLO for, while the below is more what I'd be using the CAA for (as well as cleaner

https://soundcloud.com/user-378614181/cc1jam2

I need a versatile setup as I do all sorts of stuff from effect-drenched ambient which relies on big pristine cleans to more EVH style stuff and everything in-between.

I play Tele's, Strat's and sometimes buckers. Looking for a good LP again.

 

[white buffalo]

That mid gain tone you are getting is fantastic.

If you go down the SLO route, don't overlook (as many do) the CRUNCH channel. Set right, it is really amazing. Massive stuff there to explore.

Thanks! Believe it or not that's just my Klon goosing up my OCD along with my Tele into my DC-30. I really like that sound. The Klon really takes the OCD over the top, adding a bunch of harmonics and chewy goodness. Sorry, I just realized I don't know which clip you're referring to. In the event it was the second lower gain clip, that was the Pete Cornish CC-1 drive with a little reverb. Same setup; Tele + DC-30.

I forgot to ask in my OP: what speakers and cabs do you guys think would best pair with this combo? I'd likely be running both heads into the same cab. I'd love a 4x12 and am seriously considering it, but space is an issue so might have to go 2x12.
In the event of 2x12, would something like a Bogner or Matchless 2x12 loaded with Creams be good? What about in a 4x12 scenario, are green backs ideal there?

 

[fusedbrain]

As much as I love my slo, I'm gonna say get the od100 first. You might find hitting the gain channel of the od100 with the Klon is all the gain you need, giving you basicaly a 3 channel rig. Then you can decide if the SLO is the right complimentary amp for the od100.
If you didn't need the stellar clean sound, then I would have suggested the SLO first.
Also, possible alternative high end 2 or 3 Channel amps with a great clean would be the Bogner 20th Ecstasy, and the Friedman SS100.

 

[fusedbrain]

On second thought, why not keep the DC30 for cleans and get the SLO for crunch and high gain. That would be a devastating rig.
Lots of options for sure.
Have fun with the search!

 

[white buffalo]

On second thought, why not keep the DC30 for cleans and get the SLO for crunch and high gain. That would be a devastating rig.
Lots of options for sure.
Have fun with the search!

Oh, the DC-30 isn't going anywhere. That'll always be my main rig. This new rig I'm planning is more of a "for fun" big rig I've always wanted. I mean, it'll most definitely see heavy use, but the DC-30 will always be my main.
I just thought the Classic Plus clean and lighter gain sounds would be a nicer compliment to the SLO and something different to the DC-30.

 

[Snave]

I think you could get away with using just the CAA. I've had both amps (well, an OD100 Standard) and the CAA is much closer to that first clip than the Soldano. It's also not a slouch in the high gain department. The gain structure is hairier but you can dial in the feel and tone better with the feedback and depth controls.

IMO what it boils down to is the CAA has a grit that can't be dialed out and the Soldano has a smoothness that can't be dialed out. If you want to go crazy maybe getting the CAA, a Soldano preamp and a switcher (Voodoo GCX or CAE 4x4) would cover all your bases.

 

[Racerxrated]

I think the SLO is being short changed a bit in the clean dept....I found some very nice cleans within mine. Yes the SLO is a smooth sounding lead channel, but drop the gain back and try a few boosts with it, you'd be surprised at the raw that comes out.
The SLOs power section though, that will set it apart from other amps....with the exception of a Wizard, there is nothing like the bloom of an SLO. Some amps come close but from my experience those two are at the top. Have to be experienced in person to get it.

 

[white buffalo]

Thanks guys, but I'm really quite set on the Soldano as it's an amp that's been at the top of my want list for over a decade now. I'll be pulling the trigger tomorrow or the next day on one. Might have it sent straight to Mike for a once-over and the depth + fx loop mods. Also tempting to order a separate head shell for when I want to switch things up.

I've read that SLO's are very picky amps... picky with what speakers, cabs, effects, guitars, etc. they like. I'm trying my best to make a 4x12 happen, but I'm just not entirely certain I've got the space for it. But in the event I do... what do you guys recommend? Bogner? Matchless? Marshall? Diezel? There's a UK-made pinstripe reissue Marshall cab loaded with UK 30 watt Greenbacks that a friend suggested I grab for the amp, but I've read that gb's can be very dark. I hear SLO's are quite hifi/top-endy so maybe that darkness would balance it out? I've also read V30's or 65's are a great match for the amp. In the event of going with a 2x12, what speakers do you guys recommend? Would I be really missing out by going 2x12? I feel like 4x12 is the right thing to do, but I'm just not sure I can make it fit- too much other junk.

I would be grabbing the CAA locally in about two weeks. Honestly can't stop thinking about how great that amp sounded on both channels- just super open and uncompressed.

I ideally need a cab that I can run both heads through and not sacrifice any tone... I will be running both heads into the one cab/set of speakers for the time being, but intend to do a W/D setup eventually so will need a separate cab at that time (probably just a 1x12 or maybe 2x10 for the CAA).

Lots of questions, I know...

 

[Jack Luminous]

For the SLO, if you go 4x12, you could try an old 800 cab with G12-65 in it. It pairs very well with the SLO. That's what I use mainly. If you want a smaller option, go with a 1x12 Thiele style cab with an EVM12L inside. I use one too. The tone is different from the G12-65, tighter and a littler drier, but the low end is massive and it can take the power. It definitely works well too.

 

[Dave L]

The SLO overdrive channel has an unusual EQ curve that can make it seem very bright if you don´t stray from everything at noon, sure, but it´s made to run with the bass way up and mids and treble down which fills it out nicely. Looks weird, sounds great. I wouldn´t get dark speakers to compensate.

 

[cardinal]

The SLO overdrive channel has an unusual EQ curve that can make it seem very bright if you don´t stray from everything at noon, sure, but it´s made to run with the bass way up and mids and treble down which fills it out nicely. Looks weird, sounds great. I wouldn´t get dark speakers to compensate.

I agree with this. Particularly at low volumes, start with a SLO with the bass at noon or higher but the kids and treble down around 3 or even 2. You might not end up there once you get it to taste, but do not start out thinking that it should sound great with everything around noon.

 

[Bronco]

I think the SLO is being short changed a bit in the clean dept....I found some very nice cleans within mine. Yes the SLO is a smooth sounding lead channel, but drop the gain back and try a few boosts with it, you'd be surprised at the raw that comes out.
The SLOs power section though, that will set it apart from other amps....with the exception of a Wizard, there is nothing like the bloom of an SLO. Some amps come close but from my experience those two are at the top. Have to be experienced in person to get it.

Agree with this 100%...I was just going to post pretty much the exact same thing. Only thing I could add is that even the lead channel cleans up beautifully merely by lowering the volume knob on your guitar.

 

[Rdodson]

I run mine with Scumback M75s in a Bogner 2x12. Sounds epic.

I've also had good luck running a THD 2x12 with one CL80 (treated) and one '84 G12-65. That was epic as well. Massively epic. Loved that THD cab.

Vintage 30s get very weird with an SLO. Sound okay at very low volume, but at gig levels the high mids on top of high mids can get tiresome.

 

[fusedbrain]

Yeah, not a Fan of V30's with my SLO.
My fave cab right now for my SLO is a 4x12 B cab with Heritage G12M greenbacks in it. Actually, that cab sounds great with every amp I own. Celestion did a nice job with the Heritage re-issues.
I've never tried any Scumback speakers, but I would imagine that the 25watt Heritage greenback and the Scumback M75 Rdodson mentioned are right in the same vein.

FYI, the Fender / EVH 4x12's come with the Heritage series 25watt M magnet speakers in them , but the speakers have the EVH logo on the back. Exact same speaker, different cosmetics. If you don't care about the speakers having a "green back", you can usually grab one of those EVH cabs pretty cheap used. Great deal, and it would sound great with the OD100 too.
Just be aware that ONLY the EVH 4x12 has the Herritage 25 watt greenbacks. The EVH 2x12 comes with G12H30 70th anniversary speakers.

 

[Rdodson]

YES!! Fusedbrain is spot-on, the EVH 4x12 with the EVH Heritage GBs sounds AMAZING. If I was good at being handy I'd buy one and put some salt/pepper grill cloth and white piping on it. It isn't the most massively thumpy 4x12, but I think they rate very highly in the musicality department.

 

[Racerxrated]

For the SLO, if you go 4x12, you could try an old 800 cab with G12-65 in it. It pairs very well with the SLO. That's what I use mainly. If you want a smaller option, go with a 1x12 Thiele style cab with an EVM12L inside. I use one too. The tone is different from the G12-65, tighter and a littler drier, but the low end is massive and it can take the power. It definitely works well too.

65s are my recommendation as well. Any GB type will work. Also, use the Presence as your high end and drop the treble way down, I got that from the Soldano forum long ago and it worked well for me.

 

[fusedbrain]

For the SLO, if you go 4x12, you could try an old 800 cab with G12-65 in it. It pairs very well with the SLO. That's what I use mainly. If you want a smaller option, go with a 1x12 Thiele style cab with an EVM12L inside. I use one too. The tone is different from the G12-65, tighter and a littler drier, but the low end is massive and it can take the power. It definitely works well too.

65s are my recommendation as well. Any GB type will work. Also, use the Presence as your high end and drop the treble way down, I got that from the Soldano forum long ago and it worked well for me.

+1 on the presence thing. Set the presence 6-7, and then dial the high end with the treble knob. Probably end up with the treble between 4-6.
That little tidbit came directly from Mike Soldano if I remember correctly.

 

[Mr. Willy]

I like Redbacks and H75 Creambacks. Might give the edge to the Redback because it’s pretty even on the eq spectrum with a big bottom and smoother highs. Really complements the SLO voicing. The H75’s are brighter in the highs. Not quite as deep in the low end. With a 4x12, Greenback RI for raw rock bliss. Preferred those over the EVH Greenbacks. Just meaner and nastier. Don’t care for V30’s. It’s too much of the same mid voicing. Becomes overbearing.

 

[white buffalo]

Thanks, everyone, for chiming in with your suggestions. After doing some further reading on your suggestions I'm torn between Greenback RI's (would originals be worth saving up for or is difference negligible?), G12-65's and the Scumback stuff. Don't want EVM12L's just 'cause of weight and judging by descriptions wouldn't like the V30's.