Does anyone find pick attack/response of an SLO a bit slow?

[Jayy]

Maybe it's just me, but the pick attack on my Soldano SLO seems a little slow or soft compared to my Bray 4550 or my Friedman BE-100. It could be that I get used to playing the Bray or the Friedman (which to me are fast amps) and that makes the SLO seem that way. I run all of my amps through the same cabs, speakers, etc., and with the same guitars, but I just seem to feel more of a softness in the pick attack with the SLO.

For the record, I'm not talking about flubby bass or anything like that. The SLO is FAR from flubby. I don't run my bass above 5 or 6 and use closed back 2X12s and 4X12s with mostly greenback, 65 watt creamback, or 65 watt Scumback speakers and they do not at all feel soft with my other amps.

Is playing at lower volume most of the time the issue? Even though I often run my SLO into a Suhr reactive load and run the masters on the SLO at four or five and then re-amp with a Matrix power amp? Does running an SLO at higher volumes create a faster or tighter pick attack than running one at low volumes?

I swear sometimes I want to think I'm crazy because I've heard other people say the SLO is a tight amp with fast attack, but damn it I can FEEL it when picking fast riffs or chugging quickly that it seems a little softer or slower in attack.

 

[SLOgriff]

Maybe it's just me, but the pick attack on my Soldano SLO seems a little slow or soft compared to my Bray 4550 or my Friedman BE-100. It could be that I get used to playing the Bray or the Friedman (which to me are fast amps) and that makes the SLO seem that way. I run all of my amps through the same cabs, speakers, etc., and with the same guitars, but I just seem to feel more of a softness in the pick attack with the SLO.

For the record, I'm not talking about flubby bass or anything like that. The SLO is FAR from flubby. I don't run my bass above 5 or 6 and use closed back 2X12s and 4X12s with mostly greenback, 65 watt creamback, or 65 watt Scumback speakers and they do not at all feel soft with my other amps.

Is playing at lower volume most of the time the issue? Even though I often run my SLO into a Suhr reactive load and run the masters on the SLO at four or five and then re-amp with a Matrix power amp? Does running an SLO at higher volumes create a faster or tighter pick attack than running one at low volumes?

I swear sometimes I want to think I'm crazy because I've heard other people say the SLO is a tight amp with fast attack, but damn it I can FEEL it when picking fast riffs or chugging quickly that it seems a little softer or slower in attack.

Tubes can make or break an SLO's feel and tone. Might try JJ 12AX7 in V1-V4 and a Sovtek LP in V5. I'm also running Sovtek 5881/6L6 WGC's biased to around 28ma, which will get you more of a bite in tone and quicker pick attack.

Also, it sounds like you're running through a lot of stuff there...with a lot of cables. Those things can take away feel and attack. Try plugging straight into your SLO (guitar, cable to amp) and see if the tone comes back.

SLO's are finicky! Again, tubes will make or break your tone and feel. I've spent hours with my SLO's (front grill off) swapping out tubes and the above combination is a winner every time....even at bedroom levels (around 1-2 on the dial).


Hope that helps!

Bryan

 

[Browns Fan]

I remember EVH saying in an interview years ago that the attack time wasn't as immediate as say a Marshall.

 

[Racerxrated]

There seems to be a correlation between amps that have great clarity/articulation at high volume and slow pick attack if you will. Deliverance, SLO, 2C+ for example all seem to make you work harder/be more precise with your technique. A 5153 for example feels easier to play IMO. But they aren't anywhere near as articulate as the previous amps.

 

[lespaul6]

Yes, there is a lag time to the picked notes...certain players will notice this more than others. The Marshall is much more immediate.. I prefer that

 

[Racerxrated]

Yes, there is a lag time to the picked notes...certain players will notice this more than others. The Marshall is much more immediate.. I prefer that

Yes. And Marshalls are the exception to the clarity/articulation opinion I have....they can sound just as articulate as any.

 

[Jayy]

Maybe it's just me, but the pick attack on my Soldano SLO seems a little slow or soft compared to my Bray 4550 or my Friedman BE-100. It could be that I get used to playing the Bray or the Friedman (which to me are fast amps) and that makes the SLO seem that way. I run all of my amps through the same cabs, speakers, etc., and with the same guitars, but I just seem to feel more of a softness in the pick attack with the SLO.

For the record, I'm not talking about flubby bass or anything like that. The SLO is FAR from flubby. I don't run my bass above 5 or 6 and use closed back 2X12s and 4X12s with mostly greenback, 65 watt creamback, or 65 watt Scumback speakers and they do not at all feel soft with my other amps.

Is playing at lower volume most of the time the issue? Even though I often run my SLO into a Suhr reactive load and run the masters on the SLO at four or five and then re-amp with a Matrix power amp? Does running an SLO at higher volumes create a faster or tighter pick attack than running one at low volumes?

I swear sometimes I want to think I'm crazy because I've heard other people say the SLO is a tight amp with fast attack, but damn it I can FEEL it when picking fast riffs or chugging quickly that it seems a little softer or slower in attack.

Tubes can make or break an SLO's feel and tone. Might try JJ 12AX7 in V1-V4 and a Sovtek LP in V5. I'm also running Sovtek 5881/6L6 WGC's biased to around 28ma, which will get you more of a bite in tone and quicker pick attack.

Also, it sounds like you're running through a lot of stuff there...with a lot of cables. Those things can take away feel and attack. Try plugging straight into your SLO (guitar, cable to amp) and see if the tone comes back.

SLO's are finicky! Again, tubes will make or break your tone and feel. I've spent hours with my SLO's (front grill off) swapping out tubes and the above combination is a winner every time....even at bedroom levels (around 1-2 on the dial).


Hope that helps!

Bryan

Thank you for your input! Yes, I know what you mean. I feel/hear this same thing even if running W/D/W or straight SLO into a 4x12, which makes it seem worse because when I run straight into a 4x12 I have to run the master volume on the SLO lower than if I'm running into my Suhr reactive load. I swear lower volume makes the attack/response seem slower.

I've also done a TON of tube rolling and am running JJ ECC803s in both V1 and V2 and regular JJ ECC83s in V3 and V4 and the OEM from Soldano Chinese 12AX7B in V5. I'm also running Preffered Series (which are basically a TAD tube) 6L6GC-STR power tubes biased at 27mA.

I tried the Sovtek LPS in the V5 PI position and didn't like the sound or feel of it.

 

[Jayy]

Thanks for your replies guys. Hell, maybe I'm not crazy then! I'm not complaining about the tone of the SLO at all, I freaking love it for what it is and how it sounds. I'm purely talking about a softness or lag on the picked note with fast picking or riffing. It sounds like you guys know what I'm getting at. Maybe my more Marshally amps have ruined me or something. If I could just tighten or quicken that response up just a little I'd be absolutely in heaven as far as the SLO thing goes.

 

[Racerxrated]

Thanks for your replies guys. Hell, maybe I'm not crazy then! I'm not complaining about the tone of the SLO at all, I freaking love it for what it is and how it sounds. I'm purely talking about a softness or lag on the picked note with fast picking or riffing. It sounds like you guys know what I'm getting at. Maybe my more Marshally amps have ruined me or something. If I could just tighten or quicken that response up just a little I'd be absolutely in heaven as far as the SLO thing goes.

Put an eq pedal in front, mid bump. Gain 5-6 on the amp. Became Marshally to me.

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

There seems to be a correlation between amps that have great clarity/articulation at high volume and slow pick attack if you will. Deliverance, SLO, 2C+ for example all seem to make you work harder/be more precise with your technique. A 5153 for example feels easier to play IMO. But they aren't anywhere near as articulate as the previous amps.

You are being handed a citation.
Notice is hereby served to: Racerxrated

In accordance with Penal Code Section 26602: The sheriff shall prevent and suppress any affrays, breaches of the peace, riots, and insurrections that come to his or her knowledge, and investigate public offenses which have been committed.  The sheriff may execute all orders of the local health officer issued for the purpose of preventing the spread of any contagious or communicable disease.

Translated to: Speaking out against the 5153 and its counterparts.

 

[Jayy]

There seems to be a correlation between amps that have great clarity/articulation at high volume and slow pick attack if you will. Deliverance, SLO, 2C+ for example all seem to make you work harder/be more precise with your technique. A 5153 for example feels easier to play IMO. But they aren't anywhere near as articulate as the previous amps.

You are being handed a citation.
Notice is hereby served to: Racerxrated

In accordance with Penal Code Section 26602: The sheriff shall prevent and suppress any affrays, breaches of the peace, riots, and insurrections that come to his or her knowledge, and investigate public offenses which have been committed.  The sheriff may execute all orders of the local health officer issued for the purpose of preventing the spread of any contagious or communicable disease.

Translated to: Speaking out against the 5153 and its counterparts.

Damn... But.. but.. He DID say the 5153 feels easier to play! I mean... He wasn't TOTALLY knocking the 5153...

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

Just a citation as he seems like a cool guy. Politics... no need to serve a warrant yet.

I find myself more on the blue channel due to the less compression. I actually prefer a little resistance, not too much though.

 

[Jayy]

I've just been clowning around with it some more and I swear it seems like the softness of the response or pick attack or whatever you want to call it improves some with the master cranked up to 5 or 6 whether or not I'm running into the Suhr reactive load or straight into a cabinet. I'm just glad some people confirm that I'm not crazy I guess.

 

[mikey]

Yes, I've noticed it too, almost like a latency kind of thing. Not a deal breaker, love my SLO, but definitely noticeable to some.

 

[Jayy]

So I wonder what the hell it is? I kind of doubt it's in the preamp. Boosting doesn't seem to lessen it and the layout of the preamp has plenty of compression, boost to the signal, etc., on it's own. Is it a power supply/B+ sag type of thing?

 

[Racerxrated]

There seems to be a correlation between amps that have great clarity/articulation at high volume and slow pick attack if you will. Deliverance, SLO, 2C+ for example all seem to make you work harder/be more precise with your technique. A 5153 for example feels easier to play IMO. But they aren't anywhere near as articulate as the previous amps.

You are being handed a citation.
Notice is hereby served to: Racerxrated

In accordance with Penal Code Section 26602: The sheriff shall prevent and suppress any affrays, breaches of the peace, riots, and insurrections that come to his or her knowledge, and investigate public offenses which have been committed.  The sheriff may execute all orders of the local health officer issued for the purpose of preventing the spread of any contagious or communicable disease.

Translated to: Speaking out against the 5153 and its counterparts.

Damn... But.. but.. He DID say the 5153 feels easier to play! I mean... He wasn't TOTALLY knocking the 5153...

Just saw this. There will be no plea deal, as the facts speak for themselves. My 5 year old niece shreds on those easy to play 5153s. She can hardly fret a chord through my Marshall.

And to think I nominated you 5153 police chief.

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

You did, and I want to fulfill my position with the up most integrity and conviction.

Side note.. One reason i always gravitated towards Marshall and other amps like the Quick Rod. The QR can be very dry but very articulate and its a joy to play imo.

The 5153 50 blue channel has some of that flavor, different but in the ballpark.

My administration has done away with some of the traditional judical practices such as plea deals.

Extreme times require extreme measures, Plea Deals are null and void going forward.

The Jubilee reissue is on my radar big time btw

 

[lespaul6]

The jubilee reissue and spark drive.... sounds fantastic

 

[Jayy]

Does this softer attack also happen on the Hot Rod 50, Hot Rod 25, Decatone, and other Soldano amps as well?

 

[jasonP]

So I wonder what the hell it is? I kind of doubt it's in the preamp. Boosting doesn't seem to lessen it and the layout of the preamp has plenty of compression, boost to the signal, etc., on it's own. Is it a power supply/B+ sag type of thing?

It's filtering in the PI stage of the amp and that it has .047uf PI coupling caps which extends the range that hits the power tubes. Up the filtering from say 40uf to 100uf and see how it changes the feel of the amp. This will change the attack (quicker) of the amp and make it more stiffer feeling.