Is the slo all it’s cracked up to be ?

[MetalHeadMike]

The heaviest music I’d use an SLO for would be the 2nd Metallica album RTL and would need a boost still. Like others said you “could” play heavier stuff with it, just not ideal for that. For anything mildly overdriven to RTL it’s a really great amp. For cleans to low-gain it’s still pretty meh imo. This will make me sound like a corksniffer or pretentious D-bag but imho I think the ‘89 SLO I have is a great amp, but the ones I’ve owned or tried from the early 2000’s and 2010’s were to me “very nice” amps, but not amazing. They still all have the same SLO voicing, but the ‘89 is tighter, clearer, punchier and more open

It makes most of my other amps sound like they’re underwater. Not a ton of bottom end, but imo doesn’t come off lacking either and certainly has plenty of balls, just not suited for the heavier styles for the same reasons others mentioned (mostly for it’s low end response and rubbery attack). One thing also about the amp is that of my all my stuff it is surprisingly one of the most responsive to tube swaps. Put either a winged c 12ax7, rogue Chinese 12ax7 or jan Philips ecg 12ax7 and it gets a lot tighter and punchier. Still to me wouldn’t make the cut for modern metal, but maybe for some it could. Also the early silver letter Sovtek 5881’s (not the old military ones, which sound worse IME) also can make the amp tighter and better, although the powertubes that really had the best tone in it were hands down the JAN Philips ECG 5881’s (best overall 6L6 types for high gain imo). Point is it’s an amp that can actually be shaped a lot by that stuff. Still wouldn’t be my first choice for heavier styles, but can almost get there with that stuff and the right pickups, speakers, etc.

Cork snifferey for sure exists on these forums. I recall a member here saying that he absolutely heard positive and significant effect in his tone by playing his amp with the shields removed on the preamp tubes. Not only that, but went on to state each specific frequency he heard that was influenced...Sorry, I'm calling CORK PHUCKING SNIFFER..or maybe glue sniffer!

There are of course definite cases of D-bag claims like that, but I have come to realize also that the way we all perceive sound is unique. There are so many variables that can affect how we hear things.. I am of the opinion that the same amp model of varying years can absolutely sound different. Is it necessarily the amp itself...different components, maybe? or is it just slight changes in your signal chain (string gauge, cabs, Pickups, etc) that maybe you hadn't thought about or remembered.

I'm even starting to believe that atmospheric conditions change the way we hear. Same amp, same guitar, same everything, but humid day with high dew point vs. dry day cooler temps. I have had countless experiences where I have left every single piece of my signal chain the same and am loving the tone one evening only to plug in the next morning and find it sounds off to the point I'm adjusting knobs.

 

[Mark Skid]

Years ago, Mark Cameron did a "Ocean" mod to a particular Marshall head that was just about as perfect as a MV amplifer could possibly be. I was playing through my rack SLO at the time, and I remember thinking... "I wish my SLO sounded like that."

 

[braintheory]

Cork snifferey for sure exists on these forums. I recall a member here saying that he absolutely heard positive and significant effect in his tone by playing his amp with the shields removed on the preamp tubes. Not only that, but went on to state each specific frequency he heard that was influenced...Sorry, I'm calling CORK PHUCKING SNIFFER..or maybe glue sniffer!

There are of course definite cases of D-bag claims like that, but I have come to realize also that the way we all perceive sound is unique. There are so many variables that can affect how we hear things.. I am of the opinion that the same amp model of varying years can absolutely sound different. Is it necessarily the amp itself (different components maybe?) or is it just slight changes in your signal chain (string gauge, cabs, Pickups, etc) that maybe you hadn't thought about at the time. I'm even starting to believe that atmospheric conditions change the way we hear. Same amp, same guitar, same everything, but humid day with high dew point vs. dry day cooler temps.

I’ve not noticed any tone changes with cover vs no cover for pre tubes. There are lots of variables like you said, but have not yet noticed really noteworthy differences of amps of the same year and specs except for a Marshall or 2 here and there that desperately needed servicing, but haven’t like seriously AB’ed that stuff. The difference I’m hearing with my ‘89 I’m confident is quite significant over the later ones, but will be able to AB mine later with my friend’s early 2000’s one to cofirm

 

[RaceU4her]

I'm even starting to believe that atmospheric conditions change the way we hear

ive been joking for years about getting one of those weather barometers to record perfect tonal conditions 82 degrees, 64% humidity with a 29.8 barometric pressure seems to be ideal

 

[Racerxrated]

Years ago, Mark Cameron did a "Ocean" mod to a particular Marshall head that was just about as perfect as a MV amplifer could possibly be. I was playing through my rack SLO at the time, and I remember thinking... "I wish my SLO sounded like that."

Simple. Put a pedal in front and boost that bitch. It may not quite get there; but my first SLO I wasn't really into boosting except with my 2554 combo; and that was only an EQ pedal. But when I started reading about EVH settings on the Soldano forum, when I first tried them I was floored...looked down and saw I had inadvertently turned on my EQ pedal. It sounded like an incredibly ballsy modded Marshall. Through a GB or 65 loaded cab, killer.

 

[Mark Skid]

There are of course definite cases of D-bag claims like that, but I have come to realize also that the way we all perceive sound is unique. There are so many variables that can affect how we hear things.. I am of the opinion that the same amp model of varying years can absolutely sound different. Is it necessarily the amp itself (different components maybe?) or is it just slight changes in your signal chain (string gauge, cabs, Pickups, etc) that maybe you hadn't thought about at the time.

I'm even starting to believe that atmospheric conditions change the way we hear. Same amp, same guitar, same everything, but humid day with high dew point vs. dry day cooler temps. I have had countless experiences where I have left every single piece of my signal chain the same and am loving the tone one evening only to plug in the next morning and find it sounds off to the point I'm adjusting knobs.

Removing the shield from the V1 (12AX7) tube may have some effect, I'm not sure? It certainly does with the EF86 channel in my AC15. The most noticeable difference happens with line voltage. Monitoring/adjusting the line voltage keeps the sound/feel pretty consistent. The way you perceive sound can change from day to day; dictated by weather conditions. I don't beleive weather has any effect of the amplifier and speakers, but, I could be wrong.

 

[Mark Skid]

Simple. Put a pedal in front and boost that bitch. It may not quite get there; but my first SLO I wasn't really into boosting except with my 2554 combo; and that was only an EQ pedal. But when I started reading about EVH settings on the Soldano forum, when I first tried them I was floored...looked down and saw I had inadvertently turned on my EQ pedal. It sounded like an incredibly ballsy modded Marshall. Through a GB or 65 loaded cab, killer.

That's interesting. I had an old MXR EQ that I plugged into the front on SLO (head version). It was the only pre-amplifer device that I enjoyed using with that amp. I eventually replaced V2 with a 5751... That was the best "mod" ever with that amp. I also tried a set of EL34's, but they didn't sound so good. Mike (Soldano) said it was okay to use them, so I gave 'em a whirl.

I said that I'm not a fan of 6L6 power, but, that's not exactly true. I once owned a blond Boogie Mark IIC+ 60 watt combo that was absolute perfection! I had three IIC+ models at the time... That 60 watt combo (without graphic EQ) is the only amplifier that I regret selling.

 

[GJgo]

I once owned a blond Boogie Mark IIC+ 60 watt combo that was absolute perfection! I had three IIC+ models at the time... That 60 watt combo (without graphic EQ) is the only amplifier that I regret selling.

Funny, I've had 6 IIC+ and the only one I regret selling was also a 60 watt SR. Best tone & feel of them all, no question.

Back on track of the SLO I did post this thread a week or so ago. Interestingly enough, more than half the people watching the thread though the SLO sounded best whereas the sound man, the other bands & myself in the room thought it sounded soft & undefined.
https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/thre...ark-ii-coliseum-a-slo-walk-into-a-bar.235582/

 

[cragginshred]

That's interesting. I had an old MXR EQ that I plugged into the front on SLO (head version). It was the only pre-amplifer device that I enjoyed using with that amp. I eventually replaced V2 with a 5751... That was the best "mod" ever with that amp. I also tried a set of EL34's, but they didn't sound so good. Mike (Soldano) said it was okay to use them, so I gave 'em a whirl.

I said that I'm not a fan of 6L6 power, but, that's not exactly true. I once owned a blond Boogie Mark IIC+ 60 watt combo that was absolute perfection! I had three IIC+ models at the time... That 60 watt combo (without graphic EQ) is the only amplifier that I regret selling.

What does replacing the V2 tube do? And what type of music context/Tone are you shooting for?

 

[Mark Skid]

What does replacing the V2 tube do? And what type of music context/Tone are you shooting for?

There was too much "weight" in the bottom-end gain dept. The 5751 solved the issue. I'm a 70's rock fan, so that's the sound/feel I was going for. It worked-out well, but I missed the character of VOX and Marshall. Give me a Marshall 1987 50 watt, KOT and an Echoplex, and I'm set.

 

[braintheory]

Funny, I've had 6 IIC+ and the only one I regret selling was also a 60 watt SR. Best tone & feel of them all, no question.

Back on track of the SLO I did post this thread a week or so ago. Interestingly enough, more than half the people watching the thread though the SLO sounded best whereas the sound man, the other bands & myself in the room thought it sounded soft & undefined.
https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/thre...ark-ii-coliseum-a-slo-walk-into-a-bar.235582/

I think in a way both guys are right. It is softer and less defined (I’d argue though maybe more defined than Recto, but not Mark), but in the context of your band to my ears still sounded better despite that (at least in the clips) probably because of its mids and upper mids, the way it sits in a mix and just it’s overall character. It just works well. To me it was the clear winner in those clips, but maybe I’d hear it differently in person. I’ve got my share of marks, Recto’s and SLO myself, so no bias, just think the SLO seemed better for that particular scenario

If the later SLO’s are anything like my ‘89 one then having either a winged c or JAN Philips 12AX7 in the v1, and trying those in the other slots plus trying some Sylvania 12BZ7’s in other slots should really get the amp tighter, punchier and more ballsy. And top it off with either JAN Philips 5881’s or old silver letter Sovtek 5881’s. I’m not one to use tubes as an excuse for amps, or making or breaking them, but my ‘89 SLO is one of the most responsive ones I’ve had to that stuff. The generic current made pre tubes really don’t sound good in mine. In most of my other amps I’m ok with leaving that stuff alone unless using it for a recording where I wanna optimize

 

[VESmedic]

Funny, I've had 6 IIC+ and the only one I regret selling was also a 60 watt SR. Best tone & feel of them all, no question.

Back on track of the SLO I did post this thread a week or so ago. Interestingly enough, more than half the people watching the thread though the SLO sounded best whereas the sound man, the other bands & myself in the room thought it sounded soft & undefined.
https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/thre...ark-ii-coliseum-a-slo-walk-into-a-bar.235582/

Because people like hearing with their eyes and want to believe it’s better, when it wasn’t in the least buttttt you already know this !

 

[braintheory]

Because people like hearing with their eyes and want to believe it’s better, when it wasn’t in the least buttttt you already know this !

Fwiw, the BAD era SLO wasn’t the most valuable amp in that comparison. I have all 3 of those amps myself and others, I’m fan of all, but to me the SLO sounded best in the context of those clips. For heavier stuff wouldn’t be the case. For anything up to maybe very early Metallica it’s a great amp. Wouldn’t use it for heavier than that or for cleans (just meh there imo)

 

[Smash]

That’s the thing… like for me, yes it’s great at some things. Leads, chord work, CLEANS, etc. but then I think, why am I gonna keep this 4000 dollar amp when I have a ton of amps that ALSO do those things and many do it MUCH better ( for my personal taste)? And if I could only have one amp and I wasn’t in the situation I am now, it for SURE wouldn’t be my only amp either! So for me it just didn’t make sense. It was one of those things that when I mic’d it up and tracked it I’m like wow that’s killer…. Until I A/B’d it to other stuff I own… it was no contest then. People will justify anything in their head to make themselves believe their 4000 dollar amp sounds great. Let’s all be honest, we have ALL done that, including me. But I put a stop to that real quick, and away it went. I used to drool over this thing in like 8th grade looking at musicians friend magazines seeing this expensive ass amp and thinking OMGGGGG it’s gotta be the one blah blah blah. I had every nostalgic reason in my head to justify keeping it. But I couldn’t do it, it just doesn’t do it at all for me. And it’s one of those things I always ask myself to, “ how many of my favorite tones ever were done with this thing?” The answer was not surprisingly, zero.

I think a lot of us have done that. Or even tried to convince ourself that we like an amp we don't. But you know when you find the right one. Slo was definitely not that for me.

 

[Smash]

The avenger did better for modern metal I thought .

Dude. second amp i ever bought was a 2009 i believe blue avenger. I seriously could have kept that amp forever. 100 watts of pure bliss. I sold it on accident and then decided to try a bunch of amps. Bogner twin jet is another good one i ran into. But racerxrated is totally on the same page with me. While i absolutely loved that avenger, there is nothing like a marshall circuit with that upper mid grind and bloom...

 

[Mark Skid]

My favorite Soldano was the original HR50.

 

[Smash]

I've played death-metal (amongst other things) with mine for a long time. Staccato riff like Fear Factory or djenty grooves like Meshuggah etc. are no problem either. Works well for me. But now that death-metal is an old thing, maybe the SLO is not suited for sounding like some Polyphia or other nintendo-like/video game "modernish" things.

death metal is the best metal.

 

[Smash]

I get amazing bloom at low volume with Wizard amps and the D60 the way I set them up. I'll get flamed for this, but I actually prefer the low to moderate volume tones I get on these amps most the time as opposed to cranked tones. Just sounds better to me I will say however that I use pretty non-conventional settings and additional signal chain components to get there. I'm not a plugged straight in guy.

yeah. i don't know what you mean by low volume, but my wizard definitely sounds it's best at 103-110 decibels. that is around 9-1030 on the master, anything over that is too much power tube saturation and Not the way for me.

 

[Mark Skid]

death metal is the best metal.

I remember when my friend Mark told me what Chuck (Schuldiner) named his band... "You're never going to believe what Chuck named his band..." What? "Death!" Pat Travers overheard what Mark said and started laughing.

 

[Techdeth]

Dude. second amp i ever bought was a 2009 i believe blue avenger. I seriously could have kept that amp forever. 100 watts of pure bliss. I sold it on accident and then decided to try a bunch of amps. Bogner twin jet is another good one i ran into. But racerxrated is totally on the same page with me. While i absolutely loved that avenger, there is nothing like a marshall circuit with that upper mid grind and bloom...

Ya I agree . And I also regretted selling mine .