Plexi vs SLO

[Chubtone]

It was a bad idea letting Dave run the band.

I used to think the same way. Then I read DLR's autobiography. Then I thought about DLR's first solo record and compared it to every VH record since he left the band. When Dave left, that whole "Van Halen" sound left with him and he carried it over with him on Eat em and Smile. All Eddie could talk about was how happy he was that that whole sound and style was behind him and that now Van Halen was writing better songs. It always seemed weird to me that people didn't want to listen to his new "better songs".

 

[thiswaythatway]

All this talk of Eddie changing his sound because it sucked and he wanted it better is killing me. Artists are always pushed by the powers that be to make a new record that sounds a little different then the last, also Eddie's writing style changed when Sammy came around and he started with the keyboards all the time, I think the fat chorusy sound in the later records may have suited the new songs and his less aggressive playing. Also times change, look at the change in Lifeson's sound after Permanent Waves. That new concert of Rush he's playing those ghastly Hughes and Ketners, they sound big but they don't sound as good as the rhythm guitars on Hemispheres, not even close. VH is all about the first 4 records, end of story, almost anyone my age that was in high school when they came out will tell you the same thing. Diver Down sucked and that was that... People were crushed by DD, it was a fukkin disaster of a record, especially after Fair Warning. It was a bad idea letting Dave run the band. Who knows maybe they were to drunk to actually write songs and just stole old 60's crap.


Now you can close the thread.

1984 was a huge album though. I think it was their best selling album, not sure though?

Funny thing is i read an interview with Eddie and he was laughing it up how he has the old Marshalls piled away, and he talked about them like he could give 2 shits about them.

There are a few things about 5150 that i liked, but for the most part VH died when Dave left. And OU812 was just God Aweful.

 

[Chubtone]

And one other thing on the DLR issue. I think the guy TOTALLY knew that the old Eddie sound was THE sound. I know he got a bunch of Jose modded Marshalls for Jason Becker when Jason was in the band. I think Vai used them too at Roth's insistence. That tells me a lot about DLR's appreciation for the old VH sound and Eddie's disdain for it as soon as he was freed from Roth's shackles of what Van Halen must sound like.

 

[stratotone]

You guys are forgetting Ted Templeman when you play the EVH card for plexi tone. I think Eddie was using Plexi marshalls on the 'zero' demos that Gene Simmons bankrolled (Ace's amps I think) - and it sounds like Eddie playing, but the guitar is NOTHING like VH I tone wise.

If the plexi vs SLO is one stock plexi and cab vs one stock SLO and cab, nothing else, the SLO crushes it.

If it's 'a plexi and a boost pedal and a hot plate and a few mods' vs a stock SLO, uhm, I still prefer the SLO. I own an SLO and a plexi kit amp, both have their uses but pound for pound I enjoy the SLO more.

 

[Greazygeo]

Not sure where this is going? Played my last show with a plexi. Sumbitch was SOO loud I got the, ' Can you turn it down some ' request. I have run several Slo's and while I love what they do, I was able to change gears and avoid the buy it because it was the next thing I thought I was interested in owning trip. Plexi's just have a solid floor of tone to work with or build upon. but like we discussed a few phone calls back George, some plexi's just don't sound as good as others. I have played a few that I walked away from just like the Slo's.

I've not played an SLO, only some of the Hotrod stuff. I thought they sounded great. Listening to the amp shootout stuff, the SLO and Elmwood were the top two for me. An SLO wound up must be a wonderful thing! Some day.....

 

[stratotone]

Not sure where this is going? Played my last show with a plexi. Sumbitch was SOO loud I got the, ' Can you turn it down some ' request. I have run several Slo's and while I love what they do, I was able to change gears and avoid the buy it because it was the next thing I thought I was interested in owning trip. Plexi's just have a solid floor of tone to work with or build upon. but like we discussed a few phone calls back George, some plexi's just don't sound as good as others. I have played a few that I walked away from just like the Slo's.

I've not played an SLO, only some of the Hotrod stuff. I thought they sounded great. Listening to the amp shootout stuff, the SLO and Elmwood were the top two for me. An SLO wound up must be a wonderful thing! Some day.....

I was able to crank my SLO to about 6 on the master at a gig awhile back, it was freaking incredible. I like it at what I would consider 'normal' volumes, but after about 4 on the master (and a cut in the preamp gain of course) the amp starts pissing excellence.

 

[Shark Diver]

Yeah, EVH. Didn't he basically tweak the shit out of and blow up his amps to get his tone.

Stock - SLO.
Modded (SLO options, which I think is weird to call a mod) - SLO.
Wanna buy a bunch of boosts and ODs and tweak the shit out of your amp - then Plexi.

More guys recorded with plexis because more guys could afford them. Both amps have produced great tones. Why choose, get both.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

. An SLO wound up must be a wonderful thing! Some day.....

Oh it is, IT REALLY IS!!!!

 

[tokyo tapes]

I own a SLO as well as a bunch of plexis. Although they might be similar in some respects they are in my ears very different. The plexis, even boosted have a very direct, aggresive and in your face sound that you really must experince to understand. I find the SLO to be more compressed and gained out due to the added gainstages. Both have their places and I really don't see any of them taking the other ones place. I love the SLO but if I had to choose it would be plexis all the way

 

[Greazygeo]

I was able to crank my SLO to about 6 on the master at a gig awhile back, it was freaking incredible. I like it at what I would consider 'normal' volumes, but after about 4 on the master (and a cut in the preamp gain of course) the amp starts pissing excellence.

That would have been awesome to hear Pete. This is one of those classic amps IMO.

 

[yngzaklynch]

I was able to crank my SLO to about 6 on the master at a gig awhile back, it was freaking incredible. I like it at what I would consider 'normal' volumes, but after about 4 on the master (and a cut in the preamp gain of course) the amp starts pissing excellence.

That would have been awesome to hear Pete. This is one of those classic amps IMO.

George I've owned a Soldano HR50+XL and SLO. I think you would love the SLO. Try and get one with the Depth mod.

 

[JTyson]

I'll be odd man out and say plexi - but I've never got along with slo's. Since you asked for clips, here's my tubescreamer/plexi/attenuator shred clip.

http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=25810

+1

 

[Greazygeo]

I was able to crank my SLO to about 6 on the master at a gig awhile back, it was freaking incredible. I like it at what I would consider 'normal' volumes, but after about 4 on the master (and a cut in the preamp gain of course) the amp starts pissing excellence.

That would have been awesome to hear Pete. This is one of those classic amps IMO.

George I've owned a Soldano HR50+XL and SLO. I think you would love the SLO. Try and get one with the Depth mod.

Yeah Jim, most of the clips and recordings i've heard of the SLO sound great to me. The only Soldano that was horrible was the Lucky 13 combo (out of the three I played). Maybe something was wrong with that, I dunno. I've been having alot of fun with the 5150 (no mods) I picked up recently. Been running it flat out on 10...cool amp.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Both

 

[SFW]

I have to go with the SLO. Plug in, turn up and rock.

 

[Digital Jams]

I agree about DLR and Eat em........That album destroyed 5150

 

[Death by Uberschall]

I agree about DLR and Eat em........That album destroyed 5150

"Shy Boy"!!!!! Enough said!!!!!

 

[se7en]

I love the SLO's but they just have something missing. Deep down this HAS TO BE TRUE or they would be the number one hands down amp of all time. They just don't have that one something that makes them complete. Kinda like they are missing something in the body of the tone category for me. Play them for a bit of time but then....... they gotta go. And I don't seem to find even a decent majority of guys that keep them LONG TERM, like guys do the plexi's. This to me says PLEXI all the way...pedal or no pedal for that extra whatever. The Slo just will not get that plexi coverage. Just my own opinion. But you don't take a knife to a gun fight either.

I agree wholeheartedly...The SLO has a midrange that is so focused in the high mids that it's fatiguing...it could use some body to it...Granted this is what makes it cut like a butcher's knife through hot butter, but I had to sell mine...the depth mod helps somewhat with this (low mids and bass), but I didn't like what it did to the bass. FX loop requires some work to use pedals with. All in all - close, but I couldn't justify it...it also seems to be more of lead player's amp than a rhythm player's...if the midrange had some more body, it would be a killer amp. I'd rather play a Plexi or modern modded take of one...

 

[Mr. Willy]

Wait, wait, wait...5150 was SLO? I thought the SLO didn't come in until For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. Also, 5150 came out in '86, right? The SLO didn't debut until 1987. I've read/heard that 5150 and 0U812 were JCM 800 and Plexi.

Just trying to get the facts strait. I'm sure if anyone knows, it'd be you guys.

 

[mysticaxe]

Wait, wait, wait...5150 was SLO? I thought the SLO didn't come in until For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. Also, 5150 came out in '86, right? The SLO didn't debut until 1987. I've read/heard that 5150 and 0U812 were JCM 800 and Plexi.

Just trying to get the facts strait. I'm sure if anyone knows, it'd be you guys.

I thought that the main song that EVH used the SLO for was "Judgement Day." Or was that his demo 5150... I don't remember...