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Lightning
Well-known member
Soldano
napalmdeath
Well-known member
Helios. Splawn.
Sixstringflannel
Member
If you go the Helios route be sure to check the bias. There’s a lot of tones in that amp. Understand the channel switching and if that is going to be an hindrance or non issue for your application. I have the 100 non eclipse and it’s a very cool amp. Hard nods to the Marshalls its taken its dna from but with that Bogner twist to it. I’m pretty firm in the hard rock/metal vein and it gets the job done there BUT I just got an Intellifex and that + Helios is all 70’s and 80’s inspiration 100%. No experience with the SLO but it gets high praise. If you prefer an extra preamp tube gainstage to Jose style diode clipping I’d also throw the Snorkler into the mix.
CarlF
Well-known member
If I had to choose between those two, I’d get the Bogner Snorkler
Metlupass2
Well-known member
I'll sell you my Soldano and you can play whatever genre of music you want!
NoHassle
Well-known member
You hear Gary Moore playing rock and that should be enough to tell anyone what you're saying is 100% correct.
CliffHydro
Member
Interesting. Why do you say that? What are you setting yours at?
Sixstringflannel
Member
It seems the new ones ship on the cold side ~17-18ma 33% and mine was recently set from 45% to ~65% maybe a hair under. I did play with a few in between settings because @ilikehats was kind enough to adjust it for me while we figured out which bias gave the best stank face. I also changed the preamp tubes from jj12ax7’s to some higher gain 12ax7B’s. There’s an amalgamation of different tubes in there for my own personal preferences but v1/v2 adjustments where I starter were enough to have a perceivable impact for me. it’s not like it sounded bad, but it was one of those things where I just knew there was a bit more in there that I personally wanted. Not sure if the 50w is the same bias wise. I traded an SL67 MKI for the Helios 100 and it’s been everything I was hoping for out of a plexi/jcm800-ish amp. It did take me a while to understand the eq but was worth it. I enjoy tweaking tubes though. At the end of the day it just made me want to buy more Bogners.
This is much more than you asked for but hope it helps!
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bubucci
Well-known member
I prefer SLO30 over Hotrods, it has 'the' Soldano sound and liked it maybe more than new SLO 100. Deyoung ones are different story, not as stiff and more pleasing mids/treble.
But still I take Helios over both. 70/80s mode is like two different amps. Still one of the amps I regret selling the most.
But still I take Helios over both. 70/80s mode is like two different amps. Still one of the amps I regret selling the most.
CliffHydro
Member
Good info. Thanks for the response.
rsm
Well-known member
I do mostly 70s hard rock, thrash, hair metal, and prog (which I have / use Mesa and Diezel). I prefer Marshall tones to any others.
For '70s hard rock, my favorite amps are my Bogner Helios Eclipse and my Engl Artist Edition E651; both get well into 80s thrash/hair metal, and for this I'll add my Marshall JCM 900 SL-X Model 2100, and DSL40CR.
If you want a Marshall amp that does it all, I have / recommend the JVM410H.
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Spookylou33
Member
I found a 2024 Helios 50 for 1799.00 shipped. It turned out to be a 2020, but its a great deal and it sounds great! I actually prefer it over the Helios 100.
shar-vell Dan
Well-known member
Helios 100 Brah, go big or don't go. 30 & 50 watt amps are for pussies.
NO SUCH THING AS A 50cc FERRARI.
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JerEvil
Well-known member
Honestly… the MGL 50/100 would be what I’d pick. Probably my favorite amp for 80’s rock and classic tones.
PBGas
Well-known member
Soldano any day of the week, for me at least! I love the tone!
However, everyone hears things differently and thus, you may prefer something else.
However, everyone hears things differently and thus, you may prefer something else.
gbsmusic
Well-known member
I'm a Bogner fan but the Helios just did not do it for me, it moved down the road pretty quick. I absolutely love the SLO 30 and if you can get a hold of a XTS modded Boss GE7 to run with it, its incredible!
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frost822
New member
I like the Helios, put the Legendary Tone Hot Mod in it and take it up a notch.
Sixstringflannel
Member
Curious, have you done this? I've considered giving it a shot because it seems like it could be fun.
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frost822
New member
Yes, gives it a little more boost. The Helios is pretty close circuit wise to the Friedman Jose. I wanted to try that boost thing before the cathode follower that jose did in some Marshall mods using the insert loop. AKA Joe Holmes with the pcm 41 in the insert loop as a boost.
