Similar to the SLO but...

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Racerxrated said:
Here’s the problem though..and I know you are a very good tech and know your stuff…
Why is it that a SLO clone with ‘supposed’ hi fi DeYoung clones sound so far off the original? I’ve played one that had specific clones (supposedly) of the DeYoungs and it sounded very different to me. He used the same components in the circuit as well.
No, they weren’t the O netics transformers which are not the same spec(according to the builder)
The amp sounded good, but more like an HR100 than the SLO. Bland sounding
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I can't speak for others. My last SLO build sounded "better" and tighter. I think the stock circuit could use more filtering. But, its all a matter of preference. Some have to have the exact silkscreened transformers and labels on their amp. That's fine, go for it. I know the SLO circuit very well. I also like what Suhr has done with the SE 100. Also better than the SLO to my ears and my feel.

Here is the link to my last build:

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/time-for-another-slo-lead-channel-build.2228121/
Don't ask me to build you one. I'm not building anything for the next 6mo's at least.
 
Agree on Mezzabarba/Masotti stuff, very Soldano inspired amps, great built quality and their Slave 100 poweramp is pure monster. My opininion about Jet city…not even close to real Soldano, flat, one dimensional, no enough clarity a absolutely uninspiring to play. It is like compare Epi to Gibson Standard, good enough on paper but big no in direct comparison.
 
Fusionbear said:
There is no magic pixie dust on the transformers. There are replacements that have the same specs.

Edcor: I love these! To my ears, the most similar to the DeYoung and my personal favorites. I used these many times and are my new go to.

Onetic: I love these too!

Mercury Magnetic: same, I don't think most of us can tell these apart from the DeYoung.
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I hear what you’re saying, but I’ve never heard a SLO Clone that sounds like a Soldano. Some have come close, but none sound just like it. The new ones are close, but are still a little different. This is how I hear it. When everything in the circuit is the same except for a certain component, it just seems to me that that component would be the variable that accounts for the difference in tone.
 
Mr. Willy said:
I hear what you’re saying, but I’ve never heard a SLO Clone that sounds like a Soldano. Some have come close, but none sound just like it. The new ones are close, but are still a little different. This is how I hear it. When everything in the circuit is the same except for a certain component, it just seems to me that that component would be the variable that accounts for the difference in tone.
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Sure, i hear you. But I don't like the stock circuit. I've owned two SLO's. They were too loose for my taste and mushed out
.
 
'91 SLO with DeYoungs (depth mod on back)
'21 SLO mk2 with whatever they're using now.

Sound the same. Actually preferred the way the '21 sounded when they were set the same, a few slight tweaks of the settings on the '91 and it they sounded indistinguishable to us.

88PKn02.jpeg
 
mhenson42 said:
'91 SLO with DeYoungs (depth mod on back)
'21 SLO mk2 with whatever they're using now.

Sound the same. Actually preferred the way the '21 sounded when they were set the same, a few slight tweaks of the settings on the '91 and it they sounded indistinguishable to us.

88PKn02.jpeg
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That Ultra looks menacing.
 
Where does the original 5150 stack up in this search for the tighter and less expensive SLO? Seems like you can get a signature from the early 90s in the $1000-$1200 range.
 
Killcrop said:
Where does the original 5150 stack up in this search for the tighter and less expensive SLO? Seems like you can get a signature from the early 90s in the $1000-$1200 range.
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Not sure but you can buy a new 5153, and have a new amp for less.
 
Fusionbear said:
Sure, i hear you. But I don't like the stock circuit. I've owned two SLO's. They were too loose for my taste and mushed out
.
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I agree with this to a point - the SLO is not a metal amp. It's a rock amp.
If you want the SLO to do metal, you need to use the Normal channel with the Gain set right up there and boost it with something like an SD-1 or a Klon circuit, or use the Overdrive channel with the Gain set low and again boost it.
My best experience with the SLO for metal is the Normal Channel boosted with a pedal, and use the Overdrive channel as a volume boost for solos or whatnot.
The amp for me is essentially the most kickass Marshall JMP 2203 ever made, so I use it as such for rock. My Soldano cab has UK V30's on the bottom and UK Greenbacks up top, the cab is 8ohm. It rocks. For metal I use my Diezel VH4, boosted into Diezel cabs with UK Creamback 75's on the bottom and V30's up top.
If I was after a cheaper, "nicer" sounding SLO style amp, I'd look at one of the recent Fender EVH heads. I'm not familiar with them really nor am I up on the model names/numbers but I have played through them quite a bit at my friend's house. The Blue channel is really good.
 
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jdel77 said:
I agree with this to a point - the SLO is not a metal amp. It's a rock amp.
If you want the SLO to do metal, you need to use the Normal channel with the Gain set right up there and boost it with something like an SD-1 or a Klon circuit, or use the Overdrive channel with the Gain set low and again boost it.
My best experience with the SLO for metal is the Normal Channel boosted with a pedal, and use the Overdrive channel as a volume boost for solos or whatnot.
The amp for me is essentially the most kickass Marshall JMP 2203 ever made, so I use it as such for rock. My Soldano cab has UK V30's on the bottom and UK Greenbacks up top, the cab is 8ohm. It rocks. For metal I use my Diezel VH4, boosted into Diezel cabs with UK Creamback 75's on the bottom and V30's up top.
If I was after a cheaper, "nicer" sounding SLO style amp, I'd look at one of the recent Fender EVH heads. I'm not familiar with them really nor am I up on the model names/numbers but I have played through them quite a bit at my friend's house. The Blue channel is really good.
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I didn't intend to do metal with the SLO. Hard Rock at the heaviest. With some simple mods, I have found the best solution for me. Upping the filtering on the preamp, lowering the gain slightly, and that's it. For what the amp costs, the SLO is just not worth it. I'd rather hot-rod a 2204/2203 circuit and be done with it... Which is exactly what I have done for myself... I'm kind of dumfounded on why someone would spend so much money on an amp that has so many pitfalls....

I also own a 50 watt Splawn Competition. I much prefer that amp over the SLO too... And, its less than half the price!
 
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jdel77 said:
I agree with this to a point - the SLO is not a metal amp. It's a rock amp.
If you want the SLO to do metal, you need to use the Normal channel with the Gain set right up there and boost it with something like an SD-1 or a Klon circuit, or use the Overdrive channel with the Gain set low and again boost it.
My best experience with the SLO for metal is the Normal Channel boosted with a pedal, and use the Overdrive channel as a volume boost for solos or whatnot.
The amp for me is essentially the most kickass Marshall JMP 2203 ever made, so I use it as such for rock. My Soldano cab has UK V30's on the bottom and UK Greenbacks up top, the cab is 8ohm. It rocks. For metal I use my Diezel VH4, boosted into Diezel cabs with UK Creamback 75's on the bottom and V30's up top.
If I was after a cheaper, "nicer" sounding SLO style amp, I'd look at one of the recent Fender EVH heads. I'm not familiar with them really nor am I up on the model names/numbers but I have played through them quite a bit at my friend's house. The Blue channel is really good.
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FWIW, this is how I run the SLO too. It's also how it's designed to be used, and that's only way the EQ really balances out correctly between the two channels. After all these years, the classic, pedestrian SD-1 is still my first choice for boosting anything. I don't boost the OD channel though. I have it set up to switch the OD out when I change channels. The OD channel is built for singing leads and delivers in spades on its own. Without a dedicated switcher, it is some serious tap dancing on stage.

Of course, it's how I run about every other 2-channel amp out there too. I've never found an amp that makes me happy for metal tone straight out of the amp. I always take an overdriven sound and boost it for rhythm work. I tend to save the high gain channel for just leads.
 
Mr. Willy said:
I hear what you’re saying, but I’ve never heard a SLO Clone that sounds like a Soldano. Some have come close, but none sound just like it. The new ones are close, but are still a little different. This is how I hear it. When everything in the circuit is the same except for a certain component, it just seems to me that that component would be the variable that accounts for the difference in tone.
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Meh. I A/B tested a clone I built against a real SLO. Side by side. Same room. Plug into one, plug into the other. They sounded identical.
 
mhenson42 said:
I think you'd be in the majority!
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I have not owned a SLO but I have spent a decent amount of time on one and never saw the magic like some do. I don't get the degree of acclaim.

TBH I would take most decent high gain amps over a SLO.
 
skullfxr said:
I have not owned a SLO but I have spent a decent amount of time on one and never saw the magic like some do. I don't get the degree of acclaim.

TBH I would take most decent high gain amps over a SLO.
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I like it a lot, it just ranks behind a few of the other amps I own.
 
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