SLO-100 Incoming.

[AmpliFIRE]

One trick pony IMO...and needs to be loud to get there (as others have stated).

Again, disagree. Clean is decent and the one trick you say it has...is amazing. Wish I still had one...and no, it doesn't havde to be crushingly loud to sound awesome.

Sorry...agree to disagree. Didn't like the clean or crunch, especially for the price.

I will admit when I first plugged in I was a bit disappointed... I got the clear articulate tone, but it didn't wow me. Then I boosted it..and I understood. Doesn't need a boost but man, it turned into a monster with one. Ultimately though, for 2500 I can buy 2 awesome amps. And I did. Love to have it back though!

I'm pretty much a boost freak, but I preferred the SLO's lead channel without a boost.

 

[Jayy]

Crunch channel is amazing and so is the OD channel. Lots of great tones to be had, even at lower volumes. Here's the challenge: tubes and/or speaker cabs will make or break an SLO. They are very sensitive to bias and tube types. SLO's don't like Vintage 30's, would sound better with greenbacks or even 75's in some cabs. Stock Soldano cab is the perfect match.

Tubes: Sovtek "wafer bottom" 5881/6L6 WGC's biased to around 28ma are the best power tubes. Also, JJ-12AX7S in V1, V3, and V4. Use a Sovtek LP or LPS in V5 (pi) position. V2 you can swap out to taste as this will fine tune the gain and feel.

I've spent hours with the front grill off swapping out tubes and bias adjustments. Follow the above suggestions and you will enjoy the amp and get the most out of its potential.

I'm curious to hear you say the Sovtek 5881 is the best power tube for the SLO. I have them in mine as well and am also biased at 28mA, but I hear (or read) constantly that others prefer numerous othe 6L6 tubes (especially the JJ 6L6). Now JJ also has a 5881 that I haven't found any reviews of people trying with the SLO yet.

I haven't tried any other power tubes yet, but have been curious to. What others have you tried and what did you like or not like about them?

 

[Beyond Black]

Crunch channel is amazing and so is the OD channel. Lots of great tones to be had, even at lower volumes. Here's the challenge:bes and/or speaker cabs will make or break an SLO. They are very sensitive to bias and tube types. SLO's don't like Vintage 30's, would sound better with greenbacks or even 75's in some cabs. Stock Soldano cab is the perfect match.

Tubes: Sovtek "wafer bottom" 5881/6L6 WGC's biased to around 28ma are the best power tubes. Also, JJ-12AX7S in V1, V3, and V4. Use a Sovtek LP or LPS in V5 (pi) position. V2 you can swap out to taste as this will fine tune the gain and feel.

I've spent hours with the front grill off swapping out tubes and bias adjustments. Follow the above suggestions and you will enjoy the amp and get the most out of its potential.

Agree about the 75's. My buddy (pkripper on RT) played in a band that had a Marshall cab with 75's at their spot. His SLO sounded GODLY through that cabinet. We were literally blown away by how killer it was. Rez, be sure to post a video with the SLO. I dig your vids, dude.

 

[FourT6and2]

I like the TAD 6L6GC-STR. But the stock wafer-bottom Sovteks are ok too. For preamp tubes, I like the Tung-Sol reissue in V1 or V2 of many of my amps. And the JJ ECC803 (not the ECC83) as well.

My clone likes V30s just fine. Also G12-65s.

Also, Soldano biases the SLO really cold.

 

[SLOgriff]

I've spent hours with the front grill off swapping out tubes and bias adjustments. Follow the above suggestions and you will enjoy the amp and get the most out of its potential.

If I PM ya, do you think you'd have a few minutes to help me bias mine someday soon? Looking to retube and although I've retubed and biased my share of amps before, they were usually pretty easy to do with only a DMM. Not so sure about the SLO, especially not having looked closely at mine yet, need those contact points and trim pot pointed out to me, etc.

Sure, PM anytime, glad to help. Although, I use a Bias King to bias my amps (http://biasking.com/). I don't mess with pins and multimeter method.

Crunch channel is amazing and so is the OD channel. Lots of great tones to be had, even at lower volumes. Here's the challenge: tubes and/or speaker cabs will make or break an SLO. They are very sensitive to bias and tube types. SLO's don't like Vintage 30's, would sound better with greenbacks or even 75's in some cabs. Stock Soldano cab is the perfect match.

Tubes: Sovtek "wafer bottom" 5881/6L6 WGC's biased to around 28ma are the best power tubes. Also, JJ-12AX7S in V1, V3, and V4. Use a Sovtek LP or LPS in V5 (pi) position. V2 you can swap out to taste as this will fine tune the gain and feel.

I've spent hours with the front grill off swapping out tubes and bias adjustments. Follow the above suggestions and you will enjoy the amp and get the most out of its potential.

I'm curious to hear you say the Sovtek 5881 is the best power tube for the SLO. I have them in mine as well and am also biased at 28mA, but I hear (or read) constantly that others prefer numerous othe 6L6 tubes (especially the JJ 6L6). Now JJ also has a 5881 that I haven't found any reviews of people trying with the SLO yet.

I haven't tried any other power tubes yet, but have been curious to. What others have you tried and what did you like or not like about them?

Other tubes may sound ok. You'll have to take that journey yourself. But the Sovtek 5881/6L6 WGC's are just well balanced in highs, lows, and feel. Plus, they are well made and usually last longer than others.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've spent hours with the front grill off swapping out tubes and bias adjustments. Follow the above suggestions and you will enjoy the amp and get the most out of its potential.

If I PM ya, do you think you'd have a few minutes to help me bias mine someday soon? Looking to retube and although I've retubed and biased my share of amps before, they were usually pretty easy to do with only a DMM. Not so sure about the SLO, especially not having looked closely at mine yet, need those contact points and trim pot pointed out to me, etc.

Sure, PM anytime, glad to help. Although, I use a Bias King to bias my amps (http://biasking.com/). I don't mess with pins and multimeter method.

Crunch channel is amazing and so is the OD channel. Lots of great tones to be had, even at lower volumes. Here's the challenge: tubes and/or speaker cabs will make or break an SLO. They are very sensitive to bias and tube types. SLO's don't like Vintage 30's, would sound better with greenbacks or even 75's in some cabs. Stock Soldano cab is the perfect match.

Tubes: Sovtek "wafer bottom" 5881/6L6 WGC's biased to around 28ma are the best power tubes. Also, JJ-12AX7S in V1, V3, and V4. Use a Sovtek LP or LPS in V5 (pi) position. V2 you can swap out to taste as this will fine tune the gain and feel.

I've spent hours with the front grill off swapping out tubes and bias adjustments. Follow the above suggestions and you will enjoy the amp and get the most out of its potential.

I'm curious to hear you say the Sovtek 5881 is the best power tube for the SLO. I have them in mine as well and am also biased at 28mA, but I hear (or read) constantly that others prefer numerous othe 6L6 tubes (especially the JJ 6L6). Now JJ also has a 5881 that I haven't found any reviews of people trying with the SLO yet.

I haven't tried any other power tubes yet, but have been curious to. What others have you tried and what did you like or not like about them?

Other tubes may sound ok. You'll have to take that journey yourself. But the Sovtek 5881/6L6 WGC's are just well balanced in highs, lows, and feel. Plus, they are well made and usually last longer than others.

And don't forget cheap! They don't cost as much as some other brands. I believe Mike puts those in at the factory as stock tubes, no?

 

[Jayy]

I've spent hours with the front grill off swapping out tubes and bias adjustments. Follow the above suggestions and you will enjoy the amp and get the most out of its potential.

If I PM ya, do you think you'd have a few minutes to help me bias mine someday soon? Looking to retube and although I've retubed and biased my share of amps before, they were usually pretty easy to do with only a DMM. Not so sure about the SLO, especially not having looked closely at mine yet, need those contact points and trim pot pointed out to me, etc.

Sure, PM anytime, glad to help. Although, I use a Bias King to bias my amps (http://biasking.com/). I don't mess with pins and multimeter method.

Crunch channel is amazing and so is the OD channel. Lots of great tones to be had, even at lower volumes. Here's the challenge: tubes and/or speaker cabs will make or break an SLO. They are very sensitive to bias and tube types. SLO's don't like Vintage 30's, would sound better with greenbacks or even 75's in some cabs. Stock Soldano cab is the perfect match.

Tubes: Sovtek "wafer bottom" 5881/6L6 WGC's biased to around 28ma are the best power tubes. Also, JJ-12AX7S in V1, V3, and V4. Use a Sovtek LP or LPS in V5 (pi) position. V2 you can swap out to taste as this will fine tune the gain and feel.

I've spent hours with the front grill off swapping out tubes and bias adjustments. Follow the above suggestions and you will enjoy the amp and get the most out of its potential.

I'm curious to hear you say the Sovtek 5881 is the best power tube for the SLO. I have them in mine as well and am also biased at 28mA, but I hear (or read) constantly that others prefer numerous othe 6L6 tubes (especially the JJ 6L6). Now JJ also has a 5881 that I haven't found any reviews of people trying with the SLO yet.

I haven't tried any other power tubes yet, but have been curious to. What others have you tried and what did you like or not like about them?

Other tubes may sound ok. You'll have to take that journey yourself. But the Sovtek 5881/6L6 WGC's are just well balanced in highs, lows, and feel. Plus, they are well made and usually last longer than others.

And don't forget cheap! They don't cost as much as some other brands. I believe Mike puts those in at the factory as stock tubes, no?

Yeah thats what comes from Soldano, and the amp comes biased cold! My SLO's bias tested at about 22mA from the factory. I adjusted it up to 28mA (which is still really cold compared to most) and I liked it better. I'm not a big proponent of hot biases. Besides being harder on tubes it takes the headroom and the ability to breathe and bounce out of an amp's response. That's my opinion anyway. I like my BE-100 biased at about 30-32mA and my Bray 4550 at 29 or 30mA. I like the feel and sound in that range on the EL-34 type tubes. But low 20mA area seems WAY cold to me for the SLO.

I understand the thinking behind why Soldano would do that. Besides making an already rugged tube they are using from the factory last a really long time, it also makes it possible for people to replace tubes without biasing the amp with little risk. Also, it does sound fine that way, surprisingly. I like mine better at 28mA (ish) or so and its still under 60% of max plate dissipation. It warms the amp up just a little and its still a cold bias. That's just me talking and my opinion though and YMMV and all that.

 

[VoodooChild24]

Congrats man. I've always wanted to own a SLO but I'm broke right now. lol.

 

[VC4Ever]

Didn't you already have an SLO a while back? I predict you flip it sooner then later. If you didn't like it then you won't like it now.

 

[Jayy]

To the OP:

I'm excited for you man! What speakers and cabs do you plan to run it through? I have liked mine the best with greenback type speakers. My most favorite has been through a 4x12 with 65 watt Scumback M75-PVCs. I freaking LOVE those speakers!

 

[Racerxrated]

I've spent hours with the front grill off swapping out tubes and bias adjustments. Follow the above suggestions and you will enjoy the amp and get the most out of its potential.

If I PM ya, do you think you'd have a few minutes to help me bias mine someday soon? Looking to retube and although I've retubed and biased my share of amps before, they were usually pretty easy to do with only a DMM. Not so sure about the SLO, especially not having looked closely at mine yet, need those contact points and trim pot pointed out to me, etc.

Sure, PM anytime, glad to help. Although, I use a Bias King to bias my amps (http://biasking.com/). I don't mess with pins and multimeter method.

Crunch channel is amazing and so is the OD channel. Lots of great tones to be had, even at lower volumes. Here's the challenge: tubes and/or speaker cabs will make or break an SLO. They are very sensitive to bias and tube types. SLO's don't like Vintage 30's, would sound better with greenbacks or even 75's in some cabs. Stock Soldano cab is the perfect match.

Tubes: Sovtek "wafer bottom" 5881/6L6 WGC's biased to around 28ma are the best power tubes. Also, JJ-12AX7S in V1, V3, and V4. Use a Sovtek LP or LPS in V5 (pi) position. V2 you can swap out to taste as this will fine tune the gain and feel.

I've spent hours with the front grill off swapping out tubes and bias adjustments. Follow the above suggestions and you will enjoy the amp and get the most out of its potential.

I'm curious to hear you say the Sovtek 5881 is the best power tube for the SLO. I have them in mine as well and am also biased at 28mA, but I hear (or read) constantly that others prefer numerous othe 6L6 tubes (especially the JJ 6L6). Now JJ also has a 5881 that I haven't found any reviews of people trying with the SLO yet.

I haven't tried any other power tubes yet, but have been curious to. What others have you tried and what did you like or not like about them?

Other tubes may sound ok. You'll have to take that journey yourself. But the Sovtek 5881/6L6 WGC's are just well balanced in highs, lows, and feel. Plus, they are well made and usually last longer than others.

And don't forget cheap! They don't cost as much as some other brands. I believe Mike puts those in at the factory as stock tubes, no?

Yeah thats what comes from Soldano, and the amp comes biased cold! My SLO's bias tested at about 22mA from the factory. I adjusted it up to 28mA (which is still really cold compared to most) and I liked it better. I'm not a big proponent of hot biases. Besides being harder on tubes it takes the headroom and the ability to breathe and bounce out of an amp's response. That's my opinion anyway. I like my BE-100 biased at about 30-32mA and my Bray 4550 at 29 or 30mA. I like the feel and sound in that range on the EL-34 type tubes. But low 20mA area seems WAY cold to me for the SLO.

I understand the thinking behind why Soldano would do that. Besides making an already rugged tube they are using from the factory last a really long time, it also makes it possible for people to replace tubes without biasing the amp with little risk. Also, it does sound fine that way, surprisingly. I like mine better at 28mA (ish) or so and its still under 60% of max plate dissipation. It warms the amp up just a little and its still a cold bias. That's just me talking and my opinion though and YMMV and all that.

I'm with you. I like my Marshalls biased between 34-40 ma with 34s, I use my ear mostly but I know that will work based on my experience with them. Tried to go a bit higher than 28 ma with the SLO but 28-30 was best. Rez, if you don't dig it try boosting it before you flip it. It might change your mind.

 

[Jayy]

I guess I'm either crazy, or my ears are broke. I've never understood peoples complaints about the SLO sounding like crap at low volume, or the high end fizz. Now I've heard (never owned) some 5150 amps that have some SERIOUS high end fizz, but that hasn't been an issue with my SLO.

Yes, it does sound better with higher volume, but what 100 watt, face scorching tube amp doesn't? Here are the settings I have my SLO set on. Notice the treble, presence, and master volume settings. The pic is actually at a little bit of an angle. The master volumes for both channels are half way between 0 and 1. I'm running it into a 4x12 of Scumback M75-PVC 65 waters dry and using 2 soldano 4x12s loaded with creamback M65s and the old made in UK 6402 cone greenbacks for my wets (2 greens and 2 creams in each cab).

It sounds great at low volume. I can't complain at all.

 

[lowmantotempole]

You should have kept that GTO pedal and got your self the ultimate pedal platform clean head: The Dr Z, Z-Lux. There's your SLO.

 

[Rick Lee]

Any of you SLO owners get horrible swooshing noise when the amp is really cranked? I'm running through an EVH 4x12 and just had the OD volume at 7 in the house. I had earplugs in. Even with the guitar volume knob all the way down, it sounded like I was standing on the beach at high tide. Very, very noisy.

 

[Racerxrated]

You should have kept that GTO pedal and got your self the ultimate pedal platform clean head: The Dr Z, Z-Lux. There's your SLO.

Cmon man. No. Sorry.

 

[Jayy]

Any of you SLO owners get horrible swooshing noise when the amp is really cranked? I'm running through an EVH 4x12 and just had the OD volume at 7 in the house. I had earplugs in. Even with the guitar volume knob all the way down, it sounded like I was standing on the beach at high tide. Very, very noisy.

No, I can't say Ive ever noticed that on mine. Maybe a noisy tube? I've never had mine on 7. YIKES! I bet you DID have to have ear plugs in!! I've had mine on 5 in my condo before and it sounded awesome, but brutally loud! Usually I'm stuck playing mine at .5 to 1 on the master and once in a while up to 2 or so, unless I run it into my Suhr Reactive Load and into my stereo rig. When I do that I run it on 4 or so and then re-amp it after my effects with a Matrix power amp. No noise that way either. My first suspicion is a noisy tube.

 

[daveyisgreatmkii]

Congrats! The SLO is so awesome!

Mine loves the stock Soldano 2x12, it loves my Mesa 2x12 with V30s, and it loves my open-back 1x12 loaded with a Celestion Gold. I run mine with the bass, mid, and treble all maxed and the lead pre on 3.5 or thereabouts. I hardly ever use the clean channel.

I love my SLO! If you love it, that's all that matters!

 

[Jayy]

Congrats! The SLO is so awesome!

Mine loves the stock Soldano 2x12, it loves my Mesa 2x12 with V30s, and it loves my open-back 1x12 loaded with a Celestion Gold. I run mine with the bass, mid, and treble all maxed and the lead pre on 3.5 or thereabouts. I hardly ever use the clean channel.

I love my SLO! If you love it, that's all that matters!

Wow. I can't imagine running mine with the EQ set like that, especially with V30s! But it just goes to show you, everyone is different and there are many variables. You are right as long as you, I and the OP love what we are getting out of our own SLO, that is ALL that matters!

 

[lespaul6]

yeah, vintage 30's for me all the way... that's how mike stocked his cabs originally for this head before he went to eminence for his own label...for those who were around back then thats what was used.

The Wiz replaced it along- with the other amps I had- on the basis of versatility, string to string definition was just the same, wiz had more aggressive tendencies I liked and the SLO came off too smoothed out as a result... there was a weird lag after the picked notes I didnt like.. hard to describe.... Its a great amp though.

 

[halebox]

I hated my first slo. I like my second time around better. If you use vintage 30s back off the mids as it will sound way to middy. It's a great live amp that always cuts in any situation. I love the simplicity of one button footswitch. I like g12-65 with it. Also sounds good with Uberkab. Don't buy the matching slant cab as there are better choices