SLO/Decatone and Mesa Boogie High Gain

[Kai]

Could a Soldano SLO-100 or Decatone get the sound of a Mesa Dual Rectifier? And what are the big differences between the two high gain sounds? I've been saving up for a Decatone because I really like that crunch sound, and no other amp comes close to it. But I also really like the sound of a Dual Rectifier (especially the Trem-O-Verb models).

I'm not looking for Drop A nu-metal recto sounds, but something like this, which was recorded on a Dual Rectifier Trem-O-Verb:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITd9Wzg22f8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8nXhM4-xIs

But I also love the crunch sound of a Decatone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3nrB0L4vIQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV5txQobzo4 (go to 2:06 on this one)

Is the SLO or Decatone versatile enough to get both of those sounds? If not, what amp do you suggest can get close to those sounds?
Thanks!

 

[SavageRiffer]

The Decatone is totally badass. The SLO is legendary. You won't be disappointed. However, only Mesa Boogie sounds like Mesa Boogie. If you're talking about playing a style of music, the Decatone can play any style. The SLO is pretty damned versatile, but the Decatone can do more and at lower volumes. The SLO needs to be too loud for home practice before it really sounds good, though some guys like Reza have recorded some fantastic low volume tone. The Decatone has an interesting master volume, and it's a loud amp, but maybe not SLO or Marshall 100w loud.

 

[Racerxrated]

The Decatone is totally badass. The SLO is legendary. You won't be disappointed. However, only Mesa Boogie sounds like Mesa Boogie. If you're talking about playing a style of music, the Decatone can play any style. The SLO is pretty damned versatile, but the Decatone can do more and at lower volumes. The SLO needs to be too loud for home practice before it really sounds good, though some guys like Reza have recorded some fantastic low volume tone. The Decatone has an interesting master volume, and it's a loud amp, but maybe not SLO or Marshall 100w loud.

Absolute myth on the LOUD SLO theory. Sounds killer at 1, 2, 3, etc. It gets better louder, but every amp does. I always laugh at the "it has to be too loud to sound good" bullshit. People who say that, I'm convinced they are full of shit and never owned one.
Not aiming this at you, SR, but every one of the 3 I've owned sounded killer at below gig volumes. Boosted or not.

 

[Kai]

If you're talking about playing a style of music, the Decatone can play any style. The SLO is pretty damned versatile, but the Decatone can do more and at lower volumes. The Decatone has an interesting master volume, and it's a loud amp, but maybe not SLO or Marshall 100w loud.

I was leaning more towards the Decatone anyway, cause the SLO is a pretty expensive amp.

However, only Mesa Boogie sounds like Mesa Boogie.

Dang.
How close to those sounds do you reckon I could get with the Decatone?

 

[Kai]

Absolute myth on the LOUD SLO theory. Sounds killer at 1, 2, 3, etc. It gets better louder, but every amp does. I always laugh at the "it has to be too loud to sound good" bullshit. People who say that, I'm convinced they are full of shit and never owned one.
Not aiming this at you, SR, but every one of the 3 I've owned sounded killer at below gig volumes. Boosted or not.

Huh, that's cool

 

[godgrinder]

SLO100 has a slightly different character (sizzles are more forward) when the volume is below 3, I did a comparison clip before:
https://soundcloud.com/godgrinder666/so ... vs-18-vs-1

 

[Kai]

SLO100 has a slightly different character (sizzles are more forward) when the volume is below 3, I did a comparison clip before:
https://soundcloud.com/godgrinder666/so ... vs-18-vs-1

They all sounded pretty great.

That's the low chunk thing though. When I talk about a rectifier sound, I'm talking more about the sounds in the videos I linked.

 

[godgrinder]

They all came from the same circuit origin. Recto has a bit more flith and sag in general.

For the Incubus songs you posted I think Soldano will totally work.

 

[Kai]

They all came from the same circuit origin. Recto has a bit more flith and sag in general.

For the Incubus songs you posted I think Soldano will totally work.

Yeah, I heard that the Recto was based on the Soldano.
That's good to hear

But should I get a Mesa cab or a Soldano cab?

 

[Snave]

I've owned the SLO and Tremoverb. Also am very familiar with that Incubus record.

In my opinion, no Soldano will get you the SCIENCE tone. A 2 channel Rectifier on Ch. 2 vintage gets very close to Soldano SLO tone, but to me the distorted tones on that album sound like modern mode. Listen to the sub-lows at the start of "New Skin" and the kind of hollow mids in general.

If you have experience with a Rectifier, you know the large bass boost and complete lack of negative feedback (i.e. huge amount of presence) that modern mode gives you. No Soldano replicates this.

Don't get a Soldano cab unless you try one out extensively. They're undersized compared to normal 4x12s, and the Eminence V12 speakers leave most people underwhelmed.

 

[godgrinder]

For what you like my guess is that Mesa traditional cab will work better.

Soldano quads are compact front loaded cabs which have a rather specific sound.

 

[Kai]

I've owned the SLO and Tremoverb. Also am very familiar with that Incubus record.

In my opinion, no Soldano will get you the SCIENCE tone. A 2 channel Rectifier on Ch. 2 vintage gets very close to Soldano SLO tone, but to me the distorted tones on that album sound like modern mode. Listen to the sub-lows at the start of "New Skin" and the kind of hollow mids in general.

If you have experience with a Rectifier, you know the large bass boost and complete lack of negative feedback (i.e. huge amount of presence) that modern mode gives you. No Soldano replicates this.

Don't get a Soldano cab unless you try one out extensively. They're undersized compared to normal 4x12s, and the Eminence V12 speakers leave most people underwhelmed.

Oh, well ok.

I guess that brings up a different question: Can a Trem-O-Verb get somewhat close to the tones in the Muse live videos I linked?

 

[Snave]

Absolutely. The Tremoverb is unique among the Rectifiers for having the Blues mode which is probably the most traditional sounding gain channel. Either that or vintage high gain should get you those Muse tones.

 

[Kai]

Well, I guess that's settled.

I'll keep my eyes out for a used Trem-O-Verb and a 4x12 Mesa cab.

Should I go Standard Mesa 4x12 or Traditional Mesa 4x12?

 

[Snave]

That's a matter of personal taste. The standard (oversized) has more sizzle, mids are shifted lower and there's more sub-lows going on because of its size.

I'd probably get the traditional since it's a bit more refined sounding and pairs well with most amps. They tend to be slightly harder to find used though.

 

[Kai]

Alright, I'll look for the traditional and if I can't find one for a good price I'll get a standard.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[Racerxrated]

Alright, I'll look for the traditional and if I can't find one for a good price I'll get a standard.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

Had a traditional, sold it and now I have a standard. Regretted selling the traditional, but when I shopped this standard popped up for a good price -350- so I gave it a shot. I play my 2C++ through it and although there is a greater bass response I don't find it too boomy/bassy at all. And my GEQ is set where it always is.
Don't be too turned off by the reports on the standard.

 

[SavageRiffer]

The Decatone is totally badass. The SLO is legendary. You won't be disappointed. However, only Mesa Boogie sounds like Mesa Boogie. If you're talking about playing a style of music, the Decatone can play any style. The SLO is pretty damned versatile, but the Decatone can do more and at lower volumes. The SLO needs to be too loud for home practice before it really sounds good, though some guys like Reza have recorded some fantastic low volume tone. The Decatone has an interesting master volume, and it's a loud amp, but maybe not SLO or Marshall 100w loud.

Absolute myth on the LOUD SLO theory. Sounds killer at 1, 2, 3, etc. It gets better louder, but every amp does. I always laugh at the "it has to be too loud to sound good" bullshit. People who say that, I'm convinced they are full of shit and never owned one.
Not aiming this at you, SR, but every one of the 3 I've owned sounded killer at below gig volumes. Boosted or not.

Whoa, hold on there buddy. I only said it had to be too loud for home practice, and by that I meant like nighttime in the bedroom or something. I didn't say it had to be very loud. Believe me, I know the SLO as I've owned 2 of them. I've also owned a Decatone, Hot Rod 25, and a Hot Rod 50+. You should know me well enough by now that I'm a huge gear whore and speak from experience when I talk about gear. I will argue with anyone that the SLO isn't optimal at very low volume. I also stand by my statement that the Decatone does a little better job of it. I know you said your statement wasn't directed at me, but you seemed to put me at the edge of that category, so you gotta set the record straight here. I also mentioned that some guys have recorded great low volume tone and referenced Reza's video, so I even provided an example of it at low volume.

 

[Racerxrated]

The Decatone is totally badass. The SLO is legendary. You won't be disappointed. However, only Mesa Boogie sounds like Mesa Boogie. If you're talking about playing a style of music, the Decatone can play any style. The SLO is pretty damned versatile, but the Decatone can do more and at lower volumes. The SLO needs to be too loud for home practice before it really sounds good, though some guys like Reza have recorded some fantastic low volume tone. The Decatone has an interesting master volume, and it's a loud amp, but maybe not SLO or Marshall 100w loud.

Absolute myth on the LOUD SLO theory. Sounds killer at 1, 2, 3, etc. It gets better louder, but every amp does. I always laugh at the "it has to be too loud to sound good" bullshit. People who say that, I'm convinced they are full of shit and never owned one.
Not aiming this at you, SR, but every one of the 3 I've owned sounded killer at below gig volumes. Boosted or not.

Whoa, hold on there buddy. I only said it had to be too loud for home practice, and by that I meant like nighttime in the bedroom or something. I didn't say it had to be very loud. Believe me, I know the SLO as I've owned 2 of them. I've also owned a Decatone, Hot Rod 25, and a Hot Rod 50+. You should know me well enough by now that I'm a huge gear whore and speak from experience when I talk about gear. I will argue with anyone that the SLO isn't optimal at very low volume. I also stand by my statement that the Decatone does a little better job of it. I know you said your statement wasn't directed at me, but you seemed to put me at the edge of that category, so you gotta set the record straight here. I also mentioned that some guys have recorded great low volume tone and referenced Reza's video, so I even provided an example of it at low volume.

Like I said, SOO many people state it has to sound loud to sound good, and that is BS. Like any other tube amp, it sounds BETTER the louder you go but EVERY AMP MADE has that attribute. I've owned an HR 100 and at a low volume I'd still take an SLO over it. At low volume. More magic happens louder, but that's the same with my JMP 2203, 2C++, etc.
This fallacy is the most regurgitated BS statement on the net about the SLO. It isn't the amp for everybody but there is no difference between it and any other amp at low volume. And yes I've played an Avenger and a Decatone too.
Again, not dissing you as this is clearly what everyone seems to think whether they've played an SLO or not.

 

[skoora]

I find the Decatone too soft in it's overdrive. No clang or nice attack (with a Gibson anyway). Could never get a sound I liked out of one. It's like you took an SLO and roll your guitar tone pot down to 1/2 all the time. I actually find the same with the Avenger but not as bad. The Avenger sounds good if you've never played a boosted 800 before..

I'd take a T-Verb all day long over a Decatone. The blues setting is boxy though, so an EQ in the loop could help getting richer classic rock or medium gain tones.