SLO versus XTC versus VH4

[the rossness]

I never liked the XTC. I've never played the VH4. SLO's are awesome and have the best lead tone in the business, so I'd go for a Soldano

 

[glassjaw7]

20th or 100B XTC for me. VH4 is a close 2nd.

 

[Ventura]

The SLO lead channel isnt that much different than the VH4 channel 4.

Um, no.

Have to agree here. They're VERY different.

 

[stephen sawall]

I prefer the sound of the SLO.....

 

[gbsmusic]

SLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[glassjaw7]

I've played the SLO and the VH4 a lot in recent years. I borrowed a friend's 101B for a while, but I didn't feel like I needed to own one. It is a very versatile amp that does a lot of tones well, but there wasn't that ONE tone that knocked me out.

The VH4 I used to be a big fan of, but now I've kind of fallen out of love with it. I've tried it with EL34s and 6L6s. It's a little compressed, and a bit dark and stiff for my tastes these days. Still a great amp with great features, but not really my thing anymore.

Of the three amps listed, I would go with the SLO. The overdrive channel is killer. And this amp is not a one trick pony to me. The clean channel with the crunch and bright switch engaged, with the gain at about 4 or 5 is really great. If you're looking for pristine cleans, then yeah, the SLO is kind of sterile and blah sounding. But if you're looking for some nice semi-clean, mild crunch kind of tones, it can do that pretty damn well.

For me, the 101b does have that one killer sound, and it's the blue channel! That is one of the most enjoyable channels to play through of any amp IMO. Just about perfect. I think I like it a hair more than the 20th's blue channel even.

 

[rlord1974]

I've played the SLO and the VH4 a lot in recent years. I borrowed a friend's 101B for a while, but I didn't feel like I needed to own one. It is a very versatile amp that does a lot of tones well, but there wasn't that ONE tone that knocked me out.

The VH4 I used to be a big fan of, but now I've kind of fallen out of love with it. I've tried it with EL34s and 6L6s. It's a little compressed, and a bit dark and stiff for my tastes these days. Still a great amp with great features, but not really my thing anymore.

Of the three amps listed, I would go with the SLO. The overdrive channel is killer. And this amp is not a one trick pony to me. The clean channel with the crunch and bright switch engaged, with the gain at about 4 or 5 is really great. If you're looking for pristine cleans, then yeah, the SLO is kind of sterile and blah sounding. But if you're looking for some nice semi-clean, mild crunch kind of tones, it can do that pretty damn well.

For me, the 101b does have that one killer sound, and it's the blue channel! That is one of the most enjoyable channels to play through of any amp IMO. Just about perfect. I think I like it a hair more than the 20th's blue channel even.

 

[glassjaw7]

I've played the SLO and the VH4 a lot in recent years. I borrowed a friend's 101B for a while, but I didn't feel like I needed to own one. It is a very versatile amp that does a lot of tones well, but there wasn't that ONE tone that knocked me out.

The VH4 I used to be a big fan of, but now I've kind of fallen out of love with it. I've tried it with EL34s and 6L6s. It's a little compressed, and a bit dark and stiff for my tastes these days. Still a great amp with great features, but not really my thing anymore.

Of the three amps listed, I would go with the SLO. The overdrive channel is killer. And this amp is not a one trick pony to me. The clean channel with the crunch and bright switch engaged, with the gain at about 4 or 5 is really great. If you're looking for pristine cleans, then yeah, the SLO is kind of sterile and blah sounding. But if you're looking for some nice semi-clean, mild crunch kind of tones, it can do that pretty damn well.

For me, the 101b does have that one killer sound, and it's the blue channel! That is one of the most enjoyable channels to play through of any amp IMO. Just about perfect. I think I like it a hair more than the 20th's blue channel even.

Gotta love Hester! ....and Brandi's rack.

 

[PBGas]

A very difficult decision. I would have to say an XTC as well. There is just something about how that amp sounds. I love the VH-4 though, regardless....such a great amp.

 

[overthemountain]

Hard choice as I've never played any of them, but based on what I know would have to go with VH4.

 

[ericsabbath]

I'd just keep my mysterious secret circuit modded single channel '73 50w JMP
and fuck multichannels

but if I had to choose between those, I'd probably pick the XTC, although I never met one in person
loved the VH4, but it's just too much of everything
and I already have a single channel preamp with a watered down CH3 circuit, which actually sounds more like a shiva without the boost switch engaged, but gets quite hardcore with a pedal
love the SLO as well, but I tend to prefer EL34's

 

[SLOgriff]

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... p?t=652152

 

[RSRD]

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=652152

How the times have changed

Maybe the VH4 took away the usual SLO players. But I trust this board over TGP for the kind of tone and music I like to play.