Soldano SLO vs. Bogner Ecstasy 101B

[cml694]

Hello everyone, I have been lurking here a while and came here to post this to get some various opinions. I am looking at both a Bogner 101B and a Soldano SLO. I am also looking at a Rivera KR7 and possibly a VHT UL, but I have a feeling the VHT will be to dry and heavy for my likings, and the Rivera will be too much of a metal amp. Although I have heard some good clean clips of the KR7. I will not include it in the poll, but if you feel this is the best amp suited for me, please post. I've never played either of the amps. Overall, I want the amp to have a ability to both have great leads and a great rhythm sound. I play anything from ZZ Top, Robin Trower, SRV, Frank Zappa, to Megadeath, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Between the Buried and Me, Paul Gilbert, and sometimes Jazz. I know the Soldano is "the" lead amp, and from clips it is a very bright amp, but I heard the XTC is versatile and a much more compressed and darker amp. Also, which one is worth more? The XTC will have the A/AB switch with the metal grill and the SLO is not modded at all, bone stock.

If any more information is needed, let me know.
Thanks.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

If you can have only one, get the XTC. Best all around head.

The SLO is very focused, but great at what it does. Since you wouldn't like the dryness of the VHT, you should not get the SLO.

 

[cml694]

I would not say I wouldn't like it, I am just not sure it would be good for my styles of music. But on the other hand, I do not want something super saturated. I guess I could say I would like my lead tone to be a bit dry.

 

[yngzaklynch]

Elmwood M90

 

[cml694]

Elmwood M90

That was something else I was considering. But I think the SLO or the XTC would suit me better.

 

[King Guitar]

Elmwood M90

That was something else I was considering. But I think the SLO or the XTC would suit me better.

I have a 20th Anniversary XTC with EL34's and cant recommend it highly enough. I have had everything twice and while they are all great amps you cant beat the tones/versatility of the new Bogner.

 

[jcj]

Had both the SLO and Ecstasy a couple of times each. Based on the artists/styles you mentioned, I'd say go with the Bogner. If I had to pick one to cover a wide range easily, it would be the xtc. It's the swiss army knife of amps.

 

[cml694]

Elmwood M90

That was something else I was considering. But I think the SLO or the XTC would suit me better.

I have a 20th Anniversary XTC with EL34's and cant recommend it highly enough. I have had everything twice and while they are all great amps you cant beat the tones/versatility of the new Bogner.

From what I have read, the 20TH Shiva seems like an amazing amp. I have played normal Shivas and they didn't strike me for what I wanted, but I know the 20TH with KT88s at least is a completely different beast. It's definitley another thing to look into to for me and possibly play.

I am also considering a CAA OD100SE+ or maybe a Herbert if I want to go completely out. I've played VH4s and Herberts a lot and I think I like the Herbert more, but Ch. 3 on the VH4 is hard to beat. The only thing with the Herbert is again, it seems to be total overkill for me.

 

[King Guitar]

Elmwood M90

That was something else I was considering. But I think the SLO or the XTC would suit me better.

I have a 20th Anniversary XTC with EL34's and cant recommend it highly enough. I have had everything twice and while they are all great amps you cant beat the tones/versatility of the new Bogner.

From what I have read, the 20TH Shiva seems like an amazing amp. I have played normal Shivas and they didn't strike me for what I wanted, but I know the 20TH with KT88s at least is a completely different beast. It's definitley another thing to look into to for me and possibly play.

I am also considering a CAA OD100SE+ or maybe a Herbert if I want to go completely out. I've played VH4s and Herberts a lot and I think I like the Herbert more, but Ch. 3 on the VH4 is hard to beat. The only thing with the Herbert is again, it seems to be total overkill for me.

last month I bought a 20th Shiva w/ reverb, Herbert, VH4, 20th XTC el34, PT100.& a Wizard.

The Wizard and the XTC are the ones still standing

 

[cml694]

Elmwood M90

That was something else I was considering. But I think the SLO or the XTC would suit me better.

I have a 20th Anniversary XTC with EL34's and cant recommend it highly enough. I have had everything twice and while they are all great amps you cant beat the tones/versatility of the new Bogner.

From what I have read, the 20TH Shiva seems like an amazing amp. I have played normal Shivas and they didn't strike me for what I wanted, but I know the 20TH with KT88s at least is a completely different beast. It's definitley another thing to look into to for me and possibly play.

I am also considering a CAA OD100SE+ or maybe a Herbert if I want to go completely out. I've played VH4s and Herberts a lot and I think I like the Herbert more, but Ch. 3 on the VH4 is hard to beat. The only thing with the Herbert is again, it seems to be total overkill for me.

last month I bought a 20th SHiva w/ reverb, Herbert, VH4, 20th XTC el34, PT100.& wizard.

The Wizard and the XTC are the ones still standing

Well, that only confirms what I'm looking at to get. But I am still on fence between the SLO and the Bogner. I guess they just both each have their strengths and weaknesses.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

SLO for me, i know it cuts like a knife, but man what a knife! would like to try one with the depth mod.


don't care for the XTC at all.


a Cornford MK50 II has the awesome feel like an SLO, but is voiced darker. way cool amp!


if your in LA you should be able to try about anything. get in Tone Merchants and make some noise.

 

[Sixstring]

Bogner FTW Owned it played it great head.

 

[Shark Diver]

if your in LA you should be able to try about anything. get in Tone Merchants and make some noise.

Good advice. Shiva, Twin Jet, XTC, Modena 90/60 and the SLO would all be at your disposal. We just sold our PT, but another is on the way. Never gonna know until you really get a chance to put 'em through their paces.

 

[billm408]

As much as I love the OD channel on the SLO, the XTC is way more versatile and the only constant in my arsenal. The 20th Anni is possibly the only amp that could replace my 101B.

 

[gbsmusic]

I love them both but but I like the lead tones out of the Slo quite a bit better!! Over all the XTC can achieve more tones. The blue channel on the XTC is hard to beat!!

 

[zewango]

Right now I have both
They both rock

 

[Stratboy151]

i have never played either but soley by clips ive heard id say XTC. which soldano does warren haynes use? he gets the thickest meaty sound with his and its far what i think of when a Soldano comes to mind

 

[Sauron]

SLO, i believe

 

[lespaul6]

I had both and the SLO stayed... I liked the clean channel and the blue channel on the XTC. the overdrive on the SLO is unmatched to me and my style of playing. I like a little string zing on the low E when I when I wack the strings- along with sustain and clarity. The SLO is basically a modified superlead without a dark voicing. If you like your high end rolled off then the XTC is the way to go. If you like the bright classic marshall tone I think you will like the Soldano. Lastly, I like the build quality of the SLO better....even though the xtc is made well and will probably never need servicing...I like the SLO's chassis mounted components and flying leads if I ever needed to replace a pot or jack!!

 

[sixstrings]

Well I've owned them both side-by-side. I think the Ecstasy is an incredible all-around amp. However, the Soldano is very versatile as well. It can definitely hold its own. The SLO can do great cleans, the crunch channel is my favorite, and the overdrive channel needs no introduction.

To me the magic of the SLO is in the crunch channel. There's enough gain to do everything up to Maiden. However, put a pedal in front and damn man you can do all kinds of shit. The thing I love about Soldanos is that they truly don't need pedals. They're some of the only amps you really never feel like you need to use a boost or overdrive in my opinion. The sound is nice and thick. The Ecstasy is like that too.

The SLO is unforgiving and has a great feel. You can play it smooth or crunchy depending on how you set it. I've heard some people get magnificent scooped metal sounds out of it, but I personally don't think it's AS good at the scooped metal thing as some amps. That being said, I would never let that get in the way of making it a great metal amp.

The Ecstasy is one of the best sounding damned amps I've heard. The clean channel to me is kind of compressed and not as impressive as the SLO. The overdrive is pure liquid awesomeness, but compared to the SLO overdrive, well I'd have to give the edge to the SLO for both rhythm and lead because it just has the character. On the other hand, the Ecstasy is very versatile and, in my opinion, is only a hair behind being as good tonewise.

I never had a problem with the SLO being too bright. I don't know why anyone would complain about that except for people who would rather scoop out all the magical mids and add depth mods etc... to get Krank sounds. With the stock Sovteks, it was a tiny bit harsh. I installed some JJ's and it took care of that. Not too bright at all, not as bright as my JCM800.

I voted for the SLO just because I don't think any amp can really touch it - even Bogner.