Soldano x99 pre

[glassjaw7]

What other amps sound like it, if any? This is going to sound stupid, but I really like the "modern hi gain" model on my old Pod Pro, and it was modeled after that preamp. I always wondered how close they got to the real thing and if I should just find a x99 and get a good power amp. I've played several SLO's but they weren't even close.

Do any other amps sound like that? It seems to have these characteristics:

Smooth and saturated with a nice "sheen" that rings behind chords, yet punchy with just enough sizzle
Able to pull off the "hair spray" tones, but not stuck there. Can do the modern hi gain voicing too
Sounds equally good on rhythm or lead
Easy to play

For the people who have played the actual x99, does that sound like an accurate description? Thanks!

 

[guitarslinger]

I've never played an X99, but who says the Pod Pro sounds like what it's modelling?

I'm just saying, if you love the modern high gain patch on a pod, and hate the SLO, you will probably be very disappointed with the X99.

 

[jcj]

What other amps sound like it, if any? This is going to sound stupid, but I really like the "modern hi gain" model on my old Pod Pro, and it was modeled after that preamp. I always wondered how close they got to the real thing and if I should just find a x99 and get a good power amp. I've played several SLO's but they weren't even close.

Do any other amps sound like that? It seems to have these characteristics:

Smooth and saturated with a nice "sheen" that rings behind chords, yet punchy with just enough sizzle
Able to pull off the "hair spray" tones, but not stuck there. Can do the modern hi gain voicing too
Sounds equally good on rhythm or lead
Easy to play

For the people who have played the actual x99, does that sound like an accurate description? Thanks!

I think the Modern High Gain was modeled on the X88, but I could be wrong.

I don't think you'll like the X99 if you didn't like any of the SLO's you've tried.

 

[glassjaw7]

I see what you guys are saying (and yes you're right, the pod model is modeled after the x88, oops)

I mentioned in my post that I wondered if the pod model was even close to the real preamp. And I don't hate the SLO, far from it actually. (Believe me, I'd take an SLO over a Line 6 any day )
Just saying that the SLO seems to be a completely different animal judging from the clips that are out there. The x88/99 seem to be more fluid and saturated while the SLO seems more crunchy. But like I said, I haven't played a Soldano pre. I'm going to try to track one down and play it for myself.

 

[jcj]

I see what you guys are saying (and yes you're right, the pod model is modeled after the x88, oops)

I mentioned in my post that I wondered if the pod model was even close to the real preamp. And I don't hate the SLO, far from it actually. (Believe me, I'd take an SLO over a Line 6 any day )
Just saying that the SLO seems to be a completely different animal judging from the clips that are out there. The x88/99 seem to be more fluid and saturated while the SLO seems more crunchy. But like I said, I haven't played a Soldano pre. I'm going to try to track one down and play it for myself.

How loud did you try the SLO's you've played? Makes a big difference in feel.

 

[Giga]

I've had an X99 which I used with a VHT 2/50/2 and have an SLO currently. I'd say your description is pretty spot on. The SLO is rawer sounding; it grumbles more where the X99 was more refined and polite sounding. Or that was how I heard it.

A big problem for me was that the motors weren't fast enough. Switching from a loud clean to a heavily overdriven sound gave a short volumeburst because the mastervolumepot was still busy going from a high to a much lower setting while the (dirty) preamp sound was already there...

Giga

 

[glassjaw7]

I've had an X99 which I used with a VHT 2/50/2 and have an SLO currently. I'd say your description is pretty spot on. The SLO is rawer sounding; it grumbles more where the X99 was more refined and polite sounding. Or that was how I heard it.

A big problem for me was that the motors weren't fast enough. Switching from a loud clean to a heavily overdriven sound gave a short volumeburst because the mastervolumepot was still busy going from a high to a much lower setting while the (dirty) preamp sound was already there...

Giga

Yeah, that's exactly what my experience was. I played the SLO pretty damn loud, and while it sounded great, I feel like I'd be covering somewhat the same ground with one as my Friedman Rectifier. (I know they're different, but still similar enough)

I have the dry crunchy rhythm thing down in spades with the modded recto. So now I need a fluid, syrupy killer lead sound and something maybe more british in flavor to blend with the recto. And something with a good loop. That damn parallel loop in the recto just sucks delay, but hopefully a delay with kill-dry will fix that... The Diezel Einstein seems to be a contender from what I've heard, but I have yet to play one.

 

[IntenseJim]

I love mine to death!!! AMAZING!

 

[Shark Diver]

I've had an X99 which I used with a VHT 2/50/2 and have an SLO currently. I'd say your description is pretty spot on. The SLO is rawer sounding; it grumbles more where the X99 was more refined and polite sounding. Or that was how I heard it.

A big problem for me was that the motors weren't fast enough. Switching from a loud clean to a heavily overdriven sound gave a short volumeburst because the mastervolumepot was still busy going from a high to a much lower setting while the (dirty) preamp sound was already there...

Giga

Something was wrong with your X99. I have 2 and have zero issues like that.

X99 is has much more gain and compression than a SLO. The X88 is closer to a SLO.

Since I haven't heard the Line 6 take this with a grain of salt - but as stated already, the model may not really represent the actual unit.