The Evening Rant.. SLO Content

[espquade]

I will make this brief and straight to the point ...

I have been looking at Soldano SLO's again and read that Soldano offers a mod to address the effects loop issue that they know is inferior , yet this is an upcharge .... WTF... if they know the loop sucks why don't they just address this already on the SLO instead of charging extra for it ???? Honestly that really pisses me off It is not like the amp is cheap to begin with !

Also , just about every person I have spoke to who has played and owned one says the depth mod is crucial and a must have to tame the overall brightness that these amps seem to have . I owned an SLO before and that was the reasons I sold it at the time because I found the loop worthless and the amp was too bright for anything but solos . I really wish it had the depth mod at the time , but just unloaded it for something else.

I spoke with Bill at Soldano and he mentioned that the depth mod gave the amp more thump and a better low end response , but that it is optional ... Call me crazy , but if I was a amp builder and I found ways to improve the sound and feel of an amp I would want to add those features to it , but Soldano would rather charge additional for them .

I guess because the amp is reasonably priced to begin with ( 3700.00 ) why not charge extra for features that will actualy make the loop useable and give it a better bottom end. Hint..... SARCASAM inserted here....

I still want an SLO , but I will now only consider one with these options and most likely buy used !

END OF RANT !!!!!

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Well... I own a 2011 SLO which I purchased brand new. Mine is stock with no mods. No depth mod. I've played several SLOs with mods and without, and to me the bone stock, original sounds best. The depth mod is good if you need low end for low volumes. If you play at stage volumes or with a loud band or even with a heavy handed drummer, the depth mod is not needed IMHO. I don't need the extra-chugga-chugga thump needed for modern metal at bedroom volumes. I play pretty loud and wouldn't want any more low end personally.


I also find the stock fx loop just fine. It works great with most any line level fx unit I run in to it. Eventide Eclipse/Time Factor, TC Electronics G-Major/G-System, you name it. If you use pedals, a mod or mixer is needed. Again, I'm happy with the SLO as it was originally designed.

Finally, as far as the price goes, I've owned a bunch of amp that I paid more for than the SLO. The SLO is higher priced than some... but everything is relative. And as far as high end channel switchers go in today's market... it's priced just about where the competition is +/-... and you need to factor in that the SLO is built far and away better than most if not all of it's competitors.

Just saying...

 

[Badronald]

Sounds like you have a lot of issues with the way the amp is inherently designed and sounds. Maybe it's time to move to something else.

You'll likely get it, try to make it work for months, only to sell it down the road. Waste of time and effort.

 

[ConcreteVampire]

Not understanding rant either?

Soldanos need rack units for efx. Period. Always have, not a flaw. Pro gear, pro efx.
Sound like they sound..... I bought my HR because it does that sound, no need for depth control playing with a band.... cuts, and rocks, and sizzles.....
I agree this may just not be your amp...

 

[1923ford]

Wow...I'm upset I wasted time reading this posted...STUPID!!!

 

[SLOgriff]

I agree, brother! For that price those options should be standard on new SLO's!! The thing is that Mike wants the SLO to remain stock as it was when first released in 1987. Europe requires a removable power chord and they have to modify the amps for EU customers before shipping....instead of redesigning with a removable type on the chasis! If you buy a new SLO and want the options....they charge you! When building a new SLO from scratch it doesn't take anymore time to install the Depth or switches.... shouldn't charge more for it!

Bryan

 

[glpg80]

I played a SLO once and the first thing that came to mind was damn James Brown did a great job cloning this bastard on the 5150 series

honestly the depth modification only does any good at low volumes, completely useless with an amplifier like the SLO that does not start giving the goods until paint is being peeled off the walls, you seriously have to crank the piss out of them and their headroom is in the mile high club.

at low volumes i suggest you check out a 5150 II instead. at band volumes, SLO's dominate stock - nothing needed at all.

IMHO i hate the way a SLO sounds mic'ed, much prefer mesa's or 5150's.

 

[reverymike]

Mine's stock and sounds amazing with a SDE3000 in the loop (although I prefer to use the line out instead). And, no need for the depth mod, I just back the treble and presence off a little more than I would on other amps and there is plenty of low end, and no shrill highs. True the amp has a lot of top end, but that also evens out at volume.

Plus, as I mentioned, at lower volumes you can dial it back.

 

[Ventura]

I can see where the OP is coming from. I kinda like the way Bogner does it - some of the options are at N/C to the purchaser. Makes good business sense IMHO. But if you're that pissed about an amp being what it is, look elsewhere and don't give the company whose philosophy you obviously loathe, your money.

I had an HR100+, same gain circuit as the SLO, and personally (personally remember) it was too dated a sound for me. But hey, to each their own

Peace

 

[jcj]

Sounds like the SLO just doesn't work for you.

 

[joepete77]

the big thing with the slo is that it has remained unchanged since its inception and I think that there are some purists that would be pissed if he changed it, even for an "improvement". As for the depth mod, I personally dont like that much thump or low end in my tone and spend time dialling some of that out. I do think that charging extra for these petty simple mods is a bit over the top especially when U r spending close to 4k stock, christ , throw out a bone!

 

[reverymike]

Keeping the amp unchanged is a big deal for a lot of guys. The SLO is an iconic amp that has graced multiple classic albums and famous rigs throughout the years. It's been the go-to amp for numerous guitar heroes. Many people want THAT amp, the classic. So, that's the base model, and you can add these little mods for personal preference if you prefer.

In a live band mix though, the amp really does have plenty of thump and bottom.

 

[155]

well said!

 

[Shark Diver]

One man's "flaws" another man's perfection. I don't like the Depth mod, and the loop is perfect to me.

And Bogner charged me$600 for a Cantrell mod, so the no charge for mods isn't for everyone, and I have dinner with those guys!

But if the way it is stock doesn't work for you, and you like the amp, buy used and mod it. Nothing right or wrong about the amp. People mod Marshalls and don't bitch, so mod the SLO. But I wouldn't go and say "they know the loop sucks". Obviously if they really "knew" that they would have changed the design 25 years ago. Obviously, again, it works the way it was designed to work. Which is exactly the way I like it. If they changed it I wouldn't like it. But 99% of the time I Wet/Dry anyway, so no loop required.

 

[guitarnie]

Now this model; it has the undercoating , power windows/locks and a sunroof!

 

[zee1usa]

Keeping the amp unchanged is a big deal for a lot of guys. The SLO is an iconic amp that has graced multiple classic albums and famous rigs throughout the years. It's been the go-to amp for numerous guitar heroes. Many people want THAT amp, the classic. So, that's the base model, and you can add these little mods for personal preference if you prefer.

In a live band mix though, the amp really does have plenty of thump and bottom.

+ 1 works for me, look what happened to Metallica!

Get a Decatone man!

 

[espquade]

Well... I own a 2011 SLO which I purchased brand new. Mine is stock with no mods. No depth mod. I've played several SLOs with mods and without, and to me the bone stock, original sounds best. The depth mod is good if you need low end for low volumes. If you play at stage volumes or with a loud band or even with a heavy handed drummer, the depth mod is not needed IMHO. I don't need the extra-chugga-chugga thump needed for modern metal at bedroom volumes. I play pretty loud and wouldn't want any more low end personally.


I also find the stock fx loop just fine. It works great with most any line level fx unit I run in to it. Eventide Eclipse/Time Factor, TC Electronics G-Major/G-System, you name it. If you use pedals, a mod or mixer is needed. Again, I'm happy with the SLO as it was originally designed.

Finally, as far as the price goes, I've owned a bunch of amp that I paid more for than the SLO. The SLO is higher priced than some... but everything is relative. And as far as high end channel switchers go in today's market... it's priced just about where the competition is +/-... and you need to factor in that the SLO is built far and away better than most if not all of it's competitors.

Just saying...

I don't gig out and would be using mostly in studio for recording and such , so maybe it isn't the best choice for that application , but I would really like to add it to the collection .

When I had one before it sounded great when it was cranked to the sky and maybe your right at that volume you don't need the depth mod , but correct me if I'm wrong because if it was stock you could easily dial in or dial out the amount of low end without affecting the iniital tone right ?

I found that the effects loop was not as transparent as the Diezel VH4 and
the VHT CLX I also had at the time .

I still dig the overall vibe and tone off the amp , but I really wish that the above mentioned things could be addressed , so yeah maybe the amps not for me , but i do remember reading other posts where these issues were also a concern to some .

 

[espquade]

One man's "flaws" another man's perfection. I don't like the Depth mod, and the loop is perfect to me.

And Bogner charged me$600 for a Cantrell mod, so the no charge for mods isn't for everyone, and I have dinner with those guys!

But if the way it is stock doesn't work for you, and you like the amp, buy used and mod it. Nothing right or wrong about the amp. People mod Marshalls and don't bitch, so mod the SLO. But I wouldn't go and say "they know the loop sucks". Obviously if they really "knew" that they would have changed the design 25 years ago. Obviously, again, it works the way it was designed to work. Which is exactly the way I like it. If they changed it I wouldn't like it. But 99% of the time I Wet/Dry anyway, so no loop required.

Good Point taken although , people who mod Marshall's don't usually spend well over 3 grand plus and then mod them do they ?

 

[espquade]

Keeping the amp unchanged is a big deal for a lot of guys. The SLO is an iconic amp that has graced multiple classic albums and famous rigs throughout the years. It's been the go-to amp for numerous guitar heroes. Many people want THAT amp, the classic. So, that's the base model, and you can add these little mods for personal preference if you prefer.

In a live band mix though, the amp really does have plenty of thump and bottom.

I can see your point and I respect it .

So how about if someone buys one new he would have the option of sending it in for the depth mod to be added at no additional charge wouldn't that be the thing to do?

I'm not saying that an additional 200.00 or so is going to break the back , but why not offer this option free to people who might want it ? I think that would be a cool thing to do .

 

[espquade]

Mine's stock and sounds amazing with a SDE3000 in the loop (although I prefer to use the line out instead). And, no need for the depth mod, I just back the treble and presence off a little more than I would on other amps and there is plenty of low end, and no shrill highs. True the amp has a lot of top end, but that also evens out at volume.

Plus, as I mentioned, at lower volumes you can dial it back.

I would like to try what you have done with the loop .