Soldano SLO or Soldano Avenger

  • Thread starter Thread starter DLJR
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Sure, his style is always there, he dials them in pretty similar, but still the differences are there. He also made speaker comparisons and amp comparisons which show the effect pretty well (or not . . . ).
 
FourT6and2":2r45s1gg said:
JB6464":2r45s1gg said:
FourT6and2":2r45s1gg said:
Those of you talking about the Avenger, are you referring to the original Avenger with single input (which was the HR), the new dual input (Avenger), or the Hot Rod Avenger that has a loop? The loop will affect the sound if it's the same type of loop that's in the SLO. And I've read that the original single-input version was killer.

I'll do a search and see if there's a schematic out there of the Avenger and compare it to the SLO lead channel.

Preliminary search turned up this comparison of the 4th gain stage in each amp:

4th_gainstage.jpg
Click to expand...

So if I was to mod my 98 HR100+ to the specs of the SLO that you show in your pic , do you think the HR gain stage would sound like the SLO gain stage ?
Click to expand...

I think there might be a few other differences beside that (and the transformers obviously). It was just an example of one of the differences. I will go through both schematics tomorrow and compare. But also your HR doesn't have a clean channel right? Part of the SLO's sound is the Normal/Clean channel bleed. That affects the Overdrive channel a tiny bit. Plus the loop, which the HR also doesn't have.
Click to expand...

My HR100+ has the standard loop but no clean channel or bright switch .

 
duesentrieb":jguic5gr said:
FourT6and2":jguic5gr said:
Those of you talking about the Avenger, are you referring to the original Avenger with single input (which was the HR), the new dual input (Avenger), or the Hot Rod Avenger that has a loop? The loop will affect the sound if it's the same type of loop that's in the SLO. And I've read that the original single-input version was killer.

I'll do a search and see if there's a schematic out there of the Avenger and compare it to the SLO lead channel.

Preliminary search turned up this comparison of the 4th gain stage in each amp:

4th_gainstage.jpg
Click to expand...
Hi Mike,

when toying around that area, read the volts on the cathode of the CF. These are adjusted by the ratio of the plate/cathode of the 4th stage (!). So using 220k/2k2 should result the same as 100k/1k. The cap makes a (minor) difference - voltswise, just a high mid bump). Adjust the 4th stage cathode R so, that you will get 180V-190V on the cathode of the CF!. (more clearity than anything in the 200V or above area).
This will make a huge difference in sound.

The HR vs. SLO difference is made here (no idea about the Avenger) and also the resistor values in front of the gain pots and the value of the gainpots (1M vs. 500K). 500k are way brighter than 1M pots.

Olaf
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks Olaf!
 
JB6464":cxn3y45d said:
FourT6and2":cxn3y45d said:
JB6464":cxn3y45d said:
FourT6and2":cxn3y45d said:
Those of you talking about the Avenger, are you referring to the original Avenger with single input (which was the HR), the new dual input (Avenger), or the Hot Rod Avenger that has a loop? The loop will affect the sound if it's the same type of loop that's in the SLO. And I've read that the original single-input version was killer.

I'll do a search and see if there's a schematic out there of the Avenger and compare it to the SLO lead channel.

Preliminary search turned up this comparison of the 4th gain stage in each amp:

4th_gainstage.jpg
Click to expand...

So if I was to mod my 98 HR100+ to the specs of the SLO that you show in your pic , do you think the HR gain stage would sound like the SLO gain stage ?
Click to expand...

I think there might be a few other differences beside that (and the transformers obviously). It was just an example of one of the differences. I will go through both schematics tomorrow and compare. But also your HR doesn't have a clean channel right? Part of the SLO's sound is the Normal/Clean channel bleed. That affects the Overdrive channel a tiny bit. Plus the loop, which the HR also doesn't have.
Click to expand...

My HR100+ has the standard loop but no clean channel or bright switch .

Click to expand...

Oh, right the + in the name is for the loop.
 
Mr. Willy":32zljyco said:
I had an Avenger, dual input, 100 watts. I currently own a SLO. They don't sound similar at all to me. I agree with most of the comments about the tonal differences, except that the SLO sounds much bigger than the Avenger, at least once the SLO's cranked to at least 5 on the master. If I just played metal, I'd go with the Avenger on a budget, however the SLO can do metal too, especially with a boost. The SLO just has something special going on in the lead channel that's freakin awesome. Both are great amps, but the SLO walks all over it, IMHO.
Click to expand...

Does this only relate to playing lead or rhythm as well?

I have the 100w Avenger and I think it is an awesome amp. It is capable of a thick aggressive sound with a sort of 3D quality to it (compared to some other amps). I never played a SLO. What makes it sound bigger than the Avenger?
 
Laurens":1zwoko7r said:
Mr. Willy":1zwoko7r said:
I had an Avenger, dual input, 100 watts. I currently own a SLO. They don't sound similar at all to me. I agree with most of the comments about the tonal differences, except that the SLO sounds much bigger than the Avenger, at least once the SLO's cranked to at least 5 on the master. If I just played metal, I'd go with the Avenger on a budget, however the SLO can do metal too, especially with a boost. The SLO just has something special going on in the lead channel that's freakin awesome. Both are great amps, but the SLO walks all over it, IMHO.
Click to expand...

Does this only relate to playing lead or rhythm as well?

I have the 100w Avenger and I think it is an awesome amp. It is capable of a thick aggressive sound with a sort of 3D quality to it (compared to some other amps). I never played a SLO. What makes it sound bigger than the Avenger?
Click to expand...

Both rhythm and lead. Both are killer amps. I guess the best way I can describe it is that the SLO when cranked up just turns into a different beast. Becomes really wide and sounds like two amps at once sort of. The secret sauce has got to be the transformers. The Avenger is darker , but the SLO is just as thick and wide when cranked.
 
I had an hr100, great amp and lots of compliments on the tone. I'm sure an Avenger is equally cool. But an slo is just a step up in tone/hugeness at least for me. Internet clips don't tell the whole story. You really have to try one in person if you can and push some air to get the mojo.
 
Racerxrated":3ku1x4sg said:
I had an hr100, great amp and lots of compliments on the tone. I'm sure an Avenger is equally cool. But an slo is just a step up in tone/hugeness at least for me. Internet clips don't tell the whole story. You really have to try one in person if you can and push some air to get the mojo.
Click to expand...

Truth. While we can get a general idea of how an amp sounds based on clips, we can't tell how the thing feels until we get ahold of it. To me, the truest recordings of what the SLO sounds like cranked, are Lynch's tone on the first Wicked Sensation album and the "Walk Away" track on the live album Dokken did. Sounds like he's got the MV up to at least 6 or more. I've found in the few months I've owned a SLO that 6 on the MV turns it into a different best altogether. That's really loud though.
 
This is pure cranked SLO. Song is super cheesy, but you get the idea.

 
So after comparing the schematics of the SLO and Avenger, they appear pretty much identical. Biggest difference being the 1M vs 500K gain pot (as Olaf pointed out). Assuming the schematics I have are correct.
 
Which of these two amps would have more gain/distortion also which would be closer to the van halen 1 sound(first album).
 
nitro":1tyd4qsb said:
Which of these two amps would have more gain/distortion also which would be closer to the van halen 1 sound(first album).
Click to expand...

I had the Avenger 100w with Deyoung transformers and an SLO and Avenger still sounded dark and modern compared to the SLO and HR+ amps.
So between those two i would say the SLO would be a better choice.

Check this video out , this guy does a good job playing EVH stuff on the SLO .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4nZ1NIS54U
 
Not enough gain/distortion/crunch for the van halen 1 sound.
 
That's because the guy twisting the knobs is'nt driving it hard enough and really does'nt know what he's doing .
Trust me , there is plenty enough of gain/distortion for EVH style in a Soldano HR+, Avenger or SLO amp. :yes:
Now if you were comparing the amps dimmed for that brown sound then no Soldano amp sounds like a Marshall , that's like comparing apples to oranges .
 
The clean crunch channel cranked up is very Plexi like.
 
JB6464":g0wy2he2 said:
That's because the guy twisting the knobs is'nt driving it hard enough and really does'nt know what he's doing .
Trust me , there is plenty enough of gain/distortion for EVH style in a Soldano HR+, Avenger or SLO amp. :yes:
Now if you were comparing the amps dimmed for that brown sound then no Soldano amp sounds like a Marshall , that's like comparing apples to oranges .
Click to expand...

That's the truth...
Still looking for my Marshall 1959T to mod to the teeth :rawk:
 
FourT6and2":1fafjyjj said:
So after comparing the schematics of the SLO and Avenger, they appear pretty much identical. Biggest difference being the 1M vs 500K gain pot (as Olaf pointed out). Assuming the schematics I have are correct.
Click to expand...

Avenger has the 1000p cap on the gain taper also?
 
BrentSP":19pi6wj0 said:
FourT6and2":19pi6wj0 said:
So after comparing the schematics of the SLO and Avenger, they appear pretty much identical. Biggest difference being the 1M vs 500K gain pot (as Olaf pointed out). Assuming the schematics I have are correct.
Click to expand...

Avenger has the 1000p cap on the gain taper also?
Click to expand...

I dunno, I stopped caring 5 years ago. :lol: :LOL:

The schematics are out there if you do a google image search.
 
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