WTB: Early to mid 90s Soldano SLO-100

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SBlue

SBlue

Well-known member
Looking for one in all original condition.
If you have one that you wanna sell, and the price is fair, we might do a deal.
Please, DM me with details, photos, location and price.
 
Could you please explain, why particularly that period? Ptp wiring?
 
SBlue said:
I've had three SLOs before, but none of them were from that era. Just curious to know if I'm going to find anything different about them.
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A lot of guys talk about the “magic” DeYoung transformers from the older amps, but Dave Friedman and Mike Soldano are on record (in a Tonetalk interview) saying that they preferred the new BAD versions. They did a A/B comparison between the two. The exact words were “the BAD version is as good, if not better than the old version.”
 
pipboy90 said:
A lot of guys talk about the “magic” DeYoung transformers from the older amps, but Dave Friedman and Mike Soldano are on record (in a Tonetalk interview) saying that they preferred the new BAD versions. They did a A/B comparison between the two. The exact words were “the BAD version is as good, if not better than the old version.”
Click to expand...
The new bad versions are not similar circuits at all. There’s a lot of cathode follower buffer circuits that don’t exist in the simple original circuits. It might be easier to play but it’s not as raw.
 
pipboy90 said:
A lot of guys talk about the “magic” DeYoung transformers from the older amps, but Dave Friedman and Mike Soldano are on record (in a Tonetalk interview) saying that they preferred the new BAD versions. They did a A/B comparison between the two. The exact words were “the BAD version is as good, if not better than the old version.”
Click to expand...
Friedman and Soldano prefer now the new transformers and circuit changes, because they have money from the new amps made by BAD.
I remember, Mike Soldano want any changes at the original Seattle days SLO production. It was big pressure to him because of effect loop placement. But Mike answer was “ the effect loop position is part of the SLO sound, and He dont want to change that. “ Same with Deyoung transforners, which are military grade trannies, and where developed specially for original SLO 100 in the 80s.

All amp gurus can confirm, the transformers are the heart of all tube amps with big tone influence.

The MK2 SLO is “budget” inspired version.
 
SBlue said:
I've had three SLOs before, but none of them were from that era. Just curious to know if I'm going to find anything different about them.
Click to expand...
Please assure me that all the other versions were fine until my OCD kicks in.
 
pipboy90 said:
A lot of guys talk about the “magic” DeYoung transformers from the older amps, but Dave Friedman and Mike Soldano are on record (in a Tonetalk interview) saying that they preferred the new BAD versions. They did a A/B comparison between the two. The exact words were “the BAD version is as good, if not better than the old version.”
Click to expand...
Sounds like something you’d say if you’re trying to sell the latest version SLO.
 
pipboy90 said:
A lot of guys talk about the “magic” DeYoung transformers from the older amps, but Dave Friedman and Mike Soldano are on record (in a Tonetalk interview) saying that they preferred the new BAD versions. They did a A/B comparison between the two. The exact words were “the BAD version is as good, if not better than the old version.”
Click to expand...
Of course they are going to say that. They can't say "Yeah this new version sucks, don't buy it!":LOL:
 
CrystalSky said:
Please assure me that all the other versions were fine until my OCD kicks in.
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They were all fantastic. And for some reason, the very first one I've had, a 2007, was the one I liked the best! Maybe because I got it new, so no one had replaced tubes with different types, or even serviced the amp and replaced components.
I also owned a 2012 and a 2005 before.
I will for sure get a BAD version to try out some day. But I'll wait until there's plenty of them on the used market so i can get one for a better price.
The reason why the early 90's is just for pure curiosity.
 
I emailed Dave to ask if there were any differences between the BAD and pre-BAD versions of the SLO. He said:

There are a few changes from the original circuit..but nothing radical.. I can mod it be exact if not better..
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So the pre-BAD version probably does sound slightly different. I know the FX loop was wired in the preamp or something like that in the older version.
 
pipboy90 said:
I emailed Dave to ask if there were any differences between the BAD and pre-BAD versions of the SLO. He said:


So the pre-BAD version probably does sound slightly different. I know the FX loop was wired in the preamp or something like that in the older version.
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Ask him more please. I wouldn’t interfere with my 2014 I bought brand new, just very curious what can Dave offer. Also Bogner mods SLOs, but I only heard that one on video, so no clue.

SBlue said:
They were all fantastic. And for some reason, the very first one I've had, a 2007, was the one I liked the best! Maybe because I got it new, so no one had replaced tubes with different types, or even serviced the amp and replaced components.
I also owned a 2012 and a 2005 before.
I will for sure get a BAD version to try out some day. But I'll wait until there's plenty of them on the used market so i can get one for a better price.
The reason why the early 90's is just for pure curiosity.
Click to expand...

If you one day happen to travel to somewhere near me, I have a mint purple 2014 one I bought brand new, with switchable effects loop and 240V voltage. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on it. But I guess you wouldn’t travel THAT far just to try one.

B8A16B98-8863-4E3F-9A16-0F19E4725B68.jpeg
 
CrystalSky said:
Ask him more please. I wouldn’t interfere with my 2014 I bought brand new, just very curious what can Dave offer. Also Bogner mods SLOs, but I only heard that one on video, so no clue.



If you one day happen to travel to somewhere near me, I have a mint purple 2014 one I bought brand new, with switchable effects loop and 240V voltage. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on it. But I guess you wouldn’t travel THAT far just to try one.

View attachment 214681
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I just got a 2014 SLO myself last week with a depth knob and it sounds surprisingly great vs the other 2000’s I’ve had or tried. My 1989 SLO still won for me when compared in the tone, rawness and cut department, but this 2014 I got sounds surprisingly beefy, robust and precise for a SLO. I’d also be curious to try a BAD era SLO. Haven’t tried any ‘90’s ones either. This ‘89 one is almost like a more 2203-ish SLO
 
braintheory said:
I just got a 2014 SLO myself last week with a depth knob and it sounds surprisingly great vs the other 2000’s I’ve had or tried. My 1989 SLO still won for me when compared in the tone, rawness and cut department, but this 2014 I got sounds surprisingly beefy, robust and precise for a SLO. I’d also be curious to try a BAD era SLO. Haven’t tried any ‘90’s ones either. This ‘89 one is almost like a more 2203-ish SLO
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Good news, I will send you a vid where I play mine. Only thing I regret was not ordering the Depth mod, but that can be easily done according to Mike himself. If I win a lottery, I’ll buy the new one with purple chassis and swap insides with mine and add depth. Or maybe I’ll find those chassis for sale separately.

BAD version has a lower noise floor they say. Something about the plate voltages was done, afaik. I have a friend who done a big SLO replica project, who also done that to his clone long before BAD was even a thing. He even bought 2 SLOs to fine tune his replica, which came out glorious.
 
CrystalSky said:
Good news, I will send you a vid where I play mine. Only thing I regret was not ordering the Depth mod, but that can be easily done according to Mike himself. If I win a lottery, I’ll buy the new one with purple chassis and swap insides with mine and add depth. Or maybe I’ll find those chassis for sale separately.

BAD version has a lower noise floor they say. Something about the plate voltages was done, afaik. I have a friend who done a big SLO replica project, who also done that to his clone long before BAD was even a thing. He even bought 2 SLOs to fine tune his replica, which came out glorious.
Click to expand...
This is the only slo I’ve tried with a depth knob. Some guys say they prefer them without it, but I like this one a lot so far
 
braintheory said:
This is the only slo I’ve tried with a depth knob. Some guys say they prefer them without it, but I like this one a lot so far
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People say that Depth mod can be disengaged at will at sertain pot position. Some say at 0, Some say at 12 o’clock. I guess can also be done with a push-pull pot if need be.
 
CrystalSky said:
People say that Depth mod can be disengaged at will at sertain pot position. Some say at 0, Some say at 12 o’clock. I guess can also be done with a push-pull pot if need be.
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Could be, I wouldn’t know. Even with the depth knob turned all the way down to zero it still has more low end oomph than other SLO’s I’ve tired. I like it usually somewhere between 12-1 o clock. After that it can be a bit much for my taste
 
braintheory said:
Could be, I wouldn’t know. Even with the depth knob turned all the way down to zero it still has more low end oomph than other SLO’s I’ve tired. I like it usually somewhere between 12-1 o clock. After that it can be a bit much for my taste
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Even the stock one has quite the oomph objectively. So yeah, Depth might make it right to taste. I would like it to act this way: below 12 is reducing bass+increase tightness like a boost, 12 neutral point, above 12 add bass.
 
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