SLO-100 vs. Decatone?

[blackspy]

Ok, give me some opinions here please.

I'm thinking about the SLO-100, or Decatone amp recently. I've heard the SLO and loved it. My issues are these.

* The SLO-100 would require the 'Depth Mod' and an added Effects Loop, over and above the cost of the damn thing.

* Even with the Effects loop, it apparently doesn't like 'low-fi' (ie: pedals). I use no rack gear anymore, and have only a few pedals that I like, it adds something like +4 or +6 db pad and doesn't take well to pedals.

* Two channels (awesome ones, but two)

The Decatone on the other hand, has a Parallel effects loop, three channels (clean/crunch/overdrive), and the depth mod as standard options.

My concerns...
* I've never heard a Decatone in person, and have no opportunity to do so now either. Nobody seems to have them in my neck of the woods.

* I have no idea how different the Overdrive channel on the Decatone is from the SLO. If they were 'close' I'd likely be very happy.

* Not having ever heard it, I don't know if it has the gain I want. I'm coming from a 5150 if I do this, and am used to having ridiculous amounts of gain on tap.

I know Pete has an SLO, anyone else have any thoughts?

Thanks

[Dcareaga]

From what I have heard, I have never owned Either amp, the BIG difference between the two is the Output Transformer... The SLO having the Best one. You Can get Soldano to replace the Transformer in the Decatone with the SLO Tranny.
Apparently this brings the Decatone Extremely close to the SLO.
The first few Decatones were Built to SLO specs, saw one on e-bay a few weeks ago selling for a Great price, but these are hard to come by.

[PeteDuBaldo]

The SLO comes with an FX loop @ 4dB, for an additional fee you can get Mike or Bill to wire it with a "mix" control so you can use it with pedals as opposed to pro-style rack equipment.

My SLO has the depth mod and the 1/2 power switch, both of which I find very useful. My opinion on the SLO is that it ROCKS HARD.

I have not ordered a Decatone yet, so I can't give you my opinion on it. I would order one for the store, but I've got too much crazyness going on over here right now.

I can say that I've played the Soldano Lucky 13, Reverb-O-Sonic, and Astroverb models, and the SLO spanked them all silly.

See you over on the Soldano conforums

[blackspy]

Sounds to me like maybe having the Decatone upgraded to the SLO transformer would be a good bet. Depending on cost. Rather than trying to make the SLO into the Decatone. I'd likely only want the transformer, and half power switch on the Deca. Where the SLO I'd be looking at the mix control, depth mod, half power switch, and more expensive base price to begin with.

hmm... decisions, decisions.

[PeteDuBaldo]

Yep!

From www.soldano.com

The 100 watt SUPER LEAD OVERDRIVE is the amplifier that has set the standard for high gain tube distortion. Unchanged in over fifteen years, it remains the unmatched benchmark for modern lead guitar tone and amplifier quality.
The SLO has two channels, Normal and Overdrive, each with independent preamp and master volume controls. A footswitch is included for channel switching. The Normal channel has a Bright switch and a Clean/Crunch gain selector switch. Standard features include a professional level (+4db) series effects loop and a slave output.
This amplifier uses the finest Military Grade components and specially designed transformers and comes with a transferable limited lifetime warranty.

The three channel 100 watt DECATONE is our most versatile head. The Clean, Crunch, and Overdrive channels each have their own preamp and master volume controls, as well as a final power amp master volume which enables you to make quick volume adjustments for all channels simultaneously. A Depth control provides a variable extended bass voicing for all channels. Channel selection is done by using either the illuminated push button selector switches on the amp or the included DECATROL foot controller. The effects loop is a variable series/parallel design with a mix control knob. This allows you to blend in “lo-fi“ effects without sacrificing tube tone, and to use “stomp box“ effects without signal overload.


I'm thinking you need a Decatone, be prepared to open your wallet

[Pundix]

Originally Posted by blackspy

Sounds to me like maybe having the Decatone upgraded to the SLO transformer would be a good bet. Depending on cost. Rather than trying to make the SLO into the Decatone. I'd likely only want the transformer, and half power switch on the Deca. Where the SLO I'd be looking at the mix control, depth mod, half power switch, and more expensive base price to begin with.

hmm... decisions, decisions.

There's not much out there that even comes close to an SLO. Some of the older Soldano HR50+ amps came fairly close, but I haven't seen those around for sale in a while. I've never heard the Decatone, or read any "unbiased" reviews. Personally, I'd go for the SLO... JMHO Though.

[blackspy]

Haha, those guys at Soldano know how to upsell. I asked some questions about the upgrades/mods, which they explained very well (they don't put the DeYoung Transformers in anything but the SLO, only a couple were done like that), but at the end he adds..

"If tone is the main thing you're after - the Decatone is a great amp. At the same time....the SLO is a better amp."

I "was" 90% sold on the Decatone until I read that line. I have to play one to decide between them I guess. Nearest one is 2000 miles away. Damn!

[PeteDuBaldo]

Originally Posted by blackspy

Haha, those guys at Soldano know how to upsell. I asked some questions about the upgrades/mods, which they explained very well (they don't put the DeYoung Transformers in anything but the SLO, only a couple were done like that), but at the end he adds..

"If tone is the main thing you're after - the Decatone is a great amp. At the same time....the SLO is a better amp."

I "was" 90% sold on the Decatone until I read that line. I have to play one to decide between them I guess. Nearest one is 2000 miles away. Damn!

So whatcha waiting for?! Drive down here and try my SLO out, it's got the depth mod & 1/2 power switch


Edit: This means I will bring my amp to the store, I'm not offering to bring you over my house

[blackspy]

Originally Posted by PeteDuBaldo

So whatcha waiting for?! Drive down here and try my SLO out, it's got the depth mod & 1/2 power switch


Edit: This means I will bring my amp to the store, I'm not offering to bring you over my house

Thanks for the offer I need to play a Decatone though.. I have played the SLO and loved it. However, I don't love its lack of features. The Decatone has the features I want, but I don't know if it has "that" tone.