Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

[gmcelroy]

...if you had to choose between the two which would you choose and why?

 

[JB6464]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

Would help if you explained what type of music you play and other gear being used with the two choices.:scratchch

 

[gmcelroy]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

I play a bit of modern rock, classic rock, and blues based rock. The guitars I currently use are a PRS McCarty, Gibson LP Custom and Fender EJ Strat.

 

[karpathion]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

:scratchch

That's a nice guitar list you got there. What amp are you using now?
I'd say SLO, but I'm curious to hear what you have now.

 

[gmcelroy]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

I am currenty using the SLO! I also have a 5150, Marshall DSL100 and a Randall BMF that I toy around with a bit. The SLO is my favorite along with my Randall BMF. I have been toying with selling the SLO for a Mark IV but do not have any experience with the Mark IV.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

I am currenty using the SLO! I also have a 5150, Marshall DSL100 and a Randall BMF that I toy around with a bit. The SLO is my favorite along with my Randall BMF. I have been toying with selling the SLO for a Mark IV but do not have any experience with the Mark IV.

What would make you want to sell the SLO? A Mark IV is a great amp, its lead channel is awesome.

The only real benefit to a Mark IV is the price, a Mark V will do the best parts of the IV and so much more to include far better and more versatile cleans and mid-gain tones.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

Despite the fact the SLO is really just a one trick pony company compared to the Mark IV, there is no way I'd pass up on an SLO if I had the opportunity to get one

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

Soldano!
Then also a mesa MKV next.

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

Soldano SLO. There is nothing like the crunch channel on an SLO.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

The problem with Mark series Mesas is that they usually sound compressed and stripped of some harmonic complexity and open-ness.

My real opinion is to sell off a couple of your least used amps, and come up with the money for a Bogner Ecstasy. IMO, it's a better amp than both of them. Use one for several years, like I have, and you wouldn't dream of trading it for a Soldano or Mesa. I wouldn't even trade mine for both of them as a package deal.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

The problem with Mark series Mesas is that they usually sound compressed and stripped of some harmonic complexity and open-ness.

My real opinion is to sell off a couple of your least used amps, and come up with the money for a Bogner Ecstasy. IMO, it's a better amp than both of them. Use one for several years, like I have, and you wouldn't dream of trading it for a Soldano or Mesa. I wouldn't even trade mine for both of them as a package deal.

I was gonna suggest going the Ecstasy route as well. In my world, Bogner rules all...

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

The problem with Mark series Mesas is that they usually sound compressed and stripped of some harmonic complexity and open-ness.

No more compressed or less open than a 101B, especially with the Mark V...lots of breathing room and complexity in those modes.

Seriously, between Bogner and Mesa - I can't say one tone is better than the other, but they are different...

If I had to choose a desert island amp between an XTC and MV...it would tough, but I think I would choose the Mark V.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

If I had to choose a desert island amp between an XTC and MV...it would tough, but I think I would choose the Mark V.

I could get used to that venue. The attendance would be the same.

 

[JB6464]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

I would get a Mesa Quad Preamp and then you will have all the Eq,gain,and options you will ever need. It's two amps in one.
MkII C
MKIII
And you can run the preamp in the loop of the SLO if you wanted to since the Soldano loops are Only +4db,your stuck with rack units Only for effects. But if you put the Quad preamp in the loop you will now have unreal EQ options,a instrument or line level loop,and stereo outputs for killer effects options.
Or use the SLO by itself on one side,and a Mesa Quad Preamp/poweramp on the other side and you get the best of both for blues and classic rock,hard rock,and heavy metal. :cool2:
Keep the Soldano SLO,it's a one of a kind special amp.
MKIV to me sound to modern. Still a great amp if more modern tones is what your after but a MKII C and MKIII will get you closer tones to blues and classic rock.
My 2 cents worth.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

keep the slo

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

Slo

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

Yeah, I never suggested selling the Soldano. A lot of players that own one opt for something EL-34 to go with it....just so you have the best of 6L6 highgain and EL-34 highgain. I'd be inclined to go with a good Marshall, Bogner, or Mesa Stiletto Ace.

 

[B2D]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

Yeah, I'd keep the SLO as well. I've heard people get killer tones out of both amps but I can't get past the complexity of the Mk. IV's controls.

 

[gmcelroy]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

Yeah, I'd keep the SLO as well. I've heard people get killer tones out of both amps but I can't get past the complexity of the Mk. IV's controls.

Thank you everyone for their input! I'm sticking with the SLO and the Randall BMF for my Marshall style tones! Plus one thing I have read many places is that Mesa EQ's are pretty finicky and I am not a knob tweaker!

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Soldano SLO or Mesa Mark IV?

Soldano SLO. There is nothing like the crunch channel on an SLO.

Dude, the clear winner here is SLO.

the mesa is a superb amplifier, premium quality... but the SLO is a ****ing beast.