Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

[LooseCannon]

I've researched a lil' bit about those soldano designed T50\100 series and read that it's basicly the same design as the SLO, but still lacks the SLO's amazing tone. So i've considered getting one and have it modified closer to SLO spec. Besides the choke mod i've heard about, what modifications can be done? Maybe new Transformers?

 

[Dan-ola]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

Call or Email Soldano; I had a T50 and they were very helpful and responsive to questions about the amp. I get the feeling Mike designed it and Yamaha cheaped out on the build so he feels some responsibility since his name is on it. I think they could talk you thru what could be changed to "SLO" it, might even do the work if you send it to them... Just contact them, I'm sure they will help!

PS - Although not a "SLO", the thing sure had a great sound - I find myself still staring at whatever amp is in front of me today (Crate V58, Marshall DSL50) and wondering how I can get the certain crunch the T50 had :eek13:

Dano

 

[LooseCannon]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

I'm not sure I could get much help from Soldano, even though i'm sure he's very nice I don't think he'd like people getting the cheap yamaha and converting it to an SLO.

 

[LooseCannon]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

Anyone else?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

I'm not sure I could get much help from Soldano, even though i'm sure he's very nice I don't think he'd like people getting the cheap yamaha and converting it to an SLO.

You might be surprised. They were very helpful when I owned my T100. That support was a factor in my later purchase of a new Decatone.

Before you go replacing the trannys in a T50/100, I'd suggest that you look into a used HR50+/100+. Though the Yamaha has a couple of advantages (reverb & separate tone stack for each channel), the HR guarantees you that Soldano sound (I owned a single channel HR50) and when it comes time to sell, you'll be able to get your money out. Even after getting the choke added, transformers replaced, and maybe adding a depth mod, you won't get a whole lot more for the amp. It's kinda like putting booteek pickups in an Agile: come resale time, you won't get your $$$ out of it (without parting out the upgrades).

My $0.02, IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc.

 

[joelap]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

I'm also interested in what mods can be done to turn a T50/T100 into SLO territory, as I was considering checking one of those amps out in the future. If you could post whatever you have heard or read, LooseCannon, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[joelap]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

bumpzilla!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

I don't know of any mods tfor these amps but I can tell you guys...I played thru one for the first time the other day and was blown away! It was in a local shop, it was very clean condition wise and it was less that $600! IMO, it is a killer amp in that price range...far FAR better than a PV (Satch, XXX, 5150 take you pick...I though it killee them all), better by far that anything that says Crate on it, I liked it better than just about any sub $1000 tube I've ever heard...

 

[aleclee]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

I don't know of any mods tfor these amps but I can tell you guys...I played thru one for the first time the other day and was blown away! It was in a local shop, it was very clean condition wise and it was less that $600! IMO, it is a killer amp in that price range...far FAR better than a PV (Satch, XXX, 5150 take you pick...I though it killee them all), better by far that anything that says Crate on it, I liked it better than just about any sub $1000 tube I've ever heard...

Problem is that modding it would put it in the price range of a used HR50+ (~$1000 last I looked). Getting beefy transformers (if they'll fit) would easily add $300 in costs by the time you bought 'em and had 'em installed.

 

[joelap]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

Problem is that modding it would put it in the price range of a used HR50+ (~$1000 last I looked). Getting beefy transformers (if they'll fit) would easily add $300 in costs by the time you bought 'em and had 'em installed.

Ahhh good point, I didn't know that. Well, if it's a killer sounding amp the way it is, it's probably still worth it. Did they ever make these into head/cab forms?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

Did they ever make these into head/cab forms?

Yes. I owned a T100--the combos have a "C" suffix (e.g. T100C would be the combo version). Dunno if they made special cabs for 'em. I've never come across any.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Yamaha T50\T100 Soldano Mod?

I bought a brand new T100 head years ago from Thoroughbred Music here in Florida on a closeout for $250....Pretty decent head and then Bruce Eganater did a bunch of cool stuff to it....Now this amp belongs to our rhythm guitarist in our band...It was a cool amp for $250 but I didn't think it was all that great stock....It's alot better after Bruce did some stuff to it though...Bruce did say he would never mod another one though..LOL