SLO-100 vs OG 5150

[HomespunEffects]

There’s a local-ish guy selling a SLO-100 for way more than I’d ever want to pay. I’ve already got a 1992 5150 and I’ve read that it’s based on a SLO-100 circuit but how close is it?

The 5150 is probably my favorite amp. How much “better” could the SLO actually be? If I got it, would it just be for bragging rights? Would I just be getting a differently dressed version of what I already have?

I guess I’m asking you to help me to stop wanting the SLO.

 

[paisleywookiee]

The SLO is a more refined amp, probably what I’d consider not as aggressive as a 5150. Cleans on the SLO will be better too, IMO.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

would it just be for bragging rights?

Yes

Would I just be getting a differently dressed version of what I already have?

No, not really.

They're different, and taking purely sonically and taking value/collectibility/build quality out of the equation, I'd go for 5150 every day of the week. I just prefer the sound of them. SLO is cool but I find them a bit limited, and if they have the depth control added, they can easily sound weird too. Maybe I'm just more tuned in to the 5150 sound, it's something I've grown up listening to.

I wouldn't really think of them having too much in common, despite the similarity in layouts, lineage and circuits. Think of it as a modded SLO that's its own thing.

 

[la szum]

OG 5150s are God Tier Amps.

In the grand scheme of things, a SLO could be deemed an inferior amp to
a 5150, rather than the other way around.

 

[MatrixClaw]

I had both at the same time several years ago. I chose to keep the 5150. It was more aggressive and much better voiced for metal. The SLO had tons of clarity but it was smoother and tamer sounding. An excellent lead amp. I didn't feel like the cleans were that much better, either. Considering the price difference, it didn't make sense to keep the SLO.

 

[paisleywookiee]

OG 5150s are God Tier Amps.

In the grand scheme of things, a SLO could be deemed an inferior amp to
a 5150, rather than the other way around.

I mean, I disagree. But this is subjective. I think the SLO is one of the greatest amps of all time, better than the 5150.

 

[la szum]

I don't think there are absolutes in the amp realm... and if there are any, they are totally subjective.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I don't think there are absolutes in the amp realm... and if there are any, they are totally subjective.

THAT'S WHAT I SAID!

 

[RaceU4her]

id keep the 5150 and buy multiple other amps with the money left over

 

[mk5]

Depends on your style. Had a 5150 for years and finally played an SLO100. To me, the SLO had all the things I found lacking in the 5150. 5150s are clunky on neck pickup leads (if you like that) while the SLO is liquid. Whoever said more refined was right on point.

Both great, but depends on your approach.

 

[JiveTurkey]

My approach:

 

[Whizzinby]

SLO is thicker/looser (That’s what she said) 5150 is tighter/aggressive. (That’s what she said) Different midrange character.

“Better” is only going to be a personal opinion.

Play some models/plugs and see if you like. There is a lot of internet consensus opinions on amps that you have to weed through and ultimately find out for yourself. I own an X88 and have owned SLO30 and I love it for its cleans and crunch channels, but don’t necessarily love the lead channel for chuggy riffage or anything other than lead play. (Sounds great for leads tho) Others love the lead channel for chugg work, (Thats a pretty revered channel for high gain) so ymmv, but I personally look elsewhere for purely that style. So, you kind of have to play it for yourself and come up with your own opinion. It’s a great amp. (IMO)

 

[FuzzyAce]

Surprised I've not owned a 5150 model yet. Always liked the lead tones for sure, and a few Peaveys I've owned or played a lot like the Duel Two Twelve, Prowler, Classic 20 and 30. There's something in the distortion quality that is unique and punchy for lack of a better word. I always seem to gravitate towards the PV Panama for high gain leads in HX too.

 

[James Freeman]

Comparing the 5150 and SLO models in modelers I much prefer the 5150.

 

[Richard_G]

The closest thing to a dog I have in this fight is that I love my OG SLO Synergy module, and that I tend to go to the Neural SLO plugin rather than my 5150 plugins. That being said, I haven't spent much effort comparing them directly.

 

[HomespunEffects]

It's one of those things that I really can't justify buying (I'm not in a gigging band). It just keeps popping up and it's purple.

 

[Badonkey Kong]

It's one of those things that I really can't justify buying (I'm not in a gigging band). It just keeps popping up and it's purple.

 

[Orvillain]

I've not shot out my 5150 (well, 6505+) against an SLO100, but I have done that comparision against my multi-watt Recto. My mate owns the SLO.

The SLO kinda blew me away to be honest, and I was jealous and I wanted one. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that some other amps have, but do you really need them? Probably not.

SLO == excellent clean tones, excellent chuggo's. Not really got any complaints about it.

5150 == surprisingly nice clean tones, given the amp is not reknowned for them. Edgy and bitey cleans, rather than crystally. But I quite like that. The chugs. It obviously chugs, and sounds mean and pissed off with it. But in some ways, it is a very "controlled" high-gain tone, shaped and defined. I'd say using any pedals to flavour the texture is pretty much pointless with a 5150. You either like it or you don't. Whereas the same isn't true for the recto or the SLO; they take overdrive pedals much better I feel.

All in all - I don't see a problem with owning both if you can.

 

[MatrixClaw]

Also of note, all the new SLOs I've played sounded much different from the originals. They are brighter and tighter. I didn't feel like they had the same level of clarity, but they seemed more versatile in that the voicings wasn't inherently only for lead work.

 

[GTR37]

One thing I think it depends on your tuning , SLO has kind of a bounce on the lows which feels great on std tuning , eb or Drop D
But if you are going lower than that IMO you will need a boost to tighten it and even then really low Meshugguh stuff is not it forte
Bogner XTC I feel similar about
Also compared to 5150, an Slo will have less gain
Both the XTC and SLO are some of the best lead amps IMO