Soldano SLO Pedal: Does It Landau?

When the Soldano SLO pedal when released last month, I had only one question... Does it Landau?
Circa 1989/1990, both Michael Landau and Steve Lukather were using the Soldano X88 preamp. I wanted to take a swing at using the SLO pedal to recreate some early 90's Landau and Luke tones!
P A T R E O N
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K E M P E R P A C K
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A Collection of 30 Mix Ready Profiles Compromising of 7 Boutique and Vintage Amplifiers: Mesa Boogie Mark III, Mezzabarba MZero Overdrive, Suhr Badger 30, Divided by 13 FTR37, Peavey Classic 50, Marshall JCM800 and Peavey 5150.
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B U Y M E A C O F F E E
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To provide a better experience for you, I disable adverts on all of my videos (except those that KZbin monetises for copyright reasons). This is to cultivate an environment that’s free of distractions and intrusions. As a result, I don’t earn a penny from KZbin but, for me, it’s worth the trade off.
You can support me in continuing to create ad-free, high-value content through the above channels!
Thank you, folks!
S O C I A L S
Session Heroes Instagram: / sessionheroes
My Instagram: / deadwoodmusic
V I D E O C H A P T E R S
00:00 - "Any Less Than This" Solo
00:43 - Does It Landau?
00:59 - The Landau/Lukather Link
02:02 - Michael Landau at MI
02:53 - "Animal" Solo
03:35 - Just For High Gain?
04:24 - "Little Wing (1990)"
05:55 - Get The TAB!
06:35 - Looper Demo
09:26 - Final Thoughts

[@jasondavidwhite9885]

Hands down the best demo I’ve heard of the SLO pedal. Thank you! Great playing btw!

[@RichardWatson]

That's great to hear, man - thank you!

[@resonatorman]

Totally agree

[@TechMetalRules]

Just about to say the same!

[@guilletjean-jacques5107]

@@RichardWatson c est merité , merci pour cette demo , exeptionnelle .

[@vladzubac5360]

The SOUND and PLAYING…one word! BEST!!! Omg literally the best video out there to demo this pedal other than just pointless chug and some power chords!! Thank you so much for this!!!

[@RichardWatson]

That's so kind of you, man- thank you! I truly appreciate it.

[@xsamitt]

@@RichardWatson Thank you for the pedal in a real world application! I am not a metal head.....and i knew this pedal wasn't in most videos being used properly until now!

[@SkralanLamon]

Dude, the playing, the tones... otherworldly.

[@RichardWatson]

Ah thanks so much, man!

[@johanrautenbach]

Richard I am so glad I came across your channel. Every video is a gem. Thank you. It is very evident that you go to a lot of effort to make your content. Your playing and tone is world class.

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks man! I do my best!

[@jrp4485]

Man, your playing is so good! I love your channel. I been playing for years , and you give me inspiration to keep trying to get better.

[@RichardWatson]

Ah that means a lot, man - thank you!

[@johngregsonguitar]

Sounds glorious and wonderful playing as ever! Always appreciate the level of research into the rigs too, such a great history lesson!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much, John!

[@heliobluesrock]

I've been waiting for this pedal for a quite long, long time! Now, it's a thrill to see it announced and played by you, an extraordinary player that love as much as I do the same heroes! I must get one of this as soon as possible!

[@RichardWatson]

You'll dig it, man! It's truly a great OD. Hope you're well, my friend!

[@AverageHuman7026]

What a gem of a channel you have here friend. I’ve chased these tones a while and stumbling upon your vids is like finding a gate leading to all the secrets of these drenched tones. I’ve subscribed and brought my umbrella…thank you for this content!🙂

[@RichardWatson]

That means a lot, man- thank you! Happy to have you here!

[@kjetilalexandersaltnes8643]

Love the dedication to details, great sounds, and playing. This channel is a fountain in the desert. Thank you, man! 🙏

[@RichardWatson]

That means a lot, man- thanks so much!

[@sampokantele9288]

Great demo!! Awesome tones from golden era of Luke and Landau ... thanks for inspiration and cheers from Finland!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much! It's a great pedal for that stuff!

[@johnbird3722]

Great tones, great playing, and what sounds like a great pedal. Thanks so much Rich! I learn something new from each on of your videos.

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you, John! Merry Christmas, my friend! See you in the New Year!

[@johnbird3722]

@@RichardWatsonand Happy Christmas to you Rich. PS, I just ordered one of the pedals. Cu next year.

[@clausherther]

Sounds fantastic. I was disappointed though you weren't wearing a cutoff Soldano t-shirt to complete the Landau Look®.

[@clausherther]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWLZlZKhpc59hM0

[@josephestes7076]

Dude, you kill these parts! The tone and the playing are excellent 👌

[@RichardWatson]

Ah thank you so much, man!

[@joesaxon6566]

Tremendous playing sir, can't believe I've never seen your stuff before! Well done! Great pedal. I bought one straight away and love it

[@RichardWatson]

Ah thanks so much, man! Yeah it's a killer drive pedal!

[@bwm5150]

Top quality demo and playing Richard! Class 😁👌

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks man!

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

Great sounding tones that you dialed in! Brilliant playing btw...

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks Bruce! I think it's a great pedal!

[@Burnsonix]

Fantastic demo & review Rich

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much!

[@jesussavesrick]

Love your playing, tones and your video. Thanks! 🙏

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much!

[@wordjockey11]

I love your channel, and this video turned me into a patron.

[@RichardWatson]

Ah bless you, Mike- that's awesome, man!

[@JoseG-2023]

Great demo. Fantastic playing and sounds! 🤘

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks man!

[@jergervasi3331]

Fantastic video! Great playing!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much!

[@staggs5034]

Beautiful playing! Just beautiful man!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much!

[@nicoceleste1438]

always great bro!!!

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you, my friend- I appreciate it!

[@ShawnTubbs]

Excellent video Richard!!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much, Shawn!

[@Widdy5150]

Amazing vibes coming from both the pedal and the hands. Been pondering to try it alongside a clean amp in the Helix to see how it compares to line 6's Soldano models. 👍🏼

[@AngelLeppard]

Sounds really good! I preordered the purple one like a month ago, it feels like an eternity waiting for it 😂

[@RichardWatson]

I really wish I'd picked a purple one! They look KILLER!

[@jasonstone1046]

Nailed that tone mate, well done.

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks Jason!

[@Terry_Aki]

I bought the purple anodized one 4 weeks ago...shipped today...looking forward to it! Thanks Richard!

[@RichardWatson]

Man, I only just found out about the purple ones! They look SO good!

[@mikevisconti975]

Sooooo awesome!! Great job!!!

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you, Mike!

[@pelleholmberggroup]

Great demo and playing man!!

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you, man!

[@albertoz5450]

Glorious tone!

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you, man!

[@michaelraimondi4448]

Are you inside my head? Can’t believe you’re covering the sounds and players that got me into guitar. Please dissect some of Luke’s Chicago solos!! I would become a partron for that in a second.

[@RichardWatson]

Haha- thanks man! Feel free to steer me towards any particular tracks and I'll check them out!

[@emdblues]

amazing sounds and your feel and control of vibrato and tremolo bar is elite! great ear as well obviously. how the fuck do you have only 4.35k subscribers?!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much, man - I really appreciate it! Ah, I truly love this topic so I'm in this for the long haul but hopefully it'll gain traction over time!

[@gsmeeuwsen]

Great playing, Sir!!!

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you very much, Greg!

[@davideolivieri5033]

Really loved the Steve Lukater's part! Very good demo and very good guitarist with great sounds ❤

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you very much, Davide!

[@peterjepps1229]

Amazing tone Rich, 🤘

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you, Peter!

[@TechMetalRules]

I'm gonna need about another hour or so of you dialing in classic tones with this pedal... thanks in advance!

[@RichardWatson]

It's a great box!

[@Peter_Stoops]

Richard, great demo!!!! - Great playing too, especially doing the Landau Beck-ish wang bar thing!!!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much, Peter!

[@MadBallshorts]

Cool as usual :)

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks man! This was a fun one to make!

[@funkmachine6420]

Nice to meet a fellow 80s guitarist. Great playing mate

[@RichardWatson]

Likewise, man! And thank you very much!

[@thereallbking]

Amazing playing

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you, man!

[@martinfredmark7065]

Thx for an inspiring video

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you, man!

[@discodawgsy4674]

nice playing

[@alescorpions]

amazing, I love this pedal. the soldano x88 it's one my favorite in my fractal fm3. I create preset with circular delay. pan delay. detune and reverb and return to the past years of magic sound =D

[@RichardWatson]

Sounds like a recipe for Lukather! Awesome, man!

[@Soldano999]

Trying to get cleaner / crunchier sounds was a good idea. People often forget the soldano is also one of the best crunch channels put there especially with a klon type pedal. The pedal seems to be handling these quite nicely.

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks man! Yeah I was pleasantly surprised!

[@MrBigPineapple1]

Huge fan of your channel man, you nail each one of the session heroes. This is the best demo of the pedal for me… and enough to maybe get one! (Since I can’t have a real slo at home). Pretty nerdy question.. for E standard, what gauge do you use? (25,5 scale)

[@RichardWatson]

I don't think you'll be disappointed, man- they did a great job with this one! I use D'Addario 10-26 on 25.5 scale guitars and 11-49 on 25 scale guitars in standard tuning. Thanks!

[@MrBigPineapple1]

@@RichardWatson see you in Patreon sir ;)

[@nitan57]

great job m8 👏

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks brother!

[@JeffCJacobs1]

Excellent demo Richard & really demonstrates the versatility of this pedal! What were the settings on the 1st bit of playing? Very unique.

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks Jeff! From what I remember... Volume 5/6, Presence 3, Treble 3/4, Middle 7/8, Gain 5/6, Bass 4. It'll depend on your amp and pickups but I was going for something a little darker than I usually would as that's how Mike's tone kinda translates on that video (although how much of that it due to the age of the footage, it's hard to say!)

[@sargentppeper]

Great playing and best demo of this pedal! 👍🏼 Is that a 18, 30 or 35 watt Badger head?

[@RichardWatson]

Ah thanks so much, man! Mine is a 30

[@vikramjitbanerjeetuki]

Great demo may i know which stereo delay plugin and micro pitch plugins were used on this 👍

[@RichardWatson]

Of course, man! I use SoundToys stuff - Micro Shift, Primal Tap and Little Plate

[@fernandes5986]

I must say your playing is superb.

[@fernandes5986]

and yes you nailed Landau and Luke tones, very well.

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much, Jorge!

[@Jmdeclue]

If anyone is going to get this review right it is you. Good job.

[@RichardWatson]

Ah I appreciate that, man- thanks so much!

[@AngelLeppard]

Rewatching this, I would really like to know what do you used for the chorus/detune.

[@RichardWatson]

Hey man! If I was using chorus it would be the Lil Wave by Red Seven. The detune is the Micro Shift plug-in by Sound Toys - it's really good!

[@elvinlupi5619]

Great video, can you tell me how to set that delay sound or something similar?

[@RichardWatson]

It kinda depends on what you're playing; with the first track, I think it was a 1/2 note and 1/4 note dual delay. With "Animal" I'm pretty sure it was just a 1/4 note - add a little modulation to the repeats and roll out a little low end and just a little high so it stays out of the way of the dry signal. The character you're going for is digital but kinda old school digital (think Lexicon PCM42)!

[@xdiaba]

Hi, how do you have your your FX in your chain?, all in series or Wet Dry?

[@RichardWatson]

It's kind of an artificial W/D/W - mono amp channel, then sending an aux to a stereo effects bus with the DAW

[@billrobinson4011]

Wow! Great playing! Any settings for Luke's tone?

[@RichardWatson]

It'll kinda depend on your pickups/amp but you'll get there pretty quick, man! There's a lot of Lukather in this box!

[@jayboy6895]

Hi Rich. In my opinion you absolutely pinned it Brother. That was one hell of a episode. I was contemplating a Soldano amp. After hearing this Ai would be more than happy with that pedal. There are so many routes to go down. It helps being a Fantastic musician which you certainly are bro. I maybe selling my Luke to grab some gear. Your advice would be appreciated

[@RichardWatson]

Ah super kind of you, man - thank you. I think it depends how you're planning on using it - a 100W fire breather like the SLO is always going to move air and melt faces like nothing else, but at the same time, how often to we get to open up our tube amps these days! I never get my Mezzabarba above 2 on the master volume, even in decent-sized venues! I think the SLO is a killer pedal that really captures the character of a Soldano amp but in a format that you can run into a low/mid wattage clean amp and it's going to sound great. If your aim is small gigs, home practice, recording, etc I think you'd be really happy with the SLO pedal and that frees up cash to invest in some other great effects!

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hi there nice video, what model PRS are you showing in the video, the PRS SE,, the one that looks like Orange?

[@RichardWatson]

Hey man! That's my PRS McCarty in McCarty Burst (USA version).

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

@@RichardWatson Thank you Richard!! I have to look into that guitar!

[@alessandrodelverne1528]

What pitch shifter did you use for simulating the harmonizer?

[@RichardWatson]

Sound Toys Micro Shift

[@rockstarjazzcat]

subscribed 🤙🏼

[@RichardWatson]

Ah thank you man!

[@ingopaul4304]

Sounds great and completely authentic. Great trip back to the end of the 90s. Or is the sound just becoming modern again? 🙂

[@ingopaul4304]

My fault - "end of the 80s"

[@RichardWatson]

Ah thanks man! I was super pleased with how easy it was to dial the pedal in for these sounds!

[@physiciansassist1]

I see your a big fan as the rest of us. I talked to Dave who does landau pedal board and stated he hates the sd9 and voodoo 1 combo but it works for Landau. Have you tried that combo? I have it on my board and have learned to use it correctly and i dig it.

[@RichardWatson]

Hey man! I did own a SD-9 briefly but didn't bond with it. Cats like Landau and Henderson make it sound amazing though! You'll have to post a clip, man - I'd love to hear that combo in your hands!

[@physiciansassist1]

Check out the solo.. im running through a 59 tweed amp. Chorus set like a leslie, reverb ( i got from landaul and voodoo1 into sd9

[@physiciansassist1]

@@RichardWatson its in the solo

[@mikebellleisure]

Awesome playing Rich - but where is the white Soldano tank top? 😂

[@RichardWatson]

Believe me, Mike- if I knew where to get one you'd be seeing it in a lot of videos!

[@bingefeller]

What Boogie amp was Luke using for his clean sounds?

[@RichardWatson]

He was using Mark IIC+ heads for quite a while! Pretty sure that's what his early Bradshaw system was based around!

[@tomi1537]

What were your settings for the landau bit?

[@RichardWatson]

The settings, as they were around 7:55, was my starting point. May have pushed the gain to about 2 O’Clock for that lead sound.

[@tomi1537]

​@@RichardWatsoncool, thanks!

[@modusceo]

I’d definitely say it does 😮‍💨 i’ve had mine since they first came out and it “soldano’s” any amp I have

[@RichardWatson]

Definitely, man!

[@NoName-ql1wk]

I think you're my favourite guitar player on KZbin.

[@RichardWatson]

That's incredibly kind of you!

[@alext7860]

Def a new fave of mine

[@andreamaddalone1683]

Helo, sorry, which is the rest of the gear? I think it makes a lot of difference....

[@RichardWatson]

A Suhr Badger 30 set completely clean then delay, reverb and micro pitch from Sound Toys plug-ins.

[@shovelheadseven]

What year is your Tyler?

[@RichardWatson]

I would guess around 2014, off the top of my head...

[@jackprice7828]

Michael Landau aha now I know where Steve Vai got a lot of his influence. Especially the wammy bar work.

[@OscarGMartinezP]

👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks Oscar!

[@rogerwilliams2629]

I dont need that. Yes i do. Crap. Great demo, youre a very good player, young man.

[@RichardWatson]

Haha! You'll dig it, Roger - great pedal! And thank you for the kind words.

[@FabrizioPeretti]

Kinda surprised at this point you don't have an hss emg equipped strat of sort

[@RichardWatson]

That... erm... may be about to change!

[@FabrizioPeretti]

@@RichardWatson GOOD

[@lasessionguitarists]

You really nailed that late 80's Landau sound. For those who haven't seen the concert at MI it's here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpbQe2OBnN-Hg5I

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much, Magnus!

[@lasessionguitarists]

@@RichardWatson Care to share your pedal settings (for the sound in the start of the video)?

[@RichardWatson]

@@lasessionguitarists Loosely, it was Volume 5, Presence 2, Gain 4 or 5, Treble 2, Mids 6 or 7, Bass 4

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

Playing Now We Are Cooking With Gas

[@dnd820]

Beckish.......

[@RichardWatson]

Yeah man! Luke does the Beck thing pretty damn well!

[@dicktwitchy]

Nailed it!! Great vid 🤜💥🤛

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks man! Really appreciate it!

[@MadBallshorts]

@@RichardWatson If I dint have my Atomic drive I'd be looking at this...

[@dicktwitchy]

@@MadBallshorts that's a comparison I would love to hear!!!

[@jamesalllan7806]

Outstanding playing! What power amp are you using? Speakers? Thanks

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks James! This was my Suhr Badger 30 head (set totally clean) running into the Suhr Reactive Load IR. The IR I used was a Suhr G12M Greenback 4x12 C Hi-Gn 121+57 Celestion. Hope that helps!

[@jamesalllan7806]

@@RichardWatson Thank you! That tone never gets old, and you nail it!!

[@Terry_Aki]

I want this tone with pedals only. No software...tell us how? 🤙😎🌴🎸

[@RichardWatson]

Hey Terry! Well, there's various ways of doing it. You want something that does detune (Eventide's Micro Pitch pedal, the TriceraChorus, a Boss harmoniser or the Digitech Lux, etc) a good digital delay (Strymon DIG, Eventide Timefactor, Boss DD500, TC Nova Delay, etc) and a nice reverb. You could save some money by picking up something like a Source Audio Collider which does delay and reverb in one. That's a starting point. The next level would be to put those effects in a parallel mixer (using something like a Musicomlab Parallelizer or the new GFI Systems Duophony) and the FINAL level would be to send out in stereo to two amps!

[@Terry_Aki]

@@RichardWatson ... thanks Richard!

[@Terry_Aki]

@@RichardWatson Would be great to see a video for dummies explaining how to use the 2 mixers...musicomlabs and duophoney!

[@Terry_Aki]

@@RichardWatson ... BTW...I have the Eventide Micropitch, Tricerachorus, Boss hamonizer, DIG and Neunaber Wet stereo reverb and mono Talisman reverb... and GC-2 keeley compressor, just don't get how the parralel bus works...I'll look into it thanks.

[@RichardWatson]

@@Terry_Aki It basically means that, instead of the signal moving through your effects in series (so, for example, the delay repeats will have reverb on them, etc. They all interact with each other), imagine sending your core guitar tone to each effect kinda in isolation. You set your parallel effects to 100% wet or killdry and then determinate how much of that effect goes to the stereo output via the controls on the mixer.