I am not an X1 owner, but I was one of those referring to Solton styles as "in your face". When you listen to a Solton style, you are much more likely to say "wow" than when you listen to a Yamaha style. In a way, Solton styles are almost like compositions in themselves, while Yamaha's styles are more like basic building blocks.

An analogy would be between flashy and conservative clothing. Flashy clothing can be more attractive. However, the attractiveness of the flashy clothing often remains associated with the clothing, while the good impression made by conservative clothing is more likely to be associated with the wearer, since the clothes themselves are soon forgotten. Conservative clothes can be worn many times, and there is little concern when another person wears the same conservative clothes. No so with flashy clothes. No one in a flashy outfit likes to see another in the same flashy outfit.

I imagine that it is easier to get away with using a Yamaha-type style several times in a gig than it would be to use a Solton style several times in a gig. On the other hand, most of us would want the choice between flashy and conservatives styles to be ours, rather than reserved for the manufacturers.

[This message has been edited by Clif Anderson (edited 10-22-2000).]