My Next Amp? Soldano SLO-30 Review
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- I decided to try out a new amp to fill the 'high gain' spot in my collection and thought I'd film the process and share it with you!
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Cheers,
Jack
Best demo of this amp on RUclips. Finally a great player who shows the versatility of this amp instead of doing nonsense chugga chugga the whole time. Well done!
Jack, please do a video on your musical background and the artists that you listen to on a daily basis, I am always amazed by your playing, phrasing, groove etc etc etc. Everything is super inspiring.
I would love to know what your influences are and what do you actually sit down and practice on a daily basis.
They way you play and phrase things up, its awe inspiring to me. Please let us in on your process.
Soldano sounds as amazing as ever.
Thank you, very kind!
My favorite amplifier. Has all the tone and features of the 100 watt, and is plenty loud enough. It's just got that clarity, and that mid-focused punch. It's basically mix ready. My favorite thing on it is the normal channel with the crunch setting. That's just about one of the best breakup tones in the world.
Crunch channel and a 2x10 closed back cab is my favorite way to use it. It’s like a less saggy ‘59 Bassman.
Never played the 100 but I love my 30. Somebody told me the 100 is one of the loudest amps ever, so I think the 30 is more than enough 😅 It’s super loud, no problems with drummers, it has a nice bottom end, even for metal and it sounds fantastic. Not to forget the light weight.
Any 100 watt amp is "one of the loudest amps ever"...whoever told you that isn't really that profound
@@zafira976 not all 100s are the same
like a plexi in reality is closer to 200 watts but is listed as 10/ watts
There's a crazy dentist near me who gigs with a Soldano SLO-100 with the MV on 6. Actually sounds great, to be honest.
I played an SLO100 at a guitar show years ago. I was pleasantly surprised that the volume just kept increasing after 12 o clock, rather than turning to mush. My ears (and the security) gave up before 10 😂.
Amazing amp.
@@Diax1324Mike Houser (RIP), original guitarist for Widespread Panic, was the Soldano wizard...he dimed the master clean and the master OD was at 3:00. then he tweaked the pre's. No one had better tone than him
This amp is glorious in all its spender! Using it in the studio and we sold 3 EVH that were 6l6 and el34 and i sold my soldano hotrod 50+, this amp does it all! Metal, rock, jazz and clean...
The clean and crunch channels are worth the price of admission alone.
I was sorry to hear of your leaving Peach and from watching the video it seems amicable (I won't speculate) but I do hope you get the time to produce some video's here and let your fans know what you are doing. Cheers and Good Luck!
This is the only demo that actually had me impressed with all the hype. My God.
LOVE that you include room mics and even a segment of only hearing that. I always feel like the "feel" of an amp translates much more clearly through the room sound than anything else. Great demo!
Good to see you posting on this channel again. I’ve missed the videos of you just playing and having an open discussion about guitar and music. The slo is such an iconic sound. Tried a 100 last year and was blown away. I ended up getting a Friedman twin sister because it fit my needs better at the time and was easier on the bank account. I just recently got the neural dsp slo plug-in and it’s rekindled my need for a real one. I was looking at the 30’s and they seem great, easier to handle, and a little more affordable but for me I know if I got the 30 I’d always be thinking if I was missing out on anything “magical” about the 100, so for now I’ll enjoy the plug-in version and continue to dream of the 100 until I can get one. Love the channel and your playing. I hope you start posting here more often again.
Thanks James - enjoy your Friedman, that’s a sensational amp 👍
I am in the exact same position. Get the 30 and probably regret not getting the 100. Get the 100 and never use it to its potential. I don't have the need for 100 watts, it is over 4k here and too big.
Maybe buy the 30 and flip it later for a 100?
@@svarthelikoptern Get a Suhr Reactive load. You will use the 100 to its full potential
Glad to have you back here.
What a beast of an amp. Pity it’s so damn expensive.
I agree with the comments below. This is the best review for this amp on RUclips. Why some guys crank the distortion only to do open G chords is dumb. You hit all the right points, well the ones I needed to hear at least. I liked how you demonstrated how it takes pedals. You've made up my mind. The SLO 30 is going to be my next amp. Cheers, dude.
☝️⬆️⬆️
Thanks for commenting
You've won a(Flying Guitar) 🎸 inbox right away to claim.
The joy of the AH squeal with a phat LP and Soldano 20:23 - priceless! :)
I absolutely love Soldanos. I prefer the 30 watt to the hundred if only because I prefer lower wattage amps anyway. I'd love it if they made this in combo form, especially with an EV. Yeah, I know it would be heavier than a dump truck and EV doesn't make guitar amp speakers anymore, but I can wish, right? They have way more gain than I'd need in a billion years. I liked how this amp sounds with the gain at 3 to 5. It already sounds like the ultimate modded plexi.
really nice seeing a new vid right after I started watching your channel :)
Made my day. Looking at the slo30 as next amp as well (love my friedmans, especially the smallbox - and the slo would be a fantastic addition). Most comprehensive review i have seen of it , kudos for showing crunch channel with pedals to get classic rock tone,exactly what i was looking for to check. Huge fan of your playing, channel and reviews at Peach, Jack. Thanks so much & keep these great videos coming!
Thanks Jorge - the crunch channel is hugely underrated on these!
Your playing is phenomenal! SLO 30 is my next amp.
That’s awesome that you did the room mic as well, I feel like it gives it more of an actual representation of it’s sound.
I bought my SLO 30 shortly after my local guitar store got one in. The sales guy was ringing me up and says that the other guy at the counter was going to be bummed now seeing that amp leave the store! I love mine, it's got that tone and feel I enjoy!! Sometimes I run it in stereo with my ZWreck Jr, and they compliment each other well.
This is the best amp review of the SLO 30. I bought this amp and everything said here is 100%. My only complaint is the clean (not crunch) channel volume drop. Its not usable for live settings. But the crunch channel is not talked about enough. It truly is everything I've ever wanted. Back off the guitar volume and play clean and pretty, turn the guitar up and its got the sustain and distortion needed. This amp isn't cheap and shouldn't be confused with that non tube Micro that I feel is a mistake. Buy this and you wont regret it. I think this is my last amp. Its that good. Jack only uses one guitar here but this sounds killer on my Telles, Jaguar, Reverend, SG. Strat.. Its sweet.
Good to see you back Jack !
& hello from Tony down here in Aus. 👍
What a fantastic demo, well played Jack. The Badger is my favourite amp and was thinking of an SLO30 as a backup but, as youve demonstrated, they feel different. Great demo again!
Perfect timing of the video. I’ve just recently purchased the SLO 30. I also watched your recent video on the Duellist and wondered what it would sound like on the normal channel. Looks like The Duellist is my next purchase as that sounded fantastic.
Great video , Thanks.
Thanks David - you’ll love the Duellist!
The Duellist is the best pedal I’ve ever played
Thanks chaps. I've finally sourced a Duellist and it's brilliant. Just what I needed for the normal channel on the Slo 30 as well.
Since I've watched you on Peach channel I wanted to know more about you as a player. Glad to know you also have a channel. I'm so interested on this amp, I love the Marshall sound character, but i cant get along with Marshall amps, so this might be the perfect amp for me. You have one more sub!
Looking forward to your more in depth explanation / opinion of the KHE amp and cab switcher. It’s great to combine it with a Fryette Power Station, and using the Fryette effects loop to easily use the same pedals with a range of amps.
Great review jack; you are my favourite reviewer. I know you have played through an SLO 100 so you know how loud they are. I live on an isolated Welsh farm and I could rarely get mine above 3 on the master before locals could hear me. My favourite all time high gain head. The clean channel has an enormous ammount of headroom like a 100watt Hiwatt.
This amp is EVIL :) Awesome playing man
Finally a solid demo of this amp! I’m totally with you, this has its own vibe and I think the 100 watt has the head room to really bring out the subtle differences
So glad you have your own channel! Just ordered a SLO 30. Really excited to get some of these exact tones you are getting. Maybe one day I will play somewhat close to you but doubt it. You have true talent!
WOW! The clean overdriving sounds REALLY good.
One of the best players out there! What tones man!!
This was an excellent video Jack! Missed these videos a hell of a lot, just watching you enjoying yourself in your own environment and gracing us with your knowledge!! Thanks for the video Jack!!
Killer tone indeed ! You're right about that midrange quality that differs from the typical "V shaped" highgain sound
I have the 30 and it is great for what it goes! I have a buddy and he has had 100's multiple times, he recently got another 100 and he got a 30. Kept the 30 and moved the 100. You set your very similar to the way I set mine. I might set my overdrive down just a touch closer to 9 o'clock. Anyways enjoy the amp whether you get the 100 or stay with the 30 :)
Just got the SLO-100. thirty watts just didn't do it on the clean channel. whole different game 100 watts especially for delay in the new loop & pedals on the crunch channel. amazing
Damn Jack that sounds good. Aggressive but not choked very open and clear. Get the 100 watt more headroom and its got to be more percussive than the 30
I can't speak for the 100, but for the 30, this amp sits best (if you're after that killer tight, razor-sharp class rock/metal sound) is on the Crunch channel, with the Normal dimed, and the Overdrive between 2-4. There's a guy by the name of cragginshred who's got this amp dialed in at a spectacular level...here's his link so you can see just how good this amp (and his SLO 100) can sound: Soldano SLO 30 with Greenbacks - RUclips But, I also agree with Jack. Wattage with ANY amp makes a BIG difference. Marshal and Orange both had 200 watt amps out at one time, the Marshall Major, and Orange Thunderverb (I belive) and they sounded beyond amazing. It's the tone you hear in your head, if you're buying an amp like a Soldano. But, you can't tame a 200watt amp. The thing about this amp is that, it blows away (IMO) any other 30 (20-40 watt) amp on the market. Absolutely nothing sounds like this. So, while the most definitely sounds better, nothing at the 30 watt level sounds this good (again....IMO). Great review!...thank you for sharing.
It sounds sooo good man! Great playing as always.
Nicely done. I agree with you on almost everything. I think the demo was a success. You brought out many shades of tone with and without the pedals. Different setup and equipment than I use. Food for thought on the additional equipment.
One of the best demos I've seen for this amp! All the gain & midrange you could want...but almost $3k?
Thanks for uploading again good to have you back.
Sick demo. This is a dream amp. So juicy and singing.
The best demo of this amp on RUclips 🦚
Just an amazing sound and amazing playing. Great to see you here again.
Ended up here because of the new pedal. Loved the 30's tones in comparison, really digging this as I would not have normally looked at it.
I love the sound you got out of your setup, Jack. It sounds really, really good.
Hey Jack! Great to see a new video from you. I appreciate the effort. I'm sure after making Peach videos your first thought may not be to make new content here, but I alway enjoy them. Amp sounded great!
SD1 in front of the crunch channel & Greenbacks is the greatest tone ever!
Great to see you making videos! Amp sounds killer.
Hey man cool videos , licks riffs and all else I have some VERY burning questions! on all things knaggs kenai or knaggs SCC but especially the steckel models ( closest to a les paul as far as I know because those are full thickness body measurements wise and neck is supposed to be like a 1959 R9" )
and basically any knaggs that is made to be a les paul ish guitar especially with no weight relief and binding on body plus fretboard! You have demoed many of those guitars at peach guitars with excellent video demos and since I know you're a les paul lover it will be really interesting to hear your take coming from home base of les Paul's V The knaggs take on one the kenai the closest being the knaggs steckel which as mentioned takes after the les paul the most atleast I'd say so since the body is full thickness and no cutaway or thinline body style like a reg kenai or Prs mccarty prs 594 which are more cutting and punchy versions of the paul that to me lack the body and balls in the low mids that we all know a les paul has, enter knaggs kenai and steckel T/S model which seems to be the best of both traits I.e big ballsy les paul tone but with PRS esque body design and neck heel making playing especially up higher frets that little bit easier.
Would you say you agree or disagree with that above ? ^
:
^** Thanks in advance for any replies **
:
I've been wanting a les paul killer as the next best thing , no 6k-12k gibson les paul custom shop R8,R9,R0 has spoken to me across 4 long and macquades great guitar but they're 100% pure vintage reproductions , if the Body neck and frets feel OK on one R9 or R0 then the finish isn't what I want too old school and classic looking I want something with a modern edge to it but nothing like a PRS still very much the core les paul sound a full thickness mahog body no weight relief 59 neck shape and a different burst besides the very common and decades old cherry burst or faded cherry, slight tobacco; I could settle for a solid gold top but again either the frets feel too tiny and vintagey or the frets are OK but the pickups are too vintagey and tiny/ weak sounding.
^
You can probably see where this is going either a Gibson custom shop or knaggs steckel custom order will probably be the way to go for me BUT knaggs custom would still get my vote most likely because gibsons custom shops even the 12k Murphy I picked up for fun didn't give me this feeling of a super expensive guitar made under a microscope feeling. Knaggs seem consistent 99% of the time their QC and overall build pricess seems way more customer centered than gibsons custom shop in comparison.
^
Do you think a knaggs steckel built w full thickness les paul specs style in mind at about 8 lbs would basically so the gibson LP thing but in spades made to measure more than any gibson les paul at that point ?
^
The only problem being no try before you buy with knaggs for us ontarians here, only 2 dealers in all of Canada and I think 1 is in BC other is in Quebec or thereabouts.
^
Seems worth it overall to take a shot in the dark with knaggs as much as the resale sucks, if it's killer and blows any of the 100 or so les Paul's I've tried out of the water then I don't think I'd want to sell it down thebroad for something else new and Shiney for 5.5k CAD when the knaggs CS steckel would cost around 8k. If I was a flipper those numbers really suck ass to see, but because I'm looking for a guitar w exactly what I want then I don't think I will even think of selling / trading it.
^
Anyway , I'll leave it there for now maybe you were like me tried dozens or a hundred les Paul's and even if you found 1-5 good ones the style , finish frets or something wasn't right in your gut with it that warranted gibsons CS R9 7k used to 8.5-10k new price tags.
^
Whenever you get a chance I'd be interested tonhear your thoughts. If I had to think of a few players who use this kind of modern les paul approach and why they swapped to knaggs it would easily be eric steckel himself doug Rappaport and Steve stevens - guy has les Paul's that were custom build for him like that steckel but on a Gibson gold top w dark bark but yet what he received from knaggs has made him put down the majority of his Les Paul's for his Knaggs stevens SCC meaning he liked it atleast as much if not more than his dozens of gibsons that he's had for decades. I'd say that's an impressive feat for Joe knaggs and him team.
Cheers from Niagara on the lake Ontario and have a good weekend
Best,
- Adam
🙏🤟
I love the way u compare using 1 chord. We can easily tell the soldano sounds smoother with less harsh mids compared to the badger.
Love everything you do here and on Peach. This thing and your playing sound amazing. However, something I see missing in many amp reviews, was also missing here. That is a brief discussion the foot pedal, if any, it comes with and how many functions it can switch on the amp.
Was just watching a Gary Moore vid yesterday with him getting sweet tones on his Soldano.
Great to see vids here again!
I haven't used an EQ pedal since I got this amp. Honestly, the dept and presence work amazingly well. And yet, you';; always be safe in a hurry with this amp at everything on 5.
Hey Jack, the triple crown is probably more versatile, but the Soldano has that raw, tight, organic OD for hi-gain. Really specialised in this sense, but since you have quite a variety of other amps…
nice content jack! I came here from peach guitars channel though it was not easy to find you lol , I like your playing style ! killer chops killer tone always! we need Q & A session pleaaase or live streaaams ! we need to know more about your inspirations, how you approach the instrument, who do you listen to, what songs did you cover when you were learing, the songs you play when you test intruments are they your compositions or impros etc ....
Welcome! Thanks for the suggestions 👍
Awesome review. Totally agree that you have to push the 30w to get those rich creamy textured sounds pushing the 6L6s constantly will wear them out faster than the SLO 100's 6L6s which would do the same job at half the effort lasting twice if not 3x longer life wise (tube wise). Same reason why I always personally have had 100w Boogies & 100w Marshalls over anything less powerful. It's all about tube life at the end of the day. Tubes aren't cheap and I'd rather get the higher wattage amp that'll do a far better job lasting 3x longer. It's true the SLO 30 is a killer version of it's big brother but Soldano is, was, and still is all about that organic tone that all other amps try to catch up to, so having the SLO 100 is definitely the KING of all tones, untouchable by any other amp. We all know that Randall secretly stole the Soldano recipe and called it his. Soldano still survived after all these years and finally we can order one! The SLO 100 is my next amp.
Great video and awesome sounds and playing Jack 👏
The camera vibrating after the depth was pushed was my favorite part 😆
Hey Jack. Great playing! I’m curious to know if it made it into your collection? I’m debating one now!!
Fantastic playing and great review! Thank you!
Can't wait to hear you play the new Tone King Mark III
Incredible as always, Jack! Have you had a chance to try out the Astro 20 as of yet? If so what are your thoughts compared to the SLO 30?
I have one of these and I live on the clean and crunch channels. The OD channel is great for kicking into a solo - but the gain on the OD channel can be a bit much. I don't go past 3 on the OD either. Anything past 5 can get a little fizzy and flubby. I know you said you were a little more interested in the 100, but the 30 is LOUD. I don't have an attenuator and typically I can't go past 3 on master volume. It really can do any kind of music and sounds amazing doing it. Anyway - thanks for a great review !
Great review Jack. Classic amp.. The Soldano Hot Rod 50 plus will get similar sounds but cheaper secondhand.
i guess that Badger is cathode biased,that alone gives a smoother squishy sound if pushed,also it goes full power very quickly
Goodness me, Jack. You certainly know how to throw a spanner into my amp search. So, which of these three would you rescue from a burning building? Soldano SLO30, Suhr Badger 35, or Friedman Twin Sister?
Thanks for an awesome video.
Damn, sounds glorious
Jack, if one day you decide to create your own online guitar masterclass, I'll be happy to subscribe!
Thanks Ash!
Great review. I had the SLO 100 for years. It was good at low volumes but the magic happened at a level that was just too loud for most gigs. That’s when the power amp starts contributing just enough to make it really special. I tried the Mesa TC (immense flexibility) but found the dirty sounds unpleasant and gritty and returned it after a day. I bought an SLO30 on first release and I have been delighted. It records really well when mic’d at at low volumes and I can get everything from spanky clean to full on overdrive. It’s been fab on the few electric gigs I have done in the last 2 years. The only thing I have always struggled with is the shared EQ between channels for live use. I could really do with a separate tone or at least separate treble for the overdrive channel. However whilst I am recording a lot more than gigging it’s not a problem as I can dial in whatever I want.
Great points Dave - I’ll agree with pretty much everything you’ve said!
This just sounds great!
You may have just sold me. Been looking at this vs the Astro 20.
Jack, you should do a slo 30 vs. Astro 20 comparison. I think it would be educational. Sincerely Lance
Great tones. The SLO30 has become my #1, with the TC50 as my #2. I love both, the TC50 was my first real amp. I am happy to have both, but if I had to give one up, I would be keeping the Soldano. There is a feel and punch there that few amps can match.
@Brad Howe The Mesa is way more woody and tight on the bass than the Soldano, which is what makes it special as its own thing. Whereas the SLO has tons of everything, including bass. I recently started using the Suhr Kokoboost with my SLO to tighten things up a bit and it is tone heaven.
wtf is a TC50
@@Morte_Deus Mesa Boogie Triple Crown 50 watt
I honestly like the distortion from your TC better, but I guess you want something heavier and TC is more vintagey. I can't speak for clean and crunch though, maybe you could do a direct comparison video? Congrats if this your new amp.
Sounds great to me.
If I was actually in a band, rather than just tinkering about in my tiny flat's living room, I'd probably use one of these. I'm actually tempted to buy one and keep it boxed under the bed in case... you know... a miracle happens. My Wampler SLOstortion will have to do for now, which is, via the Line 6 Pod, what led me to Soldano.
Would this be good at bedroom volumes without an attenuator? Thank-you
No diodes in the SLO Preamp :) With 5 preamp-tubes there are 10 gain stages for different purposes, from input to the phase inverter
Hey man!! could u tell me or make a video on : whats inside your mind when u prepare/do the peach guitar videos ? u seem to have an infinite vocabulary :D i'd love to learn from you in that regard
Build a Lukather 80s Soldano stereo rig! I know you would like to! 🙌🙂
My house isn’t big enough!
@@jackgriffithsmusic yet!
There are no clipping diodes in the SLO. The Clean mode inserts additional attenuation between the first and second tube stages to reduce gain, compared to the Crunch mode.
please demo the 100 on your channel. going through the same debate! great video Jack
Great video! I love the fast palm muted riff around 13:40. Where can I find a lesson on how to learn that?
One of my dreams amp. SLO 30 please send me one of them. I want to rock and roll Yeahhh
good demo , nice playing too
I’m interested in one of these as well.I’ve also got a Badger 35 and a Friedman Twin Sister, but I’d like something a bit more high gain. I loved Mick Mars tone on the Motley Crue Circus of Sins DVD and that’s mainly an SLO 100. I just thought the SLO 30 might be more manageable in terms of weight and also volume. But as you say you, if are after a sound that is all about the preamp and not driving those power amp valves is this the amp for that?
Mick Mars’ tone is as thick as wall!
Pretty much my dream amp
To my ears I feel like some the Les Paul characteristics are more apparent through the Badger but no doubt its a great amp.
great demo. les paul + soldano + waza = great signal chain
Hi Jack great Review und great playing as usual ;-) I was wondering whether you use also use amp sims? Have you tried the neural dsp soldano? Regarding cab sim you use the Selektion speaker pro, what makes this your favourite cab sim Setup? Cheers ;-)
Wow, this sounds great. I have a 150W MB Triple Rec and I cannot beat or bribe this great of a sound out of it. Time to sell the Mesa and try this? Bash away, I have a Triple Rec so I am used to abuse. BTW, it was bought new, no mods, it's the 3 channel, early 2000's and running EL34's because I watched a you boob video.
Have a SLO-30, love it. Also have a great attenuator, and think I should have gotten the 100 instead.
Again, great video Jack. Just wondering how this cleans up with the guitar volume on the crunch channel?
This is a great demo. Thx for sharing.
Of all the amps you have to privilege of playing, whats your go-to? And how does the z-master stack up against the z-28-2 and a z wreck? Thx in advance!
Wonderful demo, Jack. What kind of Les Paul are you playing and what pickups are in it? Thanks.
Jack could play a tin can on a string and I would still be mesmerized by his playing. Seeing him play on a curated selection of gear is just icing on the cake!! haha
I would love to see a Soldano build a 2 channel amp with just the great clean and the crunch channel. The crunch channel itself can be bone crushing!!! My best friend had an older lucky 13 and I think he'll be buried with the damn thing!!😉
OMG Yes! I'll take the Crunch channel boosted with a SD1 over the lead channel any day.
That's what the Soldano Reverb-O-Sonic basically was, in a 50w combo guise. Maybe BAD will eventually revive more of Mike's amps, including the ROS?
Although I should say that the clean on the original ROS probably isn't as good as on those newer ones...
Confirmed! The Soldano Soldanos