@@Ottophil If Soldano offered a 1 or 5 watt tube version of the SLO I would buy it. There are 2 problems with the SLO 100 that preclude me from being in the market for one. 1. Price 2. To loud for home use. If I was a gigging musician that would be another story but I'm merely a hobbyist.
That micro soldano has blown me away. The bigger brother has just a tad fuller sound. But its really not that big of a deal considering the price difference.
Yes, you can hear a difference, but honestly for over 3 grand less in price, that Mini SLO is an absolute steal. And I bet they’d sound even closer if you took the fx send from the Mini and put it through the fx return of the SLO-100, or any other tube amp so it’s getting some tube goodness instead of solid state power section to round out the sound a little bit. I want one!
Considering most booteek dirt boxes are $200 a pop, I think $250 is a great value for that little head. Even if it is a bit toyish compared to its big brother, which requires taking out a second mortgage and makes you deaf before you get to 9 o’clock on the dial.
Man the Soldano's sound awesome. That Mini is freakin killer. Would be an awesome practice shred amp! But the SLO100 would be amazing also. I have a friend who has the original. Played it. KILLER!
Sweetwater is the absolute BEST in customer service and follow-up! Great Company! Lastly - DAYUUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I may partake in one of those SLO mini's! Great fun Uncle Ben!
The Mini is pretty impressive but it just doesn't have the girth in the midrange and lowend of the SLO. It's quite apparent listening on good headphones. And the topend of the Mini is more buzzy/sizzly.
The mini/micro has that solid state fizz at the top, but it's not even near as annoying as other (and especially older) solid states. I think the fizz can be 'toned' down a bit (pun intended) and have a recordable sound. Appreciate the comparison, gents!
I have the Mini-SLO and it is totally gig-able. I took it to rehearsal and had the master at between 5 & 6 through a 2x12 and no one had any issues hearing it.
I keep fantasising about a Lee Jackson / Metaltronix micro head. One can but dream... Great video guys and the tones on display are absolutely ripping.
@@lowqualityguitarvideos sure it is, but money is tight right now. Doesn't mean I'm not gonna get a jca50h just would get a mini 30 before that. Can't find any jcas right now other than the 20s.
These are all manufactured at the same shop (Boutique Amplification Distribution) including the Friedman mini, Soldano Micro and the Diezel and the Bogner. They are all rated at 30 watts and cost the same $249.
The slo100 at 1 on the master volume is mostly preamp distortion, very fizzy. You have to turn it up to 5 to get the magical sound. I have an original slo100 and with it at 5 you get the massive low end punch that you can’t get at the lower volumes. It’s tough find a venue to use it in, though. But if you’re lucky to get to play in a larger venue, it is glorious!
That's pretty cool sounding. The Mini is hairier and fizzier, the SLO has more girth and complexity. But for $250 you can't miss. Carry it as a backup,
No amp can come close to the sound and versatility of an SLO100. Having said that if you want an amp that sounds similar, in high gain mode, the little brother does the job and does it extremely well. The comparisons between a beast and everything else are not fair. Good work and good video to introduce the little soldier. Congrats and Thanks for sharing with us. WARNING: if you ever try the beast you may be hooked… rather you’ll be hooked. Imo.
I recently bought a second hand Jet City Amplification JCA22H for about 290 USD. A great amp to check out for anyone whos looking for the Soldano tone on a budget.
I can hear a difference. I don't know that for $3750, a scrub player like myself needs the sl 100. A boy can dream though. For $250 I could irritate the neighbors just fine with slo micro and I could rep a soldano sticker on my whip guilt free!
BLACK SHUCK FTW!!! I think that sums up my thoughts on these amps and picking one... that dog don't give a... I'll take either or both! In the 80s you could get a Peavey BackStage Plus for about $200, a little larger than the Rage!
12:56 Is that Cadaverous Mastication by Meshuggah? Sounds eerily similar. Also awesome amp and video, I just bought an SLO 30 Mini thanks to y’all, and it sounds amazing paired with a MESA 2x12 with Vintage 30s. It’s a ton louder than I expected.
Great video guys, I have a hot rod 50 that I love, I might get the little chap to put next to it. Does that Marshall in the background have a tear in it's eye?
Mini sounds like it has a blanket over it compared to the 100. I wonder if you put a BBE Sonic Maximizer on the mini would it solve that problem. Just might. Usable clean channel and an fx loop is the only thing missing on the micro.
@@BenEller I completely spaced on that, having watched the prior reviews, so yeah, a usable clean channel would have been all this needs and you could put any pedal on it.
Huge difference in sound, but as a back up amp it's perfect. I mean the SLO mini doesn't sound bad, the SLO100 is just that much better. It has an airy sound and a texture that's unbeatable. But...it's also really expensive.
@K2347 to each their own. I can hear a clarity of notes and a certain amount of air and texture that the SLO100 has that just doesn't exist in the SLO mini. One just sound 3d and the other one sounds flat. With overdrive though they both have a nice sound, but quite different from each other. And no, it's never 4K worth more. I own a Marshall JCM900 which I bought for about the same price as the SLO mini. It sounds great and doesn't leave me wanting for a SLO100.
Thanks so much guys - I am guessing you recorded with room mics only here? Which is SO USEFUL for these kinds of comparisons, especially for gear that you can gig with. That micro is indeed insane but it must be said I am hearing just a bit of fizziness and a bit of reduced bottom end. BUT STILL SOUNDS GREAT! That's just my observation of a totally unfair direct comparison to the Big Daddy. Bottom line: both are gloriously brutal and 100% useable. @Ben: thanks for those bits of Lynch Mob at the start. lol....And ya forgot to mention Mr. Scary as a longtime Soldano user. XD
Well, considering the price difference I'd definitely go with the mini 🤣🤣 You're absolutely right, the Soldano SLO100 has a very well deserved reputation - but its tiny sibling does that justice!! 🤘
Both are great, SLO-100 sounds way better but I just can’t afford that 😅 plus I’m not gigging any more so there’s that… M-Audio interface and Helix Native will continue to be my rig 😎
I’m sure somebody is going to think I’m satanic for saying this but I own a Fractal Axe FX III and there is absolutely no comparison. To be fair, the Fractal is about half of the money and can do 1000 things pretty amazingly … The Soldano does half a dozen things and does them better than almost all the other amps so it’s not really fair.
@@indivisibleman I agree. I love my AXE-FX III Turbo and get so many amazing tones thru CLR frfrs but my SLO 100 thru a 4x12 with Scumbacks is my favorite amp and in a world of it’s own and the AXE version does not compare. I haven’t tried the Axe SLO thru a tube power amp into the 4x12 but I’m sure that would be much closer but the way the actual SLO sounds beats my other tube amps as well.
@@jimmccall8030 the key is to dial it on with your ears not your eyes. Aka don’t assume the exact same setting = the same sound. Your tube amp is more sensitive and changes over time - to things voltage change, caps aging and and tube age. You can get there but you have to listen first. It can help to have a friend turning the knobs while you play and focus on the sounds. I did this with a Marshall I own and got scary close to that amp. Also have the sound level on both as close as you can get them. Fletcher-Munson is a thing.
I get what people are saying that they sound "similar", and the SLO Mini is a cool piece of gear for what it is. That said, the real one sounds SOO much bigger!
I kinda wonder if the effort to make them sound similar involved anything that would make the 100 sound less awesome, eg "they sound exactly the same if you set the awesome knob on the 100 at 8 o'clock."
Interesting demo. 👍 For me personally none of the mini versions of the big original beasts come even close to the richness, clarity and headroom of the tone. It's just marketing towards customers who want " the emblem " for less $. There are a few 40 watt tube amps for under $900 that sound perfect with an attenuator or built-in master volume for home / small studio playing.
The 100 obviously has a bit more headroom and sounds more organic, but idk something about the solid state mini sounds tighter and punchier to me… I agree with you two
To put the price difference in perspective. The micro Soldano is cheaper than what the sales tax would be on Soldano 100 in most states. 😂😂😂
Hahahahaha wow
Yeah it's basically a distortion pedal with an amp attached to it lol.
@@HazardousSmoker lunchbox amps in a nutshell. I blame computers for replacing real amps but thats like comparing Apples to Oranges /humor
@@Ottophil If Soldano offered a 1 or 5 watt tube version of the SLO I would buy it. There are 2 problems with the SLO 100 that preclude me from being in the market for one.
1. Price
2. To loud for home use.
If I was a gigging musician that would be another story but I'm merely a hobbyist.
Lol 😂 good point!
This was so much fun!
You’re so much fun!
@@BenEller #Bromance!
The mini actually does crunch really well. Its when you get into the higher gain stuff you really see the 100 shine.
Yup, SLO Mini definitely giggable, done did it
Yes, me too, with Ecstasy Mini, and I was asked to turn down. I had volume on 4.
My jaw dropped when you unleashed the SLO mini.
I love watching both of these guys, and I love watching them interact together. It's like the American version of That Pedal Show.
Yup
That micro soldano has blown me away. The bigger brother has just a tad fuller sound. But its really not that big of a deal considering the price difference.
Plus it sounds sick at low volumes
And the sd1 filled it out nicely!
Not just a tad imo, it's a pretty big difference
Sweet water owes you guys at least 1 commission for this one! Can't believe how good that sounds for a solid state at that price.
The size difference between Fluff and Ben is a perfect fit for the size difference in the amps.
I really like these guys doing vids together.
Me too :) thanks!
Yes, you can hear a difference, but honestly for over 3 grand less in price, that Mini SLO is an absolute steal. And I bet they’d sound even closer if you took the fx send from the Mini and put it through the fx return of the SLO-100, or any other tube amp so it’s getting some tube goodness instead of solid state power section to round out the sound a little bit. I want one!
Ahh I'd love to hear that comparison
SLO 100 sounds more open, but my god, their both fantastic, love Soldano,got the x88r in my rack!
Definitely here for all the Bryan and Glenn content.
Considering most booteek dirt boxes are $200 a pop, I think $250 is a great value for that little head. Even if it is a bit toyish compared to its big brother, which requires taking out a second mortgage and makes you deaf before you get to 9 o’clock on the dial.
Fun stuff as always Uncle Ben. Love the Sweetwater! Gale
I bought the mini the instant it was released. I always wanted an SLO30, but the mini does just fine for 1/10th of the price. Killer amp!
Man the Soldano's sound awesome. That Mini is freakin killer. Would be an awesome practice shred amp! But the SLO100 would be amazing also. I have a friend who has the original. Played it. KILLER!
Sweetwater is the absolute BEST in customer service and follow-up! Great Company! Lastly - DAYUUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I may partake in one of those SLO mini's! Great fun Uncle Ben!
You guys make a great team .Love both these Soldano's
The Mini is pretty impressive but it just doesn't have the girth in the midrange and lowend of the SLO. It's quite apparent listening on good headphones. And the topend of the Mini is more buzzy/sizzly.
Sure but $3K cheaper...
The mini/micro has that solid state fizz at the top, but it's not even near as annoying as other (and especially older) solid states. I think the fizz can be 'toned' down a bit (pun intended) and have a recordable sound. Appreciate the comparison, gents!
The hiss of the 100 was some serious white noise during the vid. It was rad.
Dude we had those amps SO LOUD… the 100 was barely even on. Those amps are unreal loud.
Thank you for sharing this Uncle Ben!
I love you even more for using The Darkness riffs :D
I have the Mini-SLO and it is totally gig-able. I took it to rehearsal and had the master at between 5 & 6 through a 2x12 and no one had any issues hearing it.
I keep fantasising about a Lee Jackson / Metaltronix micro head. One can but dream... Great video guys and the tones on display are absolutely ripping.
Oh man!! That would be amazing!
The original Metaltronix M-1000 is my #1 dream amplifier!
The m-1000 is the one you guys are referring too? Doesn't look to micro lol. Unless I just can't find it
I'm really excited for this. I've wanted a Jet City 50 but jeez you can't beat this for 250 bucks. The fact it's got an fx loop too is amazing
Jet city 50 is a way better buy than this little thing, IMO
@@lowqualityguitarvideos sure it is, but money is tight right now. Doesn't mean I'm not gonna get a jca50h just would get a mini 30 before that. Can't find any jcas right now other than the 20s.
Now we need a mini amp shootout with the Friedman, and Bogner.
do one yourself. "we " dont need shit
These are all manufactured at the same shop (Boutique Amplification Distribution) including the Friedman mini, Soldano Micro and the Diezel and the Bogner. They are all rated at 30 watts and cost the same $249.
This is great! Thanks, fellas!
A good and informative side-by-side comparison, thank you for the video.
Micro seemed a touch more compressed, but very close. Now add the neural DSP plugin and a,b,c them!
I see a Benny notification, I click.
Same here!
The slo100 at 1 on the master volume is mostly preamp distortion, very fizzy. You have to turn it up to 5 to get the magical sound. I have an original slo100 and with it at 5 you get the massive low end punch that you can’t get at the lower volumes. It’s tough find a venue to use it in, though. But if you’re lucky to get to play in a larger venue, it is glorious!
just got back from the strokes gig tonight and Ben's uploaded?? sheeeeeit
That's pretty cool sounding. The Mini is hairier and fizzier, the SLO has more girth and complexity. But for $250 you can't miss. Carry it as a backup,
Awesome demo and thank yous for sharing your video 💙💙🔥🔥👍👍
The big soldano has that 2-3k bite, whilst the micro has that airy quality, and a “flatter” top end, imo.
No amp can come close to the sound and versatility of an SLO100. Having said that if you want an amp that sounds similar, in high gain mode, the little brother does the job and does it extremely well. The comparisons between a beast and everything else are not fair. Good work and good video to introduce the little soldier. Congrats and Thanks for sharing with us.
WARNING: if you ever try the beast you may be hooked… rather you’ll be hooked. Imo.
I recently bought a second hand Jet City Amplification JCA22H for about 290 USD. A great amp to check out for anyone whos looking for the Soldano tone on a budget.
Awesome been waiting for these videos to drop with fluff fukkiinn sikkk.. the micro is nice for sure thanks for the breakdowns guys
I liked the big boy soldano on the high gain sound. Liked the smaller one for the crunch actually
I can't be the only one who prefers mini in crunch mode with sd1 😋
Taking the 'send' of the micro through your favourite IR - (or valve power amp and cab) is pretty cool. Its a great little amp.
Ben, saw ya on Sean Daniel's channel. LOVE IT!
A lot of talent in this vid. You guys get it done!
I can hear a difference. I don't know that for $3750, a scrub player like myself needs the sl 100. A boy can dream though.
For $250 I could irritate the neighbors just fine with slo micro and I could rep a soldano sticker on my whip guilt free!
First amp for me was a Roland cube 60 with built in chorus. It was loud enough to use with a drummer. Forgot what I paid for it. 1985 was a while ago.
that micro is da bomb🏴☠...nice and bright
Thanks for playing that Meshuggah riff Uncle Ben! Sounds most Killer duders!
The best part about very loud tube amps
Is the hissssssssssssssssss
The mini has a sizzle and the 100 has a growl. Both sound great. I have the mini
Great practice rehearsal and small gig amp! The bogner mini is fantastic too!
BLACK SHUCK FTW!!! I think that sums up my thoughts on these amps and picking one... that dog don't give a... I'll take either or both! In the 80s you could get a Peavey BackStage Plus for about $200, a little larger than the Rage!
That 100 sounds amazing.
12:56 Is that Cadaverous Mastication by Meshuggah? Sounds eerily similar. Also awesome amp and video, I just bought an SLO 30 Mini thanks to y’all, and it sounds amazing paired with a MESA 2x12 with Vintage 30s. It’s a ton louder than I expected.
Haha it is!!! I was hoping someone would catch that!
Great video guys, I have a hot rod 50 that I love, I might get the little chap to put next to it. Does that Marshall in the background have a tear in it's eye?
Decided ...just starting saving for the SLO100 :-) tones are so different and the real thing is certainly better .
Always placed Soldano as a top tier tone machine. Really appeals to my ear.
Mini sounds like it has a blanket over it compared to the 100. I wonder if you put a BBE Sonic Maximizer on the mini would it solve that problem. Just might. Usable clean channel and an fx loop is the only thing missing on the micro.
It has an FX loop!
@@BenEller I completely spaced on that, having watched the prior reviews, so yeah, a usable clean channel would have been all this needs and you could put any pedal on it.
That might be one of the best SS amps on the market
Huge difference in sound, but as a back up amp it's perfect.
I mean the SLO mini doesn't sound bad, the SLO100 is just that much better. It has an airy sound and a texture that's unbeatable. But...it's also really expensive.
@K2347 to each their own. I can hear a clarity of notes and a certain amount of air and texture that the SLO100 has that just doesn't exist in the SLO mini. One just sound 3d and the other one sounds flat.
With overdrive though they both have a nice sound, but quite different from each other.
And no, it's never 4K worth more. I own a Marshall JCM900 which I bought for about the same price as the SLO mini. It sounds great and doesn't leave me wanting for a SLO100.
Micro battle, Soldano or Freidman? What's Uncle Ben's choice?
High on fire!
Absolutely awesome 💙💙💙👍👍👍
The facts that I can practice and gig with the minis is crazy I jus used my deizel on my 412 cab and it was plenty loud
Great vid, looks like a fantastic little amp!!
Thanks so much guys - I am guessing you recorded with room mics only here? Which is SO USEFUL for these kinds of comparisons, especially for gear that you can gig with. That micro is indeed insane but it must be said I am hearing just a bit of fizziness and a bit of reduced bottom end. BUT STILL SOUNDS GREAT! That's just my observation of a totally unfair direct comparison to the Big Daddy.
Bottom line: both are gloriously brutal and 100% useable.
@Ben: thanks for those bits of Lynch Mob at the start. lol....And ya forgot to mention Mr. Scary as a longtime Soldano user. XD
They were mic’d with SD545s! And listen again, that’s Loverboy, not Lynch, hahaha ;)
@@BenEller Really??? lolz, i could swear i heard some Lynch Mob riffage! hahaha nice! Loverboy kicked ass as well :D
Well, considering the price difference I'd definitely go with the mini 🤣🤣
You're absolutely right, the Soldano SLO100 has a very well deserved reputation - but its tiny sibling does that justice!! 🤘
Just seconds in and you snuck in some Loverboy, automatic thumbs up
Great comparison video! I think it should be noted that the sound in the room is perhaps quite different from the sound that is miced.
What might you recommend playing it through? How bout the monotone slamming 1/12 slant cab ? 🤓
Both are great, SLO-100 sounds way better but I just can’t afford that 😅 plus I’m not gigging any more so there’s that… M-Audio interface and Helix Native will continue to be my rig 😎
Great video brothers.
Ok; so quick question... Friedman Mini or Soldano Mini? Which do you like the best?
You two are amazing!
Could you do a comparison to the Fractal SLO100 as well? It would be enlightening to see where digital is seating nowadays
I’m sure somebody is going to think I’m satanic for saying this but I own a Fractal Axe FX III and there is absolutely no comparison.
To be fair, the Fractal is about half of the money and can do 1000 things pretty amazingly … The Soldano does half a dozen things and does them better than almost all the other amps so it’s not really fair.
@@indivisibleman I agree. I love my AXE-FX III Turbo and get so many amazing tones thru CLR frfrs but my SLO 100 thru a 4x12 with Scumbacks is my favorite amp and in a world of it’s own and the AXE version does not compare.
I haven’t tried the Axe SLO thru a tube power amp into the 4x12 but I’m sure that would be much closer but the way the actual SLO sounds beats my other tube amps as well.
Skip the IR variable and thru the same real 4x12 cab you would not be able to tell them apart in a blind test.
@@PaulLembo I’m sure Cliff Chase would agree with you. I’ll try that this weekend and mic the 4x12
@@jimmccall8030 the key is to dial it on with your ears not your eyes. Aka don’t assume the exact same setting = the same sound. Your tube amp is more sensitive and changes over time - to things voltage change, caps aging and and tube age. You can get there but you have to listen first.
It can help to have a friend turning the knobs while you play and focus on the sounds.
I did this with a Marshall I own and got scary close to that amp.
Also have the sound level on both as close as you can get them. Fletcher-Munson is a thing.
I get what people are saying that they sound "similar", and the SLO Mini is a cool piece of gear for what it is. That said, the real one sounds SOO much bigger!
The original Soldano 100 is the best amp I've ever played through. This video looks like it was shot in the back room of a 1970's gas station lol.
Even has the guitar amp porn plot 😂🤣😆
I want a few
Considering that one is hundreds of dollars & one is 4000 dollars that mini is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!
I'd go for the SLO-pedal instead of the Mini. I have one and that with valve boost pedal it's almoust better than the real thing if not.
Ohgreat! now I believe I need a soIdano as a foil for my Two Roc.
HA! Close!
Sean Daniel
424K subscribers
Ben Eller
427K subscribers
The race IS ON
@@BenEller 🤣
I love mine!!
What is the finish color and year of that les paul? Is it gibson usa or gibson custom shop
Did Uncle Ben just quote Loverboy’s “Everybody’s Working for the Weekend” at the beginning?!? 🤣
I knew it! 😁
Hahahaha
Would it be possible to use the mini as just a preamp into a larger amp/power amp?
Hmmm not sure
Should work with the fx loop send into the return of the other amp
nice comparison. I think it should have been the SLO 30 vs the mini though. lol
It’s weird the micro sounds more open and the 100 sounds boxy
Do you know what's more versatile? An FM3 and it costs waaaaay less
I kinda wonder if the effort to make them sound similar involved anything that would make the 100 sound less awesome, eg "they sound exactly the same if you set the awesome knob on the 100 at 8 o'clock."
Naaaaah EQ at noon on a 100 is the gateway to good.
Interesting demo. 👍
For me personally none of the mini versions of the big original beasts come even close to the richness, clarity and headroom of the tone. It's just marketing towards customers who want " the emblem " for less $. There are a few 40 watt tube amps for under $900 that sound perfect with an attenuator or built-in master volume for home / small studio playing.
Beautiful Les Paul !!
If I wanted learn how play guitar what course do you recommend
I'll name a amp Mesa boogie. Noting like Mesa noting. But they ain't bad if your going for acdc sound .
Night and day.
Impressive 😲😳👍🙂
I like the mini better, what's wrong with me
I asked myself the same question. I feel like an alien for liking solid state so much
In person it really sounds SO GOOD!!!
The 100 obviously has a bit more headroom and sounds more organic, but idk something about the solid state mini sounds tighter and punchier to me… I agree with you two
@@patrickbateman7769 wanna hang out and listen to Huey Lewis and the News?
@@KaldDodeGitarist their early work was a little too new wave for me but sure, just lemme put my axe away first
Giving me mid 2000s amp demo vibes
I miss these days tbh
I mean...I'm listening on a cellphone...but I can hear a TOUCH of fizzyness in the micro...but other than that I hear zero difference