Topic: looking for new amp

hi im new to this forum.
im looking at buying a new amp the two ive being looking at are the soldano hot rod 50+. or the mesa lonestar. i now the soldano will alot more expinsive but would it be worth the extra

any suggestions will be great thanks.

Re: looking for new amp

gttele,

    Those 2 amps are both really nice. But, they have completely different personalities. So, I'd ask what types of Tones you're after?

    Something really overdriven? Or, something more Clean?

    The LoneStar is Mesa's "Fendery" type Amp. Listen to the clean Tones of Andy Timmons. He uses a LS for his Cleans, nowadays.

    The Soldano is more in the "Marshall" vein. Like a hot-rodded/modded Marshall.

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Re: looking for new amp

hey sorry didnt put alot of info down
im more into the warren haynes, joe bonamassa style. but also like to do a bit of jazz funk style like matt schofield and john schofield .

hope that clears things up.

Re: looking for new amp

Personally, I'd say the Lone Star is a more versatile Amp.

    Warren for instance, plays an SLO on the Clean Channel. And the LS has really good Cleans. Plus, the HR50 isn't the SLO. It's a different Amp.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner

Re: looking for new amp

If you're talking cost, I've seen used Soldano Hot Rod 50+'s going for between $800-$1000.  If you can find a Lonestar Classic for $800 I would jump on it in a second!  The LSC typically goes for around $1200 used.  Both are great amps but I'd have to agree with the above.  I think the Lonestar would cover a lot more ground.  It also has the bonus of a really nice reverb, power switching to match your gigging/practicing needs, and probably a better clean channel.  The LSC can get into Marshall territory with EL34s however.  I believe Ben aka GotMule swore by his EL34 Lonestar before he got his 2555 Jubilee.  I'd get the Mesa, a Tubescreamer, and some delay.

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Re: looking for new amp

hey thanks for the advice guys really helpfull.

think ill go with the mesa and ill be sure to check out the lsc.

Re: looking for new amp

the lonestar is very nice.  i have a 2004.  the nice thing is that pretty much any drive works on the clean channel.  i use a tim.  so you have the boogie lead side, & even greater versatlity on the clean side.  it is 2 amps in 1.  & then there's the fun of cabinets.  the 1 or 2x12 is voiced very good.  or look to an extension cab.  blend it with the combo or go with a head.  it all dials in nice  cool

Re: looking for new amp

The Hot Rod 50 is the SLO's overdrive circuit.  And I am pretty sure Warren Haynes uses the lead channel on the SLO for most of his lead work. But maybe I am wrong, I thought I read that in an interview. 

Your not going to sound bad thru either amp.  Unless you really play bad.

Re: looking for new amp

don't forget warren has the bass mod on his slo.  i'm not sure if that mod can be done on any of the other models.  cool

Re: looking for new amp

Warren has a treble switch that cuts some high frequencies.

Re: looking for new amp

I really think the Lone Star would be a more flexible amp for you, than the HR50.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner

12

Re: looking for new amp

i agree.  the hr 50 i think does one thing good, the lonestar can do many things tonewise--except metal--unless you get a pedal that goes there.  you get more for your money with the lonestar cool

Re: looking for new amp

i think i would go with the lonestar.  andy timmons does use it for his cleans but also uses it with manhy of his distorted sounds as well.  great sounding amp.