• Registered: 2008-06-17
  • Posts: 9

Topic: Opinions of Soldano amps

I have a chance to get a Soldano SL60 (Super Lead Series 2). Does anyone have experience with this head or anything similar? I am a big fan of Joe's thick guitar tone and I have an '81 Marshall 2204 to pair up with it. What do you think?

2 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-07-08 16:01:59)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Opinions of Soldano amps

I played a couple Soldanos from the 90's.... I loved the way they sounded, but they didn't have ANY channel switching. That was my only beef. Oh yeah- and the 50 watt head was REALLY loud. So yeah I liked it.

neverboughtonethough

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2008-03-28
  • Posts: 263

Re: Opinions of Soldano amps

My understanding is there were not many of those made. 

   I've toyed with one before and what got my attention was it could get plenty loud if you wanted, but you can get great tone and drive without having to crank it up full blast.  Not sure it would work well if you are looking for real clean sounds.  This was made to be cranked.  Since this is a one channel amp, I would A/B it with your 2204 or even have it modded so you can switch between the hi gain/lo gain inputs. 

  I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I ever came across one.

Don't play leapfrog with a unicorn
  • Registered: 2008-07-05
  • Posts: 85

Re: Opinions of Soldano amps

If I'm not mistaken the SL60 was actually built in Japan for Soldano, and is the Japanese version of the HR50  I had a chance to play one that was next to an SLO for comparison and it was really no contest - the SLO killed it.  Same person had a Hot Rod 50 that I prefered over the SL60 even though they were supposed to be near identical amps.  May have been tubes.

If combining amps for flavor is your goal my suggestion would be to look for something that will be different and compliment your Marshall.  If you didn't already own the Marshall I would say its a safe bet.  The SL60 is pretty Marshall-y sounding.

Your other option is to look into the Budda stuff, they are voiced much different than the Soldano's

In the end, try and get ahold of it and let your ears decide - it may work perfect for your needs.  There aren't many available and if you get a good deal on it you won't lose any $$$ if/when you decide to sell it.

Steve E

  • Registered: 2008-06-17
  • Posts: 9

Re: Opinions of Soldano amps

Thanks for the replies. I got a chance to play the SL60 yesterday and it was super gainy. More gain than I've ever used. It seemed to go from zero to flamethrower real quick. It sounded very smooth and was fun to mess around with but I don't think it is for me. The gain was kind of addicting  like playing a real nice distortion pedal but still, no place for it in my set-list. The attack was very immediate and kind of hard edged. When I switched back to the Marshall it felt much better to me. More musical.
I also talked to Mike Soldano about it. He said that the SL60 was an early attempt at a lower priced amp. They were all made in Japan and the quality wasn't up to his liking so after about a year they stopped production. He stayed with the design but changed the name so there would be no confusion between the models. The new name was the Hot Rod 50 and they were all made in the US under his watchful eye.

For anyone interested in this amp - the guy has it on Washington DC Craigslist right now. As for me, the search continues.

  • Registered: 2008-07-16
  • Posts: 1

Re: Opinions of Soldano amps

I actually have a mid 90's hot rod 50 for sale.  A long with another discontinued item the soldano GTO overdrive pedal.  If anyone is still interested in picking one up.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth … p?t=417059

Thanks, Jake.