Soldano SLO 30 - Les Paul Playthrough

[Sir_Shreddington]

So I know this amp has been around for a while and there are a plethora of videos showcasing how it sounds...but why not add to the online library!

Actually this video is kind of serving another purpose. I'm a sucker for hype, and I REALLY want a new Mark VII. I'm considering offloading one of my Les Pauls to get me one. I really don't want to sell either guitar, but I probably won't be getting any new high ticket items outright, without offloading something, for about a year or so...and the GAS is strong. So I made a video showcasing my LPs, with my SLO 30. Doing this video kind of made me fall in love with this amp all over again too.

Anyway, for anyone interested, feel free to check it out. Or if you are thinking about getting an SLO and still undecided, you might want to give it a listen.

 

[tedtan]

Out of curiosity, have you ever compared to 30 watt to a 100 watt SLO?

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

That unboosted drive sound is 100% late '80s/early '90s hair metal and I mean that in a good way lol. I never really dug the SLO under high gain but dug it when the gain was set lower and clearer.

 

[Sir_Shreddington]

Out of curiosity, have you ever compared to 30 watt to a 100 watt SLO?

I have, but not in a video setting. A close friend has the 100, and we did an a/b comparison. Super similar, but the 100 obviously has more head room and sounds a bit punchier, and a bit more girth. They are both super f-ing loud.

I could probably borrow his amp and do a comparison video to add to the already extensive library of comparisons

 

[Sir_Shreddington]

That unboosted drive sound is 100% late '80s/early '90s hair metal and I mean that in a good way lol. I never really dug the SLO under high gain but dug it when the gain was set lower and clearer.

Perfect, that's what I was going for! I hear you, and I tend to feel the same with the gain. I don't like setting the gain on the OD channel that much higher. It's wild that the SLO has so much gain on tap because I think it really shines without a ton of gain. The crunch channel can cover so much territory and is like one of the most dynamic sounds around.

 

[jaxadam]

Man that is a great sounding amp.

 

[tedtan]

I have, but not in a video setting. A close friend has the 100, and we did an a/b comparison. Super similar, but the 100 obviously has more head room and sounds a bit punchier, and a bit more girth. They are both super f-ing loud.

I could probably borrow his amp and do a comparison video to add to the already extensive library of comparisons

Thanks!

And. No need for anther video, I was just curious as to your impression. That has been my experience with other amps available in different power configurations, so I have no reason to doubt your experience.

 

[yan12]

I have both and they are very similar. I actually have two SLO 30 amps. Selling one because I don't need two...but they are really awesome amps and personally, I prefer it to the 100w version. These are also quieter with improved clean channels compared to the original. Like he said, plenty loud enough!

 

[MAJ Meadows SF]

Thanks!

And. No need for anther video, I was just curious as to your impression. That has been my experience with other amps available in different power configurations, so I have no reason to doubt your experience.

Well, I am selfish and DO want a comparison video. That's what ultimately swayed me into buying a JJ Jr, which is my fav sub-30 watt amps (only one with EL84s I like either).

I have had a SLO 30 since fall of 2020. I got to try it on the floor at GC Nashville and fell in love. A/B'd it with a Bogner 3534, and I went with the SLO. I never fully jived with the older versions, but i was also an inexperienced kid worshipping ultra-modern amps and tones. I walked out of the store with it in hand, and use it constantly. I do love the high saturated lead channel with pushed gain, or slightly rolled back with an OD, but I will admit the magic and clarity is in that almost Plexi-sounding clean channel. Pushing it with ODs, DS, or other pedals is so much fun. It gets outright heavy as hell and perfectly handles OSDM, thrash, and 90s hard rock. The matching vertical 2x12 is a sweat cab for it too.

I get stupid heavy with that amp, but damnit I also love the Van Halen tones and vibes it kicks. For what it does, it's such a good amp, one of my ATFs. I have gone through so many amps for different tones especially on the death metal side of the house, but the SLO 30 (and JJ-100/JJ Jr) have the "it" factor I'm always satisfied with. Those amps make a sound my ear just wants to hear.

 

[Sir_Shreddington]

Thanks!

And. No need for anther video, I was just curious as to your impression. That has been my experience with other amps available in different power configurations, so I have no reason to doubt your experience.

Now I want to do one! If anything, for my own interest. I wonder if I can get the girth and punchiness to come across and capture it in a recording (for at least a decent YT video)? I'm still pretty new to recording, honestly.

Well, I am selfish and DO want a comparison video. That's what ultimately swayed me into buying a JJ Jr, which is my fav sub-30 watt amps (only one with EL84s I like either).

I have had a SLO 30 since fall of 2020. I got to try it on the floor at GC Nashville and fell in love. A/B'd it with a Bogner 3534, and I went with the SLO. I never fully jived with the older versions, but i was also an inexperienced kid worshipping ultra-modern amps and tones. I walked out of the store with it in hand, and use it constantly. I do love the high saturated lead channel with pushed gain, or slightly rolled back with an OD, but I will admit the magic and clarity is in that almost Plexi-sounding clean channel. Pushing it with ODs, DS, or other pedals is so much fun. It gets outright heavy as hell and perfectly handles OSDM, thrash, and 90s hard rock. The matching vertical 2x12 is a sweat cab for it too.

I get stupid heavy with that amp, but damnit I also love the Van Halen tones and vibes it kicks. For what it does, it's such a good amp, one of my ATFs. I have gone through so many amps for different tones especially on the death metal side of the house, but the SLO 30 (and JJ-100/JJ Jr) have the "it" factor I'm always satisfied with. Those amps make a sound my ear just wants to hear.

I kind of want to do a balls out, extreme metal video now. Just to showcase some of the gnarly tones that this amp can do. No more of this Dad Rock stuff!!

 

[tedtan]

Now I want to do one! If anything, for my own interest. I wonder if I can get the girth and punchiness to come across and capture it in a recording (for at least a decent YT video)? I'm still pretty new to recording, honestly.


I kind of want to do a balls out, extreme metal video now. Just to showcase some of the gnarly tones that this amp can do. No more of this Dad Rock stuff!!

Emphasize the lows - the 100 watter should be cleaner, tighter and punchier In the low end.

 

[MAJ Meadows SF]

I don't dislike the Dad Rock tones although I'm a balls-out extreme metal guy mostly. Growing up in the 80s and 90s and being a late bloomer to death metal, I have a high appreciation for Tool, AIC, Metallica, Megadeth, and generally stuff that was on the radio. When I first jammed on the JJ-100 I was stunned.. "this is freaking it". That was the tone my ears wanted to hear (Jerry's settings especially but overall, too). When I watched Ola's demo video for the SLO 30 I was so hooked; it was thick and Mesa Rec like with a dash of 5150 and JCM. Same thing upon jamming with it, I had 90s hard rock and metal in a box.

We're lucky today, having a chance to compare a SLO 100, SLO 30, SLO mini, SLO Pedal, and SLO Neural DSP version. I too remember the older SLO's to have a big punch and low end.

 

[Spicypickles]

Fuck me, this sounds great.

 

[Spicypickles]

I guess to add on a little bit, I really love the “walls of sound” shit ala Townsend or Rammstein etc, but even then this hits so hard as something I really want. It’s funny running through the Fm3 and picking amps and I gravitate towards Marshall’s and other “British” flavors, but my recorded tone favorites are always recto or 5150 based. Makes sense.

My favorite amp I’ve ever owned and played has been single rectos. I dunno what any of this means, but feel is such a driving factor

 

[Sir_Shreddington]

I don't dislike the Dad Rock tones although I'm a balls-out extreme metal guy mostly. Growing up in the 80s and 90s and being a late bloomer to death metal, I have a high appreciation for Tool, AIC, Metallica, Megadeth, and generally stuff that was on the radio. When I first jammed on the JJ-100 I was stunned.. "this is freaking it". That was the tone my ears wanted to hear (Jerry's settings especially but overall, too). When I watched Ola's demo video for the SLO 30 I was so hooked; it was thick and Mesa Rec like with a dash of 5150 and JCM. Same thing upon jamming with it, I had 90s hard rock and metal in a box.

We're lucky today, having a chance to compare a SLO 100, SLO 30, SLO mini, SLO Pedal, and SLO Neural DSP version. I too remember the older SLO's to have a big punch and low end.

Yeah dude, JJ is a killer amp. I really liked it when I tried one out. My buddy plays in a death metal outfit called Temple of Void and he told me the other guitar player has one. Their guitar sound is this super dark, wall of sound, and it just slays. Can't go wrong with a Friedman; I recently got the SS100v2 and I LOVE that amp.

Before I did this video I was actually entertaining the idea of selling the amp. But now?..no way lol. If anything, I might try to trade up and get a 100 because it only makes sense now that I only really play in my house...

 

[Sir_Shreddington]

I guess to add on a little bit, I really love the “walls of sound” shit ala Townsend or Rammstein etc, but even then this hits so hard as something I really want. It’s funny running through the Fm3 and picking amps and I gravitate towards Marshall’s and other “British” flavors, but my recorded tone favorites are always recto or 5150 based. Makes sense.

My favorite amp I’ve ever owned and played has been single rectos. I dunno what any of this means, but feel is such a driving factor

Honestly, I liked the Singles when I tried them a few times. I almost got one at one point, but I can't remember why I didn't pull the trigger.

 

[MAJ Meadows SF]

Yeah dude, JJ is a killer amp. I really liked it when I tried one out. My buddy plays in a death metal outfit called Temple of Void and he told me the other guitar player has one. Their guitar sound is this super dark, wall of sound, and it just slays. Can't go wrong with a Friedman; I recently got the SS100v2 and I LOVE that amp.

Before I did this video I was actually entertaining the idea of selling the amp. But now?..no way lol. If anything, I might try to trade up and get a 100 because it only makes sense now that I only really play in my house...

I love Temple of Void! I had to ask them a few years back about their gear, recording methods, all for that thick ass chunk of a guitar tone. At the time it was (I think) a 5150/6505 and Orange combo with DiMarzio X2Ns. Killer band and really cool dudes.

 

[Sir_Shreddington]

I love Temple of Void! I had to ask them a few years back about their gear, recording methods, all for that thick ass chunk of a guitar tone. At the time it was (I think) a 5150/6505 and Orange combo with DiMarzio X2Ns. Killer band and really cool dudes.

Yeah dude! My buddy is Don, one of the guitarists, and he currently uses an old 5150 with an oversized mesa cab. Alex is using the JJ100. Brent's bass sound really rounds it out. He sounds HUGE

 

[AndiKravljaca]

I got a custom one of these when they came out, purple tolex and a black panel. Looks to match the sound. It is, bar none, the best amp I've ever played through. I ended up getting an old Soldano rack preamp so I could have one more OD channel.

It has an otherworldly note separation and presence, and one of the best crunch channels in the world - don't sleep on that!

I don't see myself ever getting rid of this.

 

[Elric]

Have the 30 too. Awesome amp. Easier to get into the sweet spot than the 100. Also have the Synergy SLO preamp and it is awesome too. Fun to run into the power sections of my other amps.