SLO vs. Hot Rod 25?

[blackba]

is the 25 loud enough to gig with?

For me yes, while I find the mesa TA15 at times barely adequate, the Soldano HR25 has more than enough in the tank.

Now both the TA15 and HR25 don't have a ton of clean headroom, but if you are getting an HR25, you probably aren't getting it for clean headroom.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

... anytime this question gets asked (in it's various permutations) the answer is always get the SLO.

If I had a dollar for every time this new amp X or Y sounds exactly like an SLO... even several other Soldano models... I could buy a new SLO. There's a reason it's been at the top so long.

 

[harddriver]

If you are not playing the SLO now then it sounds like you have moved on from it's allure... you just might benefit from selling the amp and pocketing the cash for another day. I like the SLO tone but if you are not playing it then it is kind of senseless to chase that tone with an HR25 IMO.

 

[BrentSSL]

Which would you rather have? The SLO is a classic, loud as balls, iconic tone. . .but isn't the HR25 a more updated, lower watt version of the SLO?

I have a SLO. . .but I'm considering selling it and getting the 25.

Am I crazy?

One of my friends love the Jet City stuff and those I guess sound a lot like a real sodano. I personally not a huge fan of the SLO I know what it can sound like but I also know it needs to be cranked up to sound like that. Having that amp at the lower wattage gives you more advantages and an easier tone quieter tone to work with.

 

[napalmdeath]

A proper effects loop alone, would button things up for me, especially if the SLO doesn't get much use. Personally, I love Soldanos, hate their effects loop!

I'd be all over the HR25, if one presented itself at a good price. Killer amp that eats the other "mini" 25 watters alive.

 

[LPMojoGL]

Have had both, SLO sounds better, imo.

 

[blackba]

Have had both, SLO sounds better, imo.

At all volumes?

 

[Shawn Lutz]

Get the SLO. It seems like every product from Soldano is based off of the legendary SLO design...even their paper clips they us in their office

 

[jlb32]

I actually prefer the Hot Rod 25 tonally, even though it and SLO are very close tonally IMO. Played them side by side before buying and the 25 was my choice. Don't regret it after 4 years of home, practice and gigging.

Most will always say the SLO when Soldano is mentioned because it is Mikes first and flagship amp. IMO Mike is pretty proud of his other amps also or he wouldn't make anything but the SLO.

 

[BrentSSL]

Is the SLO still in production?

 

[blackba]

Is the SLO still in production?

Yes and Mike now offers the HR25 loop in the SLO if you want it.

 

[jlb32]

Is the SLO still in production?

Yes and Mike now offers the HR25 loop in the SLO if you want it.

I saw that also but the upgrade doesn't sound very cheap (pricewise) if you already own a SLO with the older loop and want it modded.

Also heard MIke had a updated SLO amp in the works, guess a SLO II or something to that nature.

The Hot Rod 25 loop is great!

 

[blackba]

Is the SLO still in production?

Yes and Mike now offers the HR25 loop in the SLO if you want it.

I saw that also but the upgrade doesn't sound very cheap (pricewise) if you already own a SLO with the older loop and want it modded.

Also heard MIke had a updated SLO amp in the works, guess a SLO II or something to that nature.

The Hot Rod 25 loop is great!

I know of the changes Mike was looking at was going from AC tube heaters to DC tube heaters. Mike mentioned this in a video and that he has to sort 12AX7's for the SLO to get ones that are not noisey, he can put these in the HR25 (DC heaters) and they are fine.

Interestingly, I am servicing a peavey 6505+ 112 combo and one of the failures was the DC heater supply, as the diodes are being run at their limit. I am sure Mike will do a better job than Peavey did.