J
jlb32
New member
Which would you go for?
jdel77
Well-known member
The Helios is your brighter/rawer JMP 2203 vibe.
The Soldano is your thicker/more modern polished vibe.
Do you like hearing your amp out of the cab, or mixed and mastered through a console?
The Soldano is your thicker/more modern polished vibe.
Do you like hearing your amp out of the cab, or mixed and mastered through a console?
fusedbrain
Well-known member
Hmmmm... this is a tough one. I own both, and if I had to choose for hard rock / metal, I'd probably take the Soldano.
To me, the Helios' strong suit is 70's mode for plexi tones up to un-boosted 2203 type sounds. I'm not crazy about 80's mode with the diodes. It's a little compressed sounding to me. Don't get me wrong though, the Helios is a VERY nice amp, but it's the "metal" part of your question that's bugging me.
I feel like the Soldano Hot Rod 25 lead channel starts at a hot 2203 type tone and just gets heavier from there. Might be better for what you're after.
I do agree that the Helios sounds a little more raw than the HR25.
One thing that's really special about the HR25, and I don't know how Mike did it considering the amp is still running a pair of 6L6's, but you can open up the master to get whole the amp just humming, and the volume is not killing animals and small children. It really is a 25watt amp, but it sounds HUGE!! Pretty amazing!!
Any reason your limiting your search for a hard rock / metal amp to just these two?
To me, the Helios' strong suit is 70's mode for plexi tones up to un-boosted 2203 type sounds. I'm not crazy about 80's mode with the diodes. It's a little compressed sounding to me. Don't get me wrong though, the Helios is a VERY nice amp, but it's the "metal" part of your question that's bugging me.
I feel like the Soldano Hot Rod 25 lead channel starts at a hot 2203 type tone and just gets heavier from there. Might be better for what you're after.
I do agree that the Helios sounds a little more raw than the HR25.
One thing that's really special about the HR25, and I don't know how Mike did it considering the amp is still running a pair of 6L6's, but you can open up the master to get whole the amp just humming, and the volume is not killing animals and small children. It really is a 25watt amp, but it sounds HUGE!! Pretty amazing!!
Any reason your limiting your search for a hard rock / metal amp to just these two?
J
jlb32
New member
I currently own a Soldano Hot Rod 25. Forgot to mention that. I absolutely love it. Just a beast of a amp. The 25 watts but 50 watt iron and 6L6 tubes really make it a insane amp with great low end, etc... From decent clean, mid gain to all out brutal, it does it all.
The Bogner Helios just intrigues me some though. Maybe it's just gear GAS kicking in? Wish there was one locally I could try out.
The Helios would have to be really amazing for me to let the Hot Rod 25 go but that was why I was asking.
The Bogner Helios just intrigues me some though. Maybe it's just gear GAS kicking in? Wish there was one locally I could try out.
The Helios would have to be really amazing for me to let the Hot Rod 25 go but that was why I was asking.
fusedbrain
Well-known member
Yeah I would definitely play a Helios before you make a move. Who knows though, you may love it. Check out the JP-2c / Butterslax thread. Everybody hears stuff differently. 
One major thing to keep in mind with the Helios is the channel switching or lack there of. You get a simple clean, with a volume & a bright switch and a "overdrive" channel to footswitch between. On the overdrive channel, you have to select 70's mode or 80's mode with a front panel switch, and this is NOT footswitchable. Also, there are 2 inputs - plexi & hot, that effect the gain structure of the whole amp and unfortunately you cannot use an ABY box to switch between these either.
I'm not trying to slag the Helios, as I really like it for what it is, but it does have some limitations you should be aware of.
One major thing to keep in mind with the Helios is the channel switching or lack there of. You get a simple clean, with a volume & a bright switch and a "overdrive" channel to footswitch between. On the overdrive channel, you have to select 70's mode or 80's mode with a front panel switch, and this is NOT footswitchable. Also, there are 2 inputs - plexi & hot, that effect the gain structure of the whole amp and unfortunately you cannot use an ABY box to switch between these either.
I'm not trying to slag the Helios, as I really like it for what it is, but it does have some limitations you should be aware of.
J
jlb32
New member
Thanks guys. Right now I'm just thinking/GASSING. I am really happy with the Hot Rod 25. It's just a killer amp. Would be hard to let it go. If you haven't tried one I would highly suggest it. Mike did something special here IMO.
I would love to get a Friedman down the road but the JJ or Butterslax seem more to my liking. I do like the Smallbox but not sure I would love it as much as the Soldano HR 25.
I would love to get a Friedman down the road but the JJ or Butterslax seem more to my liking. I do like the Smallbox but not sure I would love it as much as the Soldano HR 25.
Similar threads
For Sale
Soldano Hot Rod 100, Snake skin Head
- frontline205
- Member Classifieds