Soldano Hot Rod vs. Avenger: School Me.

[Aristocat]

Hey Guys,

I'm gonna be doing a paid internship next fall and I'm already itching to justify a new amp.

Out of all the clips I've heard, I'm set on this one for my Friedman BE's Evil Twin if you will.

But here's the thing. Is the Avenger the next in line model to replace the Hot Rod or are they both still being made separately?
What are the biggest differences between the two?

Thanks!

 

[D-Rock]

The Hot Rod has a few more options, like a loop and something else that I forget. Avenger is single channel, no loop all out tone machine. Darker and more modern sounding than the SLO.

 

[Ventura]

HR+ has the exact same circuit as the SLO for its lead/hi-gain channel.

 

[Aristocat]

HR+ has the exact same circuit as the SLO for its lead/hi-gain channel.

Thanks guys. Worse come to worse if I don't track down a plus with a loop, I'll just use an external effects loop.

 

[D-Rock]

HR+ has the exact same circuit as the SLO for its lead/hi-gain channel.

Same is said about the Avenger. I don't have the same amount of time on the SLO as I do the Avenger though. My tech had my Avenger open and another customer's SLO open a week previous and he said they looked pretty much the same inside if that's any consolation.

 

[SonicPulverizer]

I've only played the Astroverb. But that thing was a lot of fun. If you're just looking for an extra amp to mess around with don't count it out. You can find those for like 6-700 used off GC and ebay. Total Steal.

 

[ConcreteVampire]

I second the info, an avenger "should", be the same as a horrid with no loop. Although! I have read some perceive them as darker.

If I'm not mistaken, the avenger in that video had some factory mods in it, not stock.

 

[Aristocat]

I second the info, an avenger "should", be the same as a horrid with no loop. Although! I have read some perceive them as darker.

If I'm not mistaken, the avenger in that video had some factory mods in it, not stock.

It had mods like an extra gain switch, 1/2 power and a loop installed but all I care for is an effects loop in the amp.

I think I'm gonna go for the Hot Rod Plus. Basically, I'm looking for a back-up to my Friedman so I don't have to take it out as much.

 

[Aidanspaghetti]

Fwiw I think its the Hot Rod Avenger (iirc) that is an Avenger with a Loop. I had one, a 50W and i regret getting rid of it ;(
Great amp - never played a SLO. Through the low gain input with a Lester it was pure magic. I know where my old one is and im sorely tempted to get it back as a dirty/lead amp to combine with my Chieftain.
Hmmm hmmm.

 

[reverymike]

Can of worms here. . .if the HR+ is the same lead channel as a SLO, why would anyone buy a SLO? It's not for the rhythm channel.

The circuit might be the same, but the amp's transformers, components, etc are surely different.

 

[Mudder]

Can of worms here. . .if the HR+ is the same lead channel as a SLO, why would anyone buy a SLO? It's not for the rhythm channel.

The circuit might be the same, but the amp's transformers, components, etc are surely different.

What I understood was the circuit was the same but components were different, with trannys being the big factor.

 

[Aristocat]

Can of worms here. . .if the HR+ is the same lead channel as a SLO, why would anyone buy a SLO? It's not for the rhythm channel.

The circuit might be the same, but the amp's transformers, components, etc are surely different.

What I understood was the circuit was the same but components were different, with trannys being the big factor.

I may be wrong about the latter but I thought the SLO's used Deyoung transformers and everything else was Mercury Magnetics.

 

[IntenseJim]

Soldano recently has been using Onetics trannys except for the SLO.

 

[Aristocat]

Soldano recently has been using Onetics trannys except for the SLO.

That's interesting. I've never heard of the Onetics transformers.

I was most likely going to look for a used one. I may get a new one and ask for certain installed options. If I go used though, I could probably convince the misses to let me get another Paul as well