Soldano SLO-30 Incoming - video added

[HowieJams]

Got a chance to play with all 3 amps (SLO30, Astro 20, JEL-20) for about an hour.
No disappointments with any of them after a quick initial comparison.

I made 5 videos comparing the SLO-30 and the Astro 20 that I will load when I get a chance.
I can't honestly say the SLO-30 is better than the Astro 20 or vice-verse.
They are both great amps.

The SLO sounds a bit higher pitched than the Astro 20 in person, it might not show up in the videos.
I ran them through 2 of the same cabs, just different colors.

I need more time, but I do think the 20w JEL and 20w Astro 20 might be a little bit better at low volumes than the SLO-30, but I need more time to say for sure.

After the videos I played with the SLO a bit more and was able to get it to some great tones at lower volumes.

My ears are very sensitive to loud sounds so I need to be able to sound good at low volumes.

 

[HowieJams]

 

[marvcus]

nice!!! Many clips I have heard online of the Astro 20 sound darker than the 30, which does sound close in clips to the 100 with less depth.

Is that what you mean by higher pitched?

 

[HowieJams]

nice!!! Many clips I have heard online of the Astro 20 sound darker than the 30, which does sound close in clips to the 100 with less depth.

Is that what you mean by higher pitched?

Exactly, the Astro 20 is darker and more compressed, the SLO-30 is brighter and more open.

 

[HowieJams]

Just got done playing all 3 of my amps over a backing track to see how they cut in a mix.
All 3 did well.

As far as tone, I would probably give the SLO-30 the win, with the Astro 20 a close 2nd and the JEL-20 in 3rd.
The SLO-30 is by far the most responsive and articuate amp, the Astro and JEL are both more compressed and forgiving.

I used both the SD-1 and TS808 as boosts, the SD-1 seems to work better with the SLO.
With the more compressed tones of the Astro and JEL it did not matter a much.

The one thing I can say for sure is I like the Soldano tones better than the Friedman JEL.
I would need to compare it to my Friedman Little Sister which has the best tones I have had in an amp, but I have not tried it next to my Soldanos yet.

That will be the next test.

 

[romanianreaper]

There you go! I think you made a good choice.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Just got done playing all 3 of my amps over a backing track to see how they cut in a mix.
All 3 did well.

As far as tone, I would probably give the SLO-30 the win, with the Astro 20 a close 2nd and the JEL-20 in 3rd.
The SLO-30 is by far the most responsive and articuate amp, the Astro and JEL are both more compressed and forgiving.

I used both the SD-1 and TS808 as boosts, the SD-1 seems to work better with the SLO.
With the more compressed tones of the Astro and JEL it did not matter a much.

The one thing I can say for sure is I like the Soldano tones better than the Friedman JEL.
I would need to compare it to my Friedman Little Sister which has the best tones I have had in an amp, but I have not tried it next to my Soldanos yet.

That will be the next test.

Try a Duncan 805...the SLO30 loves that pedal.

 

[suhrimmetal]

Try a Duncan 805...the SLO30 loves that pedal.

I've heard this..... maybe from you...lol. I did love the SD-1 with my SLO 30. Suhr Koko Boost was nice as well.... just 'more' of the amp without any extra sizzle.

 

[HowieJams]

Try a Duncan 805...the SLO30 loves that pedal.

I will look into it, but the SD-1 does so well I probably won't replace it.

 

[HowieJams]

There you go! I think you made a good choice.

The more i play it the more I like it.

 

[Techdeth]

Congrats man . Cool amp

 

[HowieJams]

Congrats man . Cool amp

Thanks, researching attenuators right now, I don't know if it needs it though.

 

[harddriver]

There you go! I think you made a good choice.

Well...now you know exactly what the SLO 30 sounds like as well as compared to your other two amps. It sounds like you like how the SLO is voiced and how it has a bit more headroom and low end punch and how it responds......nothing watching videos could fully convey to you without playing it.

Congrats Howie! I'm glad it lived up to your expectations! Now I guess you can decide what to keep and what to sell.

 

[Devin]

I hope you really enjoy it kimg

 

[Techdeth]

I hope you really enjoy it kimg

Making fun of this king

 

[HowieJams]

Well...now you know exactly what the SLO 30 sounds like as well as compared to your other two amps. It sounds like you like how the SLO is voiced and how it has a bit more headroom and low end punch and how it responds......nothing watching videos could fully convey to you without playing it.

Congrats Howie! I'm glad it lived up to your expectations! Now I guess you can decide what to keep and what to sell.

I do like how both Soldanos are voiced.
Where i get in to trouble is if I love the Soldanos, I won't keep amps I like, but don't love.

 

[HowieJams]

I hope you really enjoy it kimg

I know I do, now just need to decide if it is worth buying an attenuator or a bigger cab to compliment it for the way I use it.

 

[HowieJams]

I just got done playing and for sure none of these amps (SLO, Astro, JEL) need an attenuator, I played them fairly loud and at low volume, they all sound great at any volume.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

The SLO just sounds like it will cut in a mix like a knife. Astro sounds good just not as clear or 3D like. I think you made an excellent choice!

 

[HowieJams]

The SLO just sounds like it will cut in a mix like a knife. Astro sounds good just not as clear or 3D like. I think you made an excellent choice!

The SLO is definitely more a more open and raw sounding amp, the Astro is more compressed and smooth.
The SLO would definitely cut through better.
Both great amps.
The JEL-20 sounds great also.