Soldano SLO-30 Incoming - video added

[romanianreaper]

In my opinion, I'd get an attenuator and a bigger cab. I am sure the SLO 30 sounds great but it will sound even better getting the power tubes going. It is like driving a Ferrari on a side road or highway.

You don't need to get one now but eventually I'd do it. It is going to sound killer with more width, hotter tubes, etc. It is great that you can play at lower volume though.

 

[HowieJams]

In my opinion, I'd get an attenuator and a bigger cab. I am sure the SLO 30 sounds great but it will sound even better getting the power tubes going. It is like driving a Ferrari on a side road or highway.

You don't need to get one now but eventually I'd do it. It is going to sound killer with more width, hotter tubes, etc. It is great that you can play at lower volume though.

I will keep looking at cabs and attenuators, i would probably go attenuator first,

 

[tjnx]

Congrats! Remember that you're free to keep enjoying as is. If you do decide to upgrade some things in the future I'm in the get a vert 212 over attenuator camp. I've done the 2 x 1x12 stacked thing and the 212 is better even at low volumes.

I play at lower volumes more often than not and going with a 412 over 2 112s was a big improvement with the same amp. Soldanos weren't really designed to overdrive the power section, but that's not to say some may like to push it. The 30 will saturate ealier but most of the magic in the SLO is in the preamp. I'd like to hear the 30 pushed through an attenuator but I'm not convinced yet

I've compared the 30 through several cabs and it played a huge factor. I think it benefits from the additional thump you get with increased air. Either way have fun with it man

 

[HowieJams]

Congrats! Remember that you're free to keep enjoying as is. If you do decide to upgrade some things in the future I'm in the get a vert 212 over attenuator camp. I've done the 2 x 1x12 stacked thing and the 212 is better even at low volumes.

I play at lower volumes more often than not and going with a 412 over 2 112s was a big improvement with the same amp. Soldanos weren't really designed to overdrive the power section, but that's not to say some may like to push it. The 30 will saturate ealier but most of the magic in the SLO is in the preamp. I'd like to hear the 30 pushed through an attenuator but I'm not convinced yet

I've compared the 30 through several cabs and it played a huge factor. I think it benefits from the additional thump you get with increased air. Either way have fun with it man

You make a great point there.
I will keep researching 2x12 cabs, hopefully I can find one that does not weigh a ton.
The Soldano weighs 70lbs.
Then I need to decide what speakers....
I like Creambacks, but I see Soldano cabs use V30s.

My bet is, 3 months from now I will still be using a 1x12 without an attenuator, lol.

 

[HowieJams]

Played a lot more last night at a bit higher volume, all 3 amps sound great.
Rearranged the heads and cabs to make it a closer comparison.

I did more vids and they are definitely better than the ones I posted originally, they will be available on YouTube throughout the day.
I don't plan out what I am going to do so I am usually not happy with my vids, but the ones from last night are definitely better.

The ones below I like more than most as a comparison between the Soldano SLO-30 and Astro 20 and a similar Friedman JEL-20 video

 

[romanianreaper]

You make a great point there.
I will keep researching 2x12 cabs, hopefully I can find one that does not weigh a ton.
The Soldano weighs 70lbs.
Then I need to decide what speakers....
I like Creambacks, but I see Soldano cabs use V30s.

My bet is, 3 months from now I will still be using a 1x12 without an attenuator, lol.

I have an Orange Vertical 2x12 and is awesome! I'm 55 and can easily take it to gigs, up and down stairs, etc. It is light but sounds amazing.

 

[HowieJams]

I have an Orange Vertical 2x12 and is awesome! I'm 55 and can easily take it to gigs, up and down stairs, etc. It is light but sounds amazing.

I have heard the Orange Vertical 2x12 was light, I will check it out.
I am going to be 62 and although i can bench press a ton of weight, my back doesn't like when I lift things without support.

 

[romanianreaper]

Not sure if my original message went thru so resending:

I love my Orange Vertical 2x12 cab and take it to gigs. I can go up and down stairs with it and is so easy. Probably the lightest 2x12 i've had and sounds amazing. Incredible low end and open back.

Like tjnx said, a bigger cab can really make a difference. Expands the tone so much.

 

[HowieJams]

Not sure if my original message went thru so resending:

I love my Orange Vertical 2x12 cab and take it to gigs. I can go up and down stairs with it and is so easy. Probably the lightest 2x12 i've had and sounds amazing. Incredible low end and open back.

Like tjnx said, a bigger cab can really make a difference. Expands the tone so much.

I saw it only weighs 43lbs.
Are the Neo Creamback speakers the same as regular Creambacks?

 

[romanianreaper]

I saw it only weighs 43lbs.
Are the Neo Creamback speakers the same as regular Creambacks?

I was just reading up and neo are a bit scooped in the mids, tighter bass, and more high end.

I have a Friedman 1x12 with a creamback, Orange 1x12 with V30 and the Orange 2x12. The 2x12 has a lot more lows than the other two. I dig all three but the 2x12 definitely projects more and sounds bigger obviously.

 

[harddriver]

Played a lot more last night at a bit higher volume, all 3 amps sound great.
Rearranged the heads and cabs to make it a closer comparison.

I did more vids and they are definitely better than the ones I posted originally, they will be available on YouTube throughout the day.
I don't plan out what I am going to do so I am usually not happy with my vids, but the ones from last night are definitely better.

The ones below I like more than most as a comparison between the Soldano SLO-30 and Astro 20 and a similar Friedman JEL-20 video

The Astro does sound thinner compared to the SLO30 in this latest vid and the SLO30 has more definition, girth and clarity. I'd say since you like the SLO30 keep the JEL for a different flavor of Marshall.

What power tubes does the Astro 20 run? EL84, 5881 or 6V6?

 

[romanianreaper]

The Astro does sound thinner compared to the SLO30 in this latest vid and the SLO30 has more definition, girth and clarity. I'd say since you like the SLO30 keep the JEL for a different flavor of Marshall.

What power tubes does the Astro 20 run? EL84, 5881 or 6V6?

I agree with harddriver. If you have that ideal SLO tone in the SLO30, you probably wouldn't play the SLO20 as much.

 

[HowieJams]

The Astro does sound thinner compared to the SLO30 in this latest vid and the SLO30 has more definition, girth and clarity. I'd say since you like the SLO30 keep the JEL for a different flavor of Marshall.

What power tubes does the Astro 20 run? EL84, 5881 or 6V6?

Astro runs 6V6s.
I think the SLO and Astro are both keepers.
Most likely will keep the JEL also.

 

[HowieJams]

I agree with harddriver. If you have that ideal SLO tone in the SLO30, you probably wouldn't play the SLO20 as much.

I most likely will keep the SLO at my primary residence and the Astro at my vacation home.

 

[HowieJams]

I was just reading up and neo are a bit scooped in the mids, tighter bass, and more high end.

I have a Friedman 1x12 with a creamback, Orange 1x12 with V30 and the Orange 2x12. The 2x12 has a lot more lows than the other two. I dig all three but the 2x12 definitely projects more and sounds bigger obviously.

The Orange 2x12 seems like a nice cab, but if I go 2x12 I most likely will go Soldano and deal with the weight once, but truthfully I am happy with the 1x12s

 

[romanianreaper]

I most likely will keep the SLO at my primary residence and the Astro at my vacation home.

Good idea!

At the end of the day, it is all about finding what makes you inspired to play, etc. I've been loving the Synergy 20IR, especially with the Keeley Nocturne pedal I got.

 

[HowieJams]

Good idea!

At the end of the day, it is all about finding what makes you inspired to play, etc. I've been loving the Synergy 20IR, especially with the Keeley Nocturne pedal I got.

I was looking at the Synergy 20, but in the end pulled the trigger on the SLO-30.
I really love the Synergy concept with a built in clean channel and then modules that let you have different amp tones with a quick swap.
If I ever part with one of my Friedmans I can see a Synergy in my future.

I keep looking at the little Soldano SLO mini for $249, what is wrong with me? lol

 

[romanianreaper]

I was looking at the Synergy 20, but in the end pulled the trigger on the SLO-30.
I really love the Synergy concept with a built in clean channel and then modules that let you have different amp tones with a quick swap.
If I ever part with one of my Friedmans I can see a Synergy in my future.

I keep looking at the little Soldano SLO mini for $249, what is wrong with me? lol

Your last line made me crack up, lol. I had the SLO Mini and didn't like it. Sounded like an overdrive pedal to me.

One of these days I'll try to do a quick clip of the Synergy.

 

[HowieJams]

Your last line made me crack up, lol. I had the SLO Mini and didn't like it. Sounded like an overdrive pedal to me.

One of these days I'll try to do a quick clip of the Synergy.

Thanks, I will probably skip the SLO mini, why would I use it if I have it next to a tube amp?
Definitely post clips of the Synergy.

 

[HowieJams]

Just got done playing all 3 amps.
I definitely prefer the sound of the Soldanos.
I am going to take my Friedman JEL-20 with me to my other house and compare it to my Friedman Little Sister.
I expect at least one of them to be for sale around the New Year.
I think I prefer the tone of the Little Sister, but the JEL-20 being a two channel amp might be the one I keep.

Keep you all posted.