Soldano Amps

Kenny_D

Anyone got one of these? Been looking at them today since I saw Chris put up an Astroverb 16 which looks like a fantastic little amp. Very tempted to get it but I swore I'd never get any more gear without trying it out first. What's the general concensus on these amps. Anyone played that astroverb? Reckon its worth €900 or would one of the other cheaper single input/control low watt tube amps be just as good for getting a nice overdriven tube sound at a reasonable level

Voodu Child

Anyone got one of these?

Yeah, ive got a Decatone at the moment.

Soldano amps are pure class, absolutely in a league of their own. The SLO100 is the only amp i know of that they stand over with a lifetime warranty, unbelievable specs - teflon coated wires, military grade sealed pots, massive PCB traces, deyoung transformers, yadda yadda.

Just ridiculous build quality, say what you like about them, you can't deny that much.

The astroverbs (and other little Soldanos) are killer little amps, but be aware that they're voiced slightly differently to the big boys. Lower gain, and EL84s are never going to give that thick bottom end SLOs are famous for.

e900 will buy you a lot of amp, so its a tough call. If you're looking for a lower-powered tube amp that you can push into full-on saturation at reasonable levels, I can't recommend the THD Univalve highly enough. Genuinely one of the best built and sounding amps on the planet.

Karl Hungus

Oh kickass! I'd nearly jump on that myself.

You probably wouldn't get SLO tones out of it mind you, but with a boost infront, I'd say it would be awesome indeed.

Kenny_D

Univalve looks nice alright but I'd need a cab and coupled with the price of the univalve I just couldnt afford it at the moment

Karl Hungus

I say go for the Astroverb, and if you need a little more gain, an Ibanez Tubescreamer.

Voodu Child

GStormcrow wrote: »

Univalve looks nice alright but I'd need a cab and coupled with the price of the univalve I just couldnt afford it at the moment

Well, I don't suggest it lightly, I had one for a couple of years, one of the best amps ive used. Can be had for reasonable money used.

But if you can't swing it, i wouldnt hesitate going for the soldano, once you read up on it and make sure you know what kind of amp you're getting. Like I say, e900 buys a lot of amp, so you've definitely got to be in the market for a boutique low-powered amp to justify the Astroverb.

I'd have a look at the mesa express 5:25 combo's too. You should find a used US one for around the same as the Astroverb. The 5:25 signifies that it's switchable between 5 watts and 25, great for lower-volume jamming.

Kenny_D

I say go for it too. My wallet disagrees. I usually win though which is why I'm always broke. lol

-=al=-

i really want an slo

Karl Hungus

-=al=- wrote: »

i really want an slo

Wouldn't say no to one myself either. I'd say your best bet is to watch Ebay, or some large gear sites, and wait for one to come up second hand. You can score one for half of what Thomann charges easily.

Voodu Child

Karl Hungus wrote: »

You can score one for half of what Thomann charges easily.

Used SLO for e1900? Easily?

Good luck with that :rolleyes:

Karl Hungus

voodoo_child wrote: »

Used SLO for e1900? Easily?

Good luck with that :rolleyes:

Did a seach on harmony central, and there's one for $2060 here, which works out at around €1400, add in about a 100 for shipping and lets say 300 on customs, you got yourself a used SLO for less than half of what Thomann charges.

Easily.

Voodu Child

No paypal, no references, no pics on the thread, no takers at his lower than average price since june. Ring any alarm bells? If you think that looks like an amp worth buying, i have some magic beans you might be interested in?

But seriously, you're arguing with someone who knows his Soldano prices, sorry, that's just the way it is
A good SLO could go for $2700 in the US (2400-2600 average).

USPS wont insure over 850, so you're looking at using someone else, could cost upwards of 300-400 by UPS, they're large and heavy beasts. 25% Customs. Do the math. Try $3000 shipped + 25% customs. May as well say e2500. Add another 100+ for a transformer.

You're only looking at a couple of dozen changing hands each year. You've got to be lucky enough to find one that'll ship to Europe, and you've got to be lucky enough to nab that before anyone else does, and you've got to be lucky enough for both of the above, and also to get a seller who is trustworthy. And you're still talking maybe e2600 for an amp you've never seen.

e1900 for a used SLO. Easily? Sorry Hungus, you're right a lot of the time, but not here

Karl Hungus

voodoo_child wrote: »

No paypal, no references, no pics on the thread, no takers at his lower than average price since june. Ring any alarm bells? If you think that looks like an amp worth buying, i have some magic beans you might be interested in?

No need to be sarcastic, that was just a random example.

voodoo_child wrote: »

But seriously, you're arguing with someone who knows his Soldano prices better than you, sorry, just the way it is
A good SLO could go for $2700 in the US (2400-2600 average).

USPS wont insure over 850, so you're looking at using someone else, could cost upwards of 300-400, they're large and heavy beasts. 25% Customs. Do the math. Try $3000 shipped + 25% customs. May as well say e2500. Add another 100+ for a transformer.

You're only looking at a couple of dozen changing hands each year. You've got to be lucky enough to find one that'll ship to Europe, and you've got to be lucky enough to nab that before anyone else does, and you've got to be lucky enough for both of the above, and also to get a seller who is trustworthy. And you're still talking maybe e2600 for an amp you've never seen.

e1900 for a used SLO. Easily? Sorry Hungus, you're right a lot of the time, but not here

Fair enough, and I was quite quick to blurt out half, but you could get one for a lot less than Thomann are charging, which is my point.

Voodu Child

Karl Hungus wrote: »

Fair enough, and I was quite quick to blurt out half, but you could get one for a lot less than Thomann are charging, which is my point.

That's certainly true, you'll buy a used one cheaper than the thomann price. Can't argue with that.

But 'SLO' and 'half price' isn't something you'll see too often in the same sentence. These things arent Marshalls

*cough* is this thread about to go off topic?

Karl Hungus

Ahem, yeah...

The Astroverb would be really kickass.

Kenny_D

Nice save

Kenny_D

Any recommendations on a good low watt valve (5-20) amp for around €500? New or second hand is fine

Karl Hungus

GStormcrow wrote: »

Any recommendations on a good low watt valve (5-20) amp for around €500? New or second hand is fine

I'll be frank, I don't think you need low wattage for an amp to be good at lower volumes. Take the Epi Valve Jr, which is at 5 watts, but still needs some serious cranking before it gets overdriver.

If you want something that'll sound good at lower volumes, you should be looking for something with a linear volume taper, like Engl. 20 watts could still need to be seriously cranked, and even those low wattage amps can push some serious air, believe me.

Kenny_D

Ah yeah I'm well aware of the whole wattage != volume thing. I used to have a Peavey Classic 50 and an Engl Screamer 50. My last amp was a monstrous Roland JC120. I just decided I want a smaller (and lighter) amp. The JC120 got pretty damn loud and its not a problem with neighbours anymore so its not that I need the lower volume. I'd just like a low watt amp so I can crank the volume to full and use my guitar volume to control the sound. What about a Blues Junior? One of my lecturers recommended me one. lol

Kenny_D

Karl Hungus wrote: »

I'll be frank

I'll be Jim. Hi Frank

Karl Hungus

GStormcrow wrote: »

Ah yeah I'm well aware of the whole wattage != volume thing. I used to have a Peavey Classic 50 and an Engl Screamer 50. My last amp was a monstrous Roland JC120. I just decided I want a smaller (and lighter) amp. The JC120 got pretty damn loud and its not a problem with neighbours anymore so its not that I need the lower volume. I'd just like a low watt amp so I can crank the volume to full and use my guitar volume to control the sound. What about a Blues Junior? One of my lecturers recommended me one. lol

Feck, why'd you get rid of the screamer? That sounds like it would be perfect for what you want.

Honestly, the Soldano Astroverb is a 1x12" combo, so it wouldn't be any lighter than the Screamer. I don't really think the Blues Junior would be the thing, especially if you're after Soldano kinda tones, it's just not going to get you anywhere close to that.