- Thread starter Jommi
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hbucker
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- Oct 11, 2002
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Taking nothing away from the brands you mentioned, I think you need to include the 5150 as a possibility.
IMO it has way more gain than anyone will ever need or be able to control in a musical way if the gain were pegged to "11". But I'm sure there is someone who could prove me wrong.
IMO it has way more gain than anyone will ever need or be able to control in a musical way if the gain were pegged to "11". But I'm sure there is someone who could prove me wrong.
PeteDuBaldo
Well-known member
A few years ago when I was looking for a new 100w tube amp, I tried out a used Soldano SLO-100 @ the local GC alongside a Mesa Dual Recto, and Marshall DSL Super Lead, all through their respective 4x12s.
Mesa: Brittle, harsh, and sterile. More "distortion" than the others ? Yes, but not the kind that was pleasant to my ears, but it seems to have the tone many nu-metal bands are going for.
Marshall: Had more of a "buzzy" distortion like the speakers were broken.
Soldano: Hands-down my favorite - tones from smooth blues to more overdrive than I need, and everything in between.
I also tried out a Peavey XXX which immediately disappointed me.
I've never played through or heard a Bogner, so I can't help out there.
Needless to say, I bought the Soldano, and liked it so much I called them up and now have an account with them
Mesa: Brittle, harsh, and sterile. More "distortion" than the others ? Yes, but not the kind that was pleasant to my ears, but it seems to have the tone many nu-metal bands are going for.
Marshall: Had more of a "buzzy" distortion like the speakers were broken.
Soldano: Hands-down my favorite - tones from smooth blues to more overdrive than I need, and everything in between.
I also tried out a Peavey XXX which immediately disappointed me.
I've never played through or heard a Bogner, so I can't help out there.
Needless to say, I bought the Soldano, and liked it so much I called them up and now have an account with them
OrangeChannel
Well-known member
Bogner is in a class all it's own...you can put the CAA OD-100, Diezel, Bad Cat, Soldano, Cornford amps in there too....the Boo-teak stuff... keep in mind gain is only part of the equation if you're one ofthose players that dimes the gain and scoops the mids you have no clue about tone...usually keep a mid-level on your gain and boosting the mids is where you find tone....also scooping the mids out will easily take you out of the equation over bass and drums...
SteveLINY
Well-known member
For super high gain don't forget Engl, Framus, and Diezel.....
PeteDuBaldo
Well-known member
blackspy, there are some phenominal clips of Soldano amps here:blackspy said:
http://soldano.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&num=1076524132
The 5150 is pretty close to what the Soldano is like, I was looking for one to try out, but didn't find one before I bought the SLO.
Ok. I found several mp3´s from internet and Soldano SLO-100 sounds very good. I must admit, that Mesa/Boogie sounds like maiden with a flu. It has tremendous distortion but clean channel is quite dead. It would be nice, if someone could create all tube head, with Bogner&soldano distortion channel, and then Fender/matchless/VOX clean channel. It would be real killer. I just tested carvin Legacy head, and it was positive surpise. There was very good distortion - very sustained - and clear clean channel.
mhorse
Well-known member
I want to speak up to defend Mesa a bit. First, Dual Recto is a bit cheaper (I think by about $1k) then Soldano SLO or Borgner or Diezel. For some people who live on the salary price matters. Also, Recto is not the only amp they make. I have an older DC-5 combo, which is not a killer in the gain department (though it has pelnty), but the clean channel is quite good, certainly better then on Peavey 5150 or JSX that I've tried. In terms of gain you may want to look at the new Stiletto EL34-based head. I haven't played it myself, so can't speak from experience.
2Jommi: you may want to look at Soldano Lucky 13 or Decatone too.
2Jommi: you may want to look at Soldano Lucky 13 or Decatone too.
SteveB
Well-known member
I have a Peavey Triple XXX. It may not sound like a Soldano, but for less than 1/3 the cost it is worth a test drive. It's got 3 channels, all selectable via footswitch, and a footswitch controlled effects loop.
The clean channel is much better than the Marshall's and the 5150's.
The sound of the amp can vary dramatically depending upon the setting of the dampening switch. (tight, middle, loose)
It sounds like a different amp in each position. So if you try one, make sure you flick that switch (on the back of the head) to each position before you make a final judgment. I prefer loose dampening myself for the style that I play.
You can hear this amp at the Peavey web site, or Musician's friend has some good clips of it if you browse that product.
Amp preference is so personal, you should just try as many as you can until you find 'the one'.
The clean channel is much better than the Marshall's and the 5150's.
The sound of the amp can vary dramatically depending upon the setting of the dampening switch. (tight, middle, loose)
It sounds like a different amp in each position. So if you try one, make sure you flick that switch (on the back of the head) to each position before you make a final judgment. I prefer loose dampening myself for the style that I play.
You can hear this amp at the Peavey web site, or Musician's friend has some good clips of it if you browse that product.
Amp preference is so personal, you should just try as many as you can until you find 'the one'.
mHorse: Yeah, i did not mean to offence, dude. Mesa IS great amp. Road King would nice to own. Mesa i hard to beat when it comes to harder stuff. Only i like "howling" sound. There was several sound clips SLO-100 versus HR 50+, and Super lead overdrive really kicks. Only one thing what i miss i modern heads, is wider equalization systems, more bottom. In this point, new Marshall Mode Four was real surprise - at once good bass-end. Difference between Marshall and Soldano is touch of distortion. Soldano has much more tighter distorted channel than Marshall´s. Marshall is littlebit too soft - this is just my opinion.
Also Diezel has funny sound. It is something between Soldano and Mesa. Anyway, it sounds very bluesy to me. It could be great when playin´Gary Moore´s blues ;o)
Also Diezel has funny sound. It is something between Soldano and Mesa. Anyway, it sounds very bluesy to me. It could be great when playin´Gary Moore´s blues ;o)
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OrangeChannel
Well-known member
I have a less expensive solution for you for an all tube product...
the RAndall RM-100....and as you acrue more $ you can get different modules for different sounds...
the RAndall RM-100....and as you acrue more $ you can get different modules for different sounds...
OrangeChannel
Well-known member
CudBucket said:
Definitely on the Hot Rod...although it's a one trick pony...but you can get the single channnels for 600 bucks on evilbay if you're lucky...they sound awesome too...I might consider that at somepoint but I'm still pretty happy with the Pod Rig since it's so versatile...
Did you check out the JSx combo or head?
dfrady
Well-known member
Norrin Radd
Well-known member
OrangeChannel said:
I formerly have owned a 5150, DSL2000, Koch Multitone, Fender Prosonic and Fat Boy Chubby. All pretty high gain amps. I currently play through a Soldano Hot Rod 50 with a depth mod, which has, by far, better tone than any of the above. However, it lacks enough gain for me. I don't think of it as a high gain head.
I want something with more gain AND awesome tone, and I've found it (now I just have to find a way to pay for it!). It is the Orange Rockerverb 100. This amp smokes!
I tried out the Bogner Shiva side by side as well and the Orange is perfect for me. I think they are overlooked a lot by people seeking high gain amps. Well, the Rockerverb series is new in the last year or so and they are fantastic. I suggest you check them out, along with at least 20 other amps, before you decide. Afterall, your amp IS your tone.
PeteDuBaldo
Well-known member
Norrin Radd said:I tried out the Bogner Shiva side by side as well and the Orange is perfect for me. I think they are overlooked a lot by people seeking high gain amps. Well, the Rockerverb series is new in the last year or so and they are fantastic. I suggest you check them out, along with at least 20 other amps, before you decide. Afterall, your amp IS your tone.
yep!
