Soldano Users?

DKSEARS

DKSEARS

New member
I know a couple of pros who have been noted for using Soldanos, I recall seeing Clapton using an SLO on SNL back in the late 80's, Warren Haynes and Warren DeMartini has used an SLO for a while.

Who else has been a noted Soldano user? The guy I bought my HR 25 from was telling me that George Lynch owned SLO serial #6, which I hadn't heard before and Mick Mars also has run an SLO.

All of that was pretty interesting to me, and I was wondering who else I've missed through the years.


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Re: Soldano Users?

George Lynch used one some around the time of the 1st LM record, probably used it some on that record. Vai has used Soldanos, as well as Bogners. I think Nuno may have used one at some point. SLOs were the hot ticket in the late 80s - early 90s sol lots of people in that era used one at some point.

I had a HR50+ back in the day, one of the best amps I've owned for hard rock sounds.
 
Re: Soldano Users?

Gary Moore used them around 1990, but reputedly ran a DS-1 into the clean channel on his!

The Lynch tone was apparently a mixture of Soldano and an early ENGL. As far as vintage hard rock/heavy metal goes, that is one of the grail tones in my opinion.

How are you feeling about the HR 25 so far? That is the only modern amp I'm gassing for!
 
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Re: Soldano Users?

I tried to like them, as well as the 5150, but highgain 6L6's just isn't as good sounding to me as EL-34's like Bogner and Marshall. I love 6L6 blackface cleans though.
 
Re: Soldano Users?

Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" was a Soldano.

Vivian Campbell's intrumental "Sixgunz" is Full Shred into an SLO.

EVH used them in the studio on "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" because his old Plexi didn't sound right anymore. For that matter, 5150s are a modded SLO circuit.
 
Re: Soldano Users?

BloodRose said:
I thought SLOs were EL34 driven??
Click to expand...

They have 5881's stock, or at least they do so these days. Setting them up for EL34s should be a simple matter, but few if any have gotten that far…
 
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Re: Soldano Users?

Yeah lots of people in that era. FWIW, 5881s are "military" grade 6L6s, but they do have a slightly different sound than a standard 6L6, Mike Soldano really liked them.

While Lynch did use Soldanos and Engls some, his "grail tone" was a purple Marshall Superlead, as well as the rented #39 modded Marshall that Slash also used on Appetite. I think Tim Caswell did the mods IIRC.
 
Re: Soldano Users?

Dicky Betts used a SLO along with Warren circa early 90s. He reportedly tried to convert it to EL34s. I don't know the outcome of that experiment if it did happen. Maybe that is just internet hearsay?

Mike Soldano has said that the SLO's output transformer is designed for 6L6s, and that EL34s and 6550s/KT88 don't work well with it.

SRV also used a SLO before his death.
 
Re: Soldano Users?

As far as more contemporary tones go, AFAIK, that Killswitch Engage cover of Holy Diver was the SLO.

Same as All that Remains - The Fall of Ideals.
 
Re: Soldano Users?

devastone said:
Yeah lots of people in that era. FWIW, 5881s are "military" grade 6L6s, but they do have a slightly different sound than a standard 6L6, Mike Soldano really liked them.

While Lynch did use Soldanos and Engls some, his "grail tone" was a purple Marshall Superlead, as well as the rented #39 modded Marshall that Slash also used on Appetite. I think Tim Caswell did the mods IIRC.
Click to expand...

Both were designed for military use. The 5881 Soldano uses isn't really a 5881, it's a Russian equivalent, and both were used as military servo tubes for bomber doors.
 
Re: Soldano Users?

Lake Placid Blues said:
Dicky Betts used a SLO along with Warren circa early 90s. He reportedly tried to convert it to EL34s. I don't know the outcome of that experiment if it did happen. Maybe that is just internet hearsay?

Mike Soldano has said that the SLO's output transformer is designed for 6L6s, and that EL34s and 6550s/KT88 don't work well with it..
Click to expand...
That's not true, he might just prefer it that way. The output transformer is a full bandwidth hi-fi deyoung transformer with a reflected 2.2k primary. It's actually better for el34's running at the SLO's voltages. In comparison, the output transformer Marshall uses for el34's is technically worse for them running at similar voltages, believe it or not. Tons of people actually prefer the slo with EL34's. On the other hand IIRC I'm not sure the power transformers heater tap was rated high enough for el34's.
 
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Re: Soldano Users?

devastone said:
George Lynch used one some around the time of the 1st LM record, probably used it some on that record. Vai has used Soldanos, as well as Bogners. I think Nuno may have used one at some point. SLOs were the hot ticket in the late 80s - early 90s sol lots of people in that era used one at some point.

I had a HR50+ back in the day, one of the best amps I've owned for hard rock sounds.
Click to expand...

Yes, the wicked sensation album was both the slo and engl. Nuno used a Soldano hr model for the rythym work on three sides, and a solid state GK for all the lead.
 
Re: Soldano Users?

Sirion said:
How are you feeling about the HR 25 so far? That is the only modern amp I'm gassing for!
Click to expand...

I'm loving the HR 25. It's pretty much what I've been after for a long time. The Normal channel can get clean volume control and picking finesse (setting the preamp around 4 or below). It also gets good crunch when you hit it harder.

The Overdrive channel just takes all of that and piles on the gain. It's got the tone of an SLO with a shade more loose to the feel, if that makes sense. It stays well defined with the extra gain, too. The midrange control feel like it's the key to this amp and tailoring it to different guitars.

By far, it's the best amp I've played in this power range for what I like.

I honestly wish I'd started here instead of going around the long way and trying so many other things.

If you can get out and try one, I'd highly recommend it.


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