Soldano Amps

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About Soldano Amps

Soldano Amps have come to define what a modern guitar amp should be: versatile, player-friendly, and reliable. These all-valve, hand-wired, USA-made amps were at the cutting edge of the boutique revolution.

Soldano Amps helped define what a modern guitar amp should be: versatile, player-friendly, and reliable. These all-valve, hand-wired, USA-made amps were at the cutting edge of the boutique revolution.

Soldano Amps was founded by Michael Soldano in 1987 with the release of their flagship amp, the SLO100 head. The SLO100 has two channels - clean and overdrive. Not many amps are equally famed for both their clean and distorted channels, but the SLO100 did. Both have become famous in their own right; the fact that they exist in the same amp is extraordinary. Modern high gain players like Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe), Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard) and, most notably Eddie Van Halen loved the searing, harmonic-rich tone of the overdrive channel. Non-metal players like Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton and Lou Reed loved the Soldano’s clean channel which was dynamic and responsive.

Knowing that few guitarists have a need for a 100-watt head these days, Soldano amps now make the SLO-30. Every bit as harmonically rich as its bigger brother, the Soldano SLO-30 is a more practical amp for the stage and studio needs of today.

What Makes a Soldano Amp Different?

  • Searing high gain channel was a game changer for modern metal
  • Iconic crisp and rich clean tones
  • Clean channel beloved by Knopfler and Clapton
  • Harmonically rich, powerful distorted sounds with searing harmonics 
  • Handwired in USA
  • All the power you could need whatever your style

Frequently Asked Questions about Soldano Amps

Question: Are Soldano guitar amps any good?
Yes, Soldano amps are iconic. This is because of their crisp, clear clean channel, favoured by the likes of Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton, and their stunning high gain channel, loved by players like Mick Mars, Vivian Campbell and Eddie Van Halen.
Question: Who uses Soldano Amps?
Soldano Amps have been used to a swathe of A-list guitarists including Eddie Van Halen, Prince, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Steve Lukather, Michael Landau, and Lou Reed.
Question: Where are Soldano Amps made?
Since 2019, Soldano Amps are manufactured by Boutique Amp Distribution in California, USA. Boutique Amp Distribution also make Friedman and Bogner amps among others. They maintain Michael Soldano’s commitment to the highest quality amps handwired in America.
Question: Who makes Soldano amps?
Soldano Amps are manufactured by Boutique Amp Distribution in California, USA. They maintain Michael Soldano’s commitment to the highest quality amps handwired in America.
Question: What amp is Soldano based on?
Michael Soldano's first branded amp, the SLO, was based on a Mesa/Boogie Mark II that he rebuilt and modified.
Question: Are Soldano amps solid state?
Soldano amps are historically all valve, though in recent years they introduced the SLO Mini solid state amp head.