Soldano SLO vs Chinese Clone! (Does The Clone Sound As Good?)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- Thanks for watching my comparison of the Soldano SLO-30 vs Wangs HD-30 amplifiers! Can the more affordable Chinese SLO "clone" sound as good as the real thing? Let's find out! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Cheers!
My Wangs HD-30 review: • Wangs HD-30 Review & D...
Gear used in this video:
- ESP LTD EC1000T Charcoal Burst
- Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s
- ESP LTD NW44
- Soldano SLO 30 tube amp
- Wangs HD 30 tube amp
- ML Drums by ML Sound Lab
- Cubase 13 Pro
- OwnHammer Impulse Responses
- RedSeven Amplification Amp Central reactive load
- Klotz Cables & DI Box
This channel is sponsored by:
OwnHammer: www.ownhammer....
ML Sound Lab (ML Drums): ml-sound-lab.c...
An original song of mine with me on vocals: • My First Song w/Vocals...
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#soldanoslo30 #wangshd30 #clone
Disclaimer: I got the Wangs HD-30 in exchange for my review some years back but as always all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own!
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Thoughts? Which one sounds better?
They can both do the thing. Sounds the same as far as tone. With the right EQ you can really run that rig at a fraction of price. This is kind of in the same realm as Glens channel with that Harley Benton SG. IF THE MARKET IS LIKE THIS NOW, TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF IT!
The SLO has a bit more lower mids and sounds a bit more chewy, while the Wangs sounds a bit more open and clear. They are quite similar sounding but not identical.
For me the Chinese thing was better yet I’m a soldano fan. Amazing but also shows how sound is personal. Shocked me this video. Good vid thanks
It’s funny, one mans thinness is another mans presence and clarity. The Wangs definitely preserved the transient pick attack a lot better too, not Plexi level but way better than the SLO. I wonder if an upgraded transformer would give a bit more thickness and love in the low end?
Hmmm... Need comparison with overdrives.
Wangs has extra top but now depth knob? That's a serious overlook because it was a popular SLO mod that became stock... Something I think the 5150 popularized. IIRC, that was a James Brown invention that got cross-polinated back to the SLO. I could be wrong but I thin JB came up with it.
Wangs win! Soldano is more compressed and dark.
I find it curious that the preamp circuit of this new SLO has been modified to cut brightness and add saturation and compression. The Wangs sounds more open and richer tonally.
The original SLO circuit was perfect, they shouldn't have changed it
So where did you get the info that the new SLO's are revised/changed to be less bright, and more saturated/compressed? Also, are you talking all the new SLO's, or just the 30?
@@jamescassidy4045The schematic I saw is from the current version of the 30w only, I don't know if the current 100w version was also modified
@@irondaza So what you're saying is that you're stating it's less bright, and more saturated based of you looking at the schematic? What about the schematic vs the OG Slo is modified, and making it less bright, and more saturated/compressed if I may ask?
@@jamescassidy4045 It's what I hear, it feels more saturated, compressed and with less brightness. Looking at the schematic I can see what they made, the main modifications to the preamp of this new version are: -Second plate resistance is 220k, the original is 100k, this lowers the headroom of the stage, increasing compression and gain. -Between the tonestack and the master volume there is a treble cut (resistor and capacitor to ground) There are several more differences such as the cathode follower, the location of the effects loop and others. The schematic is available on some DIY enthusiast sites
I say buy the Soldano plug-in from Neural DSP for recording, and buy the Wangs for playing live :)
Spend the rest on booze and boobs...🤘
Why not using the plugin for live use too?
On my computer speakers, I like the Soldano much better. On cell phone I like the Wang Chung a little better.
Listening with ear buds. - I found that clean and crunch to my untrained ears sounded incredibly similar.
High gain tho. I could hear a big difference. I prefer the soldano high gain, but most Def the Wangs is good too.
Jon can plug a plastic rake into a stone from his garden using a rubber hose and make it sound like a $15,000 Petrucci rig.
Lolz😂
Agreed though
They sound so similar that there's no point in getting the Soldano.
Whatever "thickness" and "muscle" that the wangs is missing, can be tweaked in with a bit of EQ.
Add an EQ pedal to the loop and you'll get all the tones of the Wangs, the Soldano and more!
Get the Soldano because you want want it and can afford it.
I respectfully disagree. They sound different to my ears. That said, I can't tell one is "better" than the other. I guess the Wangs is a bit more aggressive and the Soldano darker if anything.
well... no... they sound drastically different, and not only in terms of wangs' crappy frequency response but also in the gain structure, even marshall's dsl1 sounds a lot more pleasant than that fizz of the wangs, being 3.5 times cheaper, this is something you can't fix using ANY kind of processing
@@marshall5560 🤣😂🤣🤡🤡
The SLO sounded like a richer rounder crunch, but the Wangs cuts through the mix.
I think they would mix well.
The thickness and fullness is not quite there on the Wang's .....but still gets you in the ball park. Nice !
It's very interesting. The Wangs kind of sounds like a Soldano mixed with an Orange. The Wangs doesn't sound as fuzzy as an Orange, but there's something similar going on there. Both of these amps have a unique sound.
Yeah, I agree
I got the same impression!
I bought a HD15 largely based off your experience with Wangs amps because the SLO100 is my dream amp but I will never ever be able to afford one.
What Wangs do (hurr hurr) is quite incredible really for the price.
99% indentical tone for 1/3rd of the price? The Wangs is the clear winner here. Sure the SLO sounds a teeny tiny bit better but it's not worth the premium IMO. A cheap EQ pedal would close the gap even further.
@@XYz-vy7trbro they sound sound almost the same. If you listened without your eyes you might have called the real soldano muddy and the wangs clearer on accident
That’s why USA manufacturing is dying though… 😂
@@XYz-vy7tr”LOL” - absolute clown
@@IsakuItouUSA manufacturing dying has precisely nothing to do with family owned small and legacy brands like Wangs. Everyone wants a simple black and white view that includes China equals bad, and like most things, it’s not nearly that simple. Wangs is a nice exception to the perceived rule
There’s a Quebec company that makes a depth pedal as well.
I want the Wangs, not only for the affordability, beautiful purple, but the name is hilarious! 😂😂😂 I know, I'm immature, but really, seams cool!
wangs可以定制各种颜色
Honestly could not hear that much of a difference in my car stereo. I’ll have to rewatch via my home theater system. I love the SLO-30, but the Wangs really impressed me. I’d be happy with the Wangs.
Both are great amps. I think if you switched speakers you might be surprised with the difference. I think a creamback or scumback might sound better with the Wangs. SLO is a nice amp with more depth, but I would probably try the Wangs. Nice riffs btw!
Nice comparison! Wangs actually sounds better to me. I like the extra top end that it has, gives it an airy openness, very lively. And in comparison the SLO sounds a bit cloudy and congested. I would rather have that brightness there and have to tame it, than not have it and have to add it artificially.
I really wanted to prefer the SLO, but the Wangs just takes it for me
I preferred the Wang’s in the heavy mix. Though I’d be stoked with either one.
The master on the soldano opens up the girth when set between 4 and 6. I always found having it below thins it. I noticed in your vid it seemed low. It would be interesting to compare them again with higher master levels to hear how the power section is similar or sets them even more appart. Cheers, grest vid!
Ultimately the gain character is really close. The minor EQ differences can be easily tweaked with the knobs. I have the Wangs and I'm happy. It gets a lot more playtime than my modded JCM2000 DSL100. Also I can confirm that the Wangs responds really well to a massively clean-boosted input signal, getting super round and saggy in a way that I love.
The Wangs sounds great here. I like the slightly brighter sound. It's more aggressive and I preferred the brighter clean.
So yes, we enjoy and appreciate these videos.
I think many of us would love and as you said “find useful” the -NOT does this $800 amp sound just like this $3000 amp?
But now that you’ve produced this video, shootout the Wangs to other comparable high gain low watt $800 amps to help us throw our money in the right direction.
I love the slo…but no WAY I can justify such limitations when beauties like the Revv Gen exist in that same price bracket.
But ultimately with so many of us bedroom players who can’t crank…
I think we want smaller amps that can sound great at low volumes for >$1000
That was a cool comparison. I wouldn't expect them to sound the same with such a massive price difference BUT the WANGS did NOT embarrass itself here. Great alternative if you just don't have them money for the real one. Cool video!
Thanks man! I agree!
The perfect amp to pair with a “Scrotes” branded speaker cab.
The wangs high gain tone to me sounded better. Other two the SLO wins. But it's shocking how good the wangs is overall.
I’d happily find a track or two for both. I really like the low mid area of the wangs in the heavy tones. I can think of a few scenarios where it could be a super usable and unique rhythm tone in a track.
I still dont get it why people think that just because there stands a Name from a more recognized company the product is superior. Atleast 50 % percent of the parts in both amps are chinese made anyways. This technology of tube amps is old as time... just because something is assembled in the US doesn't make it superior.
I bought the Wangs 1987HW and really like it. I'm going to have to put a master volume in it though just trying to figure out which one would be the best
The Wang is nice, but I just dont want to go around telling people that I love my Wang.
Or other guitarists telling you how much they love your Wang
😂😂😂
@@nobodyimportant76467bahaha 😂
I picked up the HD-30 at a Shanghai Musikmesse about 10 years ago, for about 120 USD (demo-ex last day at the show).
We had always stopped by their booth each year at the show, since they were likely the only relevant Chinese Tube amp makers in China (at least at that time) that offered something that was the best value for the money against simply awesome gear. They just got it right, and understood what they were producing, and a lot of dedication about the products that they made and what they used. Out of the box, the power tubes were not great, so swapped those out immediately. All of the 12AX7's lasted until last year, so they certainly held up over time. For the money, its a ridiculously good amp, powerful and does the job better than anything in its price range (IMHO).
Their pedals are also fantastic. Have a few of them as well, and also their power supply for pedal boards.
You should check out their OD-30, as its phenomenal. Wanted that one originally, but ended up with the HD-30. Pleased anyway with the tone of the HD, but the OD-30 was really something else (especially used together with pedals). Very Fender'ish, (but cannot pinpoint which F-amp, since theirs is more like a cross between a Fender and a Dumble). Overdrive was not over the top, but a simple Tube Screamer type of pedal took the gain over to high gain territory.
I absolutely love mine. And looking at the components and assembly, it’s been done better than some of my USA-built amps. Sounds great, rock solid build.
As far as this comparison in particular, I think it’s important to consider that you’re most likely well within the margin of variance here. I would put money on there being similar differences between two identical Soldano units.
The gain on the Wangs seems to break up and desaturate quicker than the SLO. It was apparent in some of the crunch clips. High gain though they really don't sound alike in the mid-range. SLO seems a bit more filled out in the 400-800hz range, and the Wangs is a little flat and the upper 1-4k frequencies poke through because of it. The Wangs might actually be the better amp for extended range tunings. I would be curious to see how each handle a boost upfront.
Jet City also makes some Chinese Soldano clones that sound amazing, I have the 50 Watt version
I could Eq match them and would be indistinguishable in a mix. The head isn’t for sale in the wangamplifier site it seems
So happy I have my Soldano SLO 30 it’s so sick! Just a creamy, silky, smoother sound out of the Soldano it’s so plush and it just looks insane!
At that price. The depth can be handled by a guptech pdeq pedal
I just bought the very new Ibanez PTEQ, 5 band Parametric EQ, for 100 something bucks, this EQ is turning every amp I own into BEASTS.
I vividly recommend it, and the funny thing is that the pedal is so new that nobody even covered it at all!!
@@JohnWiku I'll look into that. The guptech is awesome because it's a depth and presence you add into the effects loop of any amp that doesn't have it built into it.
@JohnWiku yourself use this pedal in the loop? Is it a noisey pedal?
@@musicboise208 I use it in the loop, no noise at all, but of course be sensible with the EQ settings.
Any extreme settings, especially when boosting frequencies, it's bound to introduce weird stuff!
I'd say it's never nice to boost the 10kHz range, or higher, and expect it to sound good!
@@hebguy420 I'm going to research about that too! That actually sounds less complicated than fiddling with graphic EQ, or even more complicated parametric EQs.
Hey, if it works, it works!
Very cool! The Wangs sounds a touch clearer/brighter, I like it more! Also, I just commissioned a build of a Mark IIC++ clone from Crab Amps, due in next month, really looking forward to getting a Mark IIC++ as I'll never be able to afford a real one.
Pretty close, but Soldano has a little bit difference that made it better. Wangs is a mix between soldano and rectifier.
What db level do you like your DI to peak at for re-amping? - Something typical like -12db or do you record your DI hotter peaking at -6db. Just curious for the sake of sending that signal out later on. Anyways great video.. Cheers! 😊😊
They sound completely different. The reason people are preferring the Wangs is because of the much brighter chime of the mid range. In the room the SLO would be preferable by almost everyone because of the depth and rounded mid range. Very fizzy bright sound from the wangs. I’ll take the slo all day
The characteristics you describe can be adjusted by the use of an eq pedal. So for roughly 800 bucks and 100 or their abouts for a good eq pedal I’d say the staggering price of the doctor/dentist amp isn’t worth the scratch in the end.
@@SMstudios78 true to an extent. An eq will get you closer but will not change the natural saturation and tone of the distortion. As a stand alone option the wangs is okay. If you have the money for a slo there is zero comparison
Wangs sound good, very usable but there is something in the upper mids & presence that isn’t my jam. Its a solid value for sure.
Been using Wangs amps for a while now and they are built like tanks and are insanely high quality for the price, so bringing them around to play at shows doesn’t feel like a liability. That said, if you throw a tube screamer in front of this amp it’s virtually indistinguishable from the Soldano in a band context, which made it a lot more versatile than the SLO was in my experience with both amps. It’s a no brainer for the $$. Great video!
Great comparison! I think the Wangs presence knob could be turned back to sound more like the Soldano.
I tried all the settings
Not enough sound difference to warrant the price difference.
I can't say one sounds better than the other, they're just slightly different. I definitely prefer the Wangs' clean tone. I actually like that sizzle it has on the heavy distortion as well, which is odd for me. Just sounds like the Wangs would cut through really well in a mix if you're playing downtuned stuff. If I were only going down to drop D I might prefer the soldano, but the Wangs is absolutely killer in its price point.
I was expecting one of the "can't tell a difference" type reviews, but was surprised how clearly I preferred the Soldano here. It simply sounded richer and fuller in the demo tracks. Honestly bit surprised how many comments say they prefer the other amp.
I wonder how the Wangs get nearly identical Sounds because it doesn't go to eleven!! :D
I'm listening to this in my Studio and the Wangs really doesn't lack the low end but has more Treble. I think back of the treble an you are there.
Since i got my Amp Switcher from Tube Amp Manufaktur i'm baffled everytime how close all my Tube Amps are.
Even my 100€ Valveking can sound amazing even against my Brunetti Extra Lead 120.
But as always nice Playing and Video!
One benefit of the Wangs is it has a much funnier name than the Soldano.
Yeah, fancy being caught playing with your wang !!!!
Wangs sounds better for me.
Looks like only difference in circuits is EQ. End little bit of less maximum power for headroom at Wangs, that gives more those sparkles. Result of tubes technology, when they start to distort more when there is not enough power.
just adjust the EQ slightly and the Wang has more muscle/thickness. In a blind test no one will notice adifference.
Would a depth mod to the Wang's bring the tones closer together? I have a HD-30 and I like the tones but a little more versatility to tame that honk and sizzle wouldn't go astray.
The brightness of the Wangs will come from using cheaper components, particularly things like cheaper MKT and ceramic capacitors in the signal path, whereas the Soldano will use WIMA or Poly caps.
Lots of older pedals used the cheapest parts on hand (vintage EHX Muffs etc…) and they have signature sizzle and pushed top end.
Wangs HD series use WIMA coupling caps
Nice of you to assume cheaper parts simply because they are Chinese...! I've been buying Chinese made goods for around 20 years and NEVER had a dud product, If you know what you're looking for it's insane value, and built as good as anything......
Your one of those people that has a little knowledge and is now dangerous 😂
@@wangsamps
Nice one. I hear good things about your amps.
@@MickH60
Cool man.
I’m just coming from 20 years of modding pedals and amps.
You’re the only one here who’s said anything about a “dud product” so far, so… 🤷♂️
Shows how important the cab is.
The Soldano wins by far, BUT… the Wangs with one of those Guptech PdeQ Depth/Presence pedals on the loop would be 💯
If I had to choose I would choose w a n g s. I just like the name. They sound identical
I have the Wangs HD-15 and I love it. Would it be great with some upgraded parts? Yep. Is it worth the $600 CAD I paid for it. Hell yeah.
I think they use high quality components
The Wangs amp was not that bad. With the right pedal / pedals in the signal chain it will get brutal and tight.
More?? 😮😂😂😂
@@lucascosta881...just put a Mud Killer pedal in front the amp...or a nice boost pedal like the Lichtlaerm Audio Aesahaettr... More is more, that's what Yngwie Malmsteen says...
Just taking the sound, ignoring the price tag, I would prefer Wangs. It just sounds better out-of-the box to my taste.
Sounds great! Both amps have it. I'm curious how they'd feel side by side as the player in the room
For the high gain stuff at least the SLO is more solid sounding and the Wangs more squishy and saggy
@@SonicDriveStudio Do u think better tubes would help the sounds in the Wangs?
@@Timanator no
I think the SLO took the edge on the heavy parts, the Wangs was just a bit too hairy/fizzy for my own tastes. On the clean and crunch, I'd be happy with either though! As always though one of the standouts for me is your riff writing, Jon!
What a cool review!
Seems strange to say but after reading the comments, I feel I'm alone in preferring the Soldano. It seems like people are hearing with their wallets instead of their ears. It's understandable if true, everything guitar related is so expensive these days and the SLO even more so.
I liked the cleans on the Wang but I really didn't like the Wangs gainier sounds. It was ok (better than a solidstate Crate or a Metal Zone pedal) but I'm talking SLO tones. I kept wondering what would fix it.. maybe a change in negative feedback resistor, maybe adding a depth control to the rear panel. But I worry that it's the transformers that are making the biggest difference in sound. The other thing is that maybe the Wangs would sound better through a different cab in order to compensate. But V30's are what they should sound good with. Changing the tubes could help.. a blend of Tung-Sol and JJ's for example, but you would need to see what is already in there. Building yourself a SLO clone would seem a better option than buying the Wangs. There used to be Jet City amps which made for good modding platforms in terms of chasing the SLO sound for cheap.
I want that Wangs soo bad for years. But they are not available for Germany 😥 i would switch it immediately for my 6505 Plus without hesitation!!!
They ship worldwide
@@SonicDriveStudio last Time i was searching i couldn't find one....
I keep linking the store here but it keeps disappearing or I just can’t see it.
@@wangsamps i can't see it, too
Anyone wanna switch with my 6505+? 😅
Great video! Thank you!
They sound so similar I can’t imagine paying more for the name. I think Wangs sounded better.
I think the Wangs sits better in the mix and the Soldano sounds better on its own.
They both fall apart in the heavy stuff. Especially the palm mutes. The 5153 would make both of these sound bad. Would be interesting to see what a boost does. The Wangs has some fizz on the top that might be hard to get rid of.
All the tubes identical? If they're different, what would happen if you traded the tubes between them? Would be simple to do for the preamp tubes anyway.
That's the Wang amp Wang tone.
Soldano is pristine focus clean while the Wangs has somewhat this scooped mid.
While the Soldano definitely sounds better, I don't think it sounds 4x the price better.
Sounds great
Engagement in the comments! (Will watch soon)
$4000 vs $800. I can run an EQ and boost pedal in front of the Wangs and STILL be under $1000. However, I'd have to tell everyone I "play with wangs", so there's that.
I'd love to have the bragging rights of owning a Soldano however, there is just something aberrant about paying $4000 for an amp that does not have separate EQ controls for the clean channel.
If you boost that SLO it would be goodnight for the Wangs. I listened while driving and not watching the video and preffered the SLO every time
The inverse is the same. Boost the Wangs and the Soldano loses. You can't compare a boosted amp to an unboosted one. That makes no sense.
@@RX120D no, that wangs would be way too thin if you boosted it. Has no body whatsoever.
@@RX120DI was about to say the same
If I turbo my car it'll blow the doors off your naturally aspirated car...!!! smh......
Wangs sound like alnico and soldano sound like ceramic
It's not only what you hear but what you see.
Rubbish, if you buy amps for the looks , i'm sorry but I'd laugh at you....
@@MickH60 Go ahead. Guitars also. It's part of the charm for me. Would you like to drive a Ferrari or family sedan Tesla?
@@MickH60 Of course the tone is number one priority but then after how cool the amp looks: Engl has best looking amps with searing tubes exposed. Soldano is legendary. That counts also.
🔥
Wangs sound better ,more aggressive , more hairy
Hairy Harry Wangs are always more preferable.
-Your Mom
Btw what's jet city doing these days?
Absolutely Soldano, the amp sounds fat and meaty like you said and the Chinese is glassy.
I would never buy a Chinese made amp because I Would be too afraid it would break down in the middle of a gig. I would take the Soldano all the way. I also have to say I would never fly in a Chinese made helicopter.
Sounds good but I'd never buy a brand called "Wangs" 🤣
Very 🆒🆒
Soldanos suck
They don't suck