Finally someone who tells it like it is. These lunchbox and low wattage amps turn to compressed mush trying to play with a hard hitting metal drummer and heavy bass player. The thump, clarity and thickness of 50w / 100w amps is why they exist. Anything sounds good on a close mic'd recording, and TH-camr's trying to convince people they are equal by comparing close mic'd recordings are not only kidding everyone else ....... but also themselves.
90% of the questions on guitar forums are asking for amps that sound KILLER at SUPER LOW BEDROOM VOLUME LEVELS. There are virtually no questions about how to be louder . The best amps for bedroom volume levels that sound every bit as good as Marshalls 50 AND 100 WATT AMPS ARE the 1 WATT JMP PLEXI AND JCM 800 1 WATT MODEL. Listen for yourself: th-cam.com/video/M276pkb80s4/w-d-xo.html
I agree! I do think that a SLO30 will do just fine for band practice even in a rock/metal band and its amazing for recording but live you can run out of steam. Especially with bad PA support. 50w and 100w ultimate perfection for loud and heavy music.
That thing about good master volumes is key. I’ve got a Friedman BE100DLX and I can play it in my apartment without any issues. Then I can take it to band practice/shows and really open it up without changing the tone all that much. I had a Rockerverb 100 MKiii that had a similar setup. I could get that amp to be quieter at apartment levels than my dark terror and Jim Root terror. It’s such a great time to be a guitar player with all these companies figuring out ways to play super quiet and super loud with the same piece of gear.
Wow, thanks for much for addressing my question in a video! What a treat! I remember you did reply to my comment with a great reply, but it's extra cool that you took the time to make this video and show some comparisons... and I love the creepy scream voice over you gave me comment, haha. Your explanations were very clear, and I agree that the differences in tone are pretty small in the recordings you did. I really had to listen intently to hear differences between the small and large amps in the video, and I guess the fact that I had to listen so intently to find them demonstrates just how close they are. I was pretty hard to tell the difference between the JCM800s, maybe a little, and the Slo seemed marginally more obvious with the 100W having just slightly more low end dynamics I could hear, but I really had to focus hard to compare, and I doubt I could hear any difference at all in a recorded band mix. I think that's a real testament to how great the low wattage amps are. I think the differences for me (beyond volume/headroom), is that when I stand in front of my speaker cab, there's this "girth" that I hear and feel with larger amps that aren't as present with my smaller amps. I'm personally less concerned about headroom as I amp about feeling and hear that hugeness that comes with larger amps, even at lower volumes (not sure if that makes sense). To be specific, I have been comparing my 20W Friedman JJ Jr with my 100W Orange Rockerverb MKii, and while the Friedman doesn't sound like a "small amp", when I play the Rockerverb, I do notice a distinctive "hugeness" compared to the JJ Jr. even at the same volumes, played through the same cab. Saying that, I do not like either more than the other, I absolutely love my JJ Jr. and I don't feel like it's lacking in any way for my purposes, but I also do love my 100W for the sheer "girth" of the sound it produces. Also great points about not needing to crank larger amps live, allowing them to hit their sweet spot without needing to push them beyond that point just to keep up... That's something I hadn't considered before. Thanks again for addressing this in a video. I think it's very helpful, because there are so many large and low wattage amps out there now, that it can be tricky for people to know what they should be going for.
Zach, you make all of these amps sound insanely good - from your playing to the engineering. I use your videos as references for dialing in tones on my HX Stomp because your tones are so on point. Thanks for all that you do man. The SLO 30 in particular sounded scary good - I even preferred it to the SLO 100 on a few of the riffs. The small amps definitely keep up for recording, but there is a certain headroom and hugeness that you get from the 100 watters. That difference is negligible for most of us, though - I'd personally be more concerned with headroom and stage volume needs above all.
@@ZachWish Yeah I stumbled on to your channel and the first thing that stuck me was your sound quality with the mics. I used to use a 100w dual recto w/ std 4x12. I'm always a tone-chasing-grass-is-greener-effects junkie so it didn't work out except for playing chugga-chuggas...but I gotta have chugga-gugga, so the best solution I found was the Axe Fx 3. Sounds great through some HS8s at a desk or QSC K10.2s. It's pretty great to pick out whatever amp head interests me (Friedman, JVM, SLO, Rectos, JP2C mostly) and audition whatever speaker cabs and mics I want to mix! Put a dual detune pan left/right for some grease and it sounds AMAZING and I can plug it right into my Mac and record in Reaper with no fuss. If I went to buy a new rig today 100w head w/ some 4x12 cab and effects...I honestly wouldn't know which to buy because there's so many great options I can get already from my Axe. It would be a tough, tough choice.
For me, it’s about the feel. The feel of a high power/high headroom amp through a closed back 4x12 is something that cannot be replicated by a small amp.
My Friedman Small Box 50 watt head is a LOUD 50 watts, plus it has the best master volume I have ever come across in a tube amp. It will easily get over a loud drummer and band, while also sounding amazing and still fun to play at extremely low volume levels. I have had a lot of amps over the years including 100 watt heads, but the Friedman Small Box gets the trophy for what I am looking for in an amp. Two fantastically voiced and very versatile channels. The loop is perfect also. I have had it since 2014 and it ended my days of constantly flipping amp. Many times loosing money in the process. I told Dave Friedman that my wife should send him Christmas cards. 🙂
Do you see kids do you know what the best thing to take away from this video is. Is that real dudes with big boy amps Actually get together with other musicians and play in bands. Which is what makes Zach so Awesome and well-rounded. He’s a real world dude who knows how to actually utilize all of this stuff for its intended purpose. Kudos to you man awesome
Yes, its all about headroom. I found that out when some guy compared a Mesa Triple Rectifier, or whatever it was, to a smaller 20 watt version., and the sound difference was remarkable. Engineers define sound as being twice as loud when there is 10 times the power. 10 watt amp to sound twice as loud needs 100 watts.
My 20W Mini Jubilee, 25W Peavey Bravo and 20W Friedman Pink Taco are all plenty loud enough for a band practice. Much lighter to carry compared to my Bogner GF SL and JMP 2204.
I have a Fryette PS100 that lets me boost or lower my smaller wattage heads without out loosing the sound. Just got the Friedman Pink Taco V2, and extremly impressed. It will rattle windows plugged into my Marshall SC212 Cab without the PS100.
Really impressive what Mike did with that 30watter. It really punches above its weight class and is extremely hard to tell apart from the big boy. It does a far better job than the 20W Marshall I think but that sounded very good as well. It's the only amp I've kinda had a hankering for but its just to spendy and hard for me to justify the cost. I have a V:25 and it simply can't punch and stay tight and focused like my MKIV but that's simply the nature of EL84s for the most part where the SLO30 uses 6L6s, and that's why it sounds so close to the 100.
It's either the full 100 watt amps or plug ins for me. I've tried a 6505mh and it just didn't do it for me. Bought the 6505+ and there it was. I could not believe how close the SLO 100 and 30 were. Amazing.
Would be interesting to see what you could do with the new solid state SLO Mini. Rabea managed to get it sound pretty close to the SLO100 in his video. I don’t think it would be too far away at all if it was run through the fx return of one of the bigger SLO’s so it would be going through a tube power section rather than it’s own solid state power section. Anyway… looking forward to this video later!
Yeah! I've checked out those mini amps, definitely cool sounding. I'll see if I can get one on the channel at some point. Thanks for checking out the video!
I used to have carvin legacy 3 steve vai sign for home use and maaan that master volume is soo bad, it wont do good tone in 1 or 2. Must be at 4, and its like 100+db loud for home use. And now im using mini silver jubilee 20 watt and well for home use is okay i guess. And for gigging im using full direct setup, here in Indonesia all venue dont give backline that sucks except ur a famous artist or band.
50 watts minimum , with loud drummer the master only need to go half way , retaining headroom punch and articulation . Mesa 50 50 , ENGL and diezel power amp have good volume taper. Cab placement matters, I always prefer 2x12 or 1x12 placed on top of backline , unblocked pointing towards the crowd.
The 20w vs 100w Marshalls sound quite different. The 100w has clearer and more extended lows and highs, and the 20w sounds like there's a bit more prominence and compression in the mids and lower mids. Not unlike the difference between a 4x12 cab vs small combo amp cab. They both sound good, but different. The Soldanos sounded more or less identical. Nice work, Soldano!
Ironically, I'm more likely to use the larger amps at home and the smaller amps gigging. I don't have to move the big bulky amps around in small venues if they're just for at-home use. The smaller, lighter amps are easier to load-in and load-out and are usually cheaper, so you can worry a little bit less about some punter spilling their beer on it. The differences in tone are just not as important come gig time compared to in the studio. As long as the amp has enough headroom on stage then all is good. I like the victory amps and the EVH 5150 50 Watt for this kind of thing.
Woww, the SLO 30 sounded very very similar to the 100 version (95-98% perhaps?). As for the marshall I think the tone and the punch is different though it is still remain similar
Completely agree about the 100 watt amps. People don’t know what they’re missing! Not even considering volume, its the size, headroom, punch and power of the sound that is missed.
For me the best compromise is 50W heads (have EVH 5150III 50w EL34, Headfirst Cali 50w, and a good old Miles Platting V50). Enough power to match every volume situation and don't need to push at insane volumes to reach the sweet spot. 50w is also light weight, don't need to bring loadboxes, and if we consider the price of tubes now... I would hate to own a Triple Rectifier :'(
It’s a good compromise. I have the evh Stealth 50 and the Stealth 100. I prefer the 100, as it just sounds so huge…but the 50 watt isn’t too far off and it’s more gig friendly.
I play through a Peavey 6505 plus 120 watt head into a EVH 2x12 at rehearsals and live. Its like driving a V8. At home I play Neural DSP SLO and its sounds great. Like you said, just use the right tool for the occasion.
I have both 20w and 100w JCM 800 and i prefer the fullness of the 100w over the 20w for recording and live when it's doable. For small gig I bring the 20w. I am curious of what is your fav setting on the 100w JCM800? Keep doing great videos 😉🔥
absolutely bigger heads. Always. Even though I play at home now, the big heads have a better reaction to speakers, more oomph, bottom end, richness. Fryette powerstation has become the best piece of equipment I have ever owned.
Man the SLO100 sounds so good! What a monster. But yeah, it's about using the right tool for the job. If I want to play guitar all night I don't think I'd be staying married playing a Mesa Mark V into my 4x12. Amplitube and headphones for that. Come to think of it I don't know when I'd have a use for a 20 watt version.
Smaller amps always sound a bit...smaller. If you want full chunk, you need the 100w versions. I have both but prefer the 100w by a big margin, especially when in the room with them. Great video!
Versatility of the SLO is severely underrated. With the depth knob alone you can go between more Marshallesque tones to something demonstrated in this video. I used an amp closely based on this circuit for years live with a cover band, handling pop/funk all the way up to metal. What the SLO does not natively do is early Pantera transistor amp or extreme vintage tones.
Wow I went and checked out the links you posted and the prices of these things are outrageous. For a reissue Marshall near 4K I remember back in the day we could buy these things for $400 on the used Market LOL
Great review! I've had many amps over the years, from 5w Laney, 20w Marshall combos to 100w Marshall stacks, 60w Peavey combos, up to 200w Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 rig. Latest rig is the 100w Mesa Badlander. Killer punch cannot be replaced with smaller wattage amps. More power means more 'balls' no matter what volume. These days, modeler amps are taking over the scene but a 'real' amp is the valve (tube) amps that draw real voltage power to deliver real sound air moving power, not transistor amps that are only good for low volume bedroom practice. Transistor amps downfall is if they fail (short out) then it's bye bye amplifier as they're aren't worth repairing the motherboards. Buying and trying amplifiers is expensive and over the years I've personally always been a 100w player, as you say, it's the power and potential power you have not necessarily the loudness that probably isn't utilised so much unless arena playing etc.
Nice comparison. Through a mic they are really close. Wonder if combining the Soldano 30 and the studio Marshall would be loud enough in a band context. Love stereo rigs.
A trick I use on higher-wattage amps with a Master Volume (PPIMV): crank the MV up all the way, and use the preamp volume to control your overall amp volume. This opens up the power section and sounds great (more dynamic), especially at lower volumes.
For Song Writing Amp Sims. But for recorded material and live 100 watt amp. I recently got a Marshall JVM 410H 100W and I was pleasantly surprised because I thought it wouldn't have enough gain. Great variety of tones.
Yes bigger is better. The lunch box heads will make your ears ring plenty but the big iron a 100w head has will punch and fill the sound more effectively!
To my ears the soldanos sound very close to each other, amazing. The little Marshall had more gain and mid focus? The big Marshall sounds open and huge. Nicely done!
I agree...almost always prefer 100 watt with good master volume. I have nothing against small amps or modelers, but imo the sterile tones people prefer today have nothing that punch you in the chest. I grew up playing with the amp and the amp pushing back. That interplay was half the magic.
Yeah, I prefer big 100 watt amps as well. Headroom is SOOOO important, especially if you want to run a fairly clean amp/channel and use pedals for OD/distortion. “Amp-in-a-box” pedals benefit big time on that headroom and can give the huge, fat sound your after. Also, I shy away from most EL84 amps. They just always have a choked feel and just get muffled-sounding when cranked. I think the Marshall Studio Series amps benefit from still using EL34s and are better representations of their big brothers, even if they still lack the headroom.
I prefer playing 100 watts at home. They just sound bigger and better. I’m actually more likely to gig one of my 2 50 watt heads, as they both have significantly smaller headshells. That’s about as low wattage as I am willing to go, as most lunch box heads are el84 based and fall about at volume. I know there are a few 6l6 and el34 lunchbox heads, but they are honestly over the top loud, as well…so may as well go for the 100.
I’m currently using a Sunn Sentura II for shows, I love the headroom ! But I’m looking forward to get a Quilter 202 for touring. Love the content, cheers from Mexico.
The 100 w will almost always sound better at its sweet spot bc it’s … louder. See fletcher Munson curve. Science etc. And headroom matters for sure regarding tone bc of the natural compression when you push the tubes. That can be good or bad depending what you’re going for - punchy metal tones and chimney cleans vs creamy saturated gain. I’ve struggled with the decision recently buying the Friedman JJ and the ENGL fireball. I ended up getting both smaller ones (I know disappointing) but honestly they sound glorious and epic and heavenly and soul crushing and are so fucking loud I would need the Fryette power station to be able to play the bigger ones anyway. Those particular amps and the Soldano may be exceptions bc they are such quality builds. Also 2 x 6L6s will likely have enough head room for most uses except maybe super high volume live settings. EL34 and 6V6 not as much but you can enjoy that creamy breakup instead. So the answer is- take a walk to clear your head then come back and buy all the gear. (Not to be construed as investment advice).
I practice with a regular live drum and band with a 5W blackstar at around 50% volume... Never had issues not being loud enough :o also never played a venue that would require something louder than my 5w amp that didn't have a PA. I get the feel thing, but if money is a factor there is just no reason to spend so much on a big amp+cab.
100 Watters are going by the wayside in local music scenes. The reality is that no one is playing venues that require the power that only a 100W can deliver, and if they are, the venue will 100% have a good FOH and mike the amps. 30-50w seems to be the sweet spot for gigging (and recording) these days.
Other than my combo amp, I only run 💯s through speaker cabinets. The Friedman BE-100 Deluxe has a great system volume and the Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 basically has a built in attenuator so they both are into a 4X12 cabinet. (The Mesa is {2} 2X12s stacked) The Marshall JVM410H is into a 2X12 with an attenuator to help push a bit harder to open things up. The Mezzabarba Trinity was a little too loud through my old slant 4X12 with how I’ve got it dialed so I’ve ordered a Mezz vertical 2X12.
I've had several smaller low Watt combo amps and a few 100 Watt amps. I still have the 100 Watt amps. Oh, and a Captor X. The little ones are sweet, but they just can't hang.
Killer content man! Tones are unbelievable! I’m not sure if the riffs for the Soldano section were original pieces? But very close to stuff I’ve written. Either we’re on a similar brainwave or I’ve subconsciously plagiarized someone’s music lol either way awesome stuff dude 🤘😁
Big all-tube setups are so wildly expensive these days, it's hard to justify a 100w rig through a reactive load when there are so many lower-watt amps that have usable DI so you can have a quiet stage and then get your sound to FoH easily. Kinda makes the rigamarole of the heavy iron seem like an outmoded luxury.
If the point is to get a lot of headroom, then i guess the easiest solution is to go with an class d and preamps/pedals/modelers. The whole argument about distorting the power section (which sounds bad if like big chords and definition) can be simulated quite easily in the front end with an extra pedal or a modeler.
The Mids of 800\20w i like even more here, but i agree of 100w headroom, and i love low punch "oldschool" type guitar tone - Meshuggah 95, Pantera, Metallica B.A.
DAMN. Amazing tones! The comparisons were too close to matter for me. So, if you 'need' the cranked 100w to keep up with your drummer, you have a drummer problem. LOL.
I hear your argument. And appreciate all the nuances. However. Big amp make crush. My desert island amp head is a rockerverb 100mk3. For my experience. Perfection made sound. Xoxo awesome video
Wow interesting! there is definitely a difference between the 100 and 20 watt, a natural fatness that the 100w has. Not much or any? (Would have to spectrum anlyze it :) from the 100 to the 30W. I have had them all, even a 15w 5150 and to MY ear, it all goes "south :)" past 30w. Just got the 30w Laney LA30 and holy molly is LOUD! not meant to have headroom on this one, but still, SO loud. However, I do think the sweet spot power amp/pre amp distortion would be 50w. A 100w power amp does not break up until when!? till your ears are bleeding! In general I think there is no "better", it depends what you are going for, how "soon you want the power amp to break up" type of tone or not. Dope video as always!
its good that he plays chords not lead so we can actually hear it . where does the gain come from on soldanos ? just the pre amp or could you get 70s rock sound with it ?
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The double tracked soldano was one of the best guitar tones i've ever heard.
That Slo 30 is ridiculous. One of the best smaller amps Ive heard for maintaining that clarity, and bottom end/thump and depth. Just wow.
The "Soldano Song" with those chugs and chords sounded very nice. Killer video and guitar tones, as always!
Thanks Henrique!
Finally someone who tells it like it is.
These lunchbox and low wattage amps turn to compressed mush trying to play with a hard hitting metal drummer and heavy bass player.
The thump, clarity and thickness of 50w / 100w amps is why they exist.
Anything sounds good on a close mic'd recording, and TH-camr's trying to convince people they are equal by comparing close mic'd recordings
are not only kidding everyone else ....... but also themselves.
90% of the questions on guitar forums are asking for amps that sound KILLER at SUPER LOW BEDROOM VOLUME LEVELS. There are virtually no questions about how to be louder .
The best amps for bedroom volume levels that sound every bit as good as Marshalls 50 AND 100 WATT AMPS ARE the 1 WATT JMP PLEXI AND JCM 800 1 WATT MODEL.
Listen for yourself: th-cam.com/video/M276pkb80s4/w-d-xo.html
I agree! I do think that a SLO30 will do just fine for band practice even in a rock/metal band and its amazing for recording but live you can run out of steam. Especially with bad PA support. 50w and 100w ultimate perfection for loud and heavy music.
The Soldano SLO 30 is definitely a "Bucket List" amp!!
Really cool video! The SLO-30 sounds so massive!
Double-tracking these amps is where all the magic begins.
That thing about good master volumes is key. I’ve got a Friedman BE100DLX and I can play it in my apartment without any issues. Then I can take it to band practice/shows and really open it up without changing the tone all that much. I had a Rockerverb 100 MKiii that had a similar setup. I could get that amp to be quieter at apartment levels than my dark terror and Jim Root terror. It’s such a great time to be a guitar player with all these companies figuring out ways to play super quiet and super loud with the same piece of gear.
Definitely! The BE-100 Deluxe is a monster! Thanks for checking out the video!
Wow, thanks for much for addressing my question in a video! What a treat! I remember you did reply to my comment with a great reply, but it's extra cool that you took the time to make this video and show some comparisons... and I love the creepy scream voice over you gave me comment, haha. Your explanations were very clear, and I agree that the differences in tone are pretty small in the recordings you did. I really had to listen intently to hear differences between the small and large amps in the video, and I guess the fact that I had to listen so intently to find them demonstrates just how close they are. I was pretty hard to tell the difference between the JCM800s, maybe a little, and the Slo seemed marginally more obvious with the 100W having just slightly more low end dynamics I could hear, but I really had to focus hard to compare, and I doubt I could hear any difference at all in a recorded band mix. I think that's a real testament to how great the low wattage amps are.
I think the differences for me (beyond volume/headroom), is that when I stand in front of my speaker cab, there's this "girth" that I hear and feel with larger amps that aren't as present with my smaller amps. I'm personally less concerned about headroom as I amp about feeling and hear that hugeness that comes with larger amps, even at lower volumes (not sure if that makes sense). To be specific, I have been comparing my 20W Friedman JJ Jr with my 100W Orange Rockerverb MKii, and while the Friedman doesn't sound like a "small amp", when I play the Rockerverb, I do notice a distinctive "hugeness" compared to the JJ Jr. even at the same volumes, played through the same cab. Saying that, I do not like either more than the other, I absolutely love my JJ Jr. and I don't feel like it's lacking in any way for my purposes, but I also do love my 100W for the sheer "girth" of the sound it produces.
Also great points about not needing to crank larger amps live, allowing them to hit their sweet spot without needing to push them beyond that point just to keep up... That's something I hadn't considered before.
Thanks again for addressing this in a video. I think it's very helpful, because there are so many large and low wattage amps out there now, that it can be tricky for people to know what they should be going for.
Zach, you make all of these amps sound insanely good - from your playing to the engineering. I use your videos as references for dialing in tones on my HX Stomp because your tones are so on point. Thanks for all that you do man.
The SLO 30 in particular sounded scary good - I even preferred it to the SLO 100 on a few of the riffs. The small amps definitely keep up for recording, but there is a certain headroom and hugeness that you get from the 100 watters. That difference is negligible for most of us, though - I'd personally be more concerned with headroom and stage volume needs above all.
Thanks so much Jake! Appreciate the kind words.
@@ZachWish Yeah I stumbled on to your channel and the first thing that stuck me was your sound quality with the mics. I used to use a 100w dual recto w/ std 4x12. I'm always a tone-chasing-grass-is-greener-effects junkie so it didn't work out except for playing chugga-chuggas...but I gotta have chugga-gugga, so the best solution I found was the Axe Fx 3. Sounds great through some HS8s at a desk or QSC K10.2s. It's pretty great to pick out whatever amp head interests me (Friedman, JVM, SLO, Rectos, JP2C mostly) and audition whatever speaker cabs and mics I want to mix! Put a dual detune pan left/right for some grease and it sounds AMAZING and I can plug it right into my Mac and record in Reaper with no fuss. If I went to buy a new rig today 100w head w/ some 4x12 cab and effects...I honestly wouldn't know which to buy because there's so many great options I can get already from my Axe. It would be a tough, tough choice.
@@ZachWish Is it the old SLO or the BAD made one (new version)?
@@81giorikas it's BAD made. You can see by channel switch on front and choke on top of the chassis.
The SLO30 can definitely hang with a band. maybe OP was using a small cab or something.
Monster tones. SLO30 sounds great.
For me, it’s about the feel. The feel of a high power/high headroom amp through a closed back 4x12 is something that cannot be replicated by a small amp.
Bro that jcm800 studio does amazingly well.
Also your playing bro. The amps are nothing without the player.
You bring these things alive
Man I love my amps. The feel of my triple rectifier running through a four 12 cabinet is amazing.
Wow if I didn't see the images change on the slo playthroughs I may not have noticed the switch at all. Great job Soldano
I've very rarely heard such good guitar tone, man. Fantastic
My Friedman Small Box 50 watt head is a LOUD 50 watts, plus it has the best master volume I have ever come across in a tube amp. It will easily get over a loud drummer and band, while also sounding amazing and still fun to play at extremely low volume levels. I have had a lot of amps over the years including 100 watt heads, but the Friedman Small Box gets the trophy for what I am looking for in an amp. Two fantastically voiced and very versatile channels. The loop is perfect also. I have had it since 2014 and it ended my days of constantly flipping amp. Many times loosing money in the process. I told Dave Friedman that my wife should send him Christmas cards. 🙂
Agreed! The Smallbox is one of the best out there in my opinion. Thanks for checking out the video!
Do you see kids do you know what the best thing to take away from this video is. Is that real dudes with big boy amps Actually get together with other musicians and play in bands. Which is what makes Zach so Awesome and well-rounded. He’s a real world dude who knows how to actually utilize all of this stuff for its intended purpose. Kudos to you man awesome
I actually prefer the tones of the smaller amps. They both seem to have more hi-mids/presence and more saturation/fullness than their big brothers
Yes, its all about headroom. I found that out when some guy compared a Mesa Triple Rectifier, or whatever it was, to a smaller 20 watt version., and the sound difference was remarkable. Engineers define sound as being twice as loud when there is 10 times the power. 10 watt amp to sound twice as loud needs 100 watts.
Amazing video. How anyone could ever conflate Marshall and Soldano has never played 'em both. Both great, both very different.
My 20W Mini Jubilee, 25W Peavey Bravo and 20W Friedman Pink Taco are all plenty loud enough for a band practice. Much lighter to carry compared to my Bogner GF SL and JMP 2204.
I have a Fryette PS100 that lets me boost or lower my smaller wattage heads without out loosing the sound. Just got the Friedman Pink Taco V2, and extremly impressed. It will rattle windows plugged into my Marshall SC212 Cab without the PS100.
Awesome! The PS100 is such a great piece of gear. Thanks for checking out the video.
I really can't believe how great the SLO 30 sounds!
Really impressive what Mike did with that 30watter. It really punches above its weight class and is extremely hard to tell apart from the big boy. It does a far better job than the 20W Marshall I think but that sounded very good as well. It's the only amp I've kinda had a hankering for but its just to spendy and hard for me to justify the cost. I have a V:25 and it simply can't punch and stay tight and focused like my MKIV but that's simply the nature of EL84s for the most part where the SLO30 uses 6L6s, and that's why it sounds so close to the 100.
It's either the full 100 watt amps or plug ins for me. I've tried a 6505mh and it just didn't do it for me. Bought the 6505+ and there it was. I could not believe how close the SLO 100 and 30 were. Amazing.
The 6505+ with an orange cab was the best tone I’ve ever tried and it was stupid loud. 😀
Even in the studio with loadbox and IRs you can feel and hear the difference between 100W and 20W amps.
Awesome man! Sounded great, again!
Thanks so much! Appreciate it.
Nothing against the smaller amps, but I prefer 100w Marshalls and multiple 4x12s. I only play at home but I have glorious tone all the time.
Would be interesting to see what you could do with the new solid state SLO Mini. Rabea managed to get it sound pretty close to the SLO100 in his video. I don’t think it would be too far away at all if it was run through the fx return of one of the bigger SLO’s so it would be going through a tube power section rather than it’s own solid state power section. Anyway… looking forward to this video later!
Yeah! I've checked out those mini amps, definitely cool sounding. I'll see if I can get one on the channel at some point. Thanks for checking out the video!
I used to have carvin legacy 3 steve vai sign for home use and maaan that master volume is soo bad, it wont do good tone in 1 or 2. Must be at 4, and its like 100+db loud for home use. And now im using mini silver jubilee 20 watt and well for home use is okay i guess. And for gigging im using full direct setup, here in Indonesia all venue dont give backline that sucks except ur a famous artist or band.
50 watts minimum , with loud drummer the master only need to go half way , retaining headroom punch and articulation . Mesa 50 50 , ENGL and diezel power amp have good volume taper. Cab placement matters, I always prefer 2x12 or 1x12 placed on top of backline , unblocked pointing towards the crowd.
The 20w vs 100w Marshalls sound quite different. The 100w has clearer and more extended lows and highs, and the 20w sounds like there's a bit more prominence and compression in the mids and lower mids. Not unlike the difference between a 4x12 cab vs small combo amp cab. They both sound good, but different.
The Soldanos sounded more or less identical. Nice work, Soldano!
Ironically, I'm more likely to use the larger amps at home and the smaller amps gigging. I don't have to move the big bulky amps around in small venues if they're just for at-home use.
The smaller, lighter amps are easier to load-in and load-out and are usually cheaper, so you can worry a little bit less about some punter spilling their beer on it. The differences in tone are just not as important come gig time compared to in the studio. As long as the amp has enough headroom on stage then all is good. I like the victory amps and the EVH 5150 50 Watt for this kind of thing.
Woww, the SLO 30 sounded very very similar to the 100 version (95-98% perhaps?). As for the marshall I think the tone and the punch is different though it is still remain similar
Ha, I was looking for that as I have the SLO30 - so no need for me to get the 100 :) Thank you!
Completely agree about the 100 watt amps. People don’t know what they’re missing! Not even considering volume, its the size, headroom, punch and power of the sound that is missed.
For me the best compromise is 50W heads (have EVH 5150III 50w EL34, Headfirst Cali 50w, and a good old Miles Platting V50). Enough power to match every volume situation and don't need to push at insane volumes to reach the sweet spot. 50w is also light weight, don't need to bring loadboxes, and if we consider the price of tubes now... I would hate to own a Triple Rectifier :'(
It’s a good compromise. I have the evh Stealth 50 and the Stealth 100. I prefer the 100, as it just sounds so huge…but the 50 watt isn’t too far off and it’s more gig friendly.
I would prefer 100W over 50W. The volume difference is negligible but the tone is much better on 100W, more punchy, with fuller and tighter low end.
@@NUNUA I totally agree, but I spend much more time rehearsals and live rather than studio, so 50w is my go to :)
@@brandonbryson3317 This is exactly what I ear too but my back prefers 50w when 2 rehaersals /week and around 15-20 live gig /year ^^
What is the song you play with the Soldanos? Great tone as allways, great explanation
I play through a Peavey 6505 plus 120 watt head into a EVH 2x12 at rehearsals and live. Its like driving a V8. At home I play Neural DSP SLO and its sounds great. Like you said, just use the right tool for the occasion.
I have both 20w and 100w JCM 800 and i prefer the fullness of the 100w over the 20w for recording and live when it's doable. For small gig I bring the 20w. I am curious of what is your fav setting on the 100w JCM800? Keep doing great videos 😉🔥
😁😇🥰😍🤩💯👍👍💪
absolutely bigger heads. Always. Even though I play at home now, the big heads have a better reaction to speakers, more oomph, bottom end, richness. Fryette powerstation has become the best piece of equipment I have ever owned.
Man the SLO100 sounds so good! What a monster. But yeah, it's about using the right tool for the job. If I want to play guitar all night I don't think I'd be staying married playing a Mesa Mark V into my 4x12. Amplitube and headphones for that. Come to think of it I don't know when I'd have a use for a 20 watt version.
I only play at home now and sold my amps for plugins. That lasted about 6 months before I lost my mind and had to buy another tube amp.
Fantastic video as always!
Thanks Filipe!
Smaller amps always sound a bit...smaller. If you want full chunk, you need the 100w versions. I have both but prefer the 100w by a big margin, especially when in the room with them. Great video!
Versatility of the SLO is severely underrated. With the depth knob alone you can go between more Marshallesque tones to something demonstrated in this video. I used an amp closely based on this circuit for years live with a cover band, handling pop/funk all the way up to metal. What the SLO does not natively do is early Pantera transistor amp or extreme vintage tones.
Wow I went and checked out the links you posted and the prices of these things are outrageous. For a reissue Marshall near 4K I remember back in the day we could buy these things for $400 on the used Market LOL
Your neighbors must really love you.
Great video Zach… the jcms feels so close (not as the bone do’s video show)
Great review! I've had many amps over the years, from 5w Laney, 20w Marshall combos to 100w Marshall stacks, 60w Peavey combos, up to 200w Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 rig. Latest rig is the 100w Mesa Badlander. Killer punch cannot be replaced with smaller wattage amps. More power means more 'balls' no matter what volume. These days, modeler amps are taking over the scene but a 'real' amp is the valve (tube) amps that draw real voltage power to deliver real sound air moving power, not transistor amps that are only good for low volume bedroom practice. Transistor amps downfall is if they fail (short out) then it's bye bye amplifier as they're aren't worth repairing the motherboards. Buying and trying amplifiers is expensive and over the years I've personally always been a 100w player, as you say, it's the power and potential power you have not necessarily the loudness that probably isn't utilised so much unless arena playing etc.
Nice comparison. Through a mic they are really close. Wonder if combining the Soldano 30 and the studio Marshall would be loud enough in a band context. Love stereo rigs.
A trick I use on higher-wattage amps with a Master Volume (PPIMV): crank the MV up all the way, and use the preamp volume to control your overall amp volume. This opens up the power section and sounds great (more dynamic), especially at lower volumes.
uuh I will try this ty! :)
For Song Writing Amp Sims. But for recorded material and live 100 watt amp. I recently got a Marshall JVM 410H 100W and I was pleasantly surprised because I thought it wouldn't have enough gain. Great variety of tones.
100 has that headroom, SOUNDS amazing
On a recording I'd take either. Live, give me the 100 watts. You should think about doing some Tonex captures. Great sounds here.
Yes bigger is better. The lunch box heads will make your ears ring plenty but the big iron a 100w head has will punch and fill the sound more effectively!
This video was just plain AWESOME! Thanks man I’m speechless those tones are epic Rock on 🤟🏻
Thanks Mark! Appreciate the kind words.
Best Hard-Rock tones on TH-cam 🤘
Dude...i just want to commend you on your impeccable taste in guitars and amps 😂 love your setup man!
To me the difference is undeniable in the room. I love my 50 watt JVM but compared to my 90watt Mark V there is a solidity that can’t be replaced.
"Solidity" is a great word for it. Thanks so much for checking out the video!
Interesting, the smaller amps sound better in the recording. I guess that's perfect for us bedroom guys.
To my ears the soldanos sound very close to each other, amazing. The little Marshall had more gain and mid focus? The big Marshall sounds open and huge. Nicely done!
I agree...almost always prefer 100 watt with good master volume. I have nothing against small amps or modelers, but imo the sterile tones people prefer today have nothing that punch you in the chest. I grew up playing with the amp and the amp pushing back. That interplay was half the magic.
Yeah, I prefer big 100 watt amps as well. Headroom is SOOOO important, especially if you want to run a fairly clean amp/channel and use pedals for OD/distortion. “Amp-in-a-box” pedals benefit big time on that headroom and can give the huge, fat sound your after. Also, I shy away from most EL84 amps. They just always have a choked feel and just get muffled-sounding when cranked. I think the Marshall Studio Series amps benefit from still using EL34s and are better representations of their big brothers, even if they still lack the headroom.
I prefer playing 100 watts at home. They just sound bigger and better. I’m actually more likely to gig one of my 2 50 watt heads, as they both have significantly smaller headshells. That’s about as low wattage as I am willing to go, as most lunch box heads are el84 based and fall about at volume. I know there are a few 6l6 and el34 lunchbox heads, but they are honestly over the top loud, as well…so may as well go for the 100.
I’m currently using a Sunn Sentura II for shows, I love the headroom !
But I’m looking forward to get a Quilter 202 for touring.
Love the content, cheers from Mexico.
Love the playing!😊
I've owned amps of all wattages and I've arrived at preferring a 100 watt head through a 4x12...even in my house. YMMV
Very nice. Youre right. Its the context. Nice tunes and great Video! Team 100!;)
Damn! That Slo 30... whaaat a beast
The 100 w will almost always sound better at its sweet spot bc it’s … louder. See fletcher Munson curve. Science etc. And headroom matters for sure regarding tone bc of the natural compression when you push the tubes. That can be good or bad depending what you’re going for - punchy metal tones and chimney cleans vs creamy saturated gain. I’ve struggled with the decision recently buying the Friedman JJ and the ENGL fireball. I ended up getting both smaller ones (I know disappointing) but honestly they sound glorious and epic and heavenly and soul crushing and are so fucking loud I would need the Fryette power station to be able to play the bigger ones anyway. Those particular amps and the Soldano may be exceptions bc they are such quality builds. Also 2 x 6L6s will likely have enough head room for most uses except maybe super high volume live settings. EL34 and 6V6 not as much but you can enjoy that creamy breakup instead. So the answer is- take a walk to clear your head then come back and buy all the gear. (Not to be construed as investment advice).
I practice with a regular live drum and band with a 5W blackstar at around 50% volume... Never had issues not being loud enough :o also never played a venue that would require something louder than my 5w amp that didn't have a PA. I get the feel thing, but if money is a factor there is just no reason to spend so much on a big amp+cab.
100 Watters are going by the wayside in local music scenes. The reality is that no one is playing venues that require the power that only a 100W can deliver, and if they are, the venue will 100% have a good FOH and mike the amps.
30-50w seems to be the sweet spot for gigging (and recording) these days.
Yes, the end
Other than my combo amp, I only run 💯s through speaker cabinets. The Friedman BE-100 Deluxe has a great system volume and the Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 basically has a built in attenuator so they both are into a 4X12 cabinet. (The Mesa is {2} 2X12s stacked) The Marshall JVM410H is into a 2X12 with an attenuator to help push a bit harder to open things up. The Mezzabarba Trinity was a little too loud through my old slant 4X12 with how I’ve got it dialed so I’ve ordered a Mezz vertical 2X12.
I've had several smaller low Watt combo amps and a few 100 Watt amps. I still have the 100 Watt amps. Oh, and a Captor X. The little ones are sweet, but they just can't hang.
Dude your tone in the beginning of the video with that green fender reminds me chevelle niratias album
Killer content man! Tones are unbelievable! I’m not sure if the riffs for the Soldano section were original pieces? But very close to stuff I’ve written. Either we’re on a similar brainwave or I’ve subconsciously plagiarized someone’s music lol either way awesome stuff dude 🤘😁
Big all-tube setups are so wildly expensive these days, it's hard to justify a 100w rig through a reactive load when there are so many lower-watt amps that have usable DI so you can have a quiet stage and then get your sound to FoH easily. Kinda makes the rigamarole of the heavy iron seem like an outmoded luxury.
Killer tones!!
If the point is to get a lot of headroom, then i guess the easiest solution is to go with an class d and preamps/pedals/modelers.
The whole argument about distorting the power section (which sounds bad if like big chords and definition) can be simulated quite easily in the front end with an extra pedal or a modeler.
That guitar is growing on me.
tweak slightly with an EQ and the 20W Marshall will sound and feel the same like the 100W in a recording/home situation.
I went with a quad cortex and studio monitors at home, and a Seymour Duncan power stage 700 and a cab on stage
that's why 50 watt heads exist. they fill the sweet spot.
Exactly! 😁
Man, that double tracked Soldano tone is killer! What riff were you playing around 7:13?
The Mids of 800\20w i like even more here, but i agree of 100w headroom, and i love low punch "oldschool" type guitar tone - Meshuggah 95, Pantera, Metallica B.A.
Can you do a vid comparing the Sc20 with the Slo 30. I have the Slo 30 but think I want to add something British/el34ish
Since I like playing in bands like Hum and Failure, I opt for the more-is-more model: 100 watt FTW.
Holy shit the SLO30 is like spot on. If you closed your eyes I highly doubt you’d be able to know when they switch.
The headroom of a 100 watt head can't be beat. I always swore by the 2203 over the 2204 for that very reason. Just felt and sounded bigger.
God those Soldanos are heavenly
DAMN. Amazing tones! The comparisons were too close to matter for me. So, if you 'need' the cranked 100w to keep up with your drummer, you have a drummer problem. LOL.
I hear your argument. And appreciate all the nuances.
However.
Big amp make crush.
My desert island amp head is a rockerverb 100mk3.
For my experience. Perfection made sound. Xoxo awesome video
Maybe the difference is in major low end for the high watt amp?
Awesome video man 🤘
Thanks so much!
The 100w marshall definitely has more tight and big low end
with both amps, the 100w has more tight low end. That headroom...
It is great!! Can you introduce what the fender guitar model is? it looks so cool.
th-cam.com/video/74tKgBMAxwg/w-d-xo.html 👍
@@ZachWish Thank you so much.
Wow interesting! there is definitely a difference between the 100 and 20 watt, a natural fatness that the 100w has. Not much or any? (Would have to spectrum anlyze it :) from the 100 to the 30W. I have had them all, even a 15w 5150 and to MY ear, it all goes "south :)" past 30w. Just got the 30w Laney LA30 and holy molly is LOUD! not meant to have headroom on this one, but still, SO loud. However, I do think the sweet spot power amp/pre amp distortion would be 50w. A 100w power amp does not break up until when!? till your ears are bleeding! In general I think there is no "better", it depends what you are going for, how "soon you want the power amp to break up" type of tone or not. Dope video as always!
its good that he plays chords not lead so we can actually hear it . where does the gain come from on soldanos ? just the pre amp or could you get 70s rock sound with it ?