Bluesking Posted January 23, 2006 Posted January 23, 2006 I've got a line on a super clean '91 Soldano HR 50 in 80s-approved snakeskin.I don't know much about these, other than they are designed to get that modded-Marshall tone right out of the box.Any advice or experiences?Thanks!
MrGuitarguy Posted January 23, 2006 Posted January 23, 2006 They only sound good at stupid volumes (like all Soldanos). You might want to look into a hot plate or similar device. One trick pony, but it's a good trick!
MCChris Posted January 23, 2006 Posted January 23, 2006 They only sound good at stupid volumes (like all Soldanos). You might want to look into a hot plate or similar device. One trick pony, but it's a good trick! What he said. You gotta get the master up above 5. That's when the magic kicks in.I had one of these for a long while. Sold it to bruce919 for a SONG a few years ago when I wasn't in a band and didn't need all that volume. Wish I had it back now.This was the amp that got me into the single channel, clean things up with the volume control approach. Simple, no BS circuit. Sounded INCREDIBLE on tape.
Bluesking Posted January 23, 2006 Author Posted January 23, 2006 I had read that these particular amps were useful in low volume applications ("bedroom levels") - is that not the case?
Jeff R Posted January 23, 2006 Posted January 23, 2006 What MGG and the Muse said. The magic Soldano sound (in all that I've test-drove) were with the power amp at 6-8, so be prepared for excruciating volumes or Hot Plate usage. Having said that, the HRs sound great.
jettster Posted January 23, 2006 Posted January 23, 2006 Tone is always subjective but, my experience has been different. While I have not played the HR50, I have played several SLO100s, Avengers, Lucky13 an Astroverb and Atomic16. Ironically the higher wattage amps sounded decent at lower levels, even more so with the Soldano cabs. Of course like any tube amp they sound better louder but, I thought the SLO, Avenger and Lucky 13 sounded pretty good at resonable volume levels. The lower wattage amps seemed like they needed to be pushed a little to get the "Soldano" tone. I don't know that any of them would pass for a bedroom amp, at least without soundproofing. (Most tube amps for that matter.) The HR50+XL is more than a one trick pony too. Channel switching and the whole works.
MCChris Posted January 23, 2006 Posted January 23, 2006 I had read that these particular amps were useful in low volume applications ("bedroom levels") - is that not the case? I suppose so, since there's so much gain on tap. You can roll the preamp up to 10 or 11 and you'll get some nice grind and sustain at lower volumes. My experience with the amp was in a full band context. Roll up the master, roll back the pre and you're golden. Both around 5 or 6 was awesome. After that, bedroom levels were a letdown for me, which is why I sold it.
paults Posted January 23, 2006 Posted January 23, 2006 What does the Soldano square 2-12 cab sound like? Sealed back, diagonally mounted speakers. I saw an older one for $250. Is that what they go for?
shred dog Posted January 23, 2006 Posted January 23, 2006 bluesking the hot rod 50 is a great amp (i miss mine ) but you do have to turn them up to about 4-6 on the master volume and have the gain at 4-6 and your ROCKIN!! that being said the gain up high and the master low is cool but not like with the volume up .
Bluesking Posted January 23, 2006 Author Posted January 23, 2006 I've been playing long enough to realize that the only thing that sounds like a cranked tube amp is.......a cranked tube amp. That being said, I'm still looking for a decent tone at lower levels. I just sold a Budda Twinmaster since it wasn't usuable at anything but gig volumes - my wife was less than thrilled.So, I guess my question is - will the HR 50 give me usable rock tones at levels that will keep me in the good graces of the "volume regulator" in the house? I can always give it some juice at jam session once in a while.Thanks guys.........
MCChris Posted January 23, 2006 Posted January 23, 2006 I've been playing long enough to realize that the only thing that sounds like a cranked tube amp is.......a cranked tube amp. That being said, I'm still looking for a decent tone at lower levels. I just sold a Budda Twinmaster since it wasn't usuable at anything but gig volumes - my wife was less than thrilled.So, I guess my question is - will the HR 50 give me usable rock tones at levels that will keep me in the good graces of the "volume regulator" in the house? I can always give it some juice at jam session once in a while.Thanks guys......... Then I'll say yes. Running it through a 2x12 or less is recommended.
Bluesking Posted January 23, 2006 Author Posted January 23, 2006 OK, where can I get a 2x12 cab that will match the snakeskin Soldano? Which speakers for the cab? V30s? Scumbacks? Hellatones?BTW - now that I'm in the middle of reliving my youth playing 80s metal, I'm looking at a cool Wayne Charvel Monster to compliment the Soldano. Break out the leather pants......woo hoo!
El Kabong Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 +1 on reliving the 80's. Don't listen to what anyone says-pink spandex and wrestling boots look cool on middle aged men with beer guts. Ignore your wife when she asks where the zuchinni and tin foil is. Remember, you have *no* idea where her hair spray and eye liner is.I have a blues rig- Nash Esquire, Victoria amp and strat, plus an 80's metal rig-custom snakeskin head and hot rod flamed Charvel.Oh, yeah, speakers: Celestion Herritage series green backs are supposed to be the shit. The 20 watter was done under the advisement of George Allessandro.
MrGuitarguy Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 I think they sound INCREDIBLY thin at low volumes, which is certianly not "the soldano sound". When you hit 6 or 7 on the master it will sound great. I still think it's a one trick pony, two channels or not (like many 2 channel amps). It is not a bedroom amp by any stretch. Attenuation will help, but you'll still end up having the volume police tell you to turn it down. I considered buying soldanos many time, but have never been happy enough with the versitility or volume levels to make the jump. If it's close where you can check it out, then do so and remember that you're the one who needs to like it regardless of what anyone else says.Also, I like they way the Soldano's sound with Greenbacks and Vintage 30's.Off to the studio to make other bands sound cool...
rmahurin Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 I think BCRGreg had a purple HR50 head at the HFC jam a few years back. Sounded great.
kurtsstuff Posted January 25, 2006 Posted January 25, 2006 I know I'm in the minority here but..never could get next to my HR50's had 2 of them as well as an HR100...Don't know??..just seemed real one dimensional and sterile sounding...more "Brakk" than "bark"...???
RobB Posted January 25, 2006 Posted January 25, 2006 Gary Moore, LP, Guv'nor, SLO=Tone Heaven. Shit's L-O-U-D, though...I'll echo that they sound killer, but you really have to open 'em up to get 'that' sound.I've liked all the Soldanos I've played through. The Astroverb head gets you a bit closer to bedrm volumes, but lacks the higain circuit of it's big brothers. I still might pick up a used one someday. With a little fiddling and the right guitar you can get a respectable, Beatle-y Vox thing going.Didn't SirDan have a Lucky13 for a time?
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