Soldano Super Lead Overdrive SLO-30 30W Classic Head

Soldano’s original Super Lead Overdrive (or SLO, if you prefer), solidified its place in gear history as a defining piece of musical equipment. It was the benchmark for current-day high-gain amplification and remains popular today. The SLO-30 is the smaller, 30-watt version of the Super Lead Overdrive for when you want that rich, powerful tone at a more manageable volume.

Rich History

1987 was a defining year for the brand. It saw Mike Soldano display his high-gain, 100-watt amp head (characterised by its incredible blend of sustain, gain and response) to the industry at NAMM. And as they say, the rest is now history!   

It quickly developed a legion of fans, both in the professional sphere and with enthusiasts everywhere. The amp’s drive channel became a regular sonic feature of Mick Mars’ rig (Motley Crue), among other heavyweight rock players. In contrast, the clean channel – paired with a crunchy blues offering – found it’s way into the hearts of the likes of Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler. If this doesn’t scream quality, we don’t know what does! Till this day, the amp has remained the first pick of guitar players across the globe. 

Modern Update

The brand new Soldano Super Lead Overdrive 30 takes inspiration from the original, adding a suite of new features in the process. It manages to balance the performance and look of the original, combining it with modern-day functionality. After all, it needs to meet the demands of even the most discerning player. 

Enhanced Noise Floor

Thanks to a combination of cutting-edge grounding, circuit separation (avoiding crosstalk among channels) and a DC filament circuit, you’ll notice an improved signal-to-noise ratio; it doesn’t come at a detriment to the amps clean tone either.  

Seamless Channel Switching

A built-in channel-select toggle switch makes swapping between them an absolute breeze. This is particularly useful in a studio setting where you may not necessarily want to have to use a footswitch. 

Depth Control as Standard

Unlike the original model, a depth control now comes as standard on the SLO-30. Mixing together the presence and depth controls opens up a versatile EQ. This opens up a whole host of new creative possibilities and is unrivalled when compared to your average tone stack. 

Upgraded Effects Loop

The transparent tube-buffered effects loop on show here takes both high-powered rack units and old-school pedals – plus everything in between – in its stride. A hardwire bypass switch has been incorporated too, ensuring you can remove the effects loop completely from the circuitry if you so choose. Alongside this, there’s the return level control, which is designed to set up a couple of foot-switchable preset volumes.  

Features 

• 30-watt all-tube head
• Hand wired in the USA
• Legendary high-gain and clean tones that defined modern rock
• Compact design is perfect for today’s studios and stages
• Crystal cleans and harmonically rich crunch tones via the Normal channel’s Bright and Crunch switches
• Thick and incredibly tight driven to distorted tones throughout the Overdrive channel’s range
• Instant switching from the Normal to Overdrive channels via the included footswitch
• Independent Preamp and Master controls
• Global 3-band EQ, Presence, and Depth controls voice the entire amp
• Improved tube-buffered FX loop
• Variable Slave output offers direct recording, use with IRs, combining amps, and more
• Use your 4, 8, or 16-ohm speaker cabinets thanks to the onboard impedance selector

Specifications 

• Type: Tube 
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 9.75″ x 19″ x 8″
• Weight: 30 lbs. 
• Channels: 2 
• Power: 30W
• Power Tubes: x2 5881/6L6
• Preamp Tubes: x5 12AX7 
• EQ: 3-Band EQ, Depth, Presence 
• Effects Loop: Tube Buffered 
• Footswitch I/O: x1 1/4″ (Channel) – Footswitch Included 
• Power Supply: Standard IEC AC Cable