United States · Est. 1987
Soldano Custom Amplification
Mike Soldano created in 1987 the amplifier that defined American hard rock sound. The SLO-100 remains one of the most copied designs in amplifier history.
About the brand
Soldano Custom Amplification was founded in 1987 by Mike Soldano in Seattle, Washington. Mike Soldano had been working as an amplifier technician for years when he decided to design his own high-gain circuit. The result was the SLO-100 (Super Lead Overdrive), a 100-watt two-channel valve amplifier that changed how high gain was understood in valve amplifiers.
The SLO-100 was immediately adopted by high-profile guitarists like Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Warren Haynes and Eddie Van Halen, who ordered one after hearing it. The SLO's Clean channel is extraordinarily musical and the Overdrive channel has a picking articulation and dynamic response that guitarists describe as 'breathing'. Its influence is visible in virtually all subsequent high-gain amplifiers.
Soldano continues to manufacture the SLO-100 in updated versions alongside other models like the Decatone, Hot Rod 50+ and Mini Rectifier. In 2022 Soldano launched the SLO-30 and SLO-100 Classic Edition. Every amplifier continues to be hand-built in the United States.
Key facts
- Founded in 1987 in Seattle by Mike Soldano
- SLO-100: one of the most influential and copied high-gain designs in history
- Used by Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Warren Haynes and Eddie Van Halen
- Handcrafted in the United States since 1987
Iconic models
SLO-100
Mike Soldano's definitive high-gain amplifier, with its dense and compressed overdrive channel adopted by stars such as Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler.
Hot Rod 50+
A 50-watt version of the SLO-100 that delivers all the essence of the Soldano circuit in a more manageable format for stage and studio.
Decatone
A three-channel amplifier that expands Soldano's tonal palette by adding a clean channel and a crunch channel to the brand's high-gain signature.
SLO Mini
A miniaturised version of the legendary SLO-100 that captures the tonal DNA of the original in a compact and affordable format, opening up the Soldano sound to new audiences.