Since I got this amp, playing through anything else is a letdown. I have owned many other name brand amps, and let me tell ya, my Soldano puts everything else to shame. The only problem is that it is unrealistic to drag a half stack into a lot of clubs. I use a Marshall DSL401 for smaller clubs, and although that is a fine little amp, no amp has ever been such a pleasure to play through as much as my Hot Rod 100+.

If you are a pro player and can afford an amp such as this, you owe it to yourself to test drive a Soldano. I have never for a second regretted this purchase, because it is worth every penny. You will stop shopping for anything else, and you will catch yourself skipping hooking up your pedal board, because running straight into this amp is a total pleasure. You really only need a guitar and a cable with this baby.

This amp is super responsive, with crisp gain and a tight bottom. More angry than a Marshall, not at all spongy like a Mesa. Single note lines sing with fluid sustain, almost as if you're using a violin bow. Power chords are full with each note clear, but with palm muting you can out-chunk the best 5150. Turn down the gain and you will be amazed--this amp has more headroom than you will ever use. Forget it it if anybody tells you that you have to crank this amp for it to perform--it is great at low levels. But indeed, it is best totally unbridled.

When I play my Ibanez Jem w/ EVO pickups through the Hot Rod 100+, it is like grabbing a tiger by the tail-if you take your hands off the strings it will throw you like a mechanical bull. Support is great, but you probably won't ever find out because these are built like a tank. I especially love my python tolex. This amp has tons of attitude but more than enough muscle to back it up.

Maybe the only thing better than playing through this amp is when you let your buddies play through it, there will be no way they will be able to hide their jealousy.

I bought one of these about ten years ago. Happy to see they're back. This thing is bullet-proof! Great sound, amazing sustain. I've got a small 30watt Line6 amp, I drag around, for writing/jamming- But will not gig without my Soldano. Can't go wrong with this one.