Amp Appreciation - Soldano HR50+ & Ceriatone Molecular

[@whatdrugami]

I absolutely LOVE that Molecular!!! So much so I ordered one myself. That Soldano sounds amazing but the Molecular is a bit more versatile and really is exactly what I'm looking for. Kudos for including the negative feedback control! That was one of my favorite parameters on the axefx too. Cant wait until mine arrives!

[@LeonTodd]

Awesome. Did you get the 50 or 100?

[@whatdrugami]

@@LeonTodd I got the 50. I have a 100 watt 2203 clone and I can never turn it up past 1 because it's so loud. So I thought being able to turn the 50 watt Molecular up a little higher and push the power tubes a little harder without blowing the doors off the place was a better idea for me.

[@carnivaltym]

@@GCKelloch thanks for the info.

[@stormrising2623]

Damn listening to you play on these iconic authentic tube Amps makes me appreciate just how amazing the Axe Fx 3 is. Close enough for the girls I date.

[@toast180]

Man every time I hear you digging into Dogman is so great. Such a beast of a riff!

[@brandonproctor3639]

Man I love the Soldano sound so much but the versatility of the Ceriatone is amazing and it also sounds killer. Great video and most excellent playing my friend

[@stevenmgyori3826]

Fine demonstration and explanation of your favs! Enjoyed them both as well! Thanks for sharing brother! Be Well Leon!

[@LeonTodd]

Hard to go wrong with either

[@rangerdoc1029]

Medium gain Soldano is my second favorite tone. First being Angus-level Plexi. Both just do it for me. I'm constantly dabbling with others, but always come back to that Plexi crunch. Your SLO preset for Amplifire is so awesome.

[@sixstringswl]

Im essentially a Mesa Marshall guy. I think your amp choices are what put me here as a sub. Both your amps here are really great sounding. Soldano would be my 3rd choice of tones.

[@mattkozink7488]

Both amps are outrageous. The Soldano is beyond juicy, it's wet with anticipation.

[@hoobastanker9]

There’s also a nice chewyness in the gain structure with the molecular! Love it

[@azzazelo]

It's just amazing how many awesome amps came out of the Marshall designs. Soldano I guess atrted with a Marshall as well. Amazing amps. I so wish Marshall didn't get sold like they did. One can hope they will return strong someday.

[@josh2838]

Splawn Amp is the new marshall.. imo. The Saldano was nice.. but very expensive..

[@howtoshootstraighthtss4948]

I heard mike soldano himself said the slo is based off the mesa mark 2B

[@howtoshootstraighthtss4948]

You can find the video interview its the one with glenn, from spectrestudio.

[@azzazelo]

@@howtoshootstraighthtss4948 he was probably kidding. It's based on a Marshall and he hates Mesa as they stole his design for the early rectifier

[@zafira976]

@@howtoshootstraighthtss4948 that is a dirty lie! Mesa stole Mike's design and created the rectifier

[@courtney2018]

I'm just loving that guitar. Loving the amps too, but that guitar. 😍😍😍😍

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah Hamer did great stuff.

[@riheg]

I think they relaunched them recently. I saw a korina one that I liked in a new video somewhere. Haven’t heard much more about it

[@thrashmaniacdrummer5931]

You have to do a giveaway. With the Soldano. And with me as only participant. Hahah, joking aside the tone of the HR50+ is just so gorgeous, unbelievable.

[@LeonTodd]

It's ridiculous !

[@taxo]

The Soldano has more low end ooomph and it's a super recognizable sound, but sounds a lil fizzy in the high freq. On the other end the Molecular sounds more balanced and articulate, less muddy. I love both! Need to hear them in stereo!

[@eddie51502012]

The Soldano Amp sounds really amazing. Even Eddie Van Halen used in the past, simple like that. Thanks for sharing! Best Regards!

[@mayniac5.09]

Rene Garcia SLO is different than a Hot Rod.,Great amps though

[@MrTekbow]

It's not that different. You could dial the HR50 in to sound 99% of the way there. Hot Rod is a touch Hairier and darker.

[@eddie51502012]

@@MrTekbow Totally agree!

[@LevRage]

The Soldano sounds good, but the Molecular sounds amazing. I pulled the trigger on the 100 watt model with your 50 watt specifications. Love your videos by the way.

[@LeonTodd]

Good stuff! Enjoy the beast 😜

[@Riffraff12571]

I've long known how great that Soprano is but the Ceriatone Molecular wasn't in my radar at all. WOW, that amp rocks! Great demo Leon.....now I want one. LOL!

[@lucwilson1]

Refreshing seeing you play real amps... a nice break from the Axe stuff 👍

[@Jem7sk]

Awesome video Leon.. can the Molecular do a straight up JCM tone or does it still sound a bit modded Marshall? I really want an Authentic, old school, 80s hard rock and metal JCM tone. Having the extra features would be a bonus but it is more important to me to get an authentic JCM tone.

[@gerrynyein7195]

Wow L pretty killer tones. The Soldano SLO100 is a bucket list amp for me , like the Mezzabarba MZero or pretty much any Divided By 13 amp. Great video! Also loved the Hamer Standard.....I sure miss the one I had.

[@joeywilder9708]

I love your guitars and amps man you have some killer stuff. Really great content too.

[@Eventual420]

Great to see that one come down off the wall and get some love. The Ragdoll riffs are excellent. Both of those amps sound mean through Greenbacks. You’ve been to the doctor, and gave blood. Dizzying.

[@LeonTodd]

Alas, I have a mole on my arm that I scratched and started bleeding. I should get out and donate for the holidays though.

[@oommdtube]

Dude ? I don’t know who the hell you are , but You just sold me on dsl , now I’m with you on this other thing (? ) that sounded perfect , the look on your face with that is exactly why I’m still geeking , so much POWER at your finger tips!

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah it's the good stuff!

[@NudnikShpilkus]

Nice Hamer! I had an Explorer autographed by Rick Nielsen for a while in the mid '90s, and two different Specials. I wish I still had the second one....

[@NudnikShpilkus]

Those amps sound naff. You can send them here, and I will dispose of them properly for you.... ;)

[@JacksonAxe]

Haven't even watched the video, but I know this is gonna be fun.

[@sunday.76]

@ Leon is everything in your Molecular stock as ordered form Ceriatone? Have the transformers or anything been changed? These are incredible sounding amps. Got a Sub!

[@mikepadgett8522]

Really enjoyed the video. If you can will you do a video on the EVH Stealth? Thanks👍

[@LeonTodd]

Would love to try one of those

[@scottconner5401]

A BIG thumbs up just for showing some HAMER USA love!

[@LeonTodd]

Love those things, so well made.

[@scottconner5401]

Love mine. I own 16. All made between '81 and '96.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Call me crazy, but I prefer the Ceriatone Molecular over the Soldano. I like the bit of sag and push back it gives you. It makes you want to dig in when you want to and makes you play more dynamically. The Soldano is awesome for sure, if you are into a stiffer more linear feel. To me the Molecular just sounds more “3D” if that makes any sense. I can only imagine how it “feels” when actually playing it. Maybe a bit of confirmation bias for me because I just ordered a Chupacabra 100 and I can’t wait for that beast to get here. Quite a bit of a wait time though.

[@idanshahar]

awesome tones and playing :)

[@Squidz66]

Hey Leon. I'd like to know if you've played a Bogner Ecstacy? And if so what are your thoughts? Sorry way off topic

[@LeonTodd]

Added to weekly Q&A

[@LocoDirewolf]

Did I hear a snippet of Dogman from King's X? I believe that I did. King's X was the band most responsible for getting me through the '90s. Absolutely killer amps, BTW. I'm really digging the Ceriatone Molecular. 😎

[@28rwags]

Leon love your new intro.. Kick ass brother...

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks to my buddy Gurtej Singh for putting it together for me

[@Jay-sy5yf]

Great feature!

[@Bognerman14]

Man that Ceriatone rocks! Thanks

[@LeonTodd]

It does!

[@simonbreedingsteel2154]

Awesome as always Leon👍 when I saw the title of this vid I thought “Yes someone is finally doing an amp blending demo”😔. Both those amps are killa man 👍 would love to hear them blended on a track , just for shits and giggles chuck in your Mesa for the trifecta, hahaha .

[@LeonTodd]

Got a blending vid planned real soon man!

[@simonbreedingsteel2154]

Leon Todd awesome man 👍 can’t wait to hear it . Your knowledge has never failed to help me out , thanks for the constant informative content . My hat goes of to you. You deserve three times the amount of subscribers you have 🤘

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

You could basically play everything with both of these amps!

[@TavaresProject]

Love the molecular!!!

[@LeonTodd]

It's so good!

[@dougeakle777]

I am WAY into the Soldano. Saw the bandage on your arm, hope the “attack cat” didn’t get you too.

[@LeonTodd]

Luckily I just scratched a mole on my arm by accident!

[@Chrisg841]

@@LeonTodd Hey mate, does the hot rod come stock with an fx loop?

[@sheatanner9935]

@@Chrisg841 It does. A tube buffered FX loop.

[@Chrisg841]

@@sheatanner9935 Cheers mate!

[@KrstovicNikola]

Both sounding great here. This video just shows how important speaker, box, mic and mic placement really are. The amps dont sound that different with the same box, mic and mic position. The feel and how amps react to tweaking of gain and eq is probably something else. Great vid again!

[@notalkguitarampplug-insrev784]

Nice sound!!!!

[@tonedriverss8629]

Ceriatone ... amazing . I want that same one .... badly !

[@yeti1002]

Who doesn't want a soldano ? I do .. but I would settle for a molecular any day of the year .. price wise you can't beat it .. the Molecular is a beast of an amp ..

[@chrisact9601]

Colour me surprised. I like the Ceriatone better. The Soldano is great though. I remember when Soldanos were THE amp. Even Clapton and Knopfler were using them live. Obviously a very different tone to what you're going for though. Daniel Johns was using them when I saw Silverchair in Manchester back in 1999 (I think). Sounded massive. Beast of a thing.

[@LeonTodd]

Daniel Johns wrote some mega riffs, great band!

[@Nikkohh]

The Ceriatone reminds me of the old Laney Pro Tube Lead AOR series.. looks anyway

[@tonedriverss8629]

True. Picking up another 80's Laney AOR tomorrow . But that Ceriatone will eat any laney .

[@slayjwood]

Love em both!!... Would love another amp appreciation with the VM!! 😉

[@LeonTodd]

Sadly the VM moves on to greener pastures to make the Molecular happen. Wonderful amps nonetheless.

[@AndyK.23]

That Soldano sounds awesome - BUT, with the master up that loud, it would peel paint in my basement! Bet the Ceriatone does better at lower volume? And the Ceriatone really sounds more brown, and seems like way more fun!

[@AndiKravljaca]

The Soldano is the king of high gain. I am gutted that Mike Soldano is closing up shop before I was able to buy one.

[@LeonTodd]

Should be in good hands if the folks making Friedman are doing them.

[@rangerdoc1029]

From what he and Dave Friedman have said, the new ones will be much better. DC heaters, better fx loop. I'm hoping they come out with some smaller ones too. Like maybe a legit SLO20.

[@waitingforanalibi3069]

Heph333 There will be an SLO30

[@Bognerman14]

Interesting. I don't consider rectifiers as being scooped, but too many people scoop the mids on them. Otherwise, a good recto has good thick mids. Great video!

[@LeonTodd]

That's a good point, it's probably the extended low end vs everything else that makes them seem tubby

[@p_1210]

Both sound great. Have you done the Marshall jvm demo mate? Be great to hear how they stack up against these.

[@LeonTodd]

The JVM still eludes me!

[@dnlmoretti]

Can’t say anything bad about either of these monsters, especially the molecular given it’s price point and outrageous versatility - but as far as brown sound amps go, I just can’t get over how the 5150 style amps growl - hope you get the chance to demo the peavey invective as some point - those things are unreal for just about any genre under the sun

[@jontkk]

Great sounds. What's that riff after unchained?

[@LeonTodd]

Way time are you referring to?

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Never realized how much fur the Soldano had on the higher-gain stuff. The Ceriatone actually sounded more “solid” to me in that sense.

[@VanjaSpirin]

I am Soldano guy, but this Ceriatone sounds so amazing. Ok. I will not buy it, but I will, for sure, find some Tonex or NAM capture of it. Can you do it?

[@OnfloorAudio]

Killer amps Leon !!!!

[@PaulKingMetal]

Both amps sound good...what do you think about Engl amps?

[@LeonTodd]

Would love to have a savage, super fierce amps!

[@PaulKingMetal]

@@LeonTodd I used to have a Powerball.

[@rztricky]

Love my SLO. Love this vid!

[@hoobastanker9]

We need to see this Soldano Vs your Mesa!

[@LeonTodd]

Oooh yes!

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Both sound great, but just something about a soldano that I love. The second amp does have the Brown sound in spades..

[@RozsaAmplificationLLC]

The Cameron Atomica clone (Molecular) for the win!

[@Johnsormani]

An explorer never gets old😀

[@jeanpaulconvers5385]

Hi. I have a Soldano Hot Rod Avenger 50 . Amazing amp .

[@hootowl6354]

Soldano's are great, but are they worth twice what the Ceriatone costs?

[@Mindaugas.R]

What's the song you're playing at about 6.05? Sounds great.

[@EviLToMi]

Django Ratt - Lay It Down

[@JimijaymesProductions]

That Molecular sounds amazing? Im looking at the Leaviathian and King Kong because they have two channels but if neither can get that Molecular tone, then it makes them less appealing. I cant really afford a new amp but for high gain they just have this awesomeness to them!

[@LeonTodd]

The King Kong CH2 is very similar to the Yeti, which is pretty close to the Molecular. Just email Nik at Ceriatone and see if he can do a King Kong but with Molecular specs, he's usually very open to customisation.

[@greacen]

omg stack 'em already!

[@DefconClark]

That duncan ev-haitch sounds great

[@LeonTodd]

The haitch makes it

[@douglasbishop8322]

I assume the Ceriatone is hand wired and half the price of the soldano.

[@LeonTodd]

Correct

[@mmarrinan]

That Molecular!!!

[@robertalsbury]

Is the Ceriatone thick? I had a Diezel VH4 and hated how thick and round it was. Looking at getting the Ceriatone but hoping it’s not a thick amp. Want tight and articulate

[@LeonTodd]

"Girth" control is a negative feedback control that can control how loose/open and thick/tight it sounds

[@robertalsbury]

@@LeonTodd thanks Leon Now that you’ve played some Wizards on the Zen videos how does the Ceriatone compare to Wizard. I know the Wizard is much mores expensive

[@mmarrinan]

Is the Molecular two channels? Wondering how a single channel amp would work in a live setting if needing clean tones?

[@LeonTodd]

Just a single. If you need a clean channel ceriatone do the King Kong and the Leviathan.

[@mmarrinan]

Leon Todd Oh wow thanks man, they look great! Do you know what amps that are modelled after?

[@LeonTodd]

@@mmarrinan the King Kong is similar to the Yeti/Chupa/Molecular on Ch2 but with a Plexi style Ch1 for cleaner stuff. The Leviathan is based off the Friedman Bill Keliher sig amp.

[@lucwilson1]

How does the Gargoyle stack up vs the Molecular?

[@LeonTodd]

Been meaning to do a reamping vid with Ryan from PSS comparing them.

[@Hazardteam]

Hm.. idunno. The Molecular sounds much more 'native' (organic?) for me. And if i hear well: that has more dynamic spectrum.

[@nizamyusop7157]

Lagi sedap dari soldano

[@drkaplin98]

That Ceriatone is a MONSTER! Time to order one. Anyone want to buy a JCM800?

[@fredeichenauer4568]

Please, please, please...... Run through a T.C. Electronics Mimiq and run it into BOTH of those amps at the same time. I need to here this. Please Leon!!!!!!! I will be your best Yankee friend for ever and ever!

[@victorcaio3965]

Leon, where does this delay come from? and how is it in stereo if you are turning on the amp in mono?

[@LeonTodd]

The Soldano loop sucks (only thing I don't like about that amp) so I added a stereo delay after the mic preamp, the way it would be done in the studio. It's the Axe-Fx Stereo BBD delay.

[@dan_f70]

Why does you just dicking about sound better than anything I’ve written in the last 15 years... But maaaaan those amps sound beautiful!

[@LeonTodd]

Too kind mate! These things are SO good

[@Burkhimself]

So to be clear, it’s a one channel amp ? (Ceriatone)

[@LeonTodd]

Correct

[@wadeburgan1574]

How in the world did you not play them together? I clicked this thinking, "there's no Way Leon doesn't run these two amps together for some serious guitar face."

[@LeonTodd]

Serious oversight on my part

[@Starch1b2c3d4a]

The Soldano, to me, just doesn’t sound good when not doing that recto thing. Kudos to Randall for recognizing that, even that far back in time...

[@LeonTodd]

The lack of negative feedback on the Recto gain channel is part of the magic too. The Soldano gets close but doesn't quite have the "thunk" in the lows.

[@garthkirkcaldy3808]

Name of riff at 03:57 and 05:59 please? :)

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

RATT - Lay It Down. Great riff!

[@garthkirkcaldy3808]

@@MarkPritchardGuitar Thanks very much.

[@Elliot_Pett]

with fear of sounding stupid does anyone know the riff at 3:57

[@stormrising2623]

Great ear. That's the mighty Warren Demartini. Ratt's Lay it down. One if the most iconic and distinctive 80's guitarists.

[@riheg]

Not stupid at all. Its a great riff

[@oscarvestee]

JVM ?????

[@stigmatvm228]

*I just had an eargasm. Twice.*

[@truescotsman4103]

the harmonic content in the soldano sounds loose and lacks definition. its harsh and lacks girth. its got squish and its a bit loose. the molecular sounds better than the soldano. more articulate and well defined and a bit creamy. harmonics are present and well defined. molecular hands down.

[@hong-junepark3701]

I dig everything about your demos *except that EVH riff you play with these amps every single time.*

[@joshmuz9018]

That riff is a benchmark for the brown sound. A sound everyone wants