Mini Amps Part 2 | Do They Sound The Same?

[@rickw5024]

I bought the Friedman when they came out and still love it. I've been hunting for a fair priced SLO Mini and this solidified that between the two I'll have the tones I'm looking for. Thx for the in depth great side by side comparison of them.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks for watching

[@rnegtr]

Basically: these are the distortion pedals from each of these companies mated to a Class D solid state power stage. If you look at the pedals, the controls are almost identical. They are all pretty much distortion amps with only a slight ability to play anything clean. I have the Bogner Ecstasy pedals and they are great - as would be these amps. It’s brilliant marketing and I’m sure they sound cool and are fun to use…but… I you have a good amp or pedal platform amp, and buy the one of these boutique pedals of your choice, you can get greater versatility. Not a criticism of these amps, just pointing out some details.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Yes they are distortion boxes with power amps. That was essentially what the original Blackstar HT5 was. I think these are a fun novelty product, and a backup. They don’t really do clean, but they have an FX loop. They look cool, but yeah it’s not an essential product.

[@simonpedersen4853]

I own all of these. As well as some of their bigger siblings. Have to say that the Soldano in it's sweet spot is quite incredible, especially with a little chorus. The Bogner is also great and has the nicest crunch tone. The Friedman is OK. As for the Diezel - It is the least fun. Like a crap Mesa sort of thing.

[@SixStringAlliance]

I like the Soldano mini a lot. The others were ok. But I own a lot of Mesa so they’re my go to. But the Soldano mini definitely has something to offer.

[@simonpedersen4853]

@@SixStringAlliance Can't beat a real Boogie. That 2c+ tone is awesome.

[@algrundau9441]

Cool!!!.. Someone who ones them all. Perfect guy to ask. ..What did you not like about the Diezel? Is it that you just are not into the Mesa/Metal thing? ....or you genuinely just dislike the amp? ....I ask, because I have been offered a deal on the Diezel in excellent shape. I was told that the Diexel works best with a 4--12 while the others work great with any cab. Apparently the DEEP knob is an active boost that can wreak havoc on smaller cabs...Also, how different sounding are these amps from each other if you ran an Overdrive in the front and an EQ in the FX loop?....Could one smooth over the differences? Could that compensate for any shortcomings in the Diezel?...thanks in advance for any feedback. Cheers!

[@simonpedersen4853]

@@algrundau9441 The Diezel sounds like a distortion pedal, rather than a real amp. Even through a 4x12. Just not very inspiring to my ears. I have a full size VH4 and it's nothing like it. Whereas the Soldano and Bogner minis are really quite good.

[@algrundau9441]

@@simonpedersen4853 Hey Cool, thanks for the response and the honest answer. I was afraid of that. I already have distortion boxes and various sized amps. I have heard some Solid state and Solid State hybrids sound very good. Sometimes it is hard to recapture a full fledged 100 Watt Tube Monster into 30 D Class solid state watts...But it is fun to dream....Oh well, I will have to save some more pennies for the REAL Diezel...Cheers!

[@5150show]

Soldano rules

[@SixStringAlliance]

It’s a killer little version of the icon amp

[@jeffallen3382]

To me the Soldano is the best of the 4.

[@SixStringAlliance]

I absolutely agree.. I love that little amp.. I think they did it really well.

[@algrundau9441]

Great review. I recall you from another company giving Van Halen lessons!....Anyway, I have a quick question for you. Do you think if you added a Overdrive pedal going into the amp and say, a 7-band EQ pedal in the FX loop you would hear less and less differences?....Reason I am asking is I have been offered a deal on the Diezal, but the shop may throw in the Friedman as an extra part of the deal.....worth it? Or are they basically the same 30 Watt head with slightly different EQ tone stacks and OD section's?....Difference that could be mitigated with a couple of pedals? Thanks for any response. Cheers!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Yeah that company is Lick Library who I’ve worked for since 1997. Six String Alliance is my own thing. Basically there is similarities between some of them. I didn’t really rate the Diezel one. The Friedman is good, but the Soldano is great. I’d try and get one of those

[@algrundau9441]

@@SixStringAlliance Cool, thanks for the response. Best of luck in all your future endeavours...Keep on Pickin' and a grinnin' as they say....and always keep a song in your heart...Cheers!

[@billburns2915]

I own the Soldano and it's REALLY LOUD for 30 watts. The EQs make them all sound like their respective tube cousins. Best soundings through my 8" KRKs are the Bogner, BE at higher gains, SLO overall. The Diezel was a lil disappointing. I've found dynamic mics are recording best when the amp is loud, and condensers are great for details. Cranked amp, a SM57 and a large condenser gets the high end and low end woof we all want out of our amps.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah the Diezel didn’t really hit the spots but the Bogner and the SLO are great. I think my favourite is the SLO.

[@nicosonic]

I had all these amps and yes they sound the same.

[@SixStringAlliance]

A couple did, but the Bogner and Soldano had there own thing going on..

[@travismccartney]

Have you had a chance to test the soldano pedal verses this mini head? I wonder how close they are in tonal pallet.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Yes there’s a demo of the Soldano pedal on my channel. They’re very close, in terms of voicing like the preamp. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4DSaJSAgK-qb9U

[@simonpedersen4853]

I tried using the Soldano mini via fx loop with an AC30. - Soldano preamp/Vox Power section. Sounds awesome

[@5150show]

5150 percent awesomeness

[@SixStringAlliance]

🎸🎸

[@kaybhee6]

yes

[@kaybhee6]

goot.... u know any mini cleaner than bogner

[@zerosoma33]

Guyne

[@SixStringAlliance]

Huh?