Soldano Astro vs Friedman JJ Jr & JEL 20

[@matthewduncan9405]

Love the JEL sound. Everything sounds awesome here.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Same here!!! That amp is definitely on my radar

[@marcusmchapman]

Great review thanks, I’m glad I have a JEL 20 😊 The Friedmans just have an emulated XLR out, so no IRs, they just have the one sound but you can choose centre or edge of speaker mic placement with a switch on the back. The Soldano has all the IR options so if you want to use IRs from the amp the Soldano is the only option.

[@shanewilfon6860]

Soldano FTW absolutely brutal and has the cleans to boot❤❤

[@steveweilhart2359]

all sound great IMO the Friedman JEL 20 sounds angry

[@MK-oz2lf]

I love the more tight, dry, focused gain of the JEL with a sculpted boost. It’d be interesting to hear a comparison between it and the Badlander which is also a tight focused type amp. I’m thinking of saving up for one of these since they have similar features.

[@leftygtrplr6184]

Thanks for doing this Jarrod! I thought I was sold on the JEL until the Soldano came out. Then I thought I was sold on the Soldano. Then I saw this...damn, not sure now. I need both dammit!

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

My pleasure. thanks for commenting. yeah I'm so glad I got the astro. it's such a great amplifier. that said, I really want that Je L20 as well now

[@michaelrauls4943]

Great video. All these amps sounded awesome. Im actually leaning towards the Friedmans. The dryness makes them a little tighter and they seem to handle the more full chords better without beeding out. Certainly couldn't go wrong with any of these though.

[@MotoRiff77]

Clarity on the JEL is what I look for, but you have to play clean with those types of amps cause you hear everything

[@Jarrett-Hopper]

Man that JEL sounds so good I bought the pack! Awesome demo!

[@CS_Murphy_R9]

Yeah i agree this was a easy choice for me as well!👍

[@TheAxe4Ever]

I guess I like my tone like I like my Martini’s. Dry! 😂 Sure, the Soldano has a bit more saturation, but to my ears that usually means a darker, looser and “flubbier” tone. But hey, we all have our “druthers” and hear things differently. They both rip though!

[@markkinney5030]

Okay that was fun! Amp wise Soldano sounds great! Friedman JEL 20 are my choice those too i really liked the most! JJ was okay it still souned good! So my pick all three i would be happy with them.

[@Skywalker5150]

Thank you Sir for the awesome shootout, thanks for your hard work ….time to bring them back now…😅

[@axeaddiction796]

JEL did the 80s metal tone real well

[@Henysipper]

Bet they would sound sick blended together.

[@jasonrogers7318]

Perhaps it's just me, but the soldano ( with headphones) sounds fizzy and somewhat harsh. That sucks because I really wanted to like 👍 that amp.

[@ThunderFalcon333]

That was awesome. To me the JEL sounded awesome the Astro sounded awesome and has more flexibility and the JJ is pretty dam good to.its a win win win situation lol

[@richardgarcia406]

This is what I was hoping to see!

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Thanks for the comparison. Even if I didn't expect it, I personally prefer the Friedman sounds... 🎸😎

[@avispasentuass]

This was the comparison i want to see 👌🤘

[@mhoff7722]

All three are great options. I go for the more clarity of tone in the JJ but I might have to give that JEL a try. 🤘🤘🤘

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

That JEL is amazing!

[@tcoxy]

3 killer amps! I am not super clear on dry vs saturated but interpret this as high end hair/fizz? I definitely prefer the Friedman bark over a fizzier sound.

[@sepulveda67]

I just placed my order for an Astro 20 with a matching 1x12 cab!

[@juhalehtonen9000]

I was also thinking that but went with bad cat lynx

[@sepulveda67]

@@juhalehtonen9000 yea, the order was back logged so I settled for a Suhr Badger 30

[@siriusfun]

@@juhalehtonen9000 Great choice - I did the same thing last year and am very happy I did!

[@xprophet9]

@@sepulveda67Settled? I think you knocked it out of the park! Good choice sir!

[@matthewearl9824]

Thanks to you again I just bought the soldano amp. U are breaking me lol.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Congratulations!

[@kaidemen156]

Spoiler alert, he loves the Astro so much he ends up buying one \m/

[@CS_Murphy_R9]

The JAKE amp all the way! It sounded like those other two in one amp!

[@lesstalkmoretone3274]

Great job Jarrod!

[@adamswanson8216]

I think tone versatility plays on all apps in this video. I think the real bottom line here is build quality. There’s not a huge price difference, but truthfully, which is better the Saldano or the Friedman and Bill quality which one is going to be serviceable and how much is it going to cost Managing amplifiers on the road if you use one or even two is not that easy if you are playing them practice rehearsal and gigs there is no doubt it gets a tremendous amount of wear and tear. I also use it to teach lessons part time too, so I have to say I just want to know how well you think it will hold up build quality wise, which is the best. 2:18

[@gravelrocks5588]

Sounds good if not the Astro I might go with the victory Kraken mkiii 50 watt... that's also new on the Block.... great video for being rushed

[@shredaintdead9323]

Just got the jel and love it but now I want the astro so bad!!!!

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I have to get my hands-on the JEL. that amp was awesome

[@johnnyromero3336]

Haha Funny Intro I need that laugh! Excellent shootout as always Jarrod. The Soldano sounds fuller, more depth, to me anyway. That Soldano looks nice on your shelf of amps to!

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank.you!. I love the fullness and saturation of the Astro too. The mud killer pedal is the best pedal for that amp IMHO.

[@soundstorm9508]

I'd love to hear your opinion on the JEL vs the Badlander. I have a Badlander 25 right now and I love it. I also have an '83 modded JCM 800 that I'm wondering if I can let go for the JEL.

[@yannickcharron3193]

Any plans on testing the new Revv G50?

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I have reached out to Revv. Hopefully it'll happen

[@CorrosiveMatter]

Nice fast vid.

[@mikekashouty516]

Would the soldano keep up in a jam setting? I’m not worried about live so much for obvious reasons but I’m thinking about getting one and I worry that 20 watts wouldn’t quite keep up. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. in theory, I think it would keep up. It was pretty loud in the room when I was playing it. as long as your drummer isn't super loud I think it will do fine

[@mikekashouty516]

@@TONEWARSgearshow thanks for the info!

[@jimlansa7098]

the JJ sound tighter,i liked it better

[@lesstalkmoretone3274]

1) JEL 20 2) JJ 3) Astro Are my picks

[@RalphKramden-q4t]

Agreed.

[@dicguitar2023]

How this Soldano Astro-20 watts compare with the EVH 5150iii 50 watts? Next question: in a live gig in a medium-size pub with a loud drummer and NO mic on my speakers, could this Soldano Astro-20 watts keep up with a loud drummer in terms of volume?

[@Ronnierayv]

Yes. No problem.

[@frankenstein4106]

I"m going with the JEL-20! Sounds tighter and punchier, the Soldano seems fizzy to me.

[@mhoff7722]

I think the fizziness came from all the gain being used lol.

[@hrvojemolnar7806]

Tooo much gain on soldano sooo fizzy

[@budmarra556]

They both sound great, but, that Astro is just a notch above in clarity, definition, and rip your face offery,,,😁 I’m sold on the Astro,,,👍

[@TheCyberMantis]

I don't really care for the JJ. The JEL and Astro both sound great.

[@alexwood8555]

I thought all the amps sounded great in this video!

[@davidjoel111]

Do you think that on a recording scenario 100 watt amps are still necessary? These 20 watt amps sound huge! I know you have a 5150 100w vs 50w video, need to check that out.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Good question. I'll respond to this on Monday in my "Riffs And Responses " series

[@roberteffler3382]

I thought the jj sounded a fraction better in a modded vintage marshall sense, but I purchased the astro today and can't wait to get it. All that flexibility and a 4 button foot switch included, easy decision.

[@jconner3891]

I like both but JJ more.

[@scotdvorak8861]

JEL20 for sure killed it here. Bolder, bigger… better “throatier” mids… just better, regardless of the flexibility of the Soldano. It just sounds best here…Point blank.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. that's why I do these videos... so that you guys can find out what amp works best for you. I agree, the JEL sounded amazing

[@gwynbleiddroach2589]

Soldano sounds way better lmao.

[@scotdvorak8861]

@@gwynbleiddroach2589 wrong

[@oldguyjammin9732]

I’d say Jake wins! I found my JJ Jr too compressed and too tight, not open, no ‘bloom’

[@alfredomunozavila]

Just use be ch not jbe

[@louderthangod]

Sadly they all still sound like small 20-watt amps with the low end farting out, especially the Soldano with riffs on the 7th string.

[@mustuddd]

I can see why you bought it

[@brucetaylor1753]

I thought for sure I was going to pick the Soldano but the Friedman won for me. Never heard anybody call it a double j before. It’s always just been a JJ.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. I'm glad you found the right amplifier for you. that's what the channel is all about. regarding the name, I've heard people call it double J and JJ, so I get confused sometimes LOL

[@louderthangod]

I believe Jerry Cantrell calls it Double-J after the ranch he has with his dad.

[@bigmikeyz0071]

It is technically double jj after his family ranch

[@nickm.9474]

JJ! Soldano sounded flubby. Red nose was better. But still. JJ all day!

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. The mud killer definitely tightened up the Astro the best

[@IamMusicNerd]

The Friedman sounds great, but the Soldano sounded much fuller. Far more low end clarity, and a wider dynamic range to my ears.

[@joelsmith4816]

Bluguitar Amp1. Seriously.

[@juhalehtonen9000]

All are great but c'mon that soldano...

[@RalphKramden-q4t]

Soldano is darker than the JJ JR.

[@bluesthing7490]

You only have time to burp and wish you were OLA!!! Not even close!!!

[@v33patrick]

thats all we care about!! lol HIGH GAIN!!! LOL

[@rudemood69]

please put link for the different pedals you used

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

The OD pedals?

[@dicguitar2023]

How this Soldano Astro-20 watts compare with the EVH 5150iii 50 watts? Next question: in a live gig at a medium-size pub with a loud drummer and NO mic on my speakers, could this Soldano Astro-20 watts keep up with a loud drummer in terms of volume?

[@RalphKramden-q4t]

I can't say specifically to this amp. I have however jammed my 20w DS Mini combo and never had to go above 5 on the master with a very loud drummer. However, if you want sparkly cleans in that situation, it's probably going to be challenging unless your drummer can be more dynamic. I loud drummer is a drummer who does not possess great dynamics. Unfortunately, they are rule not the exception. But anyone can train to become more dynamic.