Soldano Astroverb 16 2x12 Combo

2x12 combo w/ black gator tolex, apparently only 27 of these were made, not sure what year. if i could have described an amp to a tech and had it built to my specs this would be it, maybe just a little louder. one channel w/ reverb, no options, perfect! great reverb, sounds awesome at any volume, great for home because you can play low volume and have awesome tone. one channel, but you can do all sorts of things with the preamp knob, reverb, and prescence. alll the knobs are the most responsive i've ever seen, very useful.

57 reissue 3 pickup les paul and a 2001 sunburst telesonic. suits my style perfect - iggy, stooges, janes, chilis, hard rock, etc. this is a rock n roll amp, better than a marshall. pickups seem to make the most differnce, all sound great. very heavy tones w/ a prs, hard vintage w/ the les paul, simply sounds awesome all the way around.

just got it

heard great things

playing 11 years, this is my only amp right now and will not need another one. if lost i would only buy this amp to replace it.
i've owned marshall jmp, fender prosonic, fender tonemaster, fender cybers, marshall jcm900, marshall jcm900 combo, and this won wins the contest. i love the simplicity, i love the tone.

Not exactly sure when it was built ('98 or '99?), but I bought it 'new' in Sept 2002 for $2000 Australian after it had been sitting at the back of a store in New Zealand where the owner kept it as he didn't wan't to sell it to the public! The features of the amp are listed previously and I won't go into it in great detail other than saying it's very simple. I wouldn't mind another channel with a footswitch control, but through adjusting my playing style to use the guitar controls more I can get pretty much any sound I like.

I use it with a '99 PRS McCarty, '62 RI Strat, and an '81 ES335. All are fitted with stock pickups and 10-46 strings. I play a variety of styles from blues to hard rock, though mainly melodic alternative rock (Radiohead, Jeff Buckley etc). Every sound imaginable, from crystal clean to brutal distortion, sounds beautifully toneful with this amp. The reverb is great too. What can I say...It sounds amazing! I guess the only thing I would like is a little more room on the preamp for cleaner sounds as it tends to break up a little early, but thats a minor thing. It's suprisingly loud too, and has kept up easily with a full kit without being miked up, which I didn't expect at all.

I've only had it two months, but It's obviously built like a tank and Soldano have a great reputation so I'm sure I can trust it fully. I won't ever bring a spare amp, just tubes.

I was looking at importing a Soldano to Australia (they are no longer available here) a few months back and found all my enquiries answered quickly and thoroughly.

I've been playing 11 years. As mentioned previously, I have a PRS a Strat and a 335. Until now I used a Marshall JCM 2000 DSL head and 2*12 cab. The Soldano sounds so much better, so I'm going to sell the Marshall. Despite the difference in power I'm confident the Soldano can cut most gigs, though I'll hang onto the extension cab just in case. This is quite simply the best sounding amp I have ever heard in person, let alone played through. I bought it without hearing it (got it shipped from New Zealand) and I'm totally blown away by it. In combination with the PRS I can get pretty much all the sounds I've been hearing all these years. It has totally reinvigorated my playing and writing and I have trouble putting the guitar down now. I guess if it had more room for clean sounds or another channel I'd love it even more, but it's so simple and user friendly I'm totally happy with it. I'd be devastated if it was lost...it's one of very few 240volt models, and the only one in Australia (as far as I know). Awesome.

Class "A" all tube amp, spring reverb, 2x12" Eminence speakers, pre-amp control, with an extension speaker out for volume in larger venues. The pre-amp and volume controls provide a warm, adjustable 'break up' sound. No distortion pedal is necessary.
By all accounts, the Astroverb can drive up to 4X12" speaker extension cabinet. For the price, this is an incredibly well constructed amp! It is simple in design and has the controls (including the on/off) on the front panel...where they belong.

I use a Fender Clapton Strat (noisless single coils), G&L Comanche with(Z-coils), Gibson ES-335 w/ vintage humbuckers). All sound great.
As you may have guessed, I play the blues, vintage rock with an occasional attempt at jazz riffs. All sound great at low or high volumes. As mentioned the distortion is adjustable, pleasant break-up.
NOT "brutal". Great reverb tank. Wish it had a tremolo effect for those real early Rolling Stones sounds.
Comparing to the 1X12 Astroverb:The 2X12" sounds more open, rich, and I believe a longer spring reverb (although the salesman insisted not).
Has enough variety for my needs, sounds great at any volume, and is a bargain when considered against other 'botique' amps.

I do not own a Soldano, yet. But I am seriously considering one over my Fender Deluxe RI, that keeps having small things go wrong.
According to my amp tech, Soldano amps are built "solid as a brick".
By other accounts here, Mike Soldano may answer the phone himself, if you call with a problem. Can;'t beat that!

See above

Been playing as a non-professional, searching for that 'perfect sound' for over 40 years...scarry. As you can gather, I really like these amps! I believe the Soldano could be one of the best constucted amps out there for around a grand.
20 watts through 2X12" may be the ticket. Comparing to a Astoverb 1X12"...the 2X12" sounded more rich, open and warm. The 1X12" sounds very 'focused' and bluesy. I really like the smaller size, more portable cabinet of the 1X12 Astroverb, but it just stuck me as a 'Blues Junior' with great workmanship and wiring for over twice th cost. Also compared to the Carr 'Rambler' which I have yet to play, but listened to via their website. The 'Rambler has the controls on the back, which I do not like. As mentioned, wish the Astroverb had a tremolo, but that's lower on the priority list. I like the sound of my Fender Deluxe RI with 12" Jensen RI, but reliability, internal construction issues; plus my amp tech's recommendation are leading me toward a Soldano. Now the question: Which Astroverb? The 1X12" with an extension or the 2X12?? I am leaning toward the 2X12 combo.

I have owned the Astroverb 16 2x12 for about 2 1/2 years. This particular amplifier is no longer manufactured. The speaker configuration is a 16 ohm set up utilizing a pair of Soldano X1200's which is a speaker manufactured by Eminence to the Soldano spec. All controls go to eleven. The spring reverb, although not as warm as my Fender Deluxe RI has a quality which I like equally. Tha Astroverb utilizes a preamp to allow you to move from crystal clean to heavy distortion depending on your likes. I will not rate "features" as this rating tends to convey a "more is better" feeling. I believe this amp is perfect for a club set up, or would work equally well miked in any sized hall.

Although I have been playing for quite some time ,30 years, I don't go through a lot of equipment. I do a lot of research and attempt to find the best quality / sound / application I can find for the money I have to spend. The Soldano Astroverb was the wisest investment I have been fortunate enough to make in those years. This amp roars when couple with Humbuckers, it is a thick throaty sound machine when paired with my Les Paul, or G&L ASAT Deluxe when toggled to the Humbuckers. I prefer the sound of the Fender Deluxe Reverb when using my G&L Legacy Single Coil. The Astroverb still sounds great with the Single coils, just not as exceptional as the humbuckers.
This amp works for everything from country to hard rock just my your tweaking the pre-amp and master. I cannot comment on it's capabilities regarding the scooped-mid, distortion rock prevelent
today. The amp does have a middle tone control, I just haven't put it through the paces.

2 1/2 years with no problems. Changed power tubes once.
Extremely well built amplifier, birch cabinet, powder coated panel, corner covers. Reminds me alot of the constuction of a Mesa Boogie Rectoverb Combo but lighter.

Outstanding customer support, Soldano returns emails in a 24-48 hour timeframe. I don't know how they service amp problems because I've never had a problem with either my Astroverb 16 or the Soldano Lucky 13 I own.

I have owned the following amps, Fender Twin 1975, Marshall Plexi, Fender Hot Rod, Crate GT60(1985), Fender Deluxe Reverb RI,Johnson JT50, Marshall DSL 401, Soldano Astroverb and Soldano Lucky 13. The Astroverb is my choice as the all round favorite.
If you get a chance to obtain one of these on the used market, give it a try. Highly Recommended!

This is a follow-up to my 4/98 review. It's been almost 4 yrs since I originally bought the amp and I still like it. I've done a bit of experimentation with preamp tubes in various configurations and to be honest I still like the Chinese 12AX7's best. To my ear, in this amp, they offer smooth gain and transparent overall sound. The one thing I have changed is the speakers. The amp shipped with Soldano X12000 speakers. After several years of playing the amp, I felt the speakers were a bit harsh sounding. I opted to try a pair of un-doped Weber C12Bs (Blue Dogs). What a difference! The amp is warmer sounding, has a nice detailed high end, with a bit more texture and responsiveness. Overall, the amp is louder and bigger sounding. I highly recommend these speakers. They are well matched to the Astroverb circuit and cabinet. Great tone.

If you use your guitar volume knob, you can get a wide variety of clean and distorted sounds. The amp really comes alive at a master setting of 8 and above. Even though the amp doesn't have an effects loop, the preamp is tailored nicely to stomp boxes and sounds terrific.

I have had no problems with the amp. It has performed flawlessly.

The few times I've e mailed them they've responded promptly. Great company, great people.

Great little amp with a big sound.

I have 2 Astro's. One is a 1X12" Combo, and the other is a 2X12. I felt that it would be important to add this review as a supplement to some of the comments that have been made on them over the 4 years that they were made.
The basic concept for the Astroverb goes back to the 50's to the era of simple 1 channel amps, and using your volume control and pick to thin or fatten the tone you use. Astro's are one of the best small club gigging amps ever made. They will run a 2X12" extension or a 16ohm 4X12" cabinet like a dream as well. If you need more sheer volume, mic it, but for all out tone, note definition, and soul these little gems are very hard to beat. Simple means simple! Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, Reverb, no loop, no line out (other than the spare speaker out).
If you play heavier rock-visa-ve "Metallica, et-al" the stock tube configuration will suit you just fine, and all you need to do is just use the pre-amp gain and master to dial in the basic crunch tone you want. If you are like me, I play the blues almost exclusively and I prefer a cleaner tone at higher volumes. The stock tube configuration is lacking a bit in this style of music with an Astro, so what you need to look at is replacing the 2nd through 5th 12AX7A tubes with 12AT7's. Personally I like the NOS Phillips tubes, but hey! everyone has their favorites right? Leave the 1st. 12AX7A in place. It drives the first gain stage and maintains the overall preamp gain.
What you get using this configuration is alot more clean headroom and a smoother gain from the preamp section for the style of music. If you have the tubes to play with, try this and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Soldano amps are like no other amp out there. Mike is good at what he does, and if you are a competant player the first thing you notice about these amps is that they are NOT a practice amp. Don't let size fool you. The voicing on all Soldano amps is extremely precise and non forgiving. If you play sloppy and miss notes the amp will not cover for you with the traditional "basement overtones" that most amps have. You're all alone and your gonna stick out like dogs balls from the rest of the group because the articulation is so clear with a Soldano amp.
Bottom line is this, alot of you have checked out an Astroverb Combo, liked it, hated it, or thought it might not be quite enough power for clubbing - whatever. I suggest that you dig yours out of the closet, or go visit the friend you sold yours too and check it out again with the above tube configuration. I've been gigging with one for 4 years now and I'm really pleased with every aspect of this little amp. I just had to figure out what tubes worked best, and practice rolling my volume knob to increase or reduce the crunch I needed. Too bad they are not being made anymore, but they were extremely expensive for Mike to produce in the price range they were in, and with a lack of creature features (which most of us don't use anyway) it was a tough niche in the market to be in. I'm happy to let my Astro's quietly become a collectors item, and continue to get hours and hours of trouble free gig time in.

Guitars I use are #1 a custom Strat w/ Seymour "Duckbucker" neck and middle, and a Dimarzio "Vintage" noise cancelling single- bridge. #2 Tele- 3 pickup Deluxe w/ noiseless fender single coils.
I have also used an older (mid 60's) 335- stock, with my Astro's.

By initially working the EQ for the room - all you need to do is play with the preamp gain, and the master for your overall volume setting. Then roll your volume knob up or down to give you crunch or clean tone.

Don't worry about reliability with a Soldano amp, other than tubes every once in a while - they just don't break!

The great part of a small amp maker like Soldano is you will get the attention that you need, when you need it, and you'll never feel like a jerk with a stupid question. They are VERY knowledgeable, and professional in the service area- Unless of course you are a knot head to begin with and find it hard to talk to anyone!

I've been playing semi-professionally since 1962, and I've probably bought and sold enough guitar's and amps to fill the now levelled Kingdome- in Seattle. I really got tired of lugging heavy amps to gigs, and wanted alot in a smaller package. You won't be disappointed with an Astroverb (that is if you can find one out there someplace)

The Astroverb 16 is a 20 watt single channel master volume amp with accutronics reverb. It has no FX loop or headphone jack. It does however have an auxillary 8-16 ohm speaker jack. It is powered by 2 EL84 tubes and 3 12AX7 preamp tubes. The reverb circuit is buffered by 2 12 AX7 tubes. It has a solid state rectifier and an adjustable tube bias. The speakers consist of 2 12" (10" are available as well) Soldano X-12000 (specially made by Emminence for Soldano) which are rated at 16 ohms each. The Astroverb has a simple and logical layout of controls, Preamp Reverb Bass Middle Treble Volume and Presence, which are mounted on the front of the cabinet to a 16 gauge powder coated steel chassis. The cabinet is constructed from 3/4" birch plywood covered in tolex and resembles a Matchless design. The amp is handmade and is meticulously assembled, just like all Soldano products, and it weighs only 50 lbs. I use this amp to record at home with and to play with my band. The amp is loud enough to be heard over the drums (with out miking it) provided your drummer is not really loud. I've rated this amp at 7 because it doesn't have all the bells and whistles like most amps seem to have today. But don't get me wrong, I'm very satisfied with all of the features this amp does have. As far as I'm concerned simple IS better.

This is the 4th amp I've owned over the past 4 years.All of my other amps were Mesa Boogies. Their were all fine amps in their own right but I never felt like I would ever use all of the amp's potential because I don't play as loud as those amps are capable. You only start to get that really sweet tone when you begin to drive the amp a bit.This is true of any tube amp. That's why I began looking for a low powered amp. Ultimately thats why I purchased this amp. I use a G&L ASAT Classic with the stock single coil magnetic field pick-ups. This amp truly represents the tonal qualities of my guitar. It is capable of a shimmering clean sound to overdrive growl as you turn up the Preamp and or dig in a little harder. This amp is not for those who need metal distortionfrom hell. It is much better suited to Pop and Alternative sounds as well as Blues and Roots music. The Astroverb has its own sound but I think owes more to the British low powered amps of the 60's like the AC 30 than say a Fender Deluxe. Probably because of the EL84 power section. If I had to point to any drawbacks to the amp I would say it would be found in the clean sound. It's not that the clean sound is bad, on the contrary I find it quite good. I just wish it had a little more adjustment available in the Preamp. It would be better if it didn't begin to break up quite so soon. The other area was the reverb.The Astroverb originated as a 1x12 combo and had a short spring reverb tank which fit in the smaller cabinet. I had Soldano outfit mine with the long spring reverb found in their larger 2 x combo amps.The original reverb was not bad, but for $25 more I think the long spring tank is better. Overall I really enjoy the tone of this amp.

Because of the high quality construction of this amp I don't anticipate any problems with this amp for many years.

I had only tried the 1x12 version of this amp in the store and really liked it. I called Dan at Soldano and asked him if there were any plans to make a 2 x 10 version of it. He mentioned they had just started making them and he recommended the 2 x 12 version.(His current favorite amp) So based on my intial test drive of the Astroverb 1x12 and my conversation with Dan I bought the amp sight unseen. I was not disappointed. There are 6 people who work at the Soldano shop in Seattle Wa. I've spoken to 2 of them, Dan and Sean, and have been most impressed with manner in which they dealt with my questions prior to my purchase and with my requests after my purchase. It's great to run across a small company that is so devoted to their product. The amp comes with a 1 year warranty.

I've been playing for 10 years now and although I wouldn't consider myself a great player I think at the very least I have developed an ear for what sounds good.(Maybe what I should say is I've developed an ear for what I like.)I shopped every guitar store in L.A. and looked at everything; the Mesa Boogie Blue Angel, Fender '65 Deluxe Reissue, Fender Hot Rod amps, Vox AC15 & AC30, Ampeg Reverberocket, Groove Tubes Solo 45, Rivera 30 12.... I liked the character of this amp, the way the controls are set up, they make sense and they work the way one would expect them to function and most importantly I liked how my guitar sounded through it. I really didn't try anything that came close in this price range.This is the only amp I own. I wanted to simplify the equipment I owned and get back to the basics of what electric guitar is. A good guitar and a good amp with maybe a pedal or two thrown in for good measure. I think I have that now.