Soldano Hot Rod 50 XL

This is a one channel, 50 watt,two input head. It's got six knobs on the front and two on the back. Front (not in order): Preamp (Gain), Bass, Mid, Treble, Master, Prescence. Back: Ohm selector and effects level control. The HR also has an effects loop (tube driven). The tube conpliment entails two 5881's and 4 12ax7's (though it might be 5, I cant remember). My head is covered in beautiful simulated snakeskin. Pretty stripped-down design but you can get any sound out of it really with simple dialing. I give it a 9 and not a ten only because you cannot footswitch between sounds and because of the fact that there is no reverb.

I am using this amp with a Gibson SG with high output humbuckers, and a Jackson USA neckthrough soloist with an Ibanex USA hum in the bridge and a 'Lil screamin' demon in the neck. This amp is perfect for the what I play. I love the blues (esp. Gary Moore and SRV) and I play the other cliche' styles (Metal, clean toned stuff, wtc..) My styles don't matter, the tones I want DO. I need a good clean sound available at times, lightly distorted (with substantial mid), crunchy, palm mutable tones, and sustain-y lead tones. I use this head primarily with my Boogie 2X12 cab with Jensens. This amp is a swiss army knife. All of the controls do so much to shape the sound it's amazing. I previously owned a boogie .50 caliber and ther really is no comparison. If you try one of these amps, I can not stress enough that you have to get up to at least two (which is loud) to get the real killer distorion sounds with mucho sustain. I don't know what that other guy was talking about, saying he couldn't go without his V-Twin. There is, in fact plenty of sustain and very much crunch and blues tone in this head. Like I said before, it will do anything and everything. I used it at band practice today and my other guitar player's amp (carvin mts) sounded like a piece of shit in comparison. Tons of low end and the clean sounds are very powerful but still clean. I haven't cranked the clean up yet but we'll see... BUY THIS HEAD! It is worth it even if you are paying the $879.00 new.

I would most definately gig without a backup. Based on the rep that Soldano has and the apparent quality components in this amp I can trust it. I plan on getting some sort of backup soon though because I am a worry wart and would feel so much better having another amp holstered in case some of my bad luck voodoo occurs.

Never dealt with them but again, Soldano has a top notch rep. and from what I have heard I probobly won't need to.

I might get an external reverb unit for this but otherwise it is perfect. I played some other Mesa Boogies (recto, dc-5, etc...) and this one is the best, especially for the $$ I paid. Buy one, you won't be dissapointed.