Soldano Astro 20

[GuitarBilly]

New from Soldano. 20w with IRs and dummy load. MIDI. Then there's this "galaxy" thing, which if I understand correctly, gives the amp 3 completely different core tones. $2k. Interesting amp.

[greatmutah]

So it’s got 3 channels (clean, OD1 and OD2) but 4 galaxy modes that are assignable to the respective channels. So clean galaxy will be on the clean channel usually and then the 3 crunch/high gain galaxies are assignable to the other 2 channels depending on your needs. Sounds good in the video. Built in IR loader via Synergy. Ultra transparent effects loop - I wonder if it’s a solid state lossless one similar to Metro’s/Friedman’s? 2 6V6 and 4 12AX7s. $2K. Not awful pricing.

[Devin]

Would

[greatmutah]

Absolutely. It sounds great.

[Devin]

Leon Todd's vid of it sounded pretty dope to me

[GuitarBilly]

So it’s got 3 channels (clean, OD1 and OD2) but 4 galaxy modes that are assignable to the respective channels. So clean galaxy will be on the clean channel usually and then the 3 crunch/high gain galaxies are assignable to the other 2 channels depending on your needs. Sounds good in the video. Built in IR loader via Synergy. Ultra transparent effects loop - I wonder if it’s a solid state lossless one similar to Metro’s/Friedman’s? 2 6V6 and 4 12AX7s. $2K. Not awful pricing.

Yeah I'm sure it's the Friedman loop, especially since Soldano is owned by BAD now.

[Devin]

Watched Ben Eller's vid on this thing earlier and it sounds fucking incredible to me

I don't need one but damn I want one now lol

[Rocket Sauce]

Watched Ben Eller's vid on this thing earlier and it sounds fucking incredible to me

I don't need one but damn I want one now lol

Same. Sounds great. Don't think I'd use one for the heavier end of the music spectrum (it sounded like it was flubbing when he pushed the gain), but for anything other than that it sounds incredible.

[EndTime]

I know the world of guitar music is moving more weak. Lol, but smaller this, less power here, less gear to carry l, 4x12s are too heavy and don’t fit in my Prius, my DI rig is more consistent and blablabla. Make sure you read that in your most nasal whining pussy voice!
Hahah
So I see why this amp was made. But for fucks sake. 20w is STILL rarely enough for a band context. At some point, there still is a time when an amp needs to command some volume and a Sonic footprint.. we’ve seen with amps like the MT15 and even the DSL40 combo the use of 2 “bigger” power tubes and still have a smaller footprint. Well not so much the dsl, but I’m SURE they can shrink the heads down, offer all these modern touches like IR loader, the small form factor for ease of transport and the DIrect out capability to run straight to a board and have no cabinet if that’s the desire. But I will NEVER understand these little amps if they can’t be run live in a proper rock or metal band setting. That’s one of the reasons I used my old PV 5150 2x12 combo for so long. It did bedroom volume alm the way to band volume. Now even then it was lent crushing in a band setting but definitely did the job. I just don’t understand the appeal of 20w and why this has become the defacto “small amp”. Everything about this amp looks great, In every scenario except a live rehearsal scenario… no one REALLY likes el84 power sections… I refuse to belive it! Haha

which idk if this is even el84 but most of the little amps are. I have one here now. The Evh 15 stealth. Sounds fine. I want to maybe even use it at a show, but I can’t even run it at practice to see if it’ll be suitable for a show. So I have to basically experiment at the show!

[spawnofthesith]

I know the world of guitar music is moving more weak. Lol, but smaller this, less power here, less gear to carry l, 4x12s are too heavy and don’t fit in my Prius, my DI rig is more consistent and blablabla. Make sure you read that in your most nasal whining pussy voice!

I have success fitting a 1960 or a unknown river 4x12 in the backseat of my '02 prius

Not sure if a mesa oversize would fit or not

[GuitarBilly]

This one runs 6V6s, which tend to have better headroom than EL84s, so we'll see if can hang with a band.

But I tend to agree with you about low wattage amps overall. As far as band practice/ live amps go, they're not for me. I can see myself having a collection of smaller amps for studio use. But for anything involving a live drummer, I haven't had luck with most of them.
The MT15 is definitely loud enough, with 6L6s. So are the 20w Marshall JCM and Plexi since they run EL34s.

But the ones with a pair of EL84s don't work. A quad of EL84s can get you there. Like a Vox AC30. That's a LOUD amp. But a pair of 84s will always fall short for any serious hard rock/metal application.

[EndTime]

I know the world of guitar music is moving more weak. Lol, but smaller this, less power here, less gear to carry l, 4x12s are too heavy and don’t fit in my Prius, my DI rig is more consistent and blablabla. Make sure you read that in your most nasal whining pussy voice!

I have success fitting a 1960 or a unknown river 4x12 in the backseat of my '02 prius

Not sure if a mesa oversize would fit or not

Hahah. Touché!

[EndTime]

This one runs 6V6s, which tend to have better headroom than EL84s, so we'll see if can hang with a band.

But I tend to agree with you about low wattage amps overall. As far as band practice/ live amps go, they're not for me. I can see myself having a collection of smaller amps for studio use. But for anything involving a live drummer, I haven't had luck with most of them.
The MT15 is definitely loud enough, with 6L6s. So are the 20w Marshall JCM and Plexi since they run EL34s.

But the ones with a pair of EL84s don't work. A quad of EL84s can get you there. Like a Vox AC30. That's a LOUD amp. But a pair of 84s will always fall short for any serious hard rock/metal application.

And here’s the thing. I do “studio” stuff more than most guitar players. But JUST having an amp suitable for studio or at home jamming really falls short in my mind. I have a hard time wanting those. I bought the lunchbox for a backup really, I figured it’d be perfect for that. And likely is. But also,, I have a hard time keeping an amp simply for backup. Lol