Soldano SP-77 series II preamp

  • Thread starter Thread starter errrrrl
  • Start date Start date
errrrrl

errrrrl

Well-known member
I actually don't know a whole lot about Soldano amps other than they are popular on this board. I always see a local craigslist ad for a Soldano SP-77 series II preamp listed at $500 with footswitch. Is this a good deal? Pros? Cons? Good for metal/thrash? Not really gassing but am pretty curious. (Pics from the ad below)

141522.jpg


141526.jpg
 
First thing to mention is that's a Japanese model, which is built a bit differently and doesn't sound quite the same as the pink/purple USA model. I've never had the Japanese one but they seem to sell for less than the USA ones. One upside of the Japanese model is having chassis mounted input/outputs, IEC jack, pots and tube sockets. You can see how different the guts of the USA model are:

sp77mods.jpg


Based on my experience with the USA model, it's basically SLO clean and lead channels in a preamp. Sounds 90% as good as an X88R which is much more expensive. Not suited for thrash or most genres of metal--has more of a rock or stoner metal tone ala High on Fire.

This is about as good as it can sound for metal with a boost:



I'd say it's an average deal for $500. Try before you buy. The poweramp will make or break it.
 
Snave":c975dd4v said:
has more of a rock or stoner metal tone ala High on Fire.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what Matt Pike used during the early days of HOF. Purple SP77 into Matamp power amp.
 
The japanese Soldanos are pretty inconsistent, and that´s why Soldano started up production of the american SP77 and the Hot Rod series after just a short run of japanese amps. Some were good, some less so. But anyway, the Soldanos are rock and hard rock amps and some of the best in the business, but it´s not a thrash or metal sound. The bottom is too juicy and it doesn´t have that upper-mid kick that a boosted plexi has. It´s a great lead tone for everything from Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton to EVH and Lynch, though.
 
I liked the Japanese version better. I had a customer send me both at once and the Japanese version sounded better to me. Both are cool.
 
I had one for quite a while. Pretty "basic" by today's standards, with no loop or anything, but sounded really good for 80's stuff thru Alice in Chains-ish grind.
 
great pres. i had the usa with the haynes and depth mods. one of the best lead tones i've ever had.
 
hirah5150":5bsn0hp5 said:
great pres. i had the usa with the haynes and depth mods. one of the best lead tones i've ever had.
Click to expand...

How would you get the depth mod on an SP77? That's a power amp control.
 
How would you get the depth mod on an SP77? That's a power amp control.

I bought it used and that's how it was described to me. I assumed it had something to do with the low end voicing.
maybe i was bullshitted. sounded great either way.
 
Thanks guys for info. I'm probably gonna pass on picking this up for the time being. Need to start prep'in for black friday/cyber monday deals... something tells me the SP-77 will still be listed for some time.
 
Holy resurrections batman!

Sup guys, just checkin, whats a good price for one of these (made in usa), all original (apparently) and without footswitch????
 
I'm selling mine for 449 euro in The Netherlands. Same price I bought it a few years ago from Belgium. Put some new original Soldona knobs on them for 25 euro and has been modded to exact SLO100 head specs. Sounds great. I don't think I am letting it go for less.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top