Soldano

Soldano (full name: Soldano Custom Amplification) is a guitar amplifier manufacturing company, founded in 1986 by Michael Soldano in Los Angeles, California and later relocated to Seattle, Washington. It is mostly known for its modern high gain amps, particularly their flagship model — Soldano SLO-100, but product lineup also features effect units, pedals and cabinets. All Soldano products are tube-based and are class A/B. Michael Soldano originally worked with his head technician Bill Sundt at Stars Guitars (San Francisco, CA), modding amps brought to him. He had built his first amp, a Fender Bassman clone with the aid of books being thrown away from his mother's library, because they thought the technology had become obsolete. Michael nicknamed this amp "Mr. Science," and it can be seen in a Seattle museum today. Michael worked on modifying his Bassman for years, until he bought a Mesa/Boogie Mark II and began modifying this amp. The first three SLO amps were based upon this amp and the first one was sold to a female friend of Mike's. Then second one was sold to Howard Leese from the band Heart. Within 6 months, he had sold amps to Steve Lukather, Michael Landau, Vivian Campbell, Aldo Nova, John Fogerty and Lou Reed.

Soldano has earned a reputation amongst guitar players - professional and hobbyists - of putting out products that are very high in build quality and using high quality components that surpass many other high-end manufacturers (Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler purchased the SLO-100 when first released in 1987). Guitarist Tommy Kessler of Blondie uses the SLO-100(100W) amplifier head in Snakeskin and a matching 2x12 cabinet as part of his touring rig. While the amplifiers are generally priced higher than those of others (such as Mesa/Boogie or Marshall), their users tend to hold on to and cherish the amplifiers due to their smooth overdrive characteristics. Soldano is also known for having one of the best levels of customer support.

The Experience Music Project in Seattle contains an area where visitors can play instruments, such as the electric guitar. These rooms contain Soldano amplifiers, along with various Squier guitars (including a wide selection of Strats and Teles).