The Soldano X88 is a Soldano amplifier. Close alternatives include the Soldano SLO Mini and the Soldano Astro-20 Head. It pairs well with the Carl Martin PlexiTone and the Colorsound Overdriver.
Soldano X88
Soldano · amplifier
The Soldano X88 is a rackmount all-tube preamp that packages Soldano's legendary SLO high-gain voice into a studio- and rig-friendly preamp format, with multiple footswitchable modes from clean to saturated lead. Used in elaborate rack rigs by session and touring players, it delivers the smooth, singing Soldano gain into a power amp or recording chain.
- preamp
- smooth
- tube
- clean
- recording
- singing
- soldano tone
- studio
Good for
- Silent Recording
- Silent Stage
- Studio
Genres the Soldano X88 is commonly used in
- Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Soldano X88
Carl Martin PlexiTone
Carl Martin
22% matchRun Carl Martin PlexiTone into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Colorsound Overdriver
pedal
20% matchColorsound Overdriver pushes a crunchy tone toward clean boost
Friedman BE-OD
Friedman
20% matchInto a transparent tone, Friedman BE-OD brings the mid-forward it's missing
Maestro Orbit
Maestro
10% matchKeep Maestro Orbit after Soldano X88 in the signal chain, clear of Soldano X88's own gain stage
Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Micro
Pigtronix
8% matchPigtronix Philosopher's Tone Micro leans toward sustaining, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Boss RV-6 Reverb
Boss
6% matchPut Boss RV-6 Reverb in Soldano X88's effects loop, clear of Soldano X88's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Strymon BigSky
Strymon
6% matchPut Strymon BigSky in Soldano X88's effects loop, clear of Soldano X88's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
NuX SSD-10
Nux
tonal matchNuX SSD-10's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Soldano X88 delivers it
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Soldano SLO Mini
Soldano
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Soldano Astro-20 Head
Soldano
93% similaritysimilar tone character
DV Mark Raw Dawg EG
Dv Mark
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Bad Cat Ocelot 20 Watt Tube
Bad Cat
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Marshall Jubilee Head
Marshall
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Peavey Invective 120
Peavey
91% similaritysimilar tone character
EVH 5150III LBX II
Evh
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Marshall 2555X Silver Jubilee
Marshall
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Laney Ironheart IRT-SLS 3-Channel 300W Head
Laney
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar HT Studio 20H
Blackstar
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp
Mesa Boogie
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Marshall Studio Jubilee 2525H 20W Head
Marshall
91% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Soldano X88 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Soldano X88?+
The closest matches in character are the Soldano SLO Mini, the Soldano Astro-20 Head, the DV Mark Raw Dawg EG.
What pairs well with the Soldano X88?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Carl Martin PlexiTone, Colorsound Overdriver, Friedman BE-OD — Run Carl Martin PlexiTone into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain.