“The boutique amp market thrives and exists as it does today largely thanks to Mike Soldano”: From Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai to Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler, the Soldano SLO-100 changed the sound of shred and blues alike

Soldano SL-100 tube amp head.

The boutique amp market thrives and exists as it does today largely thanks to the pioneering efforts and success of Mike Soldano.

Before Soldano introduced the legendary SLO-100 Super Lead Overdrive 100-watt head in 1987, the most viable high-gain amp options for hard rock, metal and shred guitarists were mostly limited to either Mesa/Boogie models or a Marshall or Fender amp that was hot-rodded by an amp tech.