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From: "G"
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:30:29 +1300
Subject: Amp Question - minimal Harp content.

Hi,
This afternoon I got a call from the local music shop to say they had
finally received three mics for me to try out.
You see I'd asked to try out the two Hohners Bluesblasters models a couple
of months ago.

When I got there it turned out they could only get shaker mics. Well I've
got a madkat on its way already, so I thought what the hey. It appears NZ
music equipment supplies are a problem, with the online shops being what
they are these days it is becoming difficult to buy good stuff locally in
NZ.

So I spent about an hour this afternoon honking around with the three shaker
mics on a Mesa Boogie and a Salano (or Solano?) tube amp with a couple of
my Lee Oskars. Loads of fun!

I like the madkat - so I'm looking forward to receiving mine. I'm not so
keen on the other shaker models, mainly due to the difficulty in holding
them while playing, I also experience a lot of breath noise with them, I
definitely would prefer a bullet mic over them just because it would be
easier to handle - but at least it gave me a chance to compare dynamic vs
condenser.

IMHO I didn't think much of the Mesa Boogie - it was very difficult to get
any crunch out of it, and the reverb didn't do anything for me FWIW. It was
about the same spec as the other amp I tried there, the Salano.

However I really enjoyed the Salano, but I can't find any information on it.
Its reduced to sell at NZ$999 (~US$510), apparently they're up to NZ$1500
elsewhere, hand made by a chap by the same name, limited quantities
available etc, etc , and apparently considered a quality guitar amp.
16W, single speaker (10" at a guess) single Hi-Z input, no outputs.
The dials: pre-gain (?) control which was very useful for controling crunch,
treble, mid (I kept these all low), & bass, main volume control and
"presence". There was plenty of control. I liked what I got out of it.

I had the chance to try out and make an offer on a Fender Champ reverb early
this week (admittedly with a LO-Z condenser vocal mic) compared to that the
Salano has of course more volume available.

But more importantly the range in tone and feel I could express through this
amp compared to the champ or MesaBoogie was fantastic. And I am seriously
thinking about spending that much more on this amp, instead of the Fender I
looked at.

I've searched the archives & the internet and found nothing on them.
Does anyone know anything about Salano Tube Amps ?
I think its an Australian/NZ product. I'd really like to know more about
it.

Harp On!
G