Soldano for me. It seems more open without being harsh. Feels like is sings better too although it's 6L6s.

The only real answer to the question 'Mezzabarba or Soldano?' is yes.

You may think what makes your approach to content unique is the similar setups to allow easier comparisons, Kyle... but for me, it’s your navigations through the controls. No one else explains what they’re trying to achieve at the same time, in the detail that you do 🤘🏻

Thanks for the great shoot out, Kyle. The amps are very close, I think I slightly prefer the Soldano, though. A shoot out between the SLO 30 and the Mezzabarba Skill 30 would be very interesting as well. I'm not sure whether you still have the Skill, though.

Having both, in my opinion the Soldano is an all-round amplifier but with a less percussive and more rock sounding than heavy metal while the Mezzabarba, despite having the same preamp as the SLO, has a power amp that brings it closer to a Marshall, it has overall more gain, a decidedly more percussive sound and is therefore more suited to Heavy sounds. The fact that the Mezza has three channels and also midi controls, however, certainly makes it very interesting among the Soldano-derived amplifiers

The SLO sounds absolutely killer..

I've owned many Soldano SLO100s in my lifetime including serial no. 006 and 008. I recently bought a MZero and although sound is a subjective thing, I can can honestly say with a well founded opinion, that the MZero is a SLO100 on steroids. It definitely has more gain and IMO sounds noticeably better for soloing.

Mezza just sounds like it has a hair more gain on tap with a slightly more aggressive/modern voicing, but that might just be because the SLO handles the gain so ridiculously well, with that gummy midrange. It never gets fizzy or loose it just gets meaner the more gain you throw at it. I suppose that ultimately comes down to preference but the SLO just stays tight and thick. (Yo mamma) I’d probably choose the SLO. It’s the high gain equivalent of a classic muscle car. Never goes out of style.

I chose the M0 over the SLO. It just does more. I understand the allure of owning an SLO and it seems people just want bragging rights because when it comes to the tones, they aren't missing anything by owning the Mezza.

Soldano for me. The Mezza is pretty awesome to but at 4k each I'm only buying 1 of them. Both these amps kick ass. Which ever 1 you buy you WIN 🤘

The SLO has a sweetness to it in the mid range. The Mzero is brutal but doesn’t sing as well in the mids. Great review. How about your Balaguer, what are your thoughts on it? They look like a great instrument.

Love this comparison. SLO just thunders, the Meza has that awesome Marshall snap and bite.

I have them both, got el34 when the used market bottomed out a year ago...the Mezz has the neg feedback control which helps to add Marshall hair. Also, I think Americans don't know what Mezzabarba is, and I got a used mint unit for about half price. I did sell the MZero to get a Trinity, which is the perfection of the Soldano vibe.

Feathers riff at 5:59 🤘 Love that record so much

'Mezzabarba or Soldano?' yes! Can’t go wrong either way

SLO’s through a Vintage 30 never did it for me. I think they shine through other speakers less spikey in the mids. You should try a Hot Rod 100 and compare with the MezzaBarba they both have the JCM800 sound but on steroids.

I love the SLO but I think the Mezza beats it out by a hair. I like the tightness and upper mids and it sounds a bit more raw and less compressed.

I think I'd get the Soldano personally. They play very well together though, I imagine they'd sit together in a mix or in a live setting very well!

Great video, both sound very similar but the Soldano takes the gold.

To my ears that Mezzabarbara didn't come close to being more punchy, or percussive than the SLO. I was really looking forward to hearing it (I've never heard one)....but, it sounds flubby and fizzy to me. The SLO was tighter, with more punch and mid-focus. Maybe in the room it's different. That said, pulling that gain back a bit to match the tone it was originally designed for back in '88, showcases the SLO much better. Mike Soldano didn't have "chuggers" in mind when designing this.

I have found that turning on the boost with the m zero seems to add some nice mids and some smoothness. For me, the mezza has more features for about the same price.

The SLO is the king because of how clean and articulate it is. It's misleading in a way as it doesn't "seem" real high gain, but it is, and is just so composed. Of course, it has huge power filtering to keep it real tight and articulate. The incredible clarity of the SLO is why it's really in a class of its own. Clear and articulate is where it's at.

The SLO is still the best take on this kinda circuit including all of the 5150 variants imo (they sound very thicc and mix ready but are boring). The SLO has the most mojo of them all. Sounds like it's the most alive of them all if you know what I mean. Organic, not sterile at all. The Mezza is cool too but the aggression it gains I would add by some kind of coloring drive pedal.

Absolutely killer amps. And as you said, slightly different voicings, but not something anyone could detect in a live setting. Keep em both! lol

Kyle you dial in the best metal tones I've ever heard I'm jealous 😆. I have a randall combo 150wt but I'll live with it.

Two really cool amps... love the SLO to DEATH

Both amps sound fantastic! It’s hard to beat a SLO, I could never part with mine! Good demo man.

In this comparison both sounds great but considering the versatility that come from the feedback control and the quality of each component in the MZero (hand-made / point to point) IMHO Mezzabarba win hand down...

I'm a Peavey 5150 II guy. So my pick is for the Soldano.

I like the Soldano more because its more open sounding to me with a touch more lower mids... that's my thing.

Great Demo Kyle! The SLO really seems a bit more suited to smooth thick leads. I Love mezza/barba tweaks more for crunchy tight rhythm tones

The Mezza sounds damn good

The clarity of the MEZZ∆BARB∆ 🤘

To my ear, once you up the presence on SLO, it becomes closer to Mezza. Before that, SLO always has more lower mid. Overall both amp sounds very nice. Can I put my question for next QnA here. I like to listen amp comparison like this. Yet, I still use multimedia speaker on my PC. Do you think studio monitor will be more useful ?

Had the SLO30 Horrible build quality Mezzabarba sounded much tighter.

I prefer the lows of the SLO slightly, but overall I would rather have the MZ because of the grittier high-end. It just has a touch more "character" IMO.

The mezza sounds better to my ears. Both are killer amps

I ran across an old video from years ago where a guy did a side by side of a 6505 and an SLO and there was very little difference between the two

I like em both. Great amps.

VHT/Fryette UL kills both imo. That amp has ruined tight rhythm amp GAS for me lol

Both of these amps are very good build-quality. They also cost a fortune. I can get close to these with my Boss Katana head on the "brown" channel.

well since I already own a slo100 I'm gonna say soldano. they are to close imo to buy the mzero and I love my slo

Very cool video bro. And i see a lot of people going for the SLO and i get it. Its a killer amp witha lot of heritage and an amazing rock/metal credentials. But if its brutal metal and cut through like a knife its the mezzabarba 100%. Yes you can make the slo sound great and actually close but then all you have to do is twick the mezza and it always has another gear . Problem is the price . Im sure that in the amp market the slo will always hold it value better than most amps and I bet that is also another of the factors that people look at. But for me the slo is an amazing machine that just met its match and if the truth be known. It was tested measured and was found lacking. The mezza is a legend killer

Don't forget kids you can mod your amps , my SLO 100 is sitting at Dave Friedman's shop as we speak 🎸🎛️

Ah yes the battle we have been waiting for! Would love to see you do one with MZero, Uberschall, Diezel and Marshall next!

Yes and yes.

Mezzabarba should cut through better in a mix? Would be interesting to hear. Great comparison as usual! ✌️

I can very quickly tell that the MZero wins this with that extra touch of aggression and clarity. Still, at this price point I'd rather go for a VH 4 where it feels like you get more for your money and I actually really like it. I tried the Slo 30 and wasn't a big fan.

I prefer the SLO but they are both great. So I would run two 4x12 cabs with both amps and rip peoples face off. Huge tone.

I was expecting to like the Mezza better because it is a newer amp and figured they one upped the Soldano...... I prefer the soldano in this clip

Dude! Nice to see some love for Wolfetone pick ups! Wolfe is a super good dude, and his pick ups are criminally underrated. If you haven’t tried the Timber Wolf yet, I highly recommend it. It has a ceramic option, but I have the standard version. Either version is a paint peeling monster though. Marshall head neck pick up version is also great and complements the Timberwolf well. Great video and comparison as always Kyle!

Mezzabara or JCM2000/DSL100 ?

Soldano was the clear winner for me

I would be happy with either.. Great vid 🤘🤘

Both great. SlO for me, just more of what I want.

You need to play leads

Great video! lovely tones. P.S. It's Mezzabarba not MezzaRbarba in case you missed the typo 😉

Yeah i like the mid thing the SLO does. Another sick review too man. We must protect Kyle Bull at all costs haha

5:17 the SLO here is louder

Played a new Soldano SLO recently and not as good as the Mezzabarba for high gain without a boost pedal. So Mzero wins in my book for thrash metal. Soldano still great and if I did not have the Mzero would get it for resale value and history.

Mezzabarba for me. I wasn't fan of the SLO...but you made yours sound way better than mine haha.

Love the mids from the Soldano. Nice punch from the MZero. Thanks for this.

My dude, I know this is more of a pedal vs amp thing. But have you ever looked into any of the RIVERA amps? I think you might dig on the knucklehead tre. Gain is insane. Their Knucklehed reverb amps are pretty nice too. Anyway even though I’m a different type of guitarist. I absolutely enjoy your videos.🤘🏻

Mezza. Options

kyle!!! both sounded great, but the mezza by a hair!!!

Mezzabarba seems tighter on the low end, still prefer the Trinity. Did you get the Mezzabarba 4x12 cabinet locally?

I have owned both brands and currently own the SLO-30 and Skill 30. Mezzabarba has better build quality, and if you need it, a MUCH better clean with plenty of volume. I know folks don't buy these amps for cleans, but honestly thy should. Fender quality cleans all day long and I like the loop in the Mezzabarba as well. Both are great amps, but if you are paying this much might as well have 2 STELLAR channels, not 1.

SLO 100

Awesome choice bro, well done.

Ilike the Mezzabarba

The SLO 100 👍

Mezzabarba for the win. Seems like kyle was just trying to dial the soldano to sound as good.

This is exiting Kyle the amps I can't afford lol🤣those are sweet man thanks for sharing these.

I have both the slo30 and the mezzabarba skill 30… and hands done how the skill 30 and will never part with it. My slo30 is on sale now … lol

SLO i wish they were less Spendy... IR i tried was real sick

I don't play metal but those overdriven tones at the end with the active pickups make me want to. Do you need a noise gate in that scenario?

Mezzabarba MZero

They’re really close. I’m a mix nobody could tell the difference. Overall they’re so close that I think the slightest of differences would make a person pick one over the other.

Have you compared the Trinity to the Mzero and if so what are your thoughts? I had a Trinity and the new SLO I prefer the SLO. Never had any experience with the Mzero

What's the riff at 6:32? Great vid!

They're very close. Considering the SLO is 500 (!!) more expensive than the Mezza in Europe, not sure it's worth it.

I would want the MB for rhythm because that perceived thinness is gonna leave more room for the bassist and kick. For solos I like the smooth sweetness in the soldano.

o Soldano é mto mais amp,,esse som dele, amoooooooooooooooo

Awesome coheed and cambria

SLO 100 for the win 🏁

Honestly I really can't decide which I like better. I think they both sound amazing. Maybe the very slightest of edges to the Soldano to my ear. I really do love both.

No amp touches the SLO

What's up Kyle

I like the extra focus on the mezzabarba and the ability to control the feel a little but the slo is thicker and has more character its not so smooth and vanilla and doesn't come across thin at all compared to the mezza. Also the switching on the front panel seals the deal SLO for the win but very close and personal taste after playing both is always recommended \m/

Kyle do a sunn beta lead head!!

MZero is better

I want that Les Paul

The slo wins.

Soldano is the Real thing and put a new standard on great records and live performances of famous artists , like Gary Moore , Van Halen , Clapton , Mick Mars and so on...and they bought these Amps and don't use it just for endorsement or because the factory sent them amps for free. Meza was made 30 years later , and started just copyng Soldano amps....here in Italy...Brunetti...Cicognani...not bad amps ...but far from being innovative and pioneering stuff...

this channel just reminds me i need money 🤣

6:11 wtf? lol

Sick

My two cents, Firstly is that you really didn't set them both at noon, the mzero has Increments 1-10 were as the slo is 1-11 . That is a dramatic difference in tonal change when you talk full sweep of the Pitentiameter on both. Awesome video btw!!!

IT'S NOT BRUTAL ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You "metal" players lmao (SLO is a great amp though)

Go with the original real deal, no need for copy/clones. SLO100 is the king.