The Soldano SLO PLUS is a dual-channel overdrive and preamp pedal from Soldano that puts both channels of the company's SLO-100 tube amplifier on a pedalboard: a Normal channel for crunch tones and the Overdrive channel for high gain1. It uses the same cascading gain design as the SLO-100 amp, and Soldano says it can move from rich, aggressive distortion through complex crunch to responsive cleans with the tap of a toe1. Released in December 2024, it expands on the earlier single-channel Soldano SLO pedal23.
The SLO-100's channels in a pedal
The SLO PLUS is built on the same cascading gain design as the SLO-100 amp1. Soldano says it "can go from a rich but aggressive distortion, through complex barking crunch tones, to stunningly responsive cleans with the tap of your toe"1, and its cascading gain stages deliver "rich, dynamic overdrive with exceptional sustain and responsiveness"3. The pedal was designed by Mike Soldano2.
The pedal follows the original Soldano Super Lead Overdrive pedal. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson framed the SLO Plus as what happened when "Mike Soldano - in being the completist that he is - decided to deliver a SLO Plus pedal - which included the Norma" channel alongside the Overdrive4. Karlsson placed the SLO Plus "down on my list as a nice-to-have", not fully committed to it, surmising the original SLO Pedal might be all he needs and unsure he would get maximum use out of the second channel4.
Controls
Each channel has independent Master (output) and Preamp (gain) knobs, with a 3-band EQ, a Presence control and a Deep switch for shaping the high and low frequencies to match your equipment1. Vintage Guitar noted the Deep switch is side-mounted and shapes low-end2. The Treble, Middle and Bass controls are universal, shared by both channels4.
| Control | Function | Shared or per channel |
|---|---|---|
| Preamp (gain) | Sets gain for the channel | Per channel1 |
| Master (output) | Sets output level for the channel | Per channel1 |
| Treble, Middle, Bass | 3-band EQ | Universal, shared by both channels42 |
| Presence | Optimizes high frequencies to match your equipment | Universal1 |
| Deep switch (side-mounted) | Optimizes low frequencies | Universal1 |
Two footswitches engage/bypass the pedal and switch channels independently1.
Power
The SLO PLUS runs on a 9V DC supply only, with no battery connection inside, and draws approximately 40mA at 9V1.
Soldano warns: do not exceed 9V DC, do not use center pin positive adapters, and do not use AC power1.
Using it as a preamp
Soldano says the SLO PLUS "makes a fantastic preamp when running into a power amplifier or IR loader"1. With per-channel gain and output controls and the SLO-100's cascading gain design, it can serve as the gain stage of a pedalboard rig feeding a power amp or an impulse-response loader, rather than only as a boost in front of an amplifier1. For players comparing approaches, it sits alongside other preamp pedals rather than pure boost or distortion boxes.
Versions and pricing
The SLO PLUS is available in a standard White finish at $269.99 and a metallic Purple edition through the Soldano Custom Shop at $299.994. Vintage Guitar listed the price as $269.99 in its March 2025 review2.
What reviewers said
Vintage Guitar's Charlie Wilkins found the pedal's tone-shaping "courtesy of shared three-band EQ, Presence, and a side-mounted Deep switch for shaping low-end," with "dedicated controls that allow for detailed tweaking of Preamp gain and Master output"2. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson was more reserved about the second channel's value:
"The Soldano SLO Plus is currently down on my list as a nice-to-have, I’m not fully committed to it yet, surmising that the original SLO Pedal might be all that I need."4
His takeaway: a player who only needs the Overdrive channel may find the original SLO Pedal sufficient, while the SLO Plus suits players who want the Normal crunch channel too4.
Videos
Pete Thorn
Soldano Custom Amplification
Michael Nielsen - Big Hairy Guitars
Questions
What is the difference between the Soldano SLO Pedal and the SLO Plus?
The original SLO Pedal, released in 2022, captured only the SLO-100 amp's Overdrive channel. The SLO Plus, introduced in December 2024, adds the amp's Normal channel as a crunch mode, giving you two footswitchable channels, each with its own Preamp (gain) and Master (output) knobs, while the EQ is shared between them.
Does the Soldano SLO Plus take a battery?
No. The pedal has a 9V power jack and Soldano states there is no battery connection inside. It draws approximately 40mA at 9V, and Soldano warns not to exceed 9V DC, not to use center pin positive adapters, and not to use AC power.
Can the SLO Plus run into a power amp or IR loader?
Yes. Soldano says the SLO Plus makes a fantastic preamp when running into a power amplifier or IR loader. Because each channel has its own gain and output controls and the circuit follows the SLO-100's cascading gain design, it works as a pedalboard preamp rather than just a boost in front of an amp.
Is the Treble control shared by both channels on the SLO Plus?
Yes. Treble, Middle and Bass are universal controls shared by both channels, along with a Presence control and a side-mounted Deep switch. Only the Preamp (gain) and Master (output) knobs are independent per channel.
Why does the purple SLO Plus cost more?
The metallic Purple edition is a Custom Shop finish and lists at $299.99, while the standard White finish lists at $269.99.
Where is the Soldano SLO Plus made?
Soldano states the SLO Plus is assembled in the USA. It carries a limited 5-year warranty and is sold through the Soldano Webstore.
Sources (4)
- SLO PLUS Pedal, soldano.com, 2026-07-30
- Soldano SLO Plus Super Lead Overdive, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2025-11-14
- SLO PLUS Pedal, soldano.com, 2026-06-01
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-12-05
