Slash, known for his long-standing use of Marshall stacks, sought collaboration with Magnatone to craft a signature amp, aiming to attain goals that he couldn't with his previous gear.
Slash, the renowned guitarist known for his work with Guns N' Roses and his solo career, has announced a new collaboration with boutique amplifier company Magnatone. This partnership comes after Slash felt disillusioned with the sound and consistency he was getting from his longtime Marshall amps.
For over 30 years, Slash had relied on Marshalls, but he began seeking a change before his blues solo record, Orgy of the Damned. By chance, he played a Magnatone amp and found it offered the tones and reliability he had been searching for. This discovery led to the collaboration on the SL100 amp[1][3].
Slash was drawn to Magnatone amps for several reasons. The improved consistency in sound addressed the issue he had with Marshalls. He also appreciated the distinctive tonal quality, describing it as "beefier and heavier" in the 100-watt version compared to the 50-watt combos he used earlier[2][4]. Furthermore, Magnatone amps carry that "distinctive British voice" shaped by EL34 power tubes, aligning with Slash’s classic rock tone preferences.
Slash's use of the Magnatone amps worked well on tour with Guns N' Roses, leading him to get less of what he was expecting from his previous gear. However, he continues to play Marshall stacks as well, with the two collaborations running in parallel rather than one replacing the other[1].
The collaboration with Magnatone was announced in late 2023 and marks an exciting development in Slash's musical journey. It is worth noting that Slash was familiar with Magnatone because Billy Gibbons was using them. Additionally, Marty Schwartz revealed that Slash watched his tuition videos before the blues record featuring his Magnatone combos.
This new partnership with Magnatone will run alongside Slash's existing collaboration with Marshall, offering fans a diverse range of tones from one of rock's most iconic guitarists. With this collaboration, Slash continues to push the boundaries of his sound and inspire a new generation of musicians.
[1] https://www.guitarworld.com/news/slash-announces-magnatone-signature-amplifier-sl100 [2] https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/27116-slash-s-new-magnatone-sl100-amp [3] https://www.musicradar.com/news/slash-unveils-new-magnatone-signature-amp [4] https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/501272/slash-unveils-new-magnatone-sl100-signature-amp
Slash, currently working with Magnatone, found the sound and consistency he desired in their amps after growing disillusioned with his longtime Marshall amps. This development led to the collaboration on the SL100 amp, which offers a beefier and heavier tonal quality compared to previous amps. Interestingly, Slash was inspired by Billy Gibbons' use of Magnatone amps, and his collaboration with them will continue alongside his existing work with Marshall, providing a varied range of tones for fans.
