Laney amps... Tell me about them...

[colejustesen]

I know you guys (Billy) seem to love Laney amps, but I have never heard one live or ever played one. Hell I have never even seen one. So I need you guys to tell me about them and what I can expect.

I was looking to replace my Marshall JCM900 MkIII and I am not sure if these amps should be an option for me. I like the British flavor amps, but I want to be able to achieve a good clean sound [either by rolling back the volume on my guitar or by having a dedicated clean channel]. Based off my pedal board [which can be changed if needed to], I have a Carl Martin Octa-Switch MkI loop pedal that works great with single channel amps, so I am kind of leaning towards a single channel amp. If I got a channel switcher, I could sell the Octa-Switch and get there MkII version [which accommodates channel switching].

I would like to keep it at around 50-60 watts [makes it cheaper to retube the amp with either 2 EL34s or 6L6s].

I was looking at their GH50L and the Ironheart 60 head...

I started looking at the Laney amps because of this video...
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0TDoqSpGR8[/video]

Alex Hutchings' [guy on the right side of the screen] tone sounds amazing to me. I can't make out what Laney he is playing [maybe a VH100R], but I particularly like the segment 2:25-2:33 after his first solo break.

Anyway, I know Jack Thammarat plays an Ironheart 60 and his stuff sounds amazing too.

Could you guys give me some info?

Cole

[FastRedPonyCar]

The ones I've played/heard have all been pretty good. Nothing spectacular but nothing negative to say either. They have always seemed to be a good bang for the buck amp. The VH100R seems to get lots of love on the old HCAF forum and one of the guitar players of the band Flaw used one when we played a show with them and it sounded nice but the Nitro more or less had it's way with the laney and the guy from flaw was wanting to know more about my nitro after the show.

I've never played the lionheart but it sounds from the videos like an old sorta marshally thing but with less upper midrange and more lower end. Sounds good though.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SuPsTUDtKc[/video]

[gb74]

Well I can't watch the videos, but obviously I have a lot of experience with Laneys and with the MkIII 900. The Laney will sound bigger tighter and have a ton more gain than the 900. Less Marshall-like but still definitely a british sounding amp. It's extremely picky with speakers and can go from awesome to total shit depending on what speakers you will be using.
Using a volume knob to clean up the tone is no problem, but if you need a REAL clean tone, something like a VH100R would be a better option.

I don't know much about the IronHeart. I played one very briefly and still have no definitive opinion about them. Online reviews seem mixed. I'd stick with the GH/VH series IMHO.

[colejustesen]

Sweet! Thanks guys! I respect both of your opinions and love both of your tones! I was looking at the used GC site and it seems I could get a GH50L for ~$500, I haven't checked on the Ironheart yet.

Thanks again!!!

Cole

[GAS KING]

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CvoLOjLtfs[/video]

[Zozobra]

Ha, I've just bought a new OT for that amp!

[100 watt]

My AOR had a OT out of an early 80's JCM 800 in it.

Still chomping at the bits to get my GH100S home & outta layaway

[colejustesen]

My AOR had a OT out of an early 80's JCM 800 in it.

Still chomping at the bits to get my GH100S home & outta layaway

I am really digging the tone of the GH amps... Can someone go a bit more in depth on the gain that can be turned on/off via footswitch? Is this just a boost function? If it works like I am thinking, I could set a good rhythm tone and use that to push me into mayhem... I also like the idea of being able to use either 6L6 tubes or EL34s

Cole

[shane159]

I am not certain how true this is, but I was told by a Tech that the Lionheart series is very similar to the Orange type circuit. I have an AOR 50 and I love it. It is very Marshally but has allot bigger tone, less brittle. The low end is scary on that amp, more low end than any other amp I have owned. The Nitro was probably the closest in the low end, but the Laney will shake pictures off the wall, seriously.

[gb74]

My AOR had a OT out of an early 80's JCM 800 in it.

Still chomping at the bits to get my GH100S home & outta layaway

I am really digging the tone of the GH amps... Can someone go a bit more in depth on the gain that can be turned on/off via footswitch? Is this just a boost function? If it works like I am thinking, I could set a good rhythm tone and use that to push me into mayhem... I also like the idea of being able to use either 6L6 tubes or EL34s

Cole

well yeah I guess the idea is to be a boost function. Without the Drive switch the amp has slightly less gain than an 800 but the Drive knobs takes it from there.

However, I have always gotten the best results by leaving it on at all times and using the dual gain/drive knobs to get the best tones.... you will hear the difference easily .... high gain/low drive gives you a rounder/warmer tone while low gain/high drive is tighter and more modern. I usually like them around 50/50... like both knobs at 6 or something. There are tons of different tones you can get by messing with the gain/drive controls alone, before you even touch the EQ.

[colejustesen]

Sweet... I am really liking the concept of the GH amp! I have my amps on Craigslist with no bites, so I might see what the local pawn shop will give me for them. I usually get a decent price when I sell stuff to them...

If that is the case I can snag a GH pretty soon...

Cole

[RaceU4her]

i know they been the flavor of the month for a few months now, thats about it

[nakedzen]

I've never played the lionheart but it sounds from the videos like an old sorta marshally thing but with less upper midrange and more lower end. Sounds good though.

Our lead guitarist in my previous band had one. Nothing like a Marshall. Really thick, syrupy, dark, low middy tone. Borderline muddy. I loved the tone, but definitely not for everyone. The GH series on the other hand sound really ballsy and raw, more low middy again than Marshalls though.

[Elessar [Sly]]

i know they been the flavor of the month for a few months now, thats about it

[gb74]

Yes, in general Laneys have lower mids and sound thicker than Marshalls.

[RaceU4her]

i know they been the flavor of the month for a few months now, thats about it

its nothing to get all sensitive and have tender feelings over, its just how it is

[Elessar [Sly]]

i know they been the flavor of the month for a few months now, thats about it

its nothing to get all sensitive and have tender feelings over, its just how it is

I think you misunderstood...

[JiveTurkey]

IF ONLY THERE WAS A VH100R AVAILABLE IN THE FOR SALE SECTION...

[Elessar [Sly]]

IF ONLY THERE WAS A VH100R AVAILABLE IN THE FOR SALE SECTION...

If it was im the UK I would snap it yup.

[Zozobra]

My AOR had a OT out of an early 80's JCM 800 in it.

Still chomping at the bits to get my GH100S home & outta layaway

This motherfucker is going in it in the next week

[100 watt]

Damn right. What kind is it?

[BrendanO]

Damn right. What kind is it?

Autobot.

[colejustesen]

I've never played the lionheart but it sounds from the videos like an old sorta marshally thing but with less upper midrange and more lower end. Sounds good though.

Our lead guitarist in my previous band had one. Nothing like a Marshall. Really thick, syrupy, dark, low middy tone. Borderline muddy. I loved the tone, but definitely not for everyone. The GH series on the other hand sound really ballsy and raw, more low middy again than Marshalls though.

I really think the GH sounds like it would match my guitars. They are on the brighter side, so having a low mid type amp I feel will be beneficial. My Marshall is brighter, while it sounds good, it might be a bit too harsh. That being said, the Mockingbirds I used to own sounded stellar through it!

Cole

[Elessar [Sly]]

Laney have always made great amps, I've always leaned towards their particular sound. I have had other amps come and go over the years but Laneys tend to stick. I've seen them used live a lot as well. Their dirt channels are the smex.

[Zozobra]

Damn right. What kind is it?

Its made by Italian transformer winder, inMADout. They specialise in high output, full bandwidth transformers and they are priced pretty well. Cheaper and better than Hammond stuff and I can get custom primaries wound. Its good for full bandwidth at 140W.