Animal
Well-known member
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
Even in Australia, Laney sell cheaper than most of the other brands. Around the same price range as Peavey. They're not overpriced.
Overrated... that's hard to call. My experience is limited. I will say that my AOR-50 head doesn't knock my socks off AT ALL. I've experimented with a number 12AX7s and 12AT7s, overdrive pedals, guitars, cabinets, put the master on full and it still hasn't got rid of it's flabby, murky, harsh, thin and buzzy distorted tone. I'm yet to try it with new power tubes and a 4x12 with appropriate speakers. The cleans on the low input are quite nice but it kind of defeats the purpose of having a big old british head and not getting awesome break up when running it full bore.
If I'm not impressed after that then I will be throwing it into sun or at least passing it on to another person for minimal return and let them deal with messing around with it. I'll give up if it gets to the point of having to replace the filter caps. Way too expensive for how much it's worth.
Even in Australia, Laney sell cheaper than most of the other brands. Around the same price range as Peavey. They're not overpriced.
Overrated... that's hard to call. My experience is limited. I will say that my AOR-50 head doesn't knock my socks off AT ALL. I've experimented with a number 12AX7s and 12AT7s, overdrive pedals, guitars, cabinets, put the master on full and it still hasn't got rid of it's flabby, murky, harsh, thin and buzzy distorted tone. I'm yet to try it with new power tubes and a 4x12 with appropriate speakers. The cleans on the low input are quite nice but it kind of defeats the purpose of having a big old british head and not getting awesome break up when running it full bore.
If I'm not impressed after that then I will be throwing it into sun or at least passing it on to another person for minimal return and let them deal with messing around with it. I'll give up if it gets to the point of having to replace the filter caps. Way too expensive for how much it's worth.
JohnnyGuitar
New member
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
Not overpriced here too. They are not the cheapest though... thank God.
Not overpriced here too. They are not the cheapest though... thank God.
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
Where are Laney's more expensive than Mesa gear ? Or Marshall for that matter ?
Here in the States, as most anywhere else, Mesa Boogie's are very pricey and its rather hard to find a dealer. Marshall is in basically every shop in town (as well as every internet catalog site) but also not cheap.
All the Laney's I've seen have been priced for those on a budget who want Marhsall tone.
Sure a Lionheart isn't a cheap amp but then again look at the price of a Mini Mecury or similar at over $2000 and the Laney seems like a deal.
Laney's got the best bang for the buck in tube combo's around as well. Who else has 15 or 30 watt tube combo's like that
Where are Laney's more expensive than Mesa gear ? Or Marshall for that matter ?
Here in the States, as most anywhere else, Mesa Boogie's are very pricey and its rather hard to find a dealer. Marshall is in basically every shop in town (as well as every internet catalog site) but also not cheap.
All the Laney's I've seen have been priced for those on a budget who want Marhsall tone.
Sure a Lionheart isn't a cheap amp but then again look at the price of a Mini Mecury or similar at over $2000 and the Laney seems like a deal.
Laney's got the best bang for the buck in tube combo's around as well. Who else has 15 or 30 watt tube combo's like that
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
Very good description of those Pro Tube AORs. I don't mean to rag on them but I had two (30W combo and cannot remember if it was a 50 or 100w head) in the late 80s (88-ish) and while they weren't horrible amps, even with a switch to the best widely available tubes** at the time, They were pretty mediocre sounding amps when compared to my Marshalls. My Laney built Jackson head was just as mediocre as the AORs if not more-so. I ended up running an ADA MP1 (blech) and later the first Marshall Tube preamp (9001?) into it.
I may like them much better today though, with some better tubes and some speaker swapping/matching up.
**don't forget that tubes were in very short supply and feared to become nonexistant in the mid to late 80s> we didnt have 1/100th the choices we have today. Hence why Marshall started using 6550s in the JMPs and 800s and then 5881s in the 900s.
Havent tried any of the newer Laney stuff..no-one around here has any.
Very good description of those Pro Tube AORs. I don't mean to rag on them but I had two (30W combo and cannot remember if it was a 50 or 100w head) in the late 80s (88-ish) and while they weren't horrible amps, even with a switch to the best widely available tubes** at the time, They were pretty mediocre sounding amps when compared to my Marshalls. My Laney built Jackson head was just as mediocre as the AORs if not more-so. I ended up running an ADA MP1 (blech) and later the first Marshall Tube preamp (9001?) into it.
I may like them much better today though, with some better tubes and some speaker swapping/matching up.
**don't forget that tubes were in very short supply and feared to become nonexistant in the mid to late 80s> we didnt have 1/100th the choices we have today. Hence why Marshall started using 6550s in the JMPs and 800s and then 5881s in the 900s.
Havent tried any of the newer Laney stuff..no-one around here has any.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
YES !!! More roar, and not so trebly-bright, put some JJs in it, pull the bass and treble(I call it the Laney scoop, you leave middle up high but not pulled and pull the bass and treble boosts) and its some Uber Metal time. Those who complane about the flobby base I really don't where its from I am into Euro Power metal kind of thing and single note palm mute riffs is sort of addiction, my invadered strat comes nice and tight like a knee to the face on those. You will like it, I've come across the tendency on the internet that Laney owners tend to like JPM and JTMs(Celtic Edana is in my plans) and JTMs and JMPs owner like AORs.
YES !!! More roar, and not so trebly-bright, put some JJs in it, pull the bass and treble(I call it the Laney scoop, you leave middle up high but not pulled and pull the bass and treble boosts) and its some Uber Metal time. Those who complane about the flobby base I really don't where its from I am into Euro Power metal kind of thing and single note palm mute riffs is sort of addiction, my invadered strat comes nice and tight like a knee to the face on those. You will like it, I've come across the tendency on the internet that Laney owners tend to like JPM and JTMs(Celtic Edana is in my plans) and JTMs and JMPs owner like AORs.
suislidE03
New member
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
I think the problem with most of the ones who have had bad experiences in the past with Laney havent played or heard their newer models. I had the VC50 a while back, the combo of the VH100R and I loved it to death. Rhythm tones are still a bit fuzzy, but has some umph and bite to it. The GH50L I tried last night of Doug's had a slightly better lead tone, but the rhythm was murky and the bass was much looser than the VH100Rs. Also doesnt have the many channels as the VH. I was going to post this last night, but this guy has the best sounding reproduction of the VH100R tone that I have heard so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtPkQ1_t9OQ
I think the problem with most of the ones who have had bad experiences in the past with Laney havent played or heard their newer models. I had the VC50 a while back, the combo of the VH100R and I loved it to death. Rhythm tones are still a bit fuzzy, but has some umph and bite to it. The GH50L I tried last night of Doug's had a slightly better lead tone, but the rhythm was murky and the bass was much looser than the VH100Rs. Also doesnt have the many channels as the VH. I was going to post this last night, but this guy has the best sounding reproduction of the VH100R tone that I have heard so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtPkQ1_t9OQ
devastone
Well-known member
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
I found a pre-AOR Pro-Tube 50 head pretty cheap. I should get it on Wednesday, for the price, if I don't like it, it's a good foundation for modding. These PTs should be more in line with the JCM800s while the AORs are more like the Marshall 900s because they have more ss in the circuit. Doesn't make them a bad amp, I was just looking for simplicity.
I found a pre-AOR Pro-Tube 50 head pretty cheap. I should get it on Wednesday, for the price, if I don't like it, it's a good foundation for modding. These PTs should be more in line with the JCM800s while the AORs are more like the Marshall 900s because they have more ss in the circuit. Doesn't make them a bad amp, I was just looking for simplicity.
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
I know this thread is about something else, but based on that description alone, the amp you want is a Splawn and nothing else is good enough. I promise.
I know this thread is about something else, but based on that description alone, the amp you want is a Splawn and nothing else is good enough. I promise.
d1dsj
Cornographer
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
Sorry guys, but I was put off when I saw Pat Travers a couple of years ago and he was using Laney Valve amps, even HE was p!ssed off 'coz the amps kept breaking down! I can't believe they are so much money?? I say try a Cornford MK50 if you want a British sounding amp but I have no idea how much they are out there... but they are awesome... better than ANY Marshall I've ever heard. The ONLY amp I would like to hear that MIGHT make me change is a Bognor! Laney used to be made just about 10 miles from me in the uk and to be honest, I wouldn't pay £300 ($600) for one... ANY one. Just for your info, my mate had a tour of the Marshall factory recently and was shocked with what he saw. The SO called handwired series are made in a room at the back of the factory (my mate said it resembled a shed!!) by young kids, and he said the workmanship was downright shoddy! I've no reason to doubt him as he's (was)a Marshall fan through and through. If I were you dude, I'd try a Mesa Stiletto if you can't find a Cornford MK50. Good luck.
Sorry guys, but I was put off when I saw Pat Travers a couple of years ago and he was using Laney Valve amps, even HE was p!ssed off 'coz the amps kept breaking down! I can't believe they are so much money?? I say try a Cornford MK50 if you want a British sounding amp but I have no idea how much they are out there... but they are awesome... better than ANY Marshall I've ever heard. The ONLY amp I would like to hear that MIGHT make me change is a Bognor! Laney used to be made just about 10 miles from me in the uk and to be honest, I wouldn't pay £300 ($600) for one... ANY one. Just for your info, my mate had a tour of the Marshall factory recently and was shocked with what he saw. The SO called handwired series are made in a room at the back of the factory (my mate said it resembled a shed!!) by young kids, and he said the workmanship was downright shoddy! I've no reason to doubt him as he's (was)a Marshall fan through and through. If I were you dude, I'd try a Mesa Stiletto if you can't find a Cornford MK50. Good luck.
S
shogunlegend
Guest
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
actually, i was looking on musiciansfriend.com and they were pretty expensive. curiously enough however, the prices went down. the vc30 is now about $850 and the vc50 is about $1500. while the 50 watt is still pretty expensive, it sounds like it's pretty good. i don't think it's any reason to ditch my mesa 5:50 though.
actually, i was looking on musiciansfriend.com and they were pretty expensive. curiously enough however, the prices went down. the vc30 is now about $850 and the vc50 is about $1500. while the 50 watt is still pretty expensive, it sounds like it's pretty good. i don't think it's any reason to ditch my mesa 5:50 though.
suislidE03
New member
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
They dont make the VC50 anymore. You are probably referring to the head. Anyhow, MF prices are ridiculous and we all know that. The head can be found well under $1k.
If you need more, check this out
TT100 combo
MF has these for $1700.
They dont make the VC50 anymore. You are probably referring to the head. Anyhow, MF prices are ridiculous and we all know that. The head can be found well under $1k.
If you need more, check this out
TT100 combo
MF has these for $1700.
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Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
Well, there is an entire forum of people who are nothing but crazy about AORs, I will find out soon , but I think I am the one after several owner who took my AOR first time to the shop since 80s. You just might've had a bad one. As far as Pat, really its more of a tech foult than anyboy's its the road and its his job. From what I know Laney's place in Brimingham is much smaller than Marshall, and the people who work there have been there for a while, while Lyndon changed purchasing/sales/management people quite a bit over the years assembly people are pretty dedicated to the brand. I am sure I will by at least 3 more, another AOR, VH, and of course The Supergroup.
Well, there is an entire forum of people who are nothing but crazy about AORs, I will find out soon , but I think I am the one after several owner who took my AOR first time to the shop since 80s. You just might've had a bad one. As far as Pat, really its more of a tech foult than anyboy's its the road and its his job. From what I know Laney's place in Brimingham is much smaller than Marshall, and the people who work there have been there for a while, while Lyndon changed purchasing/sales/management people quite a bit over the years assembly people are pretty dedicated to the brand. I am sure I will by at least 3 more, another AOR, VH, and of course The Supergroup.
BlueSky
New member
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
I would rather rock the Laney VH100R over that mesa any day. But if you're into mesa's check out the stiletto trident.
I would rather rock the Laney VH100R over that mesa any day. But if you're into mesa's check out the stiletto trident.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Laney - Overpriced or Really That Good?
Yeah, Eklundh makes that thing sound un parallel to anything out there. Paul Gilbert had awesome tone with it(Vintage Modern? what ever) Timo from Stratovarious sounds the best when plays to VH100s into one 4X12 stereo. Same for Angra dude, his tone was the best with it.
