Laney VH100r

[Bruno Petrucci]

Hi

I'm thinkin about replace my Mesa Boogie Roadster. I need a fast attack, responsive and tight amp for fast lead passages. I was thinking about a Mark IV or V, Diezel VH4 or Engl Invader. However, I've heard great things about the Laney VH100r.

Basically, I need great cleans and great leads as the most important features of the amp. I play in a progressive Rock/metal band and also have a solo project, kind of Vai, Petrucci, Andy Timmons and satriani style. So the amp needs to do metal fine.

I live in Europe, so the prices are kind of: Laney < engl < Mesa Boogie < Diezel

I would like to obtain answers mostly about the Laney: How about its cleans, rythm and leads? Are the leads fluid and tight? How 'amazing' are they?

Tanks in advance

 

[Neptical]

I've been hearing some of these amps lately and can say I'm pretty impressed. I'd like to hear some folks chime in on this as well. I'm bound to get one of these in my collection some time.

~Nep~

 

[screamingdaisy]

I had a Laney GH100TI. It was a monster. Single channel high gain amp that cleaned up well with your guitar's volume knob. Great lead tone, although the sustain cut off quickly. I kind of think they designed it that way to suit Iommi's style.

 

[94Tremoverb]

They do sound good, but watch the build quality. You get what you pay for, and there is a reason they're cheaper than other comparable amps.

I worked on one of those Iommi heads a while back - it sounded absolutely amazing... after I'd replaced all the power tube sockets which were such poor quality the contacts had stretched after *one* tube change. Bad tube sockets seems to be a problem across a lot of the models. I've also seen a fair number of transformers blow for no very obvious reason (both power and output), and some issues with low quality PCBs.

But, they're good value for money if you can accept a small amount of risk like that. You're better off getting a head than a combo or a cabinet since they use particle-board for the boxes and the speakers - HH brand which is a company they bought some years ago - aren't anything special. (I could be wrong but that may have changed on some of the most recent models.)

 

[Bruno Petrucci]

I'm going for the head, for sure. But how about the leads in this particularly head? I know tht the GH series have a great lead tone. However, I really need, at least, 2 channels.
I've heard some guys using the VH100r with great leads, but having an overdrive in front of the amp. I want to know if the head isn't tight enough alone.

And how could it be compared to a Mark IV/V ? (Tonewise, forget about brands or monetary value)
Thanks for your replies

 

[cradlefish]

I can say that being a owner of the VH100R for 9 years now. That amp sounds great! It's very versatile but I would imagine that your Roadster is within the same league as versatility. Great cleans and distortion. The Roadster is better constructed as well as the parts used in it as oppose to Laney. Like plastic input jacks, a power tube socket that has a tendency to pop off when removing the tubes. I've never had a problem with my Laney for the past 9 years. It has been a workhorse! The only thing I've done is just change the tubes and that's it.

It can do leads with no problem and for me it doesn't require a pedal. It's a tweakers amp like the Mark IV. You can get some bad sounds as well as great. You just need to spend some time getting a feel for the eq. Sound wise??? It's a matter of taste. Most would prefer the Mark IV for it's sound as well as it's resale value. The Laney will certainly give you that British sound as oppose to the american sound with the Mesa.

The Laney can also be a bright amp if you're not careful like many British amps that have that high end bite. But it's got a nice low mid sound that cuts through the mix with ease.

Both the Roadster and VH100R are great amps. It's just which one do you prefer. For me? I don't plan on ever selling my VH100R. It's been a great for me for many years. The 90's Triple rec I acquired recently is a great amp as well. Certainly better than the 3 channel version I had awhile back. I would try to get a hold of the VH100R and hold on to your Roadster and compare them for live performances and then decide which one to sell if you had too. If not? keep both.

Check out some VH100R clips on youtube....look up for Collibus. This guy Stephen Platt gets some of the best tones from a VH100R I've ever heard.

 

[Bruno Petrucci]

I heard his tones, cradlefish They're awsome. But he uses a OD808 in front, I remember that he said that somewhere. And Collibus is a great band.

For me, the relationship with the Roadster has been love-hate. I think that I love channels 1 and 4 and hate channels 2 and 3. That's not enough. I can get an OK lead sound out of channel 2. That's it. Don't like it for that AC/DC sound or Marshally sound that people keep saying it is capable. I don't think it is.

Channel 3 I use for leads on vintage and also use an overdrive in front to tighten it. Even then, it's very far from the leads of a Diezel VH4 or a Mark IV. I'm looking for a real tight and fluid lead sound.

I know now that I'm not a "Recto guy". I'm done with my Roadster. The Laney comes as a very affordable solution right now. It's not a key factor, as I was looking for Engls, Mesas and Diezels but it could be a nice surprise.

I know that soundwise they are different but can anyone say that it can get the feel and tightness of a Mark?

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

For channel 2, just crank and treble and gain when in Brit mode, then set everything else to taste. It's definitely very early AC/DC type of tone personally. Just gotta dial it in right. But if you want another amp, I would suggest the Stiletto Deuce II head over the Laney VH100R. And no, I'm not a Laney hater either. I do have the Lionheart head with its matching cab...

 

[Bruno Petrucci]

Thanks KH Guitar Freak

I've tried all the possible settings. And that amount of treble just don't do it, for me.
In what concerns to the Stiletto, it was one of the possibilities, if I didn't need more metal tones. If I was only choosing an amp for my solo project, that was definitely one of the top 3.

But what about VH100r vs. Mark IV/V?

And also, what about the Laney at low volumes? Many people say that it is LOUD. I pretend to use it live, rehersals and at home...

 

[94Tremoverb]

I don't think the Laney is as tight as a MkIV, but it's so long since I played a Mark of any kind at enough volume to really tell that I could be wrong. I've never played a Mark V at all so I can't comment on them. I don't like Marks though, so I may not be the right person to judge this.

I'm not a Laney hater either, they just don't quite do it for me soundwise (apart from the Iommi one, and to be honest that was a one trick pony, although an outstandingly great trick!) and I'm not convinced by the build quality... but they're not that bad and I can think of worse amps on both counts. The 100s are certainly loud, but the controls seem to work as well as any tube amp for getting low-volume tones... ie OK rather than perfect, and you need to work with it not just set up a great gig-volume tone, turn it down and expect it to be the same. I prefer Marshalls and Engls for the kind of sounds the Laneys do best, but they're both a bit more expensive. I also like Peaveys but they don't quite have that British sound (in my opinion).

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

I don't think the Laney is as tight as a MkIV, but it's so long since I played a Mark of any kind at enough volume to really tell that I could be wrong. I've never played a Mark V at all so I can't comment on them. I don't like Marks though, so I may not be the right person to judge this.

I'm not a Laney hater either, they just don't quite do it for me soundwise (apart from the Iommi one, and to be honest that was a one trick pony, although an outstandingly great trick!) and I'm not convinced by the build quality... but they're not that bad and I can think of worse amps on both counts. The 100s are certainly loud, but the controls seem to work as well as any tube amp for getting low-volume tones... ie OK rather than perfect, and you need to work with it not just set up a great gig-volume tone, turn it down and expect it to be the same. I prefer Marshalls and Engls for the kind of sounds the Laneys do best, but they're both a bit more expensive. I also like Peaveys but they don't quite have that British sound (in my opinion).

Laneys used to be worse in the build quality department years ago. At least they are getting better now...

 

[Bruno Petrucci]

And what about EVH 5150 III? It's been in my mind for a while. No chance to try one nearby, but it seems really nice for my needs. It is said to be extremely tight, even compared to Mark series. Nice clean and crunch. Can it do metal?
For the leads I assume it would be killer.

Opinions...

Thanks guys

 

[FFFDFEFRFKFFF]

I don't have a VH100R but I do have a GH50L and from testing a VH extensively and owning and using the GH for the the past few months I know both pretty well. First off the amp is GREAT. I've had absolutely zero problems what so ever with mine. Sound is awesome, think of a hot rodded Marshall with the option to add in another gain stage to take it over the edge. It does clean up great as others have said but also not super tight sounding...without adding the gain stage. The VH has the same kind of gain stage boost but it has this for both channels so it is almost like four channels.

On the other hand I've just picked up a Mark V, my birthday present to myself which came in a few days early. Totally different beast, great cleans, honestly a better, more versatile clean than the Laney, great mid-gain tone, and awesome heavy tone. I will be trying to hold onto the Laney for recording purposes to get a different tone but it is going to be up on the chopping block. I think comparing the Laney and Mark is like apples and oranges, Gibson and Fender, BMW and Lamborghini, you just get down to taste. I personally am in a prog. metal band, Opeth meets Mastodon and Megadeth kind of thing and I think that the Mark is better for this.

Don't have much experience with the Mark IV but I assume it is very similar to the V, at least similar compared to the Laney.

In the end it will honestly all come to preference with them but from wanting a tighter tone I think that a Mark, while tougher on the wallet, is a better way to go and it just feels a little more solid than the Laneys do.

 

[Bruno Petrucci]

Thanks guys

I have the oportunity to try an Engl Invader that goes for about the same price than the Laney. I've been thinking about so many amps lately and it's really hard to try them in my country. The ones that still remain in my mind are the Laney, the Fryette sig:x and the EVH 5150 III.

The Fryette seems that would not be that easy to find a liquid lead sound as the Marks or the EVH. However, if anyone here have played/owned one, I will appreciate your comments.

I always looked for the EVH thinking that it wouldn't be able to do metal (hummm... does the "EVH" played a role here?). But when I searched a little more, it seems to have enough gain to go to death metal (not my intentions to go go there). Does it really is an alternative to the Marks? I must say that I loved some clips that I've heard from this head.

You already know what are the tones I'm looking for, so please, I'm listening to your statements

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

With regards to the Stiletto, it can do much more than metal tones FYI...

 

[YellowJacket]

Hi

I'm thinkin about replace my Mesa Boogie Roadster. I need a fast attack, responsive and tight amp for fast lead passages. I was thinking about a Mark IV or V, Diezel VH4 or Engl Invader. However, I've heard great things about the Laney VH100r.

Basically, I need great cleans and great leads as the most important features of the amp. I play in a progressive Rock/metal band and also have a solo project, kind of Vai, Petrucci, Andy Timmons and satriani style. So the amp needs to do metal fine.

I live in Europe, so the prices are kind of: Laney < engl < Mesa Boogie < Diezel

I would like to obtain answers mostly about the Laney: How about its cleans, rythm and leads? Are the leads fluid and tight? How 'amazing' are they?

Tanks in advance

Getting a great amp from the get go saves money. In my opinion, spending less $$$s on something you don't want is the same as flushing money down the toilet. You'll eventually replace that with what you do want.

1) From what you're saying, I would suggest at least trying a Mark V. Very versatile amp, even if all the buttons are a bit intimidating . . . Strongly consider a Mark IV or V, regardless of price. I have a feeling one you plug into one, you'll REALLY know!!

2) Consider the speakers and speaker enclosure as an equal factor to an amplifier as this influences tone immensely. One member here talked about how even rectos are vastly improved in the clean / lead department with different speakers i.e. a c90. I am going to build a v30 / c90 2 x 12 cab soon and we'll see how that affects my recto's tone.

3) Since you don't like your amp, this probably won't be of consequence, but people do mod these things to give it more of the tonal characteristics you like. FJA or Voodoo amps are two such businesses in the USA. I'm not sure who does that in Europe. I'm not sure what I think about modding, might as well get a new amp . . .

 

[Bruno Petrucci]

Thanks YellowJacket

I definitely agree with your first statement. And living where these amps are so expensive and hard to find/sell, makes it more evident. That's why I've been containing myself, trying to make sure I won't make a mistake as I did when I bought the Roadster. That's not my kind of amp and I wasn't able to try one before I bought it. I once thought about moding it. There's Tonehunter in Germany that as a mod for the Roadster. But honestly, I don't think it would fill my needs and expectations.

The EVH seemed to be one amp to consider, for what I've read and listened. Of course it's not the same thing that beeing able to try one by myself, but I think I will, soon. It seems to have very nice cleans, enough gain even to me (not into death or something near but I like saturated tones once in a while) and is very tight and fluid for leads.

Between EVH and Mark V goes a difference of about 1000 € here in Europe, which is significant. Also, there are not many used Mark IV/V's around. To make it even more badly, selling the Roadster became an issue.
I think that's nice to havetons of features to play around (I do have it in the Roadster) but at the end of the day I need a good clean sound, a nice rythm sound and a lead sound that makes me want to die for. That's the "versatility" that I need right now. And I know that in this forum people may be more prone to the Mesa gear, but I believe that you do unbiased opinions

Because of the constraints I've exposed, until I can really can try the amps, I need you to be "my eyes and ears" LOL
For me it's really great to count on you here because you have much more experience in what concerns to know many different amps.

 

[YellowJacket]

And I know that in this forum people may be more prone to the Mesa gear, but I believe that you do unbiased opinions

Ya, I don't even like the Mark series amps, that isn't my tone. If I was to give my biased evaluation, I would say that the Mesa Boogie Electra Dyne head with a marshall 4 x 12 ROCKS. I also like a mix of Celestion v30s and greenbacks in a 4 x 12. It is an honest opinion, but completely useless for what you want to do.

Because of the constraints I've exposed, until I can really can try the amps, I need you to be "my eyes and ears" LOL
For me it's really great to count on you here because you have much more experience in what concerns to know many different amps.

Hmmmm, I think I may have something for you to check out. . . http://www.netmusicians.org/?value=Mesa%20Boogie%20Mark%20IV&section=amp (Mark IV)
http://www.netmusicians.org/?value=Mesa%20Boogie%20Mark%20V&section=amp (Mark V)

http://www.netmusicians.org/?value=Laney%20VH100R&section=amp (Just one of the Laney. Guy is playing it with a strat, don't know how helpful that is . . )

http://www.netmusicians.org/?section2=amp
Here are all the amp models. Go nuts but pay attention what sort of speaker cab, guitar, and pickups are being used as well.