Author Topic: Laney VC15? Pros & Cons (Read 12578 times)

.50 Caliber Bob · « **on:** June 27, 2006, 11:26:02 PM »

Hi,
Okay, recently purchased a quality '62 Reissue Japanese Strat, and am looking for a new amp to go with it. At the moment I have a Line 6 Spider 212, and, its, well, mediocre really. Its not as cr@p as everyone says, and when I first got it I really liked it (but it was my first proper amp, up from a lil 10 Watt Kustom). Anyway, 2 years ago, I bought the spider II, but I was fairly new to guitar then (been playing for about 18 months or so), and now I have a bit of an ear for which tone I like, and which I dont. I think I have outgrown the spider now, and thus am looking for my next "upgrade".

I know there was a thread on the Laney VC15 recently that was very positive, and pretty soon when I move back to Plymouth I will hopefully have a chance to try them out. In the meantime though, I was wondering what the tone is like at bedroom levels? Can you get a classic rock crunch at acceptable levels, or is even that too loud? Would my neighbours be calling the fedarales on me?

Any input at all welcome,
Thanks

crispsandwich · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2006, 09:34:09 AM »

I thought they were incredible amps. Yes, great tones at bedroom levels. The crunch tones weren't quite as good as the cleans at bedroom levels but they were still really good. 10 times better than any digital or valvetronix amp I've tried/owned :).

I didn't actually buy the amp though. I've bought an Epiphone Valve Junior. The main reason is that I only play in the bedroom, so an 89 quid valve amp purchase makes more sense than a 300 quid one. To me anyway. When I eventually get in a band or start jamming with people, I intend to buy a VC15 or VC30.

The VC15 is the best amp I've ever played.

Anyway, go and try one. You'll be blown away :D.

Twinfan · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2006, 09:52:13 AM »

I was round at a mates last night with my Riff Raff SG and he has an LC-15, which is a cheaper. The blues tone we got from the SG was pretty damn good at bedroom levels...

Jp. · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2006, 11:41:18 AM »

+1 to that

My mate has one and... if your prepared to push it to 11, they will actually stand up to a small drum kit. Which really does make them usefull

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2006, 07:55:29 PM »

I found the sound a bit boxy and one of the amp tech guys I knew put it down to having too small an output transformer on it. He suggested that a change of trannie may well improve it .
This was some time ago
Specs may well have changed...

They are a very good little amp though

But have a look at this - arrange your own collection and you have a winner
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Marshall-DSL20-Ltd-Edition-1X12-Combo-All-Valve-NR_W0QQitemZ270002184259QQihZ017QQcategoryZ10171QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Pipovalves · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2006, 05:54:48 PM »

Hello,

I tried a VC 15 before settling n an LC30. The VC15 is a great amp. I was just looking for a little bit more gain, which I got from the LC30, and my only neg on the VC15 was the lack f a standby switch, which Laney claims is due to tot he fact that it's only 15 watts, which I think is cr@p.

Anyway, if you want a great sounding blues and classic rock amp for bedroom levels/practice, you can't go wrong with the VC15.

Cheers!

Davey · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2006, 12:51:30 AM »

Quote from: Twinfan

I was round at a mates last night with my Riff Raff SG and he has an LC-15, which is a cheaper. The blues tone we got from the SG was pretty damn good at bedroom levels...

bedroom levels are nice.

louder volumes suck completely though.

though.. is it the reverb version, or the regular one.. and did he change the tubes in it? i'm interested, cos in the stock form an LC15R sounds worse than any solid state amp i played, once you turn it up

Twinfan · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2006, 02:34:52 PM »

Davey - he go a kit from Watford Valves (I think) to chang ethe tubes and speaker. It wa sabout £75 I think? It sounds good now, not sure what it was like before though...

Davey · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2006, 03:43:40 PM »

well... 350 euro shiped, plus aditional 100-ish euro for the kit... and you're just 200 short of a real amp... i'll stick with saving up for the gh50l. that way i know it sounds great at both low and high volume

Twinfan · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2006, 05:18:00 PM »

Quote from: Davey

i'll stick with saving up for the gh50l. that way i know it sounds great at both low and high volume

They do - just off to play mine ;)

Skybone · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2006, 05:18:50 PM »

Pro's: It's a cheap but good valve amp.

Con's: 15watts of valve power is still loud (not really a con, but it is if you're buying it to use at home).