Author Topic: Blues Jnr/Laney VC15 + Attenuator (Read 8921 times)

.50 Caliber Bob · « **on:** March 31, 2007, 03:04:49 AM »

I am thinking about getting a small valve amp (dont want the epiphone valve jr though...) but want to be able to play it at sensible levels...

I know that the Laney VC15 should be fine to play clean at realistic levels, but to crank it I know I am going to need an attenuator, but was just wondering:

A) Is an attenuator for a 15 watt amp rediculous? Or standard practise...

B)How much can an attenuator reduce the volume to, without drastic tone suckage...

C) Is a THD Hotplate the attenuator of choice for most people? Having checked the forums it seems to be, but what are its bad points...

finally...

D) If I was going to get the attenuator, would I be better off getting a 30 watt amp? Or would that make it harder to play at room levels?

I'm most frequently going to be playing blues, and classic rock, not too fussed on metal. So its cleans, through to classic overdrive that are most important to me.

Thanks for the help. I did searches on the topic, but most attenuator threads are for 100 watt amps! I'm just after combos

shaman · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2007, 04:18:39 AM »

I HAve owned/used hotplate-80 watt mesa boogie mark IV and 50 watt MArshall JMp-I was very impressed,but the volume change is subtle-it was cool because I could really push those power tubes-you can cut 16db =really notice tonal change...but if you are patient and do some tweaking, the results can be 8) -cant comment on smaller amp-a must for non masters

Woogie · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2007, 08:31:56 AM »

I`ll sell you a VC30 ;)

38thBeatle · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2007, 12:19:17 PM »

I have a VC30 and it does cleans pretty well. I don't know, off hand, if the VC15 has the "second" channel that the VC30 has where you can dial in a bit of extra gain.If so then you can take the channel volume down to keep it at household friendly levels and still get a pretty good tone. I don't think you have to run it flat out to get a great tone. I'd get the amp first and then decide about an attentuator.I don't have one and cannot comment upon the tone sucking or on best make to get.Many around here opt for the THD.

As a footnote, I liked the basic tone of my VC so much that I bought a looper to take the f/x out of the chain.I play in a covers band where the multi f/x is a necessity but towards the end of the night, I tend to like the raw amp tone-so a thumbs up for VCs from me and I have tried many an amp in my time-for the cash, very good indeed. If it is home use though there are 5 to 10 watt amps that some of the guys here can vouch for and that too would be worth a thought.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2007, 12:30:04 PM »

About the VC30, can it do good modern metal tones? Or is it a Brittish crunch style amp?

Atm I'm looking around for an amp in that exact price bracket, and is it good for the kinda stuff I like? Or should I save up and get a 50 watt ENGL Screamer combo?

Woogie · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2007, 01:16:47 PM »

I use an MXR Zakk in front and it sounds sweet

38thBeatle · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2007, 01:59:39 PM »

I cant see a VC30 doing metal myself but I suppose that depends what you call metal.It is a "vintage" style amp. Having said that, I don't play metal and have never tried it in the VC-I just can't see it doing it.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2007, 02:15:46 PM »

While I'm off to try one in about 30 mins, my local is a Laney dealer, and they're in my price range.

What about the LC30?

indysmith · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2007, 03:28:32 PM »

Fender Champ 600 reissue will be out soon; 5W, and only £120

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2007, 03:44:26 PM »

rather than buy a Laney VC15 then an attenuator, why not pool that cash into getting a better amp? - you'd be a Cornford territory surely by the time you've bought the VC15 and a hotplate.

You could get a Cornell Romany for £645.00... http://www.dc-developments.com/cornell_romany_range.htm

and of course there is Matamp too.

:twisted:

Woogie · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2007, 04:34:04 PM »

The laney and thd would come to about £450

dave_mc · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2007, 04:46:17 PM »

Quote from: noodleplugerine

About the VC30, can it do good modern metal tones? Or is it a Brittish crunch style amp?

Atm I'm looking around for an amp in that exact price bracket, and is it good for the kinda stuff I like? Or should I save up and get a 50 watt ENGL Screamer combo?

nah, it's british crunch all the way. think brian may when cranked on the OD channel.

i'd say screamer, or genz benz el diablo combo if you want modern metal (and if you can save), or even mesa f-series (or the new express, haven't tried them though, they might be lower gain).

also, to get slightly back on topic, I have to say I preferred the vc30 to the vc15, I thougth the celestions (poorer versions of them though they were) suited the tone better than the jensens in the 15... the 15 sounded a little small and boxy (that's the 10" speaker at work too, to be fair). best to try them both if you can... oh, and 38th, the 15 watter has the two channels as well.

EDIT:

Quote from: noodleplugerine

While I'm off to try one in about 30 mins, my local is a Laney dealer, and they're in my price range.

What about the LC30?

will do metal better than a vc30, but it still would be far from my first choice. Also, the one I tried sounded pretty poor cranked up, everything was rattling etc.

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

rather than buy a Laney VC15 then an attenuator, why not pool that cash into getting a better amp? - you'd be a Cornford territory surely by the time you've bought the VC15 and a hotplate.

You could get a Cornell Romany for £645.00... http://www.dc-developments.com/cornell_romany_range.htm

and of course there is Matamp too.

:twisted:

+1

LazyNinja · « **Reply #12 on:** April 01, 2007, 12:21:57 AM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

rather than buy a Laney VC15 then an attenuator, why not pool that cash into getting a better amp? - you'd be a Cornford territory surely by the time you've bought the VC15 and a hotplate.

You could get a Cornell Romany for £645.00... http://www.dc-developments.com/cornell_romany_range.htm

and of course there is Matamp too.

:twisted:

+1 to that. The new Laney Lionheart 5W amp is about the same price to the Cornell as well.

Davey · « **Reply #13 on:** April 01, 2007, 07:41:48 AM »

Quote from: 38thBeatle

I cant see a VC30 doing metal myself but I suppose that depends what you call metal.

it can do old school metal, up till megadeth and alike without a pinch. helps if you have a high output pickup and a pedal pushing it (i played a gig with the VC 30 112, a marshall guv'nor+ and my old epi w/ SD JB in the bridge .. i even remember the settings lol - EQ was pretty flat, slight push in the mids. volume @ 6, drive @ 4, the guv'nor was set with level at noon, gain at about 1 o'clock and the EQ, with a slight push in the treble)

but it's not a modern style of amp, so if you're looking for a more compressed type of amp, get something else.

i dont know about the VC15, but stay away from the LC15R .. they sound like total shite cranked.

besides.. why do you want an attenuator with such a low wattage amp anyway? if 15W is too much for you, you're better off buying a moddeler and headphones IMO

Kilby · « **Reply #14 on:** April 01, 2007, 08:22:43 PM »

There is another thread regarding smaller amps which I put a few comments regarding ZVex NanoHead (from personal experience) and the minimat.

I have both a NanoHead and a Blues Jr so can speak a little about them.

Firstly do you intend to play at home only or do some gigging ?

It's not mad to use an attenuator for a 15 watter, if you are playing in the house and want to hear the power tubes running then it's going to be loud, and unless you live alone and out in the countryside, you will not be popular

Ampmaker do an L pad attenuator (to use their name) and that can be used to tame smaller amps at a reasionable cost.

If it's solely home use I would suggest something smaller than 15 watt, like the minimat or nano or even the Orange Tiny Terror.

The blues jr will give you great beatles with a rickenbacker (and the gain quite low), SRV type tones with a strat and a booster and some classic rock full out with humbuckers (but it's not 'thick' enough) without some help.

BTW in an averalge room it's quite loud and I was thinking about adding an attenuator myself

The NanoHead will give you fender / vox at lower volumes and a damned good plexi tone when it's working. For metal look to add a good pedal infront of it.

Oh yeah theres folks who use attenuators with the 0.7 watt nanohead, but it's for recording or for DI into a PA

Rob...