Laney VC50

Got nearly everything I would want. Wish list is foot switchable Loop and boost

I was dissapointed at first - cleans were very nice. The dirty was fizzy and thin. I changed the tubes from 6l6 to El34, tried different pedals in front, in loop, amp emulation - still no good. Then changed the stock HH Invader speakers for a V30 and a Green back (2 x 8 Ohm in paralell = 4 ohm output from amp). It is a different amp, clean is sparkling, Dirty with careful eq no longer fizzy and is now fat. I have looked inside this amp - quality build all good. I can't understand why Laney would use speakers of such low quality - the HH invader SUCKS!!!!!. would give a higher rating except for the stock speakers.

No problem

Never tried

the vc 50 is easy to use' the front facing control panel is very convinient to dial in without having to walk around to the back of the amp to make adjustments to your sound 'its a no nonsense work horse let down by the tempermental 5 pin din footswitch connection'this is something that can be modified 'there is a wide tonal range available from this model ''assuming that your vc 50 is in good nick'there is no reason why you should not be able to dial in your desired sound .

i exclusively use telecasters of all types 'so i require a high degree of individual string definition even when using a very mild break up' this model suits my stop start high energy rock 'n' roll blues with out producing ugly reasonants that are unplesant to listen to 'it is also a very responsive tool reacting in a disinctive way to the slightest change of dial setting [ know and master your amp your'e the boss] apart from a few 'class a charateristics' like fluffs'pops 'signal drops its a great amp'not designed to be left on for hours in the corner of a room at home.

i always use back up a vc 50''never broken down solid as a rock' issues with the footswitch but no hicups' if laney built a plane i would fly in it.

laney are nice folks that know a fair bit about amplification' my experience with them has been good and i know that if there was ever a issue that needed att then the laney team would be there to assist and at the end of it my gear would be good making all feelgood.

great home grown uk amp'would go get another one if something bad happened to mine great tonal vocabulary' chosen for its value for money and great sound just the job.

good amp, bought at macallen, TX for 50 USD at pawn-shop(not working)
Got it fixed fo 45 USD and 25 USD for EL84's(x4). It works now

I'm excited about my amp would not part with it for less than 1000 USD

you bet, it has earned a homemade denim cover with crate on it

the best

all my life, i'm 49yr old

The amp was made around 1998 I think, it's a discontinued model, it's got the stock HH Speakers in it and this one came with Harma EL34 power tubes

One of the main reasons I went for this amp design is it's an affordable 4-channel valve head, and basically has features coming out of it's ears. Firstly there's a clean channel that can switch to a basic gain channel with it's own independent volume and gain, this channel's not particuarly aggressive and is best only used as a light gain or maybe to add a bit of grungyness to your clean. The overdrive channel is a bit different, it has one master volume with a gain control which has a little more aggression, then a footswitchable distortion control that boosts your gain signal. The only pitfall is this I think since for my needs I'd quite like 2 distortion channels a bit like my old tf300 had, but it's easily workable once you get used to it.
Further down we've got a 3-band eq on both main channels as well as 2 reverb and also an effects loop pot which controls the blend of effects on either channel. Related to this on the back is a mass of effects loops, I mean really there's loads. A serial one between pre and power amp, another overall one with it's own adjustable level and 3 settings (bypass, insert and side chain), then 2 loops for both independent channels.
Goin back to the front we also have a prescence pot which is really good for adding some bite to the sound, a resonance switch, and oh yeah, there's a treble boost on the clean channel too.
Does that cover it? I think it does.. no wait there's also 2 inputs (hi and low gain), and it comes with a standby switch. Oh yeah there's also a valve bias switch on the back allowing you to change valve type, which is neat.

So yes it's got loads of features.

As a previous review said, the EQ has a learning curve to it, it's really nothing like any amp I've used before. You have to essentially throw everything you know about how to set up an amp EQ out the window and use your ears.
They certainly weren't joking about that icepick tone though! OW! Basically I run my high gain with the treble on about 2 and knock the prescence up as this adds a much nicer top end sound, the resonance switch can add a lot more bite to it as well if so required. The clean channel is really nice, but the gain stage of it's not up to much, lovely tones for more subdued songs though. I've got a fender twin lying about here and the cleans are indeed about on a par, although the laney takes a bit more dialing in to get to that sound.
The rumours about it being incapable of high gain are a bit false, I got a hell of a high gain tone out of this thing, but the only problem was of course the way the 2 stages of the gain channel affect each other - I like a quite heavy then a very heavy sound so to achieve the first I need to crank the first gain stage up to 10. After this the distortion stage needn't be above around 6, for my style of metal I found this was more than enough gain.
The problem that arose from this setup was the high gain tended to feedback a lot, and I mean a LOT. It's also a very noisy amp, it's not unbearable and I've certainly heard worse (what do you expect from a high gain setting, really?) but I'm investing in an ISP Decimator G String pedal to remove the noise created. Hopefully then that'll remove any problems with the feedback too and I can crank it up to the desired level.

By the way, this thing is the loudest goddamn 50w I've ever heard! on high gain you can barely get the volume over 2 before you drown out the drumkit. If you're worried about not being able to get the best out of the valves though, I've been told a neat trick is to set the back fx loop to insert mode and turn the mix knob on the back down, this essentially creates a second master volume and means you can crank the other volumes higher, thus pushing the valves more before feedback ensues.
Overall I'd give it an 8 for sound quality, it's there but it's not as easy to get as with some other amps.

The construction is pretty solid, the only problem with mine is the wire retainers for the tubes are missing, but obviously that's only an issue with my particular amp (one I'm emailing laney about right now). As with all tube amps some care is required and I have no intention of kicking it about the place, but it's a much more solid construction than my laney TF300 which has taken some major abuse over the years and lived to tell the tale. The only real issue I can think of is the carry handles at the top which appear a bit flimsy.

The main reliability issue, as mentioned in many other reviews here, is the footswitch. It really is pure gash, and I think I'll likely get a spare for this or a replacement. It was sold as faulty with the amp, although everything but the reverb currently works fine (and I don't really use the reverb).

I'll give it a 7 due to the footswitch sucking and the precarious lookin handles, other than that it's pretty much a tank.

Sent an email to customer support regarding the retainers for the power valves, got a reply asking for additional details but still waiting for another reply back. So the jury's still out on this one, I'll give them a 7 for at least getting back the first time.

I've been playing about 10 years, maybe more. I use a cort m600 guitar primarily, and a few effects which I'm building on (#1 echo delay pedal, ISP Decimator G String, Aphex Punch Factory compressor, crybaby wah and a flanger I got for ??2 off ebay).
I think if it were stolen I'd consider buying another but depending on budget I might go for a mesa dual rectifier or an engl powerball. If I was stuck in the same price range I might try to get a cheap VH100r off ebay but for the ??200 I payed for this thing I can't really ask for something better. both the first two alternatives will cost 4 times that, even on a cheapish deal.
I run a practice room so I see a lot of different equipment being used in there and I've heard it in comparison to dual rectis, engl powerball, fender twin, marshall JCM etc. I'd say it definitely holds up to the big contenders in the valve amp department but it takes a lot of knowledge and tweaking to get it there. Personally though I'd rather learn to use my gear than shell out another ??600 for it, so I'm pretty happy with my purchase. I'll be nice and give t an 8 overall, but I think it could be a 9 with the right modifications.

The VC50 eq/tone shaping section has a certain learning curve to it. It's not like the other amps out there where you twist a few knobs here and there and bam you've got your sound. The Laney is not designed for that. The EQ is very, very sensitive to the touch. Any slight adjustments and it will be an audible difference right away. The controls are all quite interactive and take a bit of time to really master. It took me about a year or so to really understand it's usage. I have read and talked to other VH100R/VC50 users about the eq section of the amp and alot of them said the same thing. They are interactive....if you play with one knob..there's a good chance that going to have to mess with the other settings. You have to be patient in learning how to work this amp out. The tones are there! You just have to spend time learning and understanding how to use it. There are tons of sustain! I don't know if the reviewer didn't spend enough time with it???? but rest assure there are gobs of it!! Yes you have have to crank the bass up and lower the treble quite a bit to get rid of the ice-pick sound. It's not a problem dialing it out and still get great tones!! This amp is incredible and it flexes it's muscles especially gigging or rehearsals. I have it barely on two and it's freakin loud and notes punch through clear as a bell! The speakers aren't bad but V30's certainly is a nice improvement.

If you want to get an idea how good this amp can sound. Try this setting and go from there with your own.

Clean Channel A
Bright OFF
Bass 9
Mid 9
Treble 2
Reverb 3

Distortion Channel B/ W/Drive
Drive 7
Gain 4
Bass 9.5
Mid 9 1.4
Treble 1
Presence 7
Reverb 2.5

You have plenty of sustain, mids and no ice-pick with those settings.

This is mid 90's model. This is exactly the same amp as the Vh100r except that it's half power to 50 all tube watts as to 100. It's extremely versatile and flexible. It can do any type of music. You name it. The cool thing about Laney when I read some of the history when Lyndon Laney decided around the 80's I believe was to incorporate another gain stage that acts like a distortion pedal being put in front of the amp for extra gain. So he decided to add another tube in there for extra gain without sounding like Marshalls Diode clipping DSL/TSL models. That was a great idea because alot of laney users that has posted review or around the forums don't use alot or need to use a distortion or overdrive pedals to get the sound they're after. It's all in the amp!! This is a two channnel amp each having their own gain switches that acts like a 4 channel amp. The effects loop is brilliantly designed. You have effects for both clean/distortion or dedicated to either of them. Outstanding!! It has all the features I can ask for to tone shaping. The only thing I would change are the speakers...not to say that they are bad at all. Laney uses the HH Premier Vintage 60 which is model after the V30. IT sounds great! It has a bit of the GT1275 sound mixed in their with the V30. A good balance. I personally like middie/low end speakers and the V30's sounds fantastic especailly after I upgraded to that. One thing I wish they did was have a close back model to tighten it up the sound. I might consider getting the back closed at Splawn. Will see??? All features are effective and they're designed and work very well! This amp is freaking loud!! That's what Laney is known for! When you play one. They always cut through the mix!! Bottom line!

This amp is capable of taking you to whatever style of music you're after. I mean it! No amp I've come across can do that. The cleans are the best I've heard in a high gain amp. It's deep, shimmering and very warm. It stays clean as clean can get at high volumes. I've owned an Orange Rockerverb 50, Engl Thunder 50, Rivera K55, and Mesa stilleto Ace/Duece and those couldn't hang with the Laney. They break up and not enough volume..except for the Rivera...not to mention that their cleans are actually kinda thin/weak sounding. This is just my opinion and experience from owning and playing them. The distortion is just killer!!! It's fat, full and very articulate! You can hear every note ring out from single lead runs to full blown chords..it has a very natural organic distortion. It's a very mid to low mid sounding amp which helps accentuate the notes out clearly. The amp is bright by nature and can be piercing. The eq and other tone shaping features can take care of that with no problem. I have to mention that the eq/tone shaping tools are outstanding. They work great! Any slight adjustments to your setting and you will hear a difference right away. I couldn't do that with my Orange. Rivera, Engl, and Mesa amps. But back to the distortion. It has gobs of sustain and it can go up with the best of them. I'm using a Les Paul Classic and ESP EC-1000 with JB/59 pickups! They sound great! The laney is known to be noisy around. But when you play, rehearse or gig out. You don't even noticed it. Overall I love it! I have to make a note here....this is a very sensiive amp! It has very unforgiving settings. You will need to take the time to not only learn to tweak this amp but also understand that the controls are all interactive and they effect one another so if you make a change. You might have to play with all the knobs to get your sound again.

I own the Vh100r and that head has not let me down in years. The quibble here on the V series is that the footswtich or the amp has the tendency to switch channels own it's own. I haven't had problems with my VC50 yet but my VH100R has been known to do that from time to time. It's mainly the footswitch. around the year 2000 they seem to have gone cheaper with the materials and the footswtich buttons and other parts being used for their amps. Which really sucks because they sound great and they are very reliable amps! If they haven't addressed this problem. They need to look into it especially with the huge price increase on the VH100r's which goes for 1500 new!!! Damn I'm glad to have gotten mine for 800.00 new at that time! If laney increased the price by that much...they should take the time to address better quality parts in their amps like a metal inputs jacks like orange and better footswitch!

Roger Hickman is the man! He's gotten back to me everytime I asked him a question. Great customer service!

I've been playing for 12 years and have owned alot of gear in the past. to name some, Orange Rockerverb50, Rivera K55, Mesa Boogie Stilleto Ace and Duece, Fender, Marshall DSL, Engl Thunder50, Carvin MTS3212 and not to mention that I've played tried out numerous amps like Bogner, Diezel, Guytron, Koch, Dr Z, Other Mesa models and etc. All are good in their own way when it comes to the Boutique amps but when it comes down to performance, price and reliablity. The Laney is hard to beat!! If you happen to stumble upon this amp either on ebay or craigslist. Get it! Best combo ever!!! I would highly recommend changing the speakers and tubes in there. NOS tubes are definitely the choice I would recommend and speakers.....Celesion V30's!

The VC-50 sports a myriad of features. These include two channels, each with their own drive channel and FX loops. An insert FX loop, reverb, option valve tolerance for 6L6 or EL34 power amp. Remote switching for each too!
It has facility for an extension cab, a button for cab resonance and comprehensive EQ dials for bass, mid, high and presence for each channel.

I use a Les Paul because a like sustain and tonal quality and responsiveness. This amp came with stock speakers, H+H vintage premier and Tesla/Sovtek valves.
I purchased the amp as I prefer british class 'A' valve amps for their tonal quality and power.
I was disappointed. There was very little sustain or tone. Someone featured a review describing this as an 'Ice-pick'. Sadly this was very true. Even when hooked up to a Laney 2x12 cab (containing the aweful H+H speakers) the sound was cold, even with the bass full-on! The mid-range definition was empty, leaving the amp feeling dead and cold.
I understand the issues of replacing drivers and valves, but decided to get something with a lower valve rating so I can push it harder. I'll make sure the next amp doesn't have H+H inside!!!

Only had the amp for three months, during which I gigged it once only as it sounded so bad. I purchased it 2nd hand on eBay. The previous owner had spent out for repairs - I believe from other reviews the problem is consistant with this model.

I have been playing for almost thirty years. I own a Cornford at present, probably why I dislike this amp so much. I previously owned a Vox AC30.
From what I have seen, some people have achieved pleasing results by replacing speakers and valves.

This Laney VC50 tube amp was made in 1996 judging by the quality control sticker inside it. It is a very versatile amp, you can go from very clean through to loads of gain. it has 4 channels controlled by the footswitch which was included. it has effects loop but no headphone jack. Ive only used it in the bedroom so far but the lad who had it before me said its plenty loud enough for gigs.

The guitar i use is a Yamaha SG2000, and dunlop crybaby classic wah. When i first got this amp home i was impressed with it, but i felt the sound was abit thin. After reading several of the reviews on this page i decided to change the speakers and valves. I first changed the stock 2 x 5881 tubes to el34 groove tubes. I didnt think much of the groove tubes so put the 5881's back in. Then i changed the stock speakers HH Premier 60's to Celestion G12H30's. This made the sound alot more creamy and bassy but it lost some of the bite. Then this is where i made the crucial change, i replaced the first stock valve 12ax7, with a mullard 12ax7 i had lying around and put the groove tubes back in aswell. WOW, what a sound, it just sounded beautiful, I can get a really decent 70's rock sound out of it now, and its also sounds gorgeous on the clean channel, its a complete pleasure to play through now. Ive also tried a Celestion Vintage 30 in there but it sounded way too harsh, just get a pair of G12H30's. I wouldn't say this amp was noisy but ive only used it in the bedroom.

I havent had it long, but the amp seems well made inside, no vibrations or anything like you get on some combo amps.

I havent delt with them yet.

Ive been playing about 12 years now, and played through several different amps. I painfully have learnt if you want quality you have to spend that bit extra espcially with guitars. Ive had marshall dfx (cheap and tacky), hiwatt custom 100 combo (terrible tone), mesia combo (crap) and now this.I would rate this my favourite definetly and for 250 pounds it was amazing value. If it was stolen i'd save up and get the laney VH100R head or a hughes and kettner trilogy amp. If you can get one cheap get it, otherwise save up and get a head and cab seperate.

Very versatile indeed. With separate volume / gain control for all 4 channels, 3 loops, etc. etc. The main restriction is that channels 1/2 share the EQ as do channels 3/4.

Certainly at the kind of price these go for second-hand its a superbly well featured amp. Reverb is quite good. I put a vintage Ibanez UE405 rack unit on the loop for analogue echo and chorus - works well.

I use Canadian Odyssey guitars - real tone monsters but the sound is just as good with any humbucker guitar as there is loads of gain available.

The basic amp has a pair of HH Invader speakers which are fair but rather brittle and hard sounding. I dropped in a Celestion Classic 80 to get cut through on stage and a Celestion G30H for sweet singing sounds. Its this speaker that I use for miking up into the main PA or for recording. A huge upgrade to the tone.

Finally I switched the amp to a pair of vintage Mullard EL34s (it has a bias switch between 5881s and EL34s - useful). I also put a set of vintage Mullard ECC83/12AX7s. Total age of the valves (tubes) is more than 400 years.

I also semi-permanently integrated a Palmer PDI-03 attenuator. This allows pushing the Mullard EL34s whilst still allowing me to hear drummers / monitors and useful things like that - those Celestions are efficient speakers!

The result of these upgrades is remarkable - I got a hell of a surprise. I can get the sweetest clean sounds through to huge classic high gain sounds. That elusive Van Halen 1 sound is dead easy. The distortion is always rich and toneful, classic rock sounds of every kind. Metal sounds it does not do ... the Mullards seem to eliminate this sound. Dropping a set of cheap Chinese ECC83s/12AX7s produce a cracking Metal sound. It just depends what you want. The Mullard EL34s are just perfect for everything. The pair I have in now are from the late 1950s I believe.

This would have been a very expensive upgrade but I had the valves/tubes (with lots of spares for gigging) and speakers already. So I went from a very good amp to one that matches any boutique amp / top end Boogie etc. for very little cost.

Incidentally, almost all the improvement in sound came from changing the speakers and the very first valve. You only notice the Mullard EL34s with the amp really cooking (thus the attenuator). However, once you have the amp cooking then there the EL34s give another vast improvement.

Laney valve amps are well made but not to the standard of a Mesa Boogie etc. So far the amp has been totally reliable. I stripped it down to check for potential problems but its well designed and assembled. We will see.

I keep it flight cased for transit which I think is essential for any valve/tube amp.

Laney have exceptionally good customer support in the UK - similar to Marshall. Helpfully I live about halfway between these to companies.

I've been playing since the late 60's - I've lots of other kit.

If this amp was stolen or lost I'd probably try to buy another as its so flexible and easy to upgrade to this standard.

As a comparison I've a Marshall JCM2000 TSL 212 - a great amp but not in the same league as the upgraded Laney by a long way. Although I think might try a few vintage Mullards in that too.

Everything about this amp has been said already. I'm pleased with the amp. Again and again I see problems with the footswitch FS4. I've had the same problems. The four original switches in the pedal itself are of bad quality. Housing of the switches is plastic material. Mine is from 1995. I Changed the switches for ones of good quality (no plastic) and never had problems since then. Costs were ? 16,00 and I soldered it myself. Watch the wiring of the leds in the pedal. Wire it the same way as it comes out otherwise the amp will switch perfectly but the leds won't light up.

So its a small probem after all.

Once the ring power upply broke. It was repaired for free. Of course you have to change tubes for once and a while but further on it has never let me down.

In my opinion it's a versatile and decent amp.