Laney GC80A

My dad bought this amp for me when I was in high-school. I've had it now for about ?6? years. He bought it because it was a dual amp; acoustic and electric. Until that day that we found it in this little out of nowhere music store. I wanted to try out a new acoustic and the guys at the shop suggested that I plug in and then suggested the Laney. We both loved the tone that this amp could produce for acoustic. The acoustic channel has a very nice eq on it with a ?7? band mid slider and the feedback buster. Doesn't seem to do anything though with the feedback buster, and now I'm not playing acoustic much anymore so I don't really touch that side of the amp. Reverb on both channels, though it's not that great. I think that it's spring reverb because if you kick it you get a "boing" sound. eh, I'm not that educated, yet. Came with the footswitch, which is really versitile!
There are two footswitch imputs; one to control the reverb/distortion, or to toggle between the two channels and reverb. The stock speaker is a 12" HHInvader and it also has a horn. This is a British amp, so it has a more British thin sound all around. Nice feature with the horn is that you can turn it on or off with a switch on the front.
It also has 3, count em, 3 effects loops. 1 master 1 electric and 1 acoustic. Also, a headphones out and a direct line out. There about as much going on in the back of the amp as up front, this thing is LOADED. Maybe that's what it's so heavy.

OK, so 80 watts is 50 more than I need. I never take the master setting above 1.5 for playing inside. If I'm playing outside, maybe 2.5. This thing gets VERY loud.
Like I said above, this is a British amp, so it sounds thinner than a Fender. You can get a nice bassier sound out of it, but it's not really made for that. Maybe a new speaker?
Anyway, the electric side is what I play; honestly about 95% of the time. I use a Fender Strat with the Vintage Noiseless pick-ups (nice bell-like tones!!) and lately I've been using analoge pedals. I really don't use the amp distortion because there are times that I want more bottom end for the drive. I use it mostly as a volume boost for solos. It has only one eq for the clean and drive, eh. So I just have to eq the pedals more. And the reverb is alright. I don't really put it up past 3 because that I what I find to be the sweet spot to get the guitar just wet enough to not sound so dry, harsh and bland.

Uh, never broke down on me, ever. This thing is a tank, and is as heavy as one! The faux leather wrapping is starting to come off at the edges and lost a knob, but everything works like a charm. The footswitch had a loose connection at one time and this guy I knew fixed it and voi-la! The reverb unit I have probles turning on and off via the footswitch, but I usally just leave the reverb on because it's a nice wet sound.

makes a great seat too!

Laney is in England. Good luck finding a certified dealer in the states. I downloaded the manual from the web-site and it looked like they scanned in the manual at a really low quality. The manual was also a waste of time and computer space. Everything in there I knew before reading it.

So I use this gear into the Laney: Fender Strat with the Vintage Noiseless into a Boss CS3 into Ibanez Tube Screamer *soundtank model, I want a TS808* into Danelectro Daddy-O for my crunch into Danelectro Fabtone for my lead into a Beringer Mic100 tube preamp with a groove tube 12ax7 to warm up the sound and then into the amp's imput. I use the high gain imput, the low gain imput breaks-up the sound too much, worthless.
Through the electric fx loop I run a Ibanez ?PH7? phaser into a Line6 tap tremelo (this thing is out of this world) into a ToneWorks AX1000G multi-effects unit back into the loop return. I use the AX1000G for my volume pedal, delay, some chorus. I used to use that thing alone until I get into all analogue, and when I need to play out, I use the amp and AX1000G only, easier to move less stuff.

I like this amp because it's built so tough and I've also gotten a lot of complements on it. Usually it's by people who have used Laney in the past. These amps are much more popular in the UK than here in the states. There is so much versitility with this amp. Even after I get an all tube amp I'll still keep this beast just for it's dependability and it's acoustic usefulness. In fact, I'm looking at another Laney right now, the VC-30. It's a copy of the Vox AC-30 and it's been said to sound just as good, if not better.

Mid-90's era acoustic/electric amp. Features a distinct channel for acoutic instruments, and one for electric. Also, reverb and effects loops (for both channels), independent controls for each channel. Has distortion for the electric channel, but I don't use it because I don't have the footswitch to turn it off and on. I use a Tech21 Tri-AC for electric "tone". Has a 12" speaker plus a horn. Well-designed, there's a switch/input/loop for anything you need.

Have used this with a Godin Multiac Steel and a Brian Moore i8.13. Both guitars feature magnetic, piezo and synth outputs, and I use them all. I run the magnetic through a Tech 21 Tri-AC to vary the tone as needed, the piezo into the acoustic channel and a Roland GR-33 into the effects return. So I can have several sounds going at once (provided I can remember which knobs to turn), or can change from an acoustic rhythm to an organ solo at the turn of a volume control. Nice. Neither channel has a particularly great sound, but both are decent and it's all in one amp. This amp is plenty loud at 80 watts RMS - have used it in clubs and it cuts through fine. I found that the amp tends to feed back with the semi-hollow body Godin, and the feedback-defeat controls on the amp don't seem to help much. It is a bit noisy by today's standards but, for what I bought it for, it sounds fine.

Solid state, solidly built. Haven't had it long enough to test its longevity.

Can download the the manual from the web site. Haven't dealt with the company directly.

This amp was way ahead of its time. With the proliferation of piezo-equipped electric guitars, it's hard to believe other companies haven't produced an acoustic/electric combo amp, and that this model is no longer produced. That's why I had to have this one. I have a Marshall Acoustic amp and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, but usually gig with this one as it can do everything. I worry about not being able to "dial out" the frequencies that are feeding back with the Godin, but that may be my fault, so I can't deduct points for that. If you have a piezo-equipped stereo output electric and don't want to drag two amps around, this (or the 50-watt GC50A) is a good choice.

As the others have mentioned, this has two channels, one electric and one acoustic. Both are good, though I wouldn't use the distortion or reverb that comes with it. It has multiple ports in the back for pedals. I also use a headphone jack plugged into the back to allow it to be recorded into my computer. Very nice amp.

I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio '96, an ovation electric/acoustic, plus a few others. I play mostly rock/pop. It's very crisp, not at all noisy. It comes with distortion and reverb, neither is especially good. However, just use external distortion/effects, and it sounds excellent. It's also ridiculously loud, we had the police called on us more than once when using this thing. The acoustic channel sounds good, no complaints there. I also use a vocal mic through it sometimes when practicing, sounds just fine.

I've carried it everywhere, no problems whatsoever. It is really heavy, though, to the point that I need to take some time between carrying it and playing so that my arms feel loose again.

Never needed to call them

I couldn't be happier with it, now four years after having bought it. I'd replace it with something similar if it were lost/stolen.

This is really two amps in one, both an accustic and an electric amp. The sounds on both sides are very nice and very versitile, i play anything from classical, to hard metal, obviously switching the sides of the amp. this has been used to record once, only for electric tracks, its ok, but it does lack the warmth of a valve amp. I use a marshall valvestate for recordings now. On saying that the accstic side is as nice and as versitile for an accustic guitar. there are no chourus, delay, any of those things, just a VERY simple distortion switch, and a VERY noisey reverb channel.

I usually use a yamaha classical guitar, or a Lowden for the accustic side, but have used it with many other guitars, most of which sound excellant. You really can get a nice warm tone of this side. I find the electric side quite hard to get a nice distortion sound out of, but i use practically all the effects available to mankind, and with tweaking all can sound good. the reverb is very noisy, and switching the rather lame distortion on can only be done by pulling a know out.

This amp ha been thrown in our trailer literally hundreds of times, played at literally hundreds of gigs, and its never once broken down on me, this is a VERY reliable amp. NB im NOT one of these guitarists who looks after their amp like a china doll, this has been dropped!

i own i wide variety of gear, i play mostly ibanez guitars, and lowden acuustic guitars. ive been playin for about 8/9 years. i would be dissapointed if this got stolen, but more for the accustic side than nething else, i would probably get a valve amp instead. if only it had a footsswitch for the distortion chanel, and some valves...

The most significant feature of this amp is that it combines an acoustic amp and an electric amp in one box. Neither side is as good as some other products on the market -- there are better acoustic amps and there are better electric amps -- but neither side is bad and both do a pretty credible job. On the electric side I'm been playing tube amps for several years and they certainly have more soul but I find this amp a bit more controllable -- certainly at the lower volumes that I usually play. Actually for my playing -- strictly rhythm -- it's fine (pretty good actually). I find it easy to dial in a tone that I like. On the acoustic side, my Fender Acoustasonic is a better amp but this one is OK -- it makes an acoustic sound pretty much like an acoustic (what more can you ask). I was trying to use a Peavey Classic 30 as a general purpose acoustic/electric amp in a small band area at church but I didn't like the acoustic sound. This is better. I wish it had a chorus built in, though. The 80 watts is more than enough for the 30x40 room I normally play it in. I rarely have it turned up past 3. All and all this is an incredibly versatile amp. I'm pretty much a duffer so I don't really require "tone to the bone." It' much more important for me to have an amp that's easy to use and does everything reasonably well. This one does that. If you play both acoustic and electric -- especially in a place where it's not convenient to have two amps -- you might want to track one of these units down. They're fairly hard to find, though. I recently came across another one, the 50 watt version, and bought it too.

Primarily I use this amp with a Guild D-35 acoustic with an on-board Fishman Prefix Blender EQ and an old Ibanez Artist solid-body electric (a Les Paul type guitar) equipped with Duncan humbuckers (Jazz neck, '59 bridge). Both guitars sound fine through this amp. I've also played a Tele (with a P90 neck pickup) through it and it was good too. The acoustic sounds pretty much like an acoustic and the electric is clear and easy to control. Not nearly the deep, soulful compression of a tube amp but the sound this amp gives suits my playing. I actually find I like the sharper attack I get with this amp than what I get with the tube amps. I mostly play with the church band. We play a lot of rock/blues and folk/acoustic rock type stuff. Mostly I'm a strummer or play some boogie beat rhythm on the electric. I'm hardly an accomplished musician so in some ways this amp is better suited for my needs than many of the tube amps I've owned. They sound great but I really can't take advantage of them. Mosty I play this amp clean. The only time I use the overdrive is when I'm goofing around. I don't play very loud either -- just enough to rock a 30x40 room without offending the old folks. I think if I was an accomplished lead player or if I was going for a lot of distortion I'd stick with the Fender tubes but as it is, this works good.

I haven't had a problem . . . yet. I do use it without a back-up but if I couldn't play one night it wouldn't be the end of the world.

No experience, no opinion

I'm a largely self-taught player who's been playing AT guitar for about 8 years now. I'm at the stage in my life that I can afford toys so I've had quite a few guitars and amps over these years. You name it, I've probably had it -- Strats, Teles, an ES 335, Rickenbackers, Fender blackface tube amps. Lately I've settled into some underrated but decent bottom-feeder stuff . Besides this amp I own a Fender Acoustisonic Junior and a Peavey Classic 30. I have a Gibson J-45, a Guild D-35, a Ibanez Artist and two early Squire Teles (both '82-'83 Japan, one with a humbucker neck, the other with a P-90 neck -- either one will blow away a current USA tele). I just bought this amp's little brother, the 50a. I'd probably buy another if I came across it just to keep one or two in reserve. There just is very little else on the market like these amps. Again, if you play both acoustic and electric and you don't require an amp that will impress the vintage guitar crowd, try to dig one of these up. After all, when you can only take one amp this is probably the one to take.

This a 1994 Acoustic/Electric Combo. I am predominately an acoustic musician, however the guy I write with is only into electric guitars. This amp handles whatever we throw at it. On the acoustic side, it is warm, much like a tube amp. Incredible bass response. The equalizer lets me hone my sound to a fine edge and the tone controls enhance it that much further. I rarely use the tweeter, unless I'm recording. The 12" speaker delivers punchy lows, great mids, and ear splitting highs. I have thought that I wanted either a vintage Fender, a Trace Elliot, Crate, or Hot Cabs amp, but I have yet to find an amp this versatile. Beautiful Sound. On the electric side, this amp has enough crunch and sustain to rip even the heaviest of headbangers head off! I use this amp in both recording and live situations. I have trimmed my effects down to just a Boss Super Chorus, as the on board reverb is great. I have yet to not have enough power to play out of this little monster.

I use a high end Alvarez acoustic with a Semour Duncan Woody pickup and a Boss Super Chorus. I get very little noise until I'm up around 3 on the volume. I have found that if I leave my electric settings on high distortion levels that it tends to feed over into the clean channel. The clean will distort somewhat at high volumes if the electric is left wide open. I rarely, if any use the electric side, so the amp fits my sound and style perfectly. As I mentioned before, this has amazing distortion, if that is what you're looking for. Coupled with a Big Muff, it is leathal.

I have yet to have a problem. I had a backup amp for about 3 years and I never plugged it in. It sat collecting dust, so I sold it about 2 months ago. The Laney is the only amp I need. The only concern I have had with the amp was that the tweeter horn went out. About $40 later, it was good as new.

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I have been playing since I was 16 years old, I am now 31. I have several acoustics and only the Laney Amp. I would replace this amp in a heartbeat if I lost it or someone took it. I have played through much more expensive amps and have yet to find one that will do everything I need. I would suggest, however, either casters, or make it lighter, it is a hog.