Laney GH100L

Ok, I have to disagree with the other reviews questioning the versatility of this amp. It all comes down to what guitar you're playing through it. I play Ibanez SC420's exclusively. This guitar/amp combination is un-frigging-believable! Now, for versatility, I love it! I play in a band where our covers range anywhere from James Brown to other funk to Van Halen's first disc. I play beach music, I play Matchbox 20, and occasionally I get to crunch it up with some Metallica. With this combination of Axe/Rig, I can go from a twanky "Play The Funky Music" or "Brick House" tone to full throttle "Eruption" tone simply by flipping the Pickup selector switch and rolling up my volume pot on the guitar - no amp noodling necessary. For an example of the amp's versatility, go to http://24.31.212.41/ where there are a couple of MP3 files - one original tune, and a cover of Eruption. All tones heard in these examples are the same guitar/amp combination, with no knob tweaking at all. (Just stepping on the switch between overdriven and normal gain stages).
Going from Slide (Goo Goo Dolls)(very accoustic-like tone) to Van Halen 1 tone simply by turning up the volume pot and flipping the selector on the guitar is more than versatile, in my experience.

I have to start by stating that my first amp was a Laney AOR 30 and it sucked in ways I'm still trying to figure out. Sounded horrible. For 13+ years, I was a dedicated Laney basher. Then I plugged into the GH100L, and, well, I had to change my evil ways. The tone is absolutely incredible. It is the only amp that responds to changes in my playing styles in the ways I need it to. Sometimes, I need an accoustic-like tone, I can get it. Sometimes, I need that Van Halen 1 tone. I have NEVER heard anyone get closer to that tone. Hell, I have never heard Eddie get as close to it as I now can. (and I had the opportunity to see Van Halen in a club less than 2 years ago - he sounded great, but not like VH1).
I love the effects loop also. I run it as a side chain, with the F/X level all the way up, adjusting the levels from within my rack unit (Alesis Quadraverb). That's it for effects, save for a Wah and a Rotovibe pedal. The Resonance switch is also a Godsend. Again, for a demo of the tone, check out http://24.31.212.41/ - and no, this isn't a plug for me, I'm just enamored by the tone of this amp. I have been searching for THE tone for well over ten years, and, after over a year with this rig, I'm still in heaven. I play 4 to 6 nights weekly, and I always anticipate soundchecks so I can noodle with the amp. My settings are as follows ------- Bass - 9 1/2 (10 is a bit too much on the rhythym channel for "Spanky or semi clean tones), Mids between 3 and 4, and Highs wherever the mids are set - it varies from room to room. I set the gain at 10 and the overdrive at 5 or 6, depending on the night, my playing vibe, volume limitatins of the room, etc. Usually where I can't play as loud, I up the overdrive a touch. My volume varies from room to room, but I have never passed 3.
A band I jammed with recently was a really really heavy band, super loud. My other guitarist played a Boogie preamp through a dual-channel 100 watts per channel power amp, and he couldn't even try to keep up. If I was so inclined (which I am not), I could easily drown out the entire band with this amp.
Before owning this head, I was playing a Peavey 5150 amp. I was a dedicated 5150 user for years. But not it collects dust, the Laney ate it for lunch! Also, in the past, I have played an ADA MP2 pre-emp through a Marshall 9200 with 5881 power tubes (I don't remember the exact model number) all tube power amp (dual 100 watt channels), Carvin, and others. The Laney GH100L kills them all! My only criticism is that the amp has no Reverb, but I have gotten to the point where I like having the control of an external unit anyhow. I can't say enough about this amp. I want two more of them, just to be safe!

I use this amp 4 to 6 nights weekly, and have done so for about a year and a half. I don't bring a backup to my gigs (although I guess it would be a good habit to get into). I have had one problem, and that was merely the tubes finally giving up - the amp still worked, but my tone wasn't as good - kinda fuzzy. Playing the amp almost nightly, at a decent volume, and getting over 14 months of solid use without a tube problem is pretty good. Surprisingly, the tone was good right up until the end of the night, when the tubes finally went. The next day, I dropped a new set of tubes in (Sovtek tubes) and blammo - back was my sound, in all it's glory!
I do also own a small combo Laney amp, which I use for practicing at the house. When I first bought it, it just ceased to output sound after like 4 days. I returned it to the store where I bought it, the store's tech fixed it (of course it was free, because of the warranty), and it hasn't crapped out on me to this day.

When I had the problem with the combo amp, customer service wasn't an issue, so I have no experience with them, but the guys at the store told me they were fantastic to deal with.

I have been playing for approximately 15 years, 10 professionally. I own too much gear to even begin to specify here, but a condensed list includes: 1 5150 head, two 5150 cabs (which I use with the Laney), a carvin 4x12 cab, an older Carvin 100 watt head, 1 Laney combo, various outboard gear and studio processors. 2 Ibanez SC420 guitars, 1 Carvin V220, 1 Carvin strat knock off, 1 Fender Strat, Heartfield, Fender Classical, and an Ovation steel string. Have owned a ton of other axes.
If I was forced to part ways with this amp, I would HAVE to get another one, nothing else will give me this tone.
Love everything, wish it had Reverb.
Chose it because I plugged into it at the store, slammed an open G chord, and had an orgasm!

I just saw this head and wanted something to "Toy" with. Im an MCSE with a degree in electrical eng. and have been tired with doing netwroks.. why not an amp :)
I did the original test with a Jackson DK2 with Duncan Designed pickups and a Cab loaded with EV Full range speakers.
FAT FAT FAT! I've gone thru/Modified a LOT of Marshals and older Fender heads, but NONE of them had this much depth to begin with ( Most dont have this much depth after being modified ).
I decided to rip it appart and see how it works. I was rewarded with a good solid construction.. if its made on an assembly line, the quality is unsurpassed of any others made in the same way. All the contacts/solder joints are clean! no pits, no cracks. Quality Control musta been tight on this amp.
I decided to really dick arround with it before bastardising it and was rewarded with a whole plesentry of tones.. the only problem was with only having a single channel.. only one sound :( .. Sure.. you can use a footswitch to get a stacked channel/overdriven tone, but if your using a clean and a overdriven sound in conjunction.. its tough to do..
I liked this amp so much.. I couldnt bare to rip it appart.. tho Im drawing a schematic of it to replicate and modify it :)~
The amp has a lot of power.

This amp has no "Hummmmmmm". It does have a ( Somewhat ) limiter built in that causes a lower plate voltage to the tubes when the signal falls below a certian db level.. how its done.. dunno. Might be why its rather quiet.

Dunno about reliability or their support. Have had this head for 3 days now and havent touched my Boogie :)

again.. I don't have a warrenty nor a number for their support. Wish I did tho... lotta Questions I'd like to ask em.

Ive been playing for 26 years.. not contuinually tho. I'm more of a repaireman then a musician. I notmally use a boogie Dual rectifier, Have had way too many cheesie marshals and vintage fenders.... I'm into progressive metal ( Fates warning.. dream theater.. fifth angel.. ) this amp has a LOT of potential.

This amp does not have a lot of feature, obviously, but that doesn't mean it doesn't compensate in other areas. I can never get the effects loop working the way I want it, but that's ok, I don't use many effects. I wish there was another lead channel for it.

I use a Fender Strat with this baby and I love it! It has that classic British "chug" that you desperately need today. My band plays hard alternative music and we rely on that hard edge during the songs. It is rather noisy on "drive", but I just click over to the other channel when we are between songs. I use my Dimarzio humbucker with it mostly, but the single coil sounds nice on clean tone. This is a great sounding amp if you are looking for that TOOL or Monster Magnet sound (Monster M. uses Laney). Like I said, it has some great low end sound. I give it plenty of bass (7 or 8), little mids (3) and little highs(5). Also, most importantly, this amp is loud as you would ever need!! My other guitarist has to keep his 120 watt halfstack on 7 or 8 to keep up with mine. I usually keep my master volume on 2 or 3!!!! Look out if your wanting high volume! Plus, the louder you crank this thing, the better it sounds!!

I have owned this amp for over a year, and have had no problems. Plus, this is a 94 model and hasn't even needed any new tubes!!! Still sounds incredible!! I could play this amp on the bottom of a pond and still get that classic sound!!

I have not dealt with the company.

I have owned many amps. I have heard many amps. I would love to have a Mesa triple rectifier, but why get that when you get all you need from this? I compare this sound to Marshall or Hiwatt, but without the price. Give it a try, you may not like all this power, but you'll definetely turn some heads!

Bought this amp used for approx. 350 $ used (600 german Deutschmarks). It's a single channel amp with an addition gain stage which can be activated by a footswitch. Actually, the amp delivers ONE sound with more or less distortion (depending on how you use the additional gain stage). The amp is not versatile, however, if you only need one sound, you should check this amp. Its got a loud, rather thick Heavy sound with a good bottom end, a sound that definitely beats a lot of Marshalls. A good amp for a good price. No more, no less.

It has one sound but this is very good! Excellent for heavy rock music, you can also dial in a good clean tone. However, it's hard to find a very good clean tone using a good distorted heavy sound parallely. The only complaint I have is: It is rather noisy with the gain stage on, more noisy than other amps. But the good tone compensates for this!

My amp is 4 years old and it still works fine. No problems at all.

Never needed to contact them. Luckily! However, their webpage could provide a little more information. Good would be an archieve with circuit boards and things like that.

This amp totally ROCKS!!!!, from the inside, to the outside. The Amp distortion is the best i have ever seen on an amp. Almost as good as the Boss MT-2 pedal. If your a Deathmetal freak like me, i suggest you get this amp. The volume is EXCELLENT, and so is tone. Although with this amp, it takes a long time to find the perfect tone. But when you find your dream tone, you will never go back to using your old amp.

It suits my music style perfectly. I am a deathmetal freak and i love it. The clean tone is Spectacular when u find the right setting

Never had any trouble with it. havent even replaced the tubes since i bought it and still sounds fine.

havent dealt with customer support, but i would think it would be excellent

10/10

The GH100L is a non reverb 2 channels full tube amp including some kind of loudness switch. The effect loop allows to work in a serial or parralel way. The amp is not very versatile and is more "metal oriented".

I'm using an Ibanez RG450 with v1 an v2 pickups. The sound is really big on the lead channel. However since there is no reverb, it's a little bit dry, so you have to add a reverb and/or chorus effect.
However, the GH100L makes the Marshall JCM900 sound like an anemic amp. The amp is a little bit noisy but only when the lead channel is in use; so when playing a gig, I switch back to the clean channel between two songs.

My amp is 3 years old... no problem 'till now

Never needed it

Since i'm not rich, I wanted to buy the best price/quality ratio amp. I read a lot, I've tryed some other amps in the same price area, and I think this one is the best... for my kind of style : Deftones meets Dream Theater

1 channel, distortion off/on. A regular Master volume-amp. It's got an effectloop, presencecontrol, bass/mid/high-control, mastervolume, gain, distortionlevel. No thrills; pure and simple. Excellent for me. I use it with a Gibson Les Paul Studio, Dunlop Crybaby and a Crate Blu Voodoo angled 4x12; BV412S. I give a nine because it got no bells, but it got what I want.

It sounded fat when I bought it. Total agression. But after I changed the tubes it's even uglier. Darker, fatter and much more powerful. And nearly no feedback, no matter the volume. The tubes I've put in is 4 SOVTEK 6L6WXT+ (powertubes) and 4 SOVTEK 12AX7WB (preamp). I used to use it with a Marshall 1960BX (greenbacks 25w) but they were to much bluesy for me. I'm using a Crate Blue Voodoo BV412S now (Vintage 30's) and it's a totally new rig now....so....the amp can really show it's colors now! Metallicasounds are no problems at all now. Pure evil (if you want it to be). Clear 10.

After the tubechange I've blown some fuses. But that's not strange. The new tubes are so f-ing powerful. 8, or so.

Terriffic. I think. ehh...couldn't 'know actually.

A veeeery powerful amp. All I want in an amp. Clear ten.

I THINK THE GH100L IS REALLY GOOD AT WHAT IT DOES. I THINK IT WAS DESIGNED MAINLY FOR IT'S DISTORTED CHANNEL. THE CLEAN CHANNEL IS OKAY BUT I THINK THIS IS NOT WHERE IT'S STRENGTH LIES. HOWEVER THE DISTORTION ON THIS AMP IS VERY GOOD AND IS A VERY VERY GOOD AMP FOR METAL WHERE MAYBE THE CLEAN CHANNEL ISN'T AS IMPORTANT. ONE THING I REALLY DON'T LIKE ABOUT THIS AMP IS IT DOESN'T HAVE SEPERATE GAIN AND MASTER CONTROL'S FOR EACH CHANNEL WHICH CAN BE IRRATATING.

I PLAY MAINLY HEAVY AGGRESSIVE MUSIC SO THIS AMP SUITS ME JUST FINE. I AM USING AN AMERICAN MADE HAMER WITH AN EMG 81 AND THIS AMP REALLY ROCKS PLENTY OF DISORTION FOR ANYTHING YOU WANT TO PLAY. THE AMP IS A LITTLE NOISY BUT ALL TUBE AMPS HAVE SOME NOISE AND IT'S PLENTY ACCEPTABLE. THE CLEAN CHANNEL WILL STAY CLEAN EVEN WHEN IT'S CRANKED BUT THIS AMP WAS MADE TO PLAY ON THE DISTORTED CHANNEL WHERE IT REALLY SHINES. IT HAS VERY BRUTAL DISTORTION IF YOU WANT OR YOU CAN BACK IT OFF FOR REAL NICE BLUESY SOUND.

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS AMP. I'M NOT SURE I WOULD USE ANY AMP WITHOUT A BACKUP ESPECIALLY A TUBE AMP BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS KNOCK ON LANEY BECAUSE THIS AMP IS SOLID.

I HAVE NEVER PERSONALLY DEALT WITH LANEY

I HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR 11 YEARS AND HAVE TRIED A LOT OF GEAR. THE OTHER AMP OUT RIGHT NOW THAT I REALLY LIKE IS THE DUAL RECTIFIER BUT FOR THE AMOUNT MONEY PAID I FELT LIKE THE LANEY WAS A BETTER DEAL FOR ME. IF IT WERE LOST OR STOLEN I WOULD GET ANOTHER. I JUST REALLY WISH IT HAD INDEPENDANT GAIN AND MASTER CONTROL'S FOR EACH CHANNEL.

THIS AMP RULES!! I PLAY PRETTY HEAVY MUSIC AND I LIKE ALOT OF GAIN. I USE NO EFFECTS, I JUST PLAY STRAIGHT THROUGH THE HEAD AND IT SOUNDS GREAT! THE LANEY HAS TWO CHANNELS. THE ONLY BAD THING IS THAT THE KNOBS ARE SET FOR BOTH CHANNELS, SO YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE THE SOUND YOU LIKE ON THE OTHER CHANNEL, THEREFORE U HAVE TO READJUST IT. THE AMP HAS AN EFFECTS AND YOU CAN SLAVE IT! THE AMP HAS PLENTY OF POWER FOR ME, I SET THE MASTER VOLUME AT ABOUT 6 WITH MY BAND AND I CAN HEAR IT PERFECTLY.

I PLAY A JACKSON WITH SEYMOUR DUNCANS AND A B.C. RICH WITH A DIMARZIO AT THE BRIDGE AND THE AMP SOUNDS GREAT WITH EITHER GUITAR, I LOVE IT CAUSE I DONT HAVE TO USE ANY EFFECTS WITH IT. THE SETTINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS, PRESENCE:10, BASS:10, MIDDLE:7, TREBLE:8, GAIN:6, AND DRIVE:8. THE DISTORTION IS BRUTAL I DONT EVEN HAVE TO CRANK THE GAIN, LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER I SET IT AT 6.

NO PROBLEMS WHAT SO EVER AND I USE IT AT HIGH VOLUMES ALL THE TIME.

NEVER HAD TO USE THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT

I'VE BEEN PLAYING FOR 12 YEARS. IF MY AMP WERE STOLEN I WOULD DEFINATELY BY IT AGAIN. I TRIED A BUNCH OF OTHER AMPS BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS AND THE ONLY OTHER AMP I WOULD BUY IS A MESA BOOGIE DUAL RECTIFIER BUT ITS TOO EXPENSIVE.

In my opinion this is not a very versatile amp.The gain controls in the clean and drive Channels work together , so to achieve the best possible tone in one channel , you must compromise the other one,

I use this amp with two Gibson 76'Reissue Explorers loaded with EMG 81 pickups and I play Thrash Metal . For my style ,this is a dream amp. I set it for a very heavy tone , putting the GAIN control on 5 and the DRIVE control on 8 , then I use my guitar's volume knob to achieve different textures. You CAN set this amp to give you a clean and a distorted sound ,but the best way to use it is to search for ONE really good sound. My EQ settings are : PRESENCE-5 BASS-6 MID-3 HIGH-7. I also changed its tubes,I'm using Groove Tubes E34Ls.They rate their tubes in a 1-10 scale ; mines are level 7.The amp's headroom is bigger now and the overall sound is more aggressive .It originally came with Sovtek 6L6s. This amp is as noise as any other tube amp head, no more ,no less.

I never had any problem with this amp , and I use it everyday at a very high volume level

I never needed the warranty , wich is 1 year long.

I 've been using Laney amps for 10 years now and I always loved them. This series is much better than their previous one (AOR) wich sounded great but was very unreliable . It is not a do-it-all kind of amp ,but it sounds really awesome.I don't use any effects with it except a Morley Wha. If you buy one try different tubes and spend some time working on your tone . This amp's manual sucks , so using the Resonance control and the effects loop modes may be tricky at first but once you nail it , you will be amazed!The effects loop modes affects the sound even if nothing is plugged on it , so try messing with different settings. The best cab to use with it is the Laney 240-watt model try it in the MONO/4ohms Mode