Laney Ironheart - Could This Be The Best Bang For Buck Amp Out There?

[@nickguitarmonkeyphillips1817]

Laney are seriously underrated, superb amps

[@casanovafunkenstein5090]

Completely agree. They're the amps that Marshall should be making. Laney are up there with Orange in terms of top-tier British distortion sounds IMO.

[@fallingmanjutsu]

I bought one last year and it is fantastic! Really love this amp, it runs so quiet and the clean tones are juicy and bouncy. The mid boost is so musical as well. Glad to see this amp getting some love on your channel. Cheers!

[@GigsandGuitars]

I’ve been gigging with the 60 watt since 2018 and it does everything….awesome amp 👍😊

[@TheStudioRats]

That's awesome!

[@KozmykJ]

I've had my 15W IRT Studio for a few years now, same front end as the bigger boyz. I love it for it's ability to sound killer without me getting evicted. It's got a Re-Amp thingy too ... though I've not ever used it 😉 Tip: When using the Lead Channel, try the lower bank of controls 😜

[@ithrial]

I've had my first gen Ironheart 120H for I think 10+ years now and its one of the best amps I have in my arsenal and I have a Splawn Quickrod, a Peavey Invective and a Triple Rec from Bugera

[@diontes1480]

Underrated amp for real. Keep in mind, you can switch your tube voicing, where you can select 6l6, or EL34! Pairs incredible w Helix tones. A jack of all trades amp!

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks for the tips

[@wilmer33086]

Laney Lion heart amps are of my favorite tube amps, alongside the Blackstar. Great tone, great playing. Awesome video!!!!!

[@rubberducky704]

I bought my back in 2012 or 2013 and I still love it. I started having issues with it and decided to take it to a repair shop and spend the money to fix it because there just isn't a new amp that I'd want to buy to replace it :)

[@jeremiahdonley4082]

Was it easy/cheap to fix?

[@davidwoods358]

Really a great sounding amp, the cleans are exceptional and the grind tones are great.

[@TheStudioRats]

Couldn't agree more!

[@garyslash7552]

Even at the risk of repeating myself: You guys are great! James' joy at finding a bargain is always great to see 🙂 This Laney is awesome, by the way! Come on, Paul, this Explorer sounds great 🙂

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Gary! yes, the Explorer does sound great, Its so weird to play ergonomically.

[@matthewsims4777]

Great sounding amp Guys. I could see you was fighting with the Explorer Paul. Your facial expression @7.29 said it all.😂 James playing is not to shabby for a drummer. Well done TSR 👌

[@StevenHadfield]

I've had the 15w Studio version for a number of years and love it. Great FX loop on these things, too.

[@casanovafunkenstein5090]

I was really tempted by that one. Loved the idea of bringing a small amplifier that didn't need a speaker. In the end I went for the Amp1 by BluGuitar because I thought that the form factor was more convenient and because it has an inbuilt noise gate but the distortion sounds aren't quite as nice (still plenty of great sounds, just not that one specifically. Lovely cleans though, it's just not as good as the Laney at doing what the Laney does out of the box. When I get the space to have my music gear set up at home after I move I'm thinking of trying a stereo setup with a second layer of heavy fuzz underneath to grit it up while the Amp1 runs a bit less full-on, preserving the note separation on the top strings and provides the attack on the lower notes).

[@StevenHadfield]

@@casanovafunkenstein5090 I looked at the BluGuitar at the time, they sound really good, but the Laney popped up a good price used. I wouldn't mind trying the Lionheart Studio also.

[@stevebees3992]

Laney just make some fabulous amps, and always great value.

[@keeponplaying2625]

I said this a long time ago! You can play everything with it. From Jazz to Metal.

[@aAdamToRemember]

Heres a like just for that intro riff 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@harleymumford94]

Great video guys! This amp is so suprisingly diverse. Have one myself that I'm having to sell sadly but I'm sure whoever picks it up will have a lot of fun with it.

[@DimKAt21]

Highly underrated amp with a killer price tag brand new. It's so versatile I can plug my Gretsch and then switch to my drop G 7 string and get great sounds. Just my 2 cents, cheers!

[@antreb15]

Had mine for quite a few years, now. So many variables to be found in this amp.

[@tipston3366]

Love how the "oh!" syncs up with flipping the switch @ 4:12 😄

[@steph4n]

nice auction catch! you might a/b it with the ironheart loudpedal, pete thorn made a video about? thanks for your content!

[@TheStudioRats]

I will check it out.

[@Pantalooj]

Not quite my cuppa ... but make mine a Lionheart ... cracking amps, beautifully put together. Hats off to Laney

[@tlsho0351]

This was the headline that came up on my notification "For around £300 S/H this might be my new favorite amp". I got excited for a moment but then checked the real price in USA....😢

[@ces69]

They come up on the well known auction site for around that figure!

[@claudevieaul1465]

I have a few great amps, but the one I mostly use (and absolutely *love* ) is my Laney IRT Studio! At 15W tube power it's certainly loud enough to compete with a hard-hitting drummer, but it can also be used as a 1W studio amp. It also has these 3 channels + a boost, a bunch of seriously great features (internal loadbox to record directly, and the possibilities of that re-amp!! 🤘), and it handles anything from pristine clean to full-on hi-gain tones... Thinking of buying another one, just in case!....

[@ordohereticus3427]

Great all-round high gain amp that can hold up against the industry’s best. But also easy to get at an affordable price on the used market. Edit: The dynamic pot for the power amp section is basically a resonance/depth pot.

[@mpowell831]

Quickly becoming my favorite channel! Well done!

[@ajlsrv5490]

I agree. The IRT30 combo is fantastic. Does everything.

[@aquilarossa5191]

I had a Laney IRT Studio that I ran into DAW and IRs. I played it for lots of hours per week for over four years. It never gave me any trouble. Built like a tank. Made in China, so I think stuff made there can be top quality if the brand specs that quality. I sold it because I was chasing 1960s Plexi tones and got a very nice JMP 1987 build -- builder was aiming for it to be an exact replica. Now I regret selling the IRT, because I miss its more modern tones. I liked boosting the rhythm channel the most. For lead tones. I did not use the other channels so much. I liked the IRT more than I like my mini Silver Jubilee.

[@garywaddell6309]

Sounds amazing and versatile…$2200 Canadian though 😬 great clean picking Paul, and James, not bad at all 🤘🏻

[@hollywoodactress]

I always have a soft spot for Laney, as my first proper amp was a Laney GH50L. I still have it, but use my trace elliot speed twin more due to it having 2 channels.

[@circlemover]

Love it. I am looking for the right studio amp for my home studio. I was looking at the new Laney LA studio amp but this looks at though it can deliver more options. Thanks. Top.

[@johngudgeon7454]

Laney also made the 15watt Studio..... I was plugged into mine yesterday. It also runs just fine thanks in One watt mode.

[@TomWebbFilms]

This sounds amazing, in the other demos I’ve watched it hasn’t sounded nearly this good. Obviously the playing is a big part of that but I was wondering does this specific amp have 6L6s or EL34’s? As far as I understand it it it comes with 6L6’s but it can run either with the aid of a bias switch on the back. This sounds way more Marshall like than I was expecting.

[@Superstacco]

Yeah, I'm curious about this too.

[@allatsea2746]

Another Sleeper Laney is the GH30R. It's not in production anymore, but sounds very close to my Made in Britain Lionheart. It sits right between the Lion- & Iron-heart concept wise. There are several versions GH30, 50 & 100, combos, heads etc. and I got mine for 560€ new in Italy 3 years ago. Highly recommended.

[@blackie75]

They're running these out where I live (Australia) for like £590, I'm grabbing on tonight. It's the ultimate head really, as you can play it at bedroom volumes or blow everyone's head off at the pub, the overdrive tones are endless, it sounds great clean...what more can you possibly need?

[@esmoroglu]

Regarding the price, in comparison to amp in a box pedals, this is a pedal in an actual amp! Incredible value.

[@shaharbar]

They actually released a 60W pedal version of this amp.

[@toneydavis9802]

Finally! I see James swinging an axe. Good times.

[@andyjohnson4485]

Laney VC30 is my gig amp, wouldn't change it for anything!

[@angellotomic]

Mee too

[@cainsmale5988]

I recently bought the 120 watt version .. its awesome .. if it lasts 30 years like my Marshall did I'll be ecstatic 😅

[@VinnyTheAxe]

As soon as the video started and saw Paul playing the Explorer, I almost spit my coffee out all over the couch. I thought James converted you Paul. Then I saw your reaction after a few measures. Lmao. Hope all is well with you guys. Great video as always.

[@HaydenMcCarry]

Deffo best bang for the buck..I got one not long ago and recorded it on my channel and it sounds insane.

[@BriBeast8566]

I have an early generation IRT120H that has been modified with slovtek EL34S and a newer bone stock IRT120H i love them both, equally.

[@marinotomas]

Love my IRT studio 15W all tube amp.

[@domizidor]

These are sleepers. As well as Engl Fireball I have. Similar amp with 6L6s. Killer cleans which no one would expect and of course great hi gain channel.

[@StuartBridson]

Where did you manage to find it so cheap? I've been tempted by one for so long but assumed it was just a metal amp as that's how demos seem to have it set up but you guys have shown so much more range. I'd love to hear this being compared to the Ironheart Foundry series which is meant to be the Ironheart tone in a small, affordable solid state package.

[@ian2lorimer]

Awesome lads :-) and the explorer sounds huge. Tone X capture Mr Drew ? 😂

[@TheStudioRats]

Yeah we will do that with the next tonex patch pack.

[@robertholsman]

Can I ask (if you can remember) which cab model in the Ox were you using?

[@TheStudioRats]

I can’t remember unfortunately Rob. I’ll look next time I’m at James’s studio

[@andrewjameswyng7919]

I've Loved Laney, since 1988

[@bernardmacseoin1113]

Great video as always with stellar tone whatever amp used. BUT got to ask which pickup set is fitted to the Tele? Much of the great tone comes from that guitar & of course Paul's chops.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Bernard, Im afraid I don't know what the pickup is in the Tele, I bought it used without any info.

[@MylesLoud]

Great review!! Is there a foot switch?

[@mrskint55]

I was to get one of those amps but I couldn’t seem to find one at time so I ended up with a Vox ac15 which I love.

[@luca4352]

What speakers and mic did you use, or if you used an IR, what is it based on?

[@toneydavis9802]

I have the Supercub top and it is a wonderful amp. Love Laney.

[@reinhettinga8789]

Had one for a short time and sold it very quick as it didn't sound good. Sounded very similar to a Laney VC50 I used regularly in a practise room. Always thought that they were more or less the same amp in a different package.

[@LA.Guitar]

I’m going to try the new Loudpedal format one!

[@harehare3399]

I love the tone and the playing on this video. Did you use any pedals on the front or the fx loop? What cab did you use for the video? The sound is amazing! Cheers!

[@TheStudioRats]

We used a UA OX. As far I remember the guitar was straight in the front of the amp.

[@harehare3399]

@@TheStudioRats thank you so much for the info! Great video guys! 😊

[@johndeschain2156]

Sounded like a blanket over the cab with explorer. Much better with the tele for me.

[@nothingislogical]

How well does this amp take fuzz pedals? I'm curious because I like the sound of this amp, but I also like to run fuzz pedals from time to time.

[@TheStudioRats]

We are creating a new capture pack for ToneX including this amp, will check this out at the same time.

[@liys540]

for session amp in the studio , it's great

[@lawrencekashak]

The Laney Ironheart IRT-15 studio version , has all the same preamp filth & trousers as those, with a pair of ruby el 84s in a two rackspace unit plus dry/emulated outputs out the usb audio l/r for re amping.

[@TheStudioRats]

I might try one of those.

[@Canadian587]

Great demos! Love your videos ❤

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers boss

[@tymanngruter1808]

Crank that beast up, every knob till they drop!

[@jacquesbureau5294]

There is also the IRT STUDIO which is a 3 channels studio amp. Pretty cheap for what it does.

[@RezaKhan2024]

I have the15 watt studio version for home use. Awesome amp.

[@TheStudioRats]

Good choice!

[@JackGuitar1207]

Is attenuation work well on this amp? How does it sound in bedroom volume? Would you recommend it for that use case?

[@TheStudioRats]

I’d get the 15 watt version.

[@JackGuitar1207]

I actually got 60W with Mesa 2x12 and called it a day 🤣 amazing amp. One big big con it has 5 dim switch for footswitch.

[@ianchristopher6165]

Now just add that Origin Effects EQ or revival drive pedal in front of it and wow, just tonal bliss😁

[@TVoltG]

Prices will jump now. Great amps

[@somnathkarmakar6975]

Please made a comparison between this and boss katana artist mk2 head😊

[@aliassaid6398]

What's the cab your running this through? Or is it just direct into the daw?

[@TheStudioRats]

This was running into a UA ox.

[@oudaram1]

Excuse my ignorance, can someone tell me what song he was playing at the beginning? Thanks.

[@TheStudioRats]

Thats called Paul making it up as he goes along.

[@deplinenoise]

Killer playing even with the guitar playing inhibitors still on that office chair

[@dasczwo]

Those should be banned.

[@nedim_guitar]

I took the left arm rest off my office chair recently. It only took me ten years to go "oh yeah, I could do that!" 😂

[@in2itionalex]

Great Player 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@toddsteele72]

5:50 "Those stupid plastic Marshall handles". I say the same sequence of words (with an 'F##kin' thrown in). They can start with the DSL40 and put those flight case handles on those.

[@JuddLofthouse]

Ooow I like the sound of that 👌👌👌

[@tomusic8887]

So good! Haha I just the pedal version sounds really good

[@jimmcdougall9973]

That Gibson sounded the best by far. Possibly Dirty Fingers pickups? The amp was made for it.

[@KipCount]

Always wished they make a lower wattage proper Ironheart tube head with a smaller footprint. 25-30watts. The IRTStudio is underpowered and a strange rack mounty form factor.

[@ces69]

I believe they do a 30 watt 1x12 combo version!

[@leonbrownmusic]

Do a TONEX of it boys!

[@harrypeters8306]

Some people might like to have a look at the electronics end of things !

[@dwiii1635]

Amazing amp. Although, 120 watts is obnoxious, lmao. Similar to the Diesel 200 watt. Totally unnecessary, but cool. It'd be fun in the backwoods somewhere isolated, however.

[@vriendelijkegroet]

Laney .... what can I say. I had a VC 50 for many years. Sounded great but unfortunately it wasn't reliable at all. And reliability is imo the most important thing for any gear.

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks for sharing!

[@vaughngallacher6454]

HOT DAMN!!!

[@IamMusicNerd]

Sounds a little like my Fryette Deliverance

[@goodheartmedia]

And here I thought I was done buying amps. Guess not.

[@tomusic8887]

You can use a pedal (I used the bluesbreaker side of duellist) to shape the sound a bit less low mid, and make it sound clearer 🤟

[@timchalmers1700]

Best bang for Chris Buck?

[@JakeAikens]

195 quid? did you get it used?

[@ces69]

Duh! What do you think? 😂

[@davervatx8814]

Could there have been a mistake in the price mentioned? 195 quid = about $240 US dollars. Seems far to low.

[@TheStudioRats]

That is what James paid at an auction, you can pick these up in the UK used for around £300. I guess in the US they are holding value a bit more??

[@davervatx8814]

@@TheStudioRats Brand new in the US these are selling for $1300; used on Reverb price appears to be between $750-1000. To pick up this beast for the equivalent of $240, even used, is one hell of a deal! Good on you, James. Great review as well...I'm keeping my eyes open for a reasonably priced used one.

[@royalemuzikproductionz]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@muiravenue7182]

WOW

[@tonictonetomrockstar1931]

90's Petrucci tones maybe

[@chrisdunn2176]

You got a deal cheapest one on Reverb is used at $850.00 Us. You sure you didn't steal it?

[@TheStudioRats]

It was bought at an auction, but in the UK you can pick these up for around £300 used.

[@alexhedstrom582]

Tony Iomi sent me here

[@1961boogie]

Fab

[@arashbakhtari5449]

Alas, they go for $1,370 (1110 pounds) new here in the States 😞

[@captainfruitbatify]

I had the 30 watt 1x12 combo version of this. Paid $400 NZD (about 200 quid) for it. Should never have sold it..... :( - even if I did double my money!

[@TheStudioRats]

That was a cracking price:

[@kmichaelp4508]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 James 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@altacone9116]

I dont see it anywhere for that price

[@TheStudioRats]

eBay UK around £300 used

[@MeTuLHeD]

Paul...you need another amp like you need a hole in the head. So what are you waiting for? Buy it! :D Did you guys run this into an IR? For what it's worth, this used to be Paul Gilbert's amp of choice.

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

These are $1400 in the USA. So not even close to the 700 euro. Or 700 pounds. Literally double that in the USA.

[@Jshortca]

Marshalls don't do clean? I disagree on that.