Laney VH100R vs Ironheart IRT60 - Can the VH100R hang with the new kid?

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

What's up everyone? Hope you didn't mind the personal/tochy-feely stuff I snuck in there too much. Just something I needed to get off my chest once. What do you say we check out the differences between Engls Powerball I and II next before we go back to Diezels duking it out?

[@marksifuentes1002]

Hell yeah John! And great for you for stepping in front of the camera. Like you said, there's even a reason to fear speaking and playing in front of the internet, but I for one appreciate the honesty and you choosing to go for it. You may not have intended but your message is a comfort and encouragement for me to get out and play more in front of an audience, whether that be the cesspool of a crowd or the internet. Cheers

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

@@marksifuentes1002 Thanks so much Mark. It really makes me happy to read that! The great thing is, it was anything but a cesspool for me so far. Apart from maybe three comments that were just a little weird, the people of youtube have been nothing but kind and encouraging to me! Go for it, mate!

[@zanthraxus]

Hell yeah! I see there's even more supply for Engl shootouts! Looking forward to all of them!

[@lukzriffs1564]

Yeah, do it ! Pb 1 vs 2

[@JONNIE_ROCKER]

100% vh100r for me. Had mine for 26 years. And Thank you for making new videos with the vh100r

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

My pleasure! Thanks for leaving a comment

[@tehnagabakti]

Kudos to you for facing your fear man. I enjoy the vids so keep up the good work and believe in yourself. Cheers!

[@ruhrpottflo2249]

Love the Ironheart so much ! Its a nice amp with a nice eq. Awesome comparison John

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thanks, buddy! Yeah, the Laney high gain tone is nice and neutral without sounding generic

[@audionine6616]

Great video! VH100r takes the win here. Hands down! Was the warmer and fuller mids for me. These old Laneys are the best kept secret in the world of high gain as you can still (if you can find one) pick one up for well under $1000USD. Also, they’re great modding platforms!

[@christophgrubor7365]

Great, informative and NOT boring made content, as usual! I like the short snippets, so your ears have to follow and don't fatigue. I like your presentation and your personal step in front of the camera for your message.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you Christoph! It's the only way I can effectively compare amps for myself because it takes me all but 4 seconds to forget the reference tone sometimes. I appreciate the feedback a lot!

[@nigelbishop8108]

Awesome video, man - really in-depth comparison. Just stumbled onto your channel and digging the shoot-outs with the VH100R.

[@davidcomesanagonzalez5540]

Trying your vh settings with my gh50l next time i plug it on! Thanks dude!

[@bradleyjames6390]

Your a good man John, thank you for being real and making great informative videos that are also entertaining!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate your comment

[@Darth.Shredder]

Other John... I haven't been a subscriber for very long and I'm still catching up on your videos. I'm not a huge Laney fan but I finally did get around to this one and wanted to compliment you on your personal message regarding your fears... IMO you have nothing to feel insecure about. Your playing, looks, camera work and presentations are far better than most. Keep up the great work!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you very much!

[@adamii79]

I waited for this type of video for awhile, since I have the idea to pair this two amps on future recordings. I think they can sound very good together, one of them in one side, other on the other side of the sound-field. This two share some similar qualities but with some distinct differences. I liked the video, good work!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you very much! I think that could work quite well. They are close enough for the sound to be coherent and at the same time different enough to stand out

[@AnthonyStudio]

Thanks for making these videos. I've always wanted a Laney, so I live vicariously through you with these videos. Favorite part of the video though was getting to meet & see you introduce yourself. It's awesome to see you conquer a fear - sending all the most positive vibes your way. Keep Rocking on John Browne!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you very much, mate! That means a lot to me! I appreciate it!

[@jp_is_out_of_tune]

Ok, now I want one VH too! Great content, thank you!!!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

@@jp_is_out_of_tune Cheers, man!

[@adrianaellig8897]

Hey. I would like to congratulate you for the personal message. You did very well. No need to hide! Bravo!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you

[@adrianaellig8897]

@@TheOtherJohnBrowne I was wondering: Are you into profiling? Neural Amp Modeler or Tonex? I love this amp so much (the old vh100r) Could you make some?

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

You're the second person to ask me this in a short time. No, I haven't messed with either but I will check out NAM shortly and might make some captures

[@adrianaellig8897]

@@TheOtherJohnBrowne Oh that would be awesome. I would even buy them actually. There is already a quite good one on TONEX. But I would be intetested to get more different captures. Why I am so excited about it: For years and years I am looking for the guitar sound Emppu Vourinen (Nightwish) had on their Wishmaster Album and Tour. I have reasons to believe, he used the vh100r together with a Marshall 1960A cabinet during this time. It has a warm, tight, crunchy texture that is unique. The Iron Heart has a more modern voicing and sounds a bit "boxy" imo. I have spend loads of money for buying modeleres, amps etc. I was never 100% happy. Why? Because this hidden gem is never featured... So you see... You could make me sooooo happy.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

@@adrianaellig8897 I'll get to it but it'll likely be a month or two before I find the time because I have a few other projects I want to complete first. If I enjoy NAM, I might get a Tonex too. It's been a minute since I have worked with amp sim plugins or modelers. Feel free to email me or PM me on Instagram so I can get a hold of you once I'm ready. You can find my contact details on my channel page.

[@juliomedrano6746]

Both sounds great 🤘

[@lichtlaermaudio]

Great video! Great amps and love that you stepped in front of the camera - the content on this channel is amazing! As you know: VH100R for me! It’s just an absolutely outstanding amp: the 2.1 channel is basically a spot on JCM800 and with the added tube stage it can get really aggressive! To this day one of my favorite amps! The stuff you said about the differences also makes sense and shows when you look at the circuits: the VH100R being a hot rodded Marshall with the typical upper mid grind and the IRT being an almost exact copy of the EVH5153! Both great amps but that British grind just does it for me!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you very much! Always appreciate your comments!

[@thelovacluka]

Bro, you actually look pretty cool. you are like lex luthor. you got something going on! :D cheers!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thanks, man! Appreciate it!

[@wizardsouthJP]

I wonder if the authority of the IronHeart 120 would have a different vibe to it compared to the VH100R; which sounds killer in this vid.

[@adamp2]

both sound great VH a lil more

[@matteoturco87official]

Let's go Joooooohn! 🤘🔥 Keep going man you are great!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you so much, mate!

[@moverofobjects]

I had the same fear John! just discovered your channel from reverb of all places, looking at used gear!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Happy to have you here! Did you overcome your fear?

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Never mind. I just checked your channel. Obviously you did! Awesome

[@moverofobjects]

@@TheOtherJohnBrowne I did obviously as you saw, for me it was the fear of talking, or not thinking my voice was relevant, and mental health issues. But I do really enjoy the video medium and talking about gear.

[@13superdude2]

Hey man, your look is awesome and very cool..!!! Love the VH100R sound on your videos. I feel very lucky as tomorrow I will have the chance to purchase the amp used for quite cheap (about 300 pounds) as it has cosmetic damage. Thanks for the awesome content!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Awesome! Thanks for the comment! I appreciate it. I hope the amp will serve you well

[@zanthraxus]

Awesome tones as usual! I'm really torn between a bit more clarity of the VH100R and the fuller tone of the Ironheart - I really like both. Though I have to admit I find the smoother tone less tiring and easier to listen to - so I guess the Ironheart would be more of a go-to amp for me (ok, maybe it's because it might also hide my playing better ;) ) It's great seeing you step in front of the camera! Hats off for doing that - and I think it really adds to your content!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank, mate! As always I appreciate your input. I think you described it quite well! The VH100R has some abrasiveness on the top end that I enjoy but that might be fatigueing after a while. I like them both a lot. Quite related but different enough to coexist

[@v.e.7159]

Love it. I'm a big fan of Laney even though they will not sell replacement parts or send schematics to techs. I have a TI-15 combo I can't play because the techs who've looked at it say that they need the schematic to determine what went horribly wrong. I also need the fuse holders on a Laney IRT-15- they're very poor quality and nowhere carries them. As for your video it is excellent. The VH100 was also offered in a single channel version as was its predecessor the GH100. The GH-100TI is the first Iommi/Laney amp after the Supergroup. I have a GH-100TI and it has amazing tone. I did not care for the Laney TT series, though I own a TT50 and a TT20H. I love the TT20H, love the tones on the TT50. But by the TT series Laney was cramming so much on so many little boards one wrong thing goes to hell, and the whole amp is totaled. I have a TT100H that I use for parts. I robbed the transformers to convert a 250v Europe only Laney TI-100 to 110v. I've used the TT-100H boards repairing the TT50 combo. A lot of the TT50's had Celestion UK made speakers. Again, love the videos. I am subscribing and this like is for you bud. Music is never far from the heart, so I don't think you snuck anything in there. Great video. Thanks for putting up quality content

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate your comment!

[@jcwear89]

Great video as always! The VH100R is very bright amp, but can be dialled out, mid range character of the ironheart was different wasn't it? But the but at 16 minute mark helps a lot to show those. Great that you did these videos! I find the video editing part the biggest pain in the ass though 😃 Also you're bit about aerodynamics cracked me up 😂 - stay on camera! It's more personal more human , we dig it - keep doing it! Cheers

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Yes. The mid range seems to be the biggest difference. The VH100R has some high end sizzle that the Ironheart doesn't have in the same way but it's only a small difference! Thanks! Haha! Glad you liked it. It reduced my drag coefficient a bit and I will keep stepping infront of the camera. It felt quite liberating

[@PhuketMyMac]

I have to say I prefer the voicing of the iron heart. The VH100 sounds a bit more harsh on the high frequencies to my taste. Nonetheless they both sound good. You’re doing a great job with those amps comparison buddy!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you very much! I'm having a lot of fun. I felt the same way initially when I was setting up and getting the levels right but during the playthrough I ended up preferring the VH100R for it's high end sizzle that initially sounded harsh to me too. Obviously I like bothem a lot though

[@Muzerino434]

I was surprised how much I liked that VH100. I own the IRT60 and it sounds brutal with an overdrive in front. But the low chugging on that VH is killer. And like someone said, you have a cool Lex Luther vibe going on with that bald head. At least your head has a good shape to it. I look like ET with a bald head. 🫤

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thanks, man! Much appreciated

[@BBF3]

Many thanks for this video. Very well done. And thanks for showing your face to us. Kudos to you for facing your fear. There is no need for shyness because of being hairless. Think of Angry Anderson, singer of the great band 'Rose Tattoo' :-) I enjoy your videos very much, I appreciate your knowledge and experience in guitar tones, and I like your charisma. Last but not least, I think you are a good guitar player. Regarding the amps you presented here, I clearly prefer the Ironheart. In my ears, it sounds way more warm, more good and pleasant and more powerful. In my ears, the VH100 lacks some 'balls'. Interesting would be if one is able to dial in the EQ at the VH100Rto make it sound even good and warm and powerful mas the Ironheart

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Comments like this are honestly one of the best parts of doing this. I appreciate this a lot. Thank you very much for taking time out of your day to write this

[@Nitrav.]

Love your video Bro.

[@ParanormalResponse]

I have a lot of hair ( too much really, That is also embarrassing) and you look normal to me! Thanks for the video. Now I don't know what one I want, I dig characteristics of both.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

I appreciate the comment. I used to look like teen wolf so I know that struggle too. It took some time to get used to but I am at peace with it now

[@BugCatcher89]

The iron heart sounds great but its a much more modern sound, the VH100R definitely sounds more like the classic sound i associate with laney to me. The iron heart has more clarity but i prefer the vibe of the VH over the iron heart

[@xtakerux]

The shift in the mids is really interesting between them while still they share similar low end structure i think

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Yup! I think the VH100Rs mid focus is a bit higher, leaning more towards the Marshall area.

[@istvannagy9633]

Another outstanding comparison! Glad we can see the man behind the hard work and the cameras! Keep the good stuff coming,John! Btw,I can guess based on your amp collection,that you live in Europe 😄!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you very much! Yeah, no Mesas and lots of German and English amps

[@istvannagy9633]

@@TheOtherJohnBrowne Speaking about Mesas,in the future,it will be awesome to see a Rectifier vs the Herbert,I think those amps have the most low end of all amplifiers :d

[@Skygge.]

Just a little EQ tweaking and IRT can be as bright as the other one.

[@horsthansen6959]

would be really cool to hear/see TI100 vs VH100R and TI100 vs Ironheart 😇

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Yeah! I'd love to try an Iommi amp but they are hard to find

[@horsthansen6959]

@@TheOtherJohnBrowne that' true...

[@thelovacluka]

VH100 sounds more raw, less processed. A bit brigther. I like it more. I played a Laney head one time on a gig, sounded fantastic

[@techdeathhippie6319]

I’ve had both . I’d say I prefer the IronHeart . I git some tight crisp tones I lived . Just a 57 iron hesr snd v40

[@aliengrey6052]

You’re very natural on camera.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thank you!

[@johanjotun1647]

IronHeart all the way, but we don't know what that IronHeart will sound like in 20yrs either but then it dosn't matter cause the IH has the abillity to drop the wattage and play after bedtime and I need that feature.

[@stevebeaudoin7234]

The VH100 has that classic laney sound that I love. Love my pro tube lead. The ironheart has to much saturation and does not cut through the mix. I wanted got the ironheart pedal hoping to have my sound. Well that didn't happen with the ironheart pedal

[@lukzriffs1564]

Jetzt wird’s interessant John, geiler Typ! Freu mich auf mehr! Wenn wir deinen Jvm gefunden habe, dann compa vs Diezel Herbert! Übrigens, ich kann’s mir nicht erklären aber gegen Ende deines Vids ist der Sound besser. Hast du was geändert?!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Dafür habe ich ehrlich keine Erklärung. Das Playthrough ist in einer einzigen Session entstanden. Vielleicht ist wirklich was dran an der Sache, dass Amps besser klingen, wenn sie lange warmgelaufen sind.

[@lukzriffs1564]

@@TheOtherJohnBrowne Das ist definitiv so. Mein Savage und Jvm klingt definitiv saftiger wenn die Teile heißgelaufen sind . Kommt mir definitiv so vor!

[@MonstadzGuitar]

Iron Heart sound bad ass.

[@j-day]

I am wondering if the Ironheart improves with different IR’s/Cabs maybe? The VH100r absolutely kills it in this comparison.

[@me0_0irl]

You look great, and remind me how Holywood movies portrays superhumans.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Haha! Appreciate it

[@me0_0irl]

@@TheOtherJohnBrowne for real, Engineer from Prometheus and Alien: Covenant vibes.

[@radosawmatyszkiewicz137]

Hi. Any recommendations for speaker upgrade for the Ironheart 30W 112 open back combo? I am consodering finding an V30 from the golden era, or perhaps Creamback G12H 75W. which one will do this amp justice?

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Both of those will serve you well. The 2000-2003 V30s are getting hard to find while a Creamback H is readily available. The G12H30 70th Anniversary is another great and underrated speaker.

[@boomboomyumyum]

Awesome! Fuck anyone who would ever post anything negative.

[@tipston3366]

Awesome video, thanks! 👍 I like your attitude and admire your cahones for talking about the personal stuff. Nothing wrong with being bald, and you've got a nicely shaped head for it!

[@tipston3366]

I've got an IRT studio but the open sounding crunch stuff on the VH100R has me craving one, the weight of the amp does not 😄

[@alexmortar]

The main difference as i hear is more midrange of IRT 60. In the rest, this amps are approximately equal

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

That's the main difference, yes. However the VH100Rs has this high end sizzle going on that I love which the Ironheart can't quite replicate but that is a nuance that might not have translated that well in the video

[@patrickb.b.1015]

Ich mag den VH100 auch,dieses Britzeln in im Obertonbereich hat seinen Charme.Der Ironheart ist allerdings auch ein nicht zu unterschätzendes High-Gain-Monster,das ziemlich genial klingt.Wir haben so einen Amp mal im Proberaum gehabt,und er klang ziemlich cool.

[@mariusvodnar4951]

Without this video,I would have made the wrong choice.Thanks.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

I am stoked to hear that! Thanks. Whatbdid you decide on?

[@mariusvodnar4951]

@@TheOtherJohnBrowne IRT for me,but the 15 W Studio.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Nice one!

[@tomvaisar6331]

Don't worry, you look like younger version of Bruce Willis and on the top of it tons of men have no hair and look good. Music community cares about your input, performance, what you have to say and if you are cool guy or opposite. You may get stupid feedback here and there mostly from younger immature members but thats life, nobody is perfect.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Thanks, Tom! I appreciate it

[@Amusiastudio]

vh100r always

[@chrisx742]

Everyone is pretending they like the vh100r more because its a classic and was an early flagship Laney. Its cool to like retro gear. But it sounds ratty in comparison. You think you like that until you go to record then realize ts difficult to get a good sound. Ironheart wins 1000%.

[@j-day]

For me VH100R wipes the floor with Ironheart

[@zabtej1645]

The old guy sound like hitting the wet soil with a baseball bat. The new one sounds like hitting a rotten tree trunk with a hammer.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

That's almost poetry

[@ericmelvin10]

VH sounds way better.

[@harmonyinthought4373]

the real test is with a real cab.......these IRs are just .@@....anyway......... the old laneys gh and vh are far more Superior than the new china laneys

[@hmtp177]

Nope, he cannot