Vox Tone At A Bargain Price - Laney VC30

In today's video Paul Drew and James Ivey from The Studio Rats look at the fantastic Laney VC30.
The VC30 is a class A guitar amp in the style of an AC30 and you can pick these up for £200 used.
Here is what Laney say about the VC30

The range of VC30 combos offer classic British class A tone in a variety of speaker options. The VC30 features 2 footswitchable channels, with three band EQ on the drive channel and a bright switch. If you're looking for that elusive living tone then look no further than the VC30. The VC30-112 houses 1 x 12" Custom designed 35 watt driver.

The VC30 generates very little cross over distortion because it runs in pure class A mode - its valves are always hot and ready to roll, which gives it that unmistakable class A sound and feel. If you've never experienced that level of connection between a player an amp and a tone then you've never tried a VC30.

To complement the VC30 range of amplifier there are a range of dedicated extension cabinets in a couple of differing speaker options to give the player the opportunity to mix and match speaker complement to get that ultimate classic tones.

The GS112VE is a 1 x 12" extension cabinet and the GS210VE is a 2 x 10" extension cabinet. Mix and match to your tones content.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[Optomisma]

I’ve had numerous amps, 100watt dsl, vox ac30, Budda, mesa stiletto.but I have laneys as rehearsal and home amps . And I lov em.they are so underrated.

[stevenheath]

Had one for years but if was when I put a creamback and a better reverb tank in it it became unbelievable and sounded like a lot of boutique amps I’ve had😊

[adylp]

I had one of these years ago as my first proper amp. Loved it.

[robertwoodhall]

I had one of these for years, the best drive is clean channel on full then guitar volume rolled back for cleans.

[stevehorvath]

I had the 2x10 version with a matching 2x10 cab. I used it for years as well as a Peavey Classic 50 head for larger gigs. No mods needed other than upgraded valves - both amps reasonably priced great amps! With the VC30 I learned thet I could "jumper' the effects loop and it became a boost as well as running any color type effects thorough a volume pedal into the loop and it allowed swells with those effects.

[nicklake]

I used a VC30 212 for years and it was incredible, although always felt like it needed a master volume (like a Vox!). I still have my VC15 110 for practice (and odd gigs), and other than the speaker size it definitely competes with the AC15 I use. Amazing amps from the Black Country!!

[LordBransty]

That's two great Laneys you've uncovered recently. Well done. This channel is a must for tone enthusiasts on a budget.
And if it's not budgety enough for you, Lee pops in every now and again with piggy bank price range gear.
What's not to love?

[antoniofrighi]

I have a '98 Laney Ozone Chrome 2x10 30w tube combo, bought used. I just had it serviced at a Laney service center in my area. It has a unique personality and the clean channel is spectacular as a base for pedals. I also recently discovered Laney, I'd say it's an interesting world to explore.

[teddobbs]

I moved to the UK from New Zealand about 4 months ago. I’ve joined an indie band here and back home my primary amp was a Vox AC15C1 which I had to leave behind. Fast forward to today where I saw this very same VC30 used with 2x10s going in Denmark St. I knew I had to try it after seeing this video. And I bought it! I so badly wish Vox made AC15s with effects loops. But after playing one of these? Man Vox could be doing so much more with the AC15 range. Still, I love the tones. Thanks gents!

[twpmeister]

Great video guys, Laney are extremely underrated, I have both VC30 212 and Lionheart L20H, they are fantastic amps and I will never part with them. Also bought at bargain prices as they fly under the radar compared to more popular names. I have owned AC30s and AC4 etc, would never go back to vox having discovered these. Fun fact, Satriani used and endorsed the VC30 back in the 90s. Also don't over look the more compact but still gig worthy VC15

[evinoc]

I have the 1x12 I bought used for €200. I gigged it once and during sound check the sound guy was asking if I could bring the volume down. The amp was on the clean Chanel not even on 1 🤣 such a great amp. It’s a pleasure to play.

[manguitarletsgo]

I've always rated these Laney amps, and have just picked up a 1999 LC30 II. It is a _fabulous_ amplifier! I also have a Fender BDR, and so far, I think the Laney's just as good. Another recent purchase is my 1989 Peavey Bandit (solid state), which I've gigged, and which is also a terrific amp. That said, just comparing the Peavey against the Laney: the Peavey sounds great, but swapping the cable between the amps, the Peavey's sound is 2D, whereas the Laney's is 3D. That's the only way I can describe the difference.

[yagoravell]

I got one those! The previous owner swop the 2x10's for a 12' Eminence Legend, i love that amp.

[Urizen]

I've been having one for a very long time. Also a 2x10 version and it's a great amp that I only once and only briefly considered selling as I looked for something easier to transport to gigs. It's really heavy, but also really loud and takes all kinds of pedals like a champ.

[JGStonedRaider]

Just bought a third hand 2x12 for £60. Used to be endorsed by Laney back in the day and went through 11 VC/LC30's in 1 year of touring. Admittedly that's because I threw them through the drum kit / threw my guitar through the front grill etc....good times!

[SuperScreamerBand]

My first tube amp was a Laney LC-30, and it was a good amp, but as it was my first I did not have any real references. Then I have had a VC-30 112 and it was a gorgeous amp that I regret I sold.

[GraniteSoundtrack]

My dad had one of these when I was in high school. I played it a lot one summer because I had a busted me and I couldn’t walk. Later on, I remembered my Mesa rectifier had a blown fuse and I couldn’t get one, but I had to go to rehearsal. So I borrowed the amp from my dad and ran it through my 4x12. The only way I could get it to have a lot of distortion was to turn it all the way up. what an amazing sound that was! I felt like Tony Iommi or some legend of the past. But that particular Laney V something never had good reliability. It blew tubes a lot I remember.

[aalperuzun]

I have a VC15 with a 10" speaker and i use it bar and hotel gigs 2 or 3 times a week for 2 years. I can crank it up as much as i can without any trouble and i never satisfied like this before. This amp shines when it's all cranked up.

[sonountaleban]

Still own the 2x10" version and still love it! Me too, I've paid just £200 years ago, to replace another Laney, the mythical LC15R. I had the latter for 10 years until I started to gig seriously. For me all these old Laney are much more better than of many low-specs Marshall/Fender amps that can be still found in a lot of the rehearsal studios nowadays.

[scarcam]

Love sunburst and rosewood teles, got that Beatles vibe👍