Laney VC30 - Any known issues?

Guran · May 15th, 2008, 12:13 AM

There's a used VC30 in my local store now. Cranked it sounds sweet! I might have to haul it home...

Is there any known issues with those? It seems that it would be running at full, or near full, throttle most of the time. Will it take it?

You VC30 owners (or ex-owners), tell me the downsides of this little thing.

Dacious · May 15th, 2008, 01:38 AM

Mostly good amps for modern PCB. Tubes are mounted in the chassis which is a good thing. The speakers aren't much chop, and replacing them with more efficient items will add a lot of volume. The drive channel is decent but they have the issue of when volume is right for decent drive it is rubbish for rythym.

Guran · May 15th, 2008, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dacious

The speakers aren't much chop, and replacing them with more efficient items will add a lot of volume.

Does this apply to all speaker configurations? This is a 112 with the Seventy-80 speaker.

klast · May 15th, 2008, 03:59 AM

I have had mine for a couple of years now. Sounds great for the 60s covers and instrumentals I play. Have used it mostly in the studio, but also on a couple of gigs. The overdrive channel needs to be cranked quite a bit to sound good and is a bit thin at "apartment volume".

About a year ago, I had some problems with intermittent volume drops. Fixed by a tech and it was probably caused by some oxidation. Tech said the design is such that it runs fairly hot and that this could be a contributing factor.

No problems since.

Klas

klast · May 15th, 2008, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guran

Does this apply to all speaker configurations? This is a 112 with the Seventy-80 speaker.

Probably mostly applies to an older version with another speaker. Mine has the Celestion Seventy-80 and I think it's fairly good. (But I'm not very picky.)

Klas

Guran · May 15th, 2008, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klast

The overdrive channel needs to be cranked quite a bit to sound good and is a bit thin at "apartment volume".

Well, I don't consider that as a problem as I have a couple of other amps for home use. This one would primarly be meant for band situations.

telbert twang · May 15th, 2008, 08:07 AM

I guess they are quite similar with vc 30 except the 30 has more horsepower under bonnet:

i have the twice smaller vc15 with 8ohm RI jensen C10Q and i´d say it is a really damn good amp, i am very pleased with it. No issues within 1.5 years. Clean is nice and the crunchy overdrive delivers easily some heavy/hard rock , i guess something like vox. the vc15 sounds surprisingly good also on low volume, even in drive channel. Reverb is better on lower volumes, high volumed and max dialed it can get a little ´spongy rubber´

(Meanwhille i was thinking of buying the GS112VE under it but it seems there´s no point , better to keep eye on some used peavey classic 50 for bigger sound for me)

so, i´d buy that vc-30 , especially if it´s good priced.

tt

Poppatwang · May 15th, 2008, 08:27 AM

Don't use mine on every gig, but it's been played out regularly for 10 years
without a hiccup. Mine is the 2x10. Replaced the HH speakers with vintage CTS.
Much improved though it was good to start with.

I found an EH 12AX7 in the driver tube position helped the OD channel.
But my favorite is the reg. channel when you can crank it. Really sings.
Really loud though too, so I only bring it to bigger venues or outdoor gigs.

May 15th, 2008, 12:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Guran Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sweden Age: 41 Posts: 211	Laney VC30 - Any known issues? There's a used VC30 in my local store now. Cranked it sounds sweet! I might have to haul it home... Is there any known issues with those? It seems that it would be running at full, or near full, throttle most of the time. Will it take it? You VC30 owners (or ex-owners), tell me the downsides of this little thing.

May 15th, 2008, 01:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dacious Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Godzone Posts: 2,603 35 Photos	Mostly good amps for modern PCB. Tubes are mounted in the chassis which is a good thing. The speakers aren't much chop, and replacing them with more efficient items will add a lot of volume. The drive channel is decent but they have the issue of when volume is right for decent drive it is rubbish for rythym. __________________ My other Telecaster is a Thinline The Tele Bible, Ch 1, v 10 Love thy Telecaster, covet not thy neighbour's Strat!

May 15th, 2008, 03:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
klast Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sweden Age: 59 Posts: 192	I have had mine for a couple of years now. Sounds great for the 60s covers and instrumentals I play. Have used it mostly in the studio, but also on a couple of gigs. The overdrive channel needs to be cranked quite a bit to sound good and is a bit thin at "apartment volume". About a year ago, I had some problems with intermittent volume drops. Fixed by a tech and it was probably caused by some oxidation. Tech said the design is such that it runs fairly hot and that this could be a contributing factor. No problems since. Klas __________________ ...all the times I've had to play while people sat there drunk...

May 15th, 2008, 08:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,835 13 Photos	Don't use mine on every gig, but it's been played out regularly for 10 years without a hiccup. Mine is the 2x10. Replaced the HH speakers with vintage CTS. Much improved though it was good to start with. I found an EH 12AX7 in the driver tube position helped the OD channel. But my favorite is the reg. channel when you can crank it. Really sings. Really loud though too, so I only bring it to bigger venues or outdoor gigs. __________________ The Dieselfitters http://www.dieselfitters.com Roy Hubbs http://www.royhubbs.com

May 15th, 2008, 08:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
telbert twang Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Estonia Posts: 117 26 Photos	I guess they are quite similar with vc 30 except the 30 has more horsepower under bonnet: i have the twice smaller vc15 with 8ohm RI jensen C10Q and i´d say it is a really damn good amp, i am very pleased with it. No issues within 1.5 years. Clean is nice and the crunchy overdrive delivers easily some heavy/hard rock , i guess something like vox. the vc15 sounds surprisingly good also on low volume, even in drive channel. Reverb is better on lower volumes, high volumed and max dialed it can get a little ´spongy rubber´ (Meanwhille i was thinking of buying the GS112VE under it but it seems there´s no point , better to keep eye on some used peavey classic 50 for bigger sound for me) so, i´d buy that vc-30 , especially if it´s good priced. tt