Amp Recommendation- Laney Cub15R but louder

[Emstrange427]

New member wanting some advice before I plunk down something I just trade in down the road.

Combo amps. I’ve went through a bunch of fenders, a few offshoot brands lately too, and haven’t really felt like I get a dirty sound I’m in love with.

I picked up a Laney cub 15R used and really like the way it sounds both dirty and clean, and was wondering if something out there might exist with just a little more wattage. Like maybe 30-40w.

Peavey Classic 30 is an option as I’ve played it and it’s similar in terms of some of the sounds imho, but some have had maintenance issues with them I guess according to some friends experience, plus I think peavey isn’t a great company at this point so I’d like to avoid buying that brand if possible (re-“undercover boss”)

Anyhoo-Single channel that has a similar tone stack and can break up a bit, And the onboard reverb is a plus too.

Any help or direction is appreciated. Also feel free to hit me up for better info to provide if it helps. I’m new can you tell? (Not at playing so much but at posting on forums for advice)

Thanks.

 

[Emstrange427]

Should also be specific, I like to use pedals to get a dirty sound.

 

[bebopbrain]

30W isn't much louder than 15W.
Going up 4x in power is appreciably louder.
Speakers (how many, how sensitive) are a big part of "louder".

 

[tlsmack]

Look at Orange Rockerverb 50 watt. They also make a Tremlord 30, but I agree, a 30 is not that much louder than a 15. 50watt should be loud enough for any situation.

 

[Emstrange427]

Thanks to ya both. I can tell you both probably know more than me and appreciate the feedback.

I probably should have been a little more specific too-it’s loud enough all together for smaller/quiet gigs but I keep the gain pretty low and run the volume when I can without it breaking up too much (about 6-7). Bigger gigs I can always mic it but would rather not, and if I play with a drummer that’s pretty loud I get a little tight on headroom.l on stage volume.

I like that I can get pretty “fenderish” cleans on it but still keep it close to breaking up, and I play high output SD single coils with a humbucker (hot rails) in the bridge that has pretty good output. Just a little tight on the above and looking to add another bigger amp to fill that need.

I’ll take the recommendation and definitely give the orange a shot. I also had a friend tell me to get the Laney cub cab with two speakers and the cub head to drive it and that will probably give me more volume-headroom at same wattage.

Interested in your thoughts on that as well as any other heads/combos to try out.

Budget up to about 1500 used. Closer to $1000 would be even better.

Thanks again for the help/education. This stuff is expensive to figure out on your own.

 

[schmee]

I think the Classic 30 would get you there. I think the Fender Blues Jr would get you there. I dont see either of those being more maintenance than the Laney. I'd say all 3 about the same really. Not great, but if you get a good one it's good.

I have a friend who is a constant gigger go from a CL30 he probably used 10 years until it was basically no longer repairable, to the Fender BL Jr and it's sounds about the same for him. No major breakdowns with the Fender that I'm aware of yet.

But if the budget allows get a Z Carmen Ghia, it'll last forever and sound amazing but similar. Superb quality, huge trannies. Only 18 watts though... but a loud 18watts. Or if you need more, get one of the similar simple style Z's with 4 EL84's instead of 2 like the Ghia.

 

[tlsmack]

If a little more volume, and a lot more headroom is what you are looking for, then you can’t go wrong with a Vox AC 30. Another option might be adding a second small amp for large gigs. I only say this because running one amp clean and one dirty is the coolest sound ever!!! Get a Fender blues jr or Princeton to run clean, and drive the Laney with pedals. That would be so much fun, and could easily be done for under $1000.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

Its actually become too big for me now ( small, quieter gigs, plus bad back...), but my 1999 Blonde Blues Jr....

( usually goosed with an 'always ON' Blues Driver, for its dynamics/OD/a little sparkle)
...with a lightweight, neo mag 120 watt Eminence Lil' Texas speaker, is an absolute clean toned powerhouse for about 18 years ( by nature, more midrange than BF/SF Fenders). Never past half on the Master Volume

Well-maintained by a local tech, it is officially my 'big gig' amp now.

 

[KC]

Marshall Origin 50 combo will do the trick, inexpensive, nice-sounding, plenty of power. Your budget will let you buy a reverb pedal to put in the loop plus replace the speaker if you're in the mood (though the stock speaker is fine). Relatively lightweight -- you should lift a Rockerverb 2x12 combo or an AC30 before you commit to one -- and capable of keeping up with a drummer easily. With the right pedal you can get any kind of dirt you want.

 

[Emstrange427]

Actually I saw that origin come up used in my area for cheap. Was wondering on it.

Thanks to all for the input it is greatly appreciated so far. Any more is good too!

 

[Emstrange427]

And yeah I had a mess I loved but sold because of weight-so I know the AC30 has three handles for a reason!

 

[Tim S]

My initial thought when I saw the title of the thread was “Re-amp with a Fryette Power Station”. Its claim to fame is being able to make any amp louder or quieter while retaining its tone and feel.

50w unit

POWER STATION® PS-2A USA 117V

The Fryette Power Station combines the utility of an attenuator, a power amp, and a reactive load, giving you unmatched versatility. Order yours today!

www.fryette.com

100w unit

POWER STATION® ONE HUNDRED PS-100 *Please see dealer page

The Fryette Power Station combines the utility of an attenuator, a power amp, and a reactive load, giving you unmatched versatility. Order yours today!

www.fryette.com

Maybe it’s not the right fit here. But maybe it could be??

@AxemanVR did a great and honest review of the 100 watter here:

Fryette PS-100 Review

` I'd like to start this review off by pointing out how the Fryette PS-100 is often referred to as an "attenuator", but that label grossly minimizes what this device really does in my opinion. Sure, it can attenuate - in the sense that you can turn it down - but functionally it's still a vacuum...

www.tdpri.com

 

[Emstrange427]

So I went pretty big and got a rockerverb 50 MKii head. Was looking at the origin too, and gave it some serious thought. Happened upon a good enough deal on the Orange and I couldn’t pass it up.

It is going to be crazy heavy (50 lbs!) but pretty much everything I was seeing was 30 plus, and I don’t plan on using it except bigger rooms and have a decent light 1-12 cab already with a creamback in it.

Once I get it and play it I’ll let ya know what I think. Really appreciate the advice.

 

[MogwaiBoy]

I would have tried it into a bigger cab (2x12 with efficient speakers) first - might have given you exactly what you needed.

But you can't go wrong with a Rockerverb! Huge upgrade on the quirky Cub (I had a Cub 10 once...).

 

[wildschwein]

Vox AC15 if you don’t like AC30 weight. Peavey Classic 30s are pigs to repair if something goes wrong.

 

[tjnugent]

I would look at the new Universal Audio's new amp in a box pedals. They are using a new and very powerful platform. These pedals are the best amp in a box on the planet. If the amp had the control, it is there. You cannot tell the difference between real and pedal. This is a total game changer. Everyone doing the demos on youtube are totally stoked about these amps. The Dream 65 which is a blackpanel deluxe is insane, so is the AC30 pedal. They call that Ruby which is a 63 top boost AC30. I am usually not into modeling, but holy cow these pedals have now made the big jump between modeler vs real.

 

[41144]

Not single channels ... but, at volume who's going to know?

Orange Rocker 30 (! No reverb, buy a a pedal!) or, with Reverb, a Blackstar HT40 mkII - both should be under $1000, are very loud and are built to 'break up'.
When you mention tone-stack ... is that "mids" you're concerned with?
Blackstar engineers came out of Marshall, so tone stack might be more what you're after; but knowledge of that stuff is way above mine or my interest .... of the two ... the Rocker 30 imo.

Edit ... see you went with an Rockerverb ... monster choice

 

[Vibroluxer]

New member wanting some advice before I plunk down something I just trade in down the road.

Combo amps. I’ve went through a bunch of fenders, a few offshoot brands lately too, and haven’t really felt like I get a dirty sound I’m in love with.

I picked up a Laney cub 15R used and really like the way it sounds both dirty and clean, and was wondering if something out there might exist with just a little more wattage. Like maybe 30-40w.

Peavey Classic 30 is an option as I’ve played it and it’s similar in terms of some of the sounds imho, but some have had maintenance issues with them I guess according to some friends experience, plus I think peavey isn’t a great company at this point so I’d like to avoid buying that brand if possible (re-“undercover boss”)

Anyhoo-Single channel that has a similar tone stack and can break up a bit, And the onboard reverb is a plus too.

Any help or direction is appreciated. Also feel free to hit me up for better info to provide if it helps. I’m new can you tell? (Not at playing so much but at posting on forums for advice)

Thanks.

If you like that check out a used Laney VC30. They came with either 1x12 or 2x12.

Laney VC30-212 | Vintage Guitar® magazine

Laney's VC30-212 is a 30-watt Class A tube combo amp available in 2x10, 1x12, and 2x12 configurations. We tested the 2x12 version, which is loaded with two HH Invader Vintage 35 12" speakers. The VC30 uses four EL-84 power tubes and three ECC83 or 7025 preamp tubes. The cabinet is covered in...

www.vintageguitar.com

 

[jimmyjoe]

New member wanting some advice before I plunk down something I just trade in down the road.

Combo amps. I’ve went through a bunch of fenders, a few offshoot brands lately too, and haven’t really felt like I get a dirty sound I’m in love with.

I picked up a Laney cub 15R used and really like the way it sounds both dirty and clean, and was wondering if something out there might exist with just a little more wattage. Like maybe 30-40w.

Peavey Classic 30 is an option as I’ve played it and it’s similar in terms of some of the sounds imho, but some have had maintenance issues with them I guess according to some friends experience, plus I think peavey isn’t a great company at this point so I’d like to avoid buying that brand if possible (re-“undercover boss”)

Anyhoo-Single channel that has a similar tone stack and can break up a bit, And the onboard reverb is a plus too.

Any help or direction is appreciated. Also feel free to hit me up for better info to provide if it helps. I’m new can you tell? (Not at playing so much but at posting on forums for advice)

Thanks.

I contacted Service Department at Laney and asked about the speaker that comes with Cub12R (I have one too). They responded with the parameter chart and even the frequency response plot. The HH speaker has 94.5dB sensitivity.
I replaced the speaker in my Cub12R with Eminence Cannabis Rex, that has 101.8 dB sensitivity and somewhat warmer sound (more mids, less fenderish).
(BTW, I assume you have a Cub12R, 15W power, 12 inch speaker).
This 7dB more is like at least doubling the amp power. I like the sound as well and Cannabis Rex is a decent speaker. Only downside is that it's somewhat heavier, so the amp's weight is now 12.66 kg (almost 28 pounds).
I think it's worth considering, cost effective and you keep your favorite amp.

 

[JIMMY JAZZMAN]

Vox AC15 if you don’t like AC30 weight. Peavey Classic 30s are pigs to repair if something goes wrong.

I agree and if you want "louder" you can add a cab with no sweat.