NAD: low wattage Laney

strtdv

A couple of months ago I sold my Laney L20 head and matching cab as my MJW Roadstar Twin was (and is) my go to amp for home playing, and on the rare occasion I play out it was a bit of a chore lugging the fairly big head and 2x12 around.

This left me wanting a small portable amp that I could just "grab and go" when I play out, and also do some quiet practice when the MJW would be too loud.
I had a pretty specific set of requirements: relatively inexpensive, compact and lightweight, low power (15 watts or less), series effects loop (I use a Nova System for convenience when I play out), and good sounding. I also missed some of the EL84 sounds I was used to hearing from the Laney.

I saw a couple of these come up and when one was at the right price I couldn't resist:


https://i.imgur.com/klGGzHy.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/vLeBcdL.jpg?1

And a group shot with my MJW:

https://i.imgur.com/p6ira3C.jpg?1

It's great, it has exactly the same sounds as the bigger 20 watt version, but at a lower volume and much lighter and smaller package. It also has the advantage of having a series effects loop and a line out with switchable speaker modelling and ground lift (you can actually run it as a standalone with no cab connected, and just use headphones if you wish).

My only criticism is that the blue basketweave tolex attracts dust, and the leather handles wear quickly. I'm actually very tempted to re-tolex the head in black and change the grille to a salt n pepper one to match the Matamp cab.

McToot

I've always had a nagging desire to get a Laney L5 or 20. I love the blue/basket combo so would put up with the dust or have my man-servant deal with it on a daily basis...

Lovely looking man-cave you have there. I'm guessing your butler keeps it that tidy?

  

strtdv

Tidied specially for the photo (or at least all the rubbish moved out of shot)
The man-cave doubles up as a spare bedroom 

I was worried the Studio wouldn't have the sounds of the L20, but they're all in there. Actually the reverb is more usable as the spring reverb on the L20 is quite noisy whereas the digital one on the Studio is essentially silent.