Laney PL100HR Review

[jgcable]

Hey guys, remember this one: Laney Pro-Linebacker

Well, I bought it and I just received it today. This amp is everything that was listed in the classifieds ad.
It has Single Rectifier gain on 6. It has great reverb, tons of options, its loud as a mother and built like a tank. So, you ask, "will it do METAL??" Hell yes, with no need for any other stomp boxes. Just plug the head into a cabinet, plug your guitar in, turn up the gain to around 6-7 and you are shredding with tons of gain. I had one of these years ago but I think it was the 30w version. I also am a big fan of the Randall RG100ES. This Laney KILLS the Randall. This amp doesn't have that fuzzy fizzy SS distortion that many other amps have. This amp has real tube sounding gain and its pretty hard to tell that it is not a tube amp. It sounds a little like rectifier and a little like Marshall JCM800. Tell you what.. I would gig with it in a heartbeat.These amps can be had CHEAP!!! Go get one. At least for a backup.
BTW, in addition to having 13 knobs, 7 of them are pull switches that control other functions. I figured it would be a pretty cool amp but I didn't realize it would be this cool.

[buzzsaww]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

hehe i was going to offer up on that one but you were too fast [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Reverend Timmy]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

Me Too! Now I really want one!.............

[jgcable]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

I think he has a few more of them. If I had some extra cash I would buy another one. Actually, the local music store has a really beat one for $99.00 that I might swing over and grab. These are really nice amps. VERY... Marshall sounding.

[Subvamp]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

I told ya John! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] They are killer heads, and you're right...none of that fizzy/buzzy gain that SS amps are known for...very tube-like. Now I'll probably be bidding against half the JCF when they pop up on Ebay now. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]
Glad you like it! [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[kmanick]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

How do the Linebacker pro combos sound? thre is one on ebay for $199.00. 100w 2 /12's

[VitaminG]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

I've seen plenty of those Linebackers in the pawn shops & never gave them a second look. I'll have to start checking them out now!

[jgcable]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

Well, its been over a month and I am still digging this Laney PL100 Linebacker Pro bigtime.
Excellent gain, excellent clean channel and a loud mutha too. No pedals required. Just plug in and let er rip. The tone and gain structure is 100% metal. These amps rip.
This is one of those amps that begs you to play it.
I suggest you guys check one out the next time you see one. They are very popular at pawn shops and as used gear at guitar shops.

[achren_git]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

heheh,
well, I've been looking for a simple backup head so I don't have to use my rack all the time and ended up buying one of these yesterday for £100, pretty much on the strength of the recommendations from this forum (i had a vague memory of being impressed by one in a shop about 7 or 8 years ago but that's it!).

Only had the chance to dick around with it in the house quickly, but I'm definitely impressed- this has insane amounts of gain, what I'd call a "musical" eq section & really nice reverb. Can't wait to crank it up at rehearsal!
cheers!

ps. don't have the manual, but am a bit confused about the channels- is it a case of changing the input all the time or is there a footswitch (didn't get chance to check!). the "channel mix" input is a bit noisy on this amp i got...

[jgcable]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

Here is the rub on the inputs.

You have to use a 2 button footswitch. 1 button controls channel switching from A to B and the other combines them. Without a footswitch plugged in both preamp circuits from A and B are always on when you are plugged into the Input Mix jack which is whats giving you the noise. The noise vanishes when you plug in a 2 button footswitch.

[achren_git]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

aha, got it,
cheers

[Reverend Timmy]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

I can't really say that the Laney is my backup any more.We all search for that sound and tone that we think is the SOUND!As far as the music I play(80's Metal,Powermetal,and some downhome blues)this is by far the best solid state amp I have ever used. How I ever missed this 15 years ago is beyond me.JG has it dialed in too!I followed his recommendations on setup and it rocks!I put it with a 2x12 Genz Benz and that really woke it up as far as bite on the bottom end.OK,I'll quit oozing sugar now [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]..............

[jgcable]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

They are great. I was just wailing on mine. I had it hooked up to a Mesa 3/4 back cab and a Randall 2 x 12. Damn... no pedals, no nothing. This amp nails the 80's metal tone. Dokken, Ratt, Scorpions etc.... and the clean is really nice.I agree Rev... this Laney is the best SS amp I have ever owned too.

[Inearthed]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

Hey John, can you record audio clips?

[jgcable]

Re: Laney PL100HR Review

[ QUOTE ]
Hey John, can you record audio clips?

[/ QUOTE ]

I really have to tonight. I am just blown away by the 80's metal tone this thing gets.