HCM65R Review

The Laney HCM65 R features two totally independent channels. Clean and Crunch Factor, each with it's own three band EQ, the Crunch Factor channel has a MAX button for that extreme fully max-ed out distortion, reverb, CD/Line input for connecting an external sound source such as a CD or Mini Disc to play along to your favorite track or tuition CD. Channel status and reverb can be footswitched with a Laney FS2 stereo footswitch (supplied seperately).

Features:	8
Sound:	9
Reliability:	9
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	8.8
Users rating:	6.1
Comments:	5

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: cavalerescus, on september 05, 2006

Price paid: $ 261

Purchased from: Casa Veerkamp

Features: This amp is great, it has a 12" Celestion speaker and the amplification is generated from a solid state circuit, I play heavy metal and it suits me perfectly, our reharshalls are always in reduced spaces (garages, living rooms, etc.) and I use the amp in small auditoriums, the sound fills every corner. The amp has two channels: clean and crunch, even it has an extra distortion which provides an awesome effect. The power cumplies with the 65 W paid. I didn't like the send FX and return FX inputs, I don't use them. I'd like to say that the clean channel is not very "clean" (there's some noise) as I wanted, but it's a little price for the solid state amplification provided that the most stuff I play contains a lot of distortion. If you play some kind of metal, it'd be a good choice. // 8

Sound: I've got a Strat copy with single coil pickups, I like how it sounds with this amp, I've played in Marshall and Line 6 amps, and this amp sond like one of them or even better. I wished to have a lot of power and now I've got it! The crunch channel gives you a cool distortion, like '70s rock sound, if you want to perform an old rock bands or something like that, it's great! I use the crunch channel to play songs like: Smoke On The Water, Paranoid and I've Got The Fire. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I trust on it, it's built in wood, and appearently it's very solid, I take care of my gear, but sometimes stant on it, I kick it and hit it, and still sounds great and looks very well. I don't need a backup, this guy must be the backup for other amps. // 9

Impression: I play heavy metal and this amp suits me perrfectly, I've been played for about 4 years, I have a strat copy, a RP80 and Metal Master DigiTech pedals. I wished to have a lot of power and now I've got it! If it was stolen probably I´d buy the same amp or maybe the next power model, it depends of my money, but definitively I'd buy this one. // 9

Comments

[mattmcavoy400]

I goes a bit crazy when you get past 8 on volume. good for your bedroom, not so good live.

[frozenjakalope]

I find it a tiny bit lacking in features, especially if you compare it to a Line 6 or similar. That said, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than a decent Line 6. I've played several guitars through mine, including an Ibanez Destroyer, an Epi SG, a Strat copy and a Tele Thinline. All of them sound excellent. I'm not blown away by it, but I'll keep hold of it for a while yet.

[pix_dement]

i find this amp better for rythm then lead.
the Crunch is more of an overdrive than dist realy(there is a difference you know )
but if i would use it for lead guitar i'd just plug in a multi-efx unit ore some pedals^^
good price for a powerfull amp!

[highway_star]

A similar amp to this but better (imho! ) is the Peavey StudioPro 112 (or the similar but bit more expensive Bandit). Check the reviews for it and see if you can try one out somewhere.

[Blasphemylol]

Its got enough power, sound is average though and the quality is good. Good value for money