VC30-210 Review

The VC30 generates very little cross over distortion because it runs in pure class A mode, its valves are always hot and ready to roll, which gives it that unmistakable class A sound and feel.

Features:	9
Sound:	10
Reliability:	8.5
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.4
Users rating:	7.8
Comments:	11

overall: 10

Featured review by: bluesbarker, on november 20, 2006

Price paid: $ 603.9

Features: This amp I presume was made this year, it is an all tube amp 30 watt amp with Twin 10" Jensen speakers. It has a clean and drive with standby option like most modern tube amplifiers. It is suprisingly light for a tube amp and suits my styles of mainly jazz, blues and rock exceptionnaly, the only thibg is that a cover or footswitch is not included but I can live without them for the amazing tone and price compared to other tube amps. // 10

Sound: I have gigged this amp and use it in my bedroom, I use it with a Fender Lite Ash Strat fitted with Seymour Duncan single coils. On most amps these pickups will be noisy but not on this. The distortion sounds great but is not strong so if you play anything any heavier than rock forget about it (unless you run a pedal). This amp packs enough power for a busy large hall and then some. The clean will stay nice and clean perfect for jazz and blues but will overdrive when cranked up like most tube amps but this sounds awesome! // 10

Reliability & Durability: I have only had this amp a few days and have gigged it in that time, but it feels pretty sturdy and will hopefully stay with me forever it sounds awesome! It is fitted with EL84 tubes that will no doubt have to be replaced at some point like all tube amps but no for a long time yet! // 10

Impression: I play blues, jazz and rock, this amp is perfect for all of these it's versatile and can be used with any type of guitar. I love the sheer tone of it, and how I can get the perfect tone. I don't hate anything about this amp apart from no cover or footswitch but who can complain with a tone like this. Should it be stolen I would not hesitate at buying another one. I compared it to the other VC30s and this one excelled, as it did when compared with a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and Vox Valvetronix models. Go buy this amp now! // 10

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: supergerbil, on august 20, 2007

Price paid: $ 594.75

Purchased from: Mad Monks Music

Features: This is a 2 channel all-tube amp (it has 3 preamp and 5 power amp). It is very versatile and can handle most styles and with an OD can play all styles. It has a effects loop on the back and with the footpedal you can Switch the reverb on/off and change channels. I use the amp everywhere I need an amp. It was made in Britain but I'm not sure when. It has no headphone jack but that does not really bother me as I didn't buy this as a practise amp. // 8

Sound: I use this with my Gibson Les Paul Studio and with my Fender mexian strat. It play mainly rock and the amp handles it impressively. The clean channel can get me very nice jazzy tones or with a simple change of the EQ a nice bright tone. The Drive channel produces some great sounds and you can get a clean sound on it and the Drive increases smoothly as you turn it up. The clean channel starts to break up at high volumes but not unusably so as it still reamins clear. The distortion on full is suitable for hard rock so it isn't that "brutal" but it can get quite sharp sounding. There is no extra noise unless you make it. // 10

Reliability & Durability: It seems very reliable. I've had it for a year and the valves haven't gone. It has never broke down however some times I get a volume cut and have to go over to the amp and press the bright Switch. So at a gig I would be quite catious of this but not overly so. The amp "box" is strong so and looks very ruggid. It has metal corners which futher enhace the strength. The sounds is constant so I wouldn't worry about poor sound qualtiy at an event. // 7

Impression: For classic rock and blues to modern rock and pop this amp is a ggod match. Although it's a Vintage combo it can still play modern music. I have had this for a year and I never think about replacing it. I love it and if it ever was lost or, in some impossible circumstance, was stolen I would buy another one straight away. It is hard to pick a favourite favourite as they are all good. I compared this to a Fender Blues Junior and this was just better in every sense of the word. It has everything I could ask for in an amp. // 10

Comments

[bluesbarker]

Unfortunately, it kinda stopped working just after I wrote this review, but still a top amp when its working

[Mahoru]

DOn't worry, it may be because of some cable that got unsoldered if the amp got hit or shaked. I also tried this amp at the shop and I hope it's going to be my next one, as soon as possible ^^

[DaPixelDude]

After a really long and detailed research through internet I decided to get me a Laney VC30. I was interested in VOX Valvetronix and Line 6 Flextone III XL amps but I found so many negative stories about Valvetronix´s performance that I decided to invest in a more reliable gear. Line 6 seems to be great, but in terms of sound, nothing compares to a valve powered amplifier. Anyway, I will try all of them at the store in a couple of weeks, but I am sure I will choose the valve powered vintage sound of the Laney VC30-210. I was worried about volume for gigs with only 30 W, but it seems this amp can really scream loud thanks to valves, so no big deal now. I´d rather sacrifice some amplitude to a greater tone and reliability. This amp rocks!

[DaPixelDude]

I just tried this amp today at the music store... what a great amplifier it is!! I still have to try some Vox and Line 6 modelling amps, but I am pretty sure I have a winner on the Laney VC30-210. The response is amazing, the tone is beautiful and the volume is impressive for a 30 W amp (believe me, I was really worried about this, but this amp rocks thanks to it´s valve powered core. A friend of mine who is a metal performer insisted so much that I should acquire a 100 W for gigs, but he was impressed with the capacity of this 30 W valve amolifier and changed his mind immediately). A shiny Class A amplifier which can deliver a rich ammount of tones, from a delicious clean tone to a deeper crunch tone ideal for rock music. Really, this is a great amplifier and above all it looks gorgeous. It really have a vintage inheritance. If you have doubts, you just go and try it, believe me, it will clear your mind the moment you start playing it. Beautiful amplifier!

[Dopey_Trout]

^^^the new line 6 valve is excellent, but i'm not a fan of the vox's mainly because i like pedals. i usually run my krank distortion pedal thru the clean channel on my amp (to make up for my amp's shitty inbuilt distortion), however, vox (at least on the one i tried) have put a gain limiter on the clean channel, so pedals cannot work to their full potential

[Korzack]

... Right, after reading the 2 VC30 reviews, I'm sold. Gonna give it a play first though before I go, if I can find one of the elusive Bastards...

[fleh]

gain limiter on vtxs?.....
cheers for heads up

[wildchild6660]

Why do I get the feeling that this amp isn't all that reliable

[pl0x]

Lol i got the VC30 212, after half an hour, it broke. Still waiting for a replacement...

[Blanco]

i have just brought and old school vc50 2x12 which sounds amazing. hopefully gonna get myself another 2x12 cab to make it the full stack

[cam_sampbell]

should I get this or the 212?