Tell me about the Laney Ironheart amps...

[PhloridaMan]

So I am looking to put together a somewhat versatile and mobile rig. I have a bunch of 100 and 120W heads, and a couple 4x12 cabs, but I want something that can pretty simple to move around and set up that has a good loop and has multi-watt settings for jamming, recording etc. I plan to pair it with a 2x12 cabinet that will have a V30 and either K85/K100 or T75 in it depending on what I can find.

I've been eyeing the Laney Ironheart head. The only problem is, I have never been able to really get a good read on the amp because I have been unable to find one locally to try, and all the YouTube videos kind of leave a lot to be wondered.

Does anyone here own one? What do they compare to tone wise? I use to have an older GH100L years ago and loved it.

I appreciate some insight!

 

[the rossness]

I had the Ironheart studio. Good amp. Tighter and more unforgiving than the average amp. Similar in feel to a VHT or Splawn

 

[PhloridaMan]

I had the Ironheart studio. Good amp. Tighter and more unforgiving than the average amp. Similar in feel to a VHT or Splawn

Wow, it's surprising to hear it compared to two such amazing amp manufactures.

So would you say its a drier amp than a 5150III? Since they both have the wattage control, do you think it's worth going for the 120 over the 60? I am quite intrigued now. I am still about a month out from purchase but once I return from my trip down south, I will start looking for one.

Thanks for the response!

 

[the rossness]

I had the Ironheart studio. Good amp. Tighter and more unforgiving than the average amp. Similar in feel to a VHT or Splawn

Wow, it's surprising to hear it compared to two such amazing amp manufactures.

So would you say its a drier amp than a 5150III? Since they both have the wattage control, do you think it's worth going for the 120 over the 60? I am quite intrigued now. I am still about a month out from purchase but once I return from my trip down south, I will start looking for one.

Thanks for the response!

Its not at all like an EVH amp. 60 or 120? Thats preference. I'd assume the lower watt version would crunch up better. I think Killswitch Engage was using these for a time, then they went back to their Splawn Nitros. Initially, I liked the crunch mode best and I liked how I could boost it. Then my "boost" function developed a squeal that I couldn't dial out. I rather liked the clean on this amp too. The Jack Thammarat demo is what the amp sounds like.

 

[PhloridaMan]

It concerns me a bit that you say it sounded like the Splawn a bit, however when I had my Nitro, it was a V30 only cab and it was WAY too mid rangey... Now I have a 4x12 with V30s and K85s and a 2x12 with a V30 and a T75 in it. Much more balanced I assume. Guess ill give it a try.

 

[the rossness]

It concerns me a bit that you say it sounded like the Splawn a bit, however when I had my Nitro, it was a V30 only cab and it was WAY too mid rangey... Now I have a 4x12 with V30s and K85s and a 2x12 with a V30 and a T75 in it. Much more balanced I assume. Guess ill give it a try.

edit- feels more like a splawn. not much sag. makes you play cleaner/ better/ not as sloppy.

 

[PhloridaMan]

Mint, thanks man!

 

[kunos]

I have a Studio as well, not a fan to be honest, and that's why I am trying to get rid of it.
It gets really 0 playing. It's very tight yes, but, at the same time, it's pretty harsh, nothing like an EVH or an Engl, it doesn't have much compression at all so yeah, it can be challenging to play but also pretty expressive.

From what I read online, that's just how Laney amps are, which tend to work pretty well in a band situation.

I couldn't manage to get to like it, but there are many great guitarists out there using it.. Jack Thammarat, Martin Miller and so on.

 

[cujo]

My guitarist has one. 120 watt Ironheart Head. Toured with it and recorded with it. Very nice amp. Doesn’t sound like splawn... those amps are dry as fuck! Ironheart amp has a nice smooth gain, boosts and deeper equalization due to push pull on the knobs. Never had an issue with it. He still has it .