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LANEY
TT100 Head & 4x12 Quad box Reviewer: Phil Para Distributor: Lamberti Bros |
Australian Musician Magazine asked me to roadtest some Laney equipment, the latest TT100H head with a newly designed footswitchable preamp. It’s an innovative product which features midi capabilities and a 4 x 12 Quadbox.
Firstly … the head; The three channels Clean, Crunch & Lead all feature independent three band EQ, volume, bright switch and reverb. With this well thought out and versatile amp, Laney has provided some not- so typical features such as a modern switch in both of the gain channels, and an additional Xpand and boost switch in the lead channel. There is also an alternate master volume.
The overall EQ provides the signature tone of a classic British valve amp. The solid bass tone combines well with ample enough midrange and treble that kicks in nice and early to sparkle up the top end, without sacrificing any of the distinctive tube tone.
The bright switches enhance the top end of each channel well enabling a nice clarity at low drive settings. I found the reverb in unison with the clean channel to be particularly reminiscent of a another well known brand’s ‘Twin’. The reverb handled well in most applications and I believe it to be subtle enough for rock but possibly not endowed quite enough for the ardent blues player.
Lead and crunch channels both feature a drive control. When you adjust the drive control you will notice an increase in volume alleviating the need to fiddle with the master and risk muddying the sound.
I was very impressed by the modern switch, again located in both lead and crunch channels. This switch is a little like using an exciter. This feature provides a clear option for a smoother response and prompted me to consider it’s application for either old or new sounds. It is very effective and the amount of compression it applies, noticeably tightens the frequencies. The modern feature levels out the sound nicely, providing a great crunch tone for rhythm and cuts through nicely for solos.
Xpand is an interesting feature that I haven’t seen before. It’s primary function is an option for reducing the level of compression and allowing more dynamic freedom to the range of the note. Laney describe it as "breathing life back into your tone at high gain". Well put, but when not playing at high gain and volume levels I enjoyed the swell type effect it also created. It is an interesting effect that would be an asset to many players.
I like the boost switch and it certainly lives up to it’s name. When it kicks in it sounds like you have the help of an additional amp or channel.
The two independent, footswitchable master volumes in the power section, are capable of allowing soloing in any channel. I would personally feel quite comfortable performing a solo through the crunch channel and suggest that guitarists of many other musical genres, could feel confident utilising this feature in the clean channel as well.
The back panel has some interesting features too. It provides quick and easy set up facilities for live situations. It offers an effects send and return and record out to connect to your chosen recording device. This emulates the sound of the tube output stage so you don’t lose the tone, used in combination with the mute switch which is on the power section of the front pane, it l will enable you to record silently.
The midi section has midi in, midi thru and midi out with sockets that can take 5 or 7 pin din leads. The adjoining store button has a flashing led to indicate reception or storage of midi data. There are midi address dipswitches to designate the midi channel the amp will send and receive on.
The head is well presented and all features are easily accessible. The general quality of manufacturing seems good, with sturdy fittings and hardware. Time is the factor that will tell how the unit holds up under normal use but I would imagine it can go the distance.
Overall I think Laney has placed great emphasis on tonal quality and they have captured well, the tube sound of more vintage amps with the added benefit of today’s efficiencies.
I tried the head out with the Laney 4 x 12’s Angle Quad Box and found it to be entirely complimentary. The speakers are Celestion vintage 30s providing a rich tone. The overall sound of the quad box is tight, with a fat bottom end and projects evenly at both lower and greater volumes. Another handy feature of this quadbox is the 2 recessed speaker lead cavities which protect the jacks from becoming unplugged or damaged.
I can recommend both units within their price categories.
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