Marshall JVM or Laney VH100R for instrumental music?

sveto · #1 02-28-2009, 01:37 PM

Hi folks,

I'm leaning towards a Marshall JVM amp as an allround machine, but the top priority is instrumental music (-> lead guitar sounds). I don't know the Laney VH100R much, but it seems interesting too (my preference is a british voicing).

How are the JVM amps regarded here at Jemsite? How does the Laney compare?

Any opinions much appreciated!
sv

Andy43 · #2 02-28-2009, 02:45 PM

Go for the Laney. Better in all aspects IMO. The Laney will offer a better clean, more natural drive channel, and it is cheaper also.

Jaden · #3 02-28-2009, 04:34 PM

I can tell you about the VH100R
I got one recently and I really really love it !
I already had a VC50 which I love but wanted a head, its a different animal to the VC, much better amp all round.
the clean is to die for and glassy crystal clear, the over drive is at best crunchy blues on channel 1 but on channel2 - HOLY MOLY, its utterly brutal ! and of course, very very loud.

cant tell you about the JVM, I did play one once but it wasnt for me, I love the raw brutal power and sound of laney gear.

sveto · #4 02-28-2009, 05:08 PM

Can the Laney scream on the 1st string like a Marshall? What guitarists, besides Timmons and Gilbert use / have used Laney? I heard Iommy recently, but the lead sounds where not good on the record (Iommy/Hughes)...

Besides, are the sound samples on Laney's site just bad, or do the VH100R really sound that brittle?

Jaden · #5 02-28-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sveto

Can the Laney scream on the 1st string like a Marshall? What guitarists, besides Timmons and Gilbert use / have used Laney? I heard Iommy recently, but the lead sounds where not good on the record (Iommy/Hughes)...

Besides, are the sound samples on Laney's site just bad, or do the VH100R really sound that brittle?

yep, I can get artificials all the way up the high E no probs... but in truth I think the marshall is better at that.
the laney is extremely bright, especially when new but then the valves wear in a bit and it mellows out. laneys are bright anyway, its not an amp that will cover mistakes in your playing, its very raw, which is why I like it.
Ive had a few marshalls including one 1971 Lead 100 which is supposed to be a great head but I always found them a little wooly.
I am a laney convert, its the only amp ive ever bought and been genuinely happy with.

I would say this though, the VH100R as well as being bright, its quite "dry" so you really realy need a delay (or 2) in the effects loop.

I bought mine without even trying it first and I love it.

Silverburst · #6 02-28-2009, 07:32 PM

If you're really really into Brittisch voicing, you might like the laney. Tested it a while ago and it wasn't for me.
I've tested quite some amps lately (JSX, EVH 5150III, JVM, Switchblade), and have to say I was the most skeptic about the JVM, and it surprised me the most. The clean was completely surprising to me for a Marshall, and in terms of versatility, the JVM blows the VH100R away, especially the 410's Now the VH100R is a lot of bang for the bucks for sure.

If I would have had to order one of these tested amps blindly, I would have bought the JSX, very well priced also. A lot of people here love the amp as well, but then it seemed to mooshy/fat for me. Conclusion: Either way, only one way to really know: play both amps yourself. Have fun

sveto · #7 03-01-2009, 07:18 AM

Some interesting infos here. Thanks, guys. From the reliability standpoint i prefer a Laney, just feels better for me. But i think regarding flexibility, i tend towards the JVM. It seems not many folks around here have tried the latter, maybe most have prejudice towards Marshalls.

Let's here some more comments

sv