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Laney Nexus Tube/valve | Monster amp! monster bargain?


Sean
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http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Laney-Nexus-Tube-Bass-Valve-Amp-Head/AQO

So, what do we reckon to this? For an 8 x KT88 with valve pre-amp this seems very cheap. Is it made in the UK? I can't imagine it is at that price.

Anyone have any experience with these? I'm in the market for another monster and am looking at some of the less obvious ones...

After years of using lighter, more portable amps I have realised that I need to man up, grow a pair and start to build some muscle; we are evolving into a bunch of spineless weaklings and Class D amps are accelerating our physical demise. :-)

It's probably the best bang for buck full valve monster out there putting aside the Bugera BVV3000 and I'd love to get some insider knowledge.

Thank you, chaps.

Edited by Sean
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[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1394229373' post='2389458']
It looks cheap, but the price aint.
[/quote]
What's it sound like?

£1300 is less than any comparable valve amp. I don't understand.

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[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1394230614' post='2389466']
What's it sound like?

£1300 is less than any comparable valve amp. I don't understand.
[/quote]

Eh? You think that is cheap?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/ampeg-svt-cl-classic-bass-head

http://www.thomann.de/gb/orange_ad200b_mk3_basstopteil.htm

I think you could get tried and tested classic heads for the same price, even more so if you bought one s/h.

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[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1394232066' post='2389479']


Eh? You think that is cheap?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/ampeg-svt-cl-classic-bass-head

http://www.thomann.de/gb/orange_ad200b_mk3_basstopteil.htm

I think you could get tried and tested classic heads for the same price, even more so if you bought one s/h.
[/quote]

They're both more expensive than the Laney, from what I can see. The Ampeg is on a US website and doesn't include import duty etc. it's only less than the Laney if I live in Beverley Hills 90210 and I'm not stupid enough to think that s/h prices compare to new so that comment's irrelevant.

Is the Laney any good and is it good value at that price?

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[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1394234140' post='2389501']
They're both more expensive than the Laney, from what I can see. The Ampeg is on a US website and doesn't include import duty etc. it's only less than the Laney if I live in Beverley Hills 90210 and I'm not stupid enough to think that s/h prices compare to new so that comment's irrelevant.

Is the Laney any good and is it good value at that price?
[/quote]

OK, sorry, we seem to be getting off on the wrong foot here. No one said you were stupid. Of course s/h prices do not compare, but maybe s/h quality does when you could get a Matamp GT200 for £1200, which will knock the Laney into a cocked hat in terms of quality and reliability.

IMHO, I don't think this amp is any better value than others of its type, and if I was buying new I'd spend the extra £150 on a new Ampeg or Orange.

But if I was buying s/h I try to get ahold of a whole rig for less than the laney, like so..
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/ampeg-svt-cl-and-410hlf-cab/1051087352

Or to try and get one of these bad-boys, justsold here..
http://basschat.co.uk/topic/225912-sold-sunn-300t-fender-bassman-300-pro-wfootswitch/page__p__2335611__hl__fender__fromsearch__1#entry2335611

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No idea what that amp sounds like, but I'm certainly struggling with the controls.

I'm a great believer in simplicity with amps, and especially so with valve amps. That combination of knobs and switches, channels and bright blue LEDs, promises entire gigs of fiddling about with the sound without in any way improving the bass playing ...

;)

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[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/176021-ashton-bv300-all-valve-300w-bass-head/"]http://basschat.co.u...300w-bass-head/[/url]

Simple, cheap (if you can find one) and phat..

Personally, I like the look of the Laney and getting to grips with the controls may take a little time but I bet it sounds great. I have no isssue with complex amps (like this or the Sunn / Fender 300T) or simple setups as long as they sound right and wouldn't disregard any setup based on either of those points alone.

+1 about improving the bass playing tho. You have to be inspired by the gear you're playing and not fighting it for that to happen.

Edited by VTypeV4
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[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1394276428' post='2389753']
No idea what that amp sounds like, but I'm certainly struggling with the controls.

I'm a great believer in simplicity with amps, and especially so with valve amps. That combination of knobs and switches, channels and bright blue LEDs, promises entire gigs of fiddling about with the sound without in any way improving the bass playing ...

;)
[/quote]

I have been searching in vain for a good, simple, relatively inexpensive, low wattage bass valve head.
Guitarists are catered for with a plethora of small valve amps from the £69.00 1watt Kustom to the £250.00 20watt VHT, but these are all high gain screamers.
I really think there is a gap in the market for someone to fill here.

What do you really need on a nice warm sounding valve practice amp. High low gain input jacks / Volume / Treble / Bass. 8ohm Speakon on the back. Simples

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[quote name='Prosebass' timestamp='1394277338' post='2389770']
I have been searching in vain for a good, simple, relatively inexpensive, low wattage bass valve head.
Guitarists are catered for with a plethora of small valve amps from the £69.00 1watt Kustom to the £250.00 20watt VHT, but these are all high gain screamers.
I really think there is a gap in the market for someone to fill here.

What do you really need on a nice warm sounding valve practice amp. High low gain input jacks / Volume / Treble / Bass. 8ohm Speakon on the back. Simples
[/quote]

That already exists.

Buy an early 70s WEM Dominator 25 (the one with the 15" Celestion, not the 12" jobbie).

15W of pure valve tone in a glorious open-backed cab, available at home rehearsal volume levels, capable of handling small gigs too, and best of all you won't lose money on it.

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[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1394276428' post='2389753']
No idea what that amp sounds like, but I'm certainly struggling with the controls.

I'm a great believer in simplicity with amps, and especially so with valve amps. That combination of knobs and switches, channels and bright blue LEDs, promises entire gigs of fiddling about with the sound without in any way improving the bass playing ...

;)
[/quote]

Yep, most of the good tube amps I've owned/own sound great running flat EQ. My Ampeg's got minimal controls - gain, bass, mid/freq, treble and master. The only one I ever use is master.

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[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1394280583' post='2389806']
That already exists.

Buy an early 70s WEM Dominator 25 (the one with the 15" Celestion, not the 12" jobbie).

15W of pure valve tone in a glorious open-backed cab, available at home rehearsal volume levels, capable of handling small gigs too, and best of all you won't lose money on it.
[/quote]

Thanks Jack, I have been looking at these but only the combo's seem to come up for sale and I would prefer a head :)

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[quote name='VTypeV4' timestamp='1394300558' post='2390091']
Ashdown have made some tiddlers.. CTM15 I think is the model which has two EL84s.
[/quote]

http://www.thomann.de/gb/ashdown_ctm_100.htm#bewertung

Not a tiddler, per se but very high on my list. I think this is something that you could rag the ass off to get the power valves breaking up but without demolishing the building you're in.

I know there are a couple of people with the CTM300 but who's got a CTM100?

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[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1394307214' post='2390205']
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ashdown_ctm_100.htm#bewertung"]http://www.thomann.d...0.htm#bewertung[/url]

Not a tiddler, per se but very high on my list. I think this is something that you could rag the ass off to get the power valves breaking up but without demolishing the building you're in.

I know there are a couple of people with the CTM300 but who's got a CTM100?
[/quote]

I think Merton just bought Walbassist's

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/225178-sold-ashdown-ctm100-xmas-sale-price-l750/page__p__2317157__hl__ashdown%20ctm%20100__fromsearch__1#entry2317157

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[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1394308993' post='2390225']


I think Merton just bought Walbassist's

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/225178-sold-ashdown-ctm100-xmas-sale-price-l750/page__p__2317157__hl__ashdown%20ctm%20100__fromsearch__1#entry2317157
[/quote]

58cm wide but what's the centre to centre measurement of the feet on it?
Will it sit on my BFBT2 ?

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I'm with Billy Apple here, if I was looking to spent over a grand on a valve amp, I wouldn't even be considering a Laney to be honest.

I'll hold my hands up and say straight out I've never heard or played this particular Laney, but I haven't got much regard for their amps (newer ones anyway).

At a grand plus, if be looking at Matamp, Ampeg, Orange etc. as they are tried and tested classics, and will hold value more than the Laney if looking to sell on in my opinion.

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[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1394308993' post='2390225']
I think Merton just bought Walbassist's

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/225178-sold-ashdown-ctm100-xmas-sale-price-l750/page__p__2317157__hl__ashdown%20ctm%20100__fromsearch__1#entry2317157"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2317157[/url]
[/quote]
[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1394309460' post='2390229']
58cm wide but what's the centre to centre measurement of the feet on it?
Will it sit on my BFBT2 ?
[/quote]

Hello!

Yes I bought Gareth's CTM100, and fan-bloody-tastic it is too!

I gig it with either one or two Barefaced Super Compacts. They have to lie on their side for the amp to look sensible, plus the feet are slightly too far apart for it to sit on the cab with the cab the "right" way up:



As for how it copes, 100W is the minimum I'd gig with when talking valve power, I think that there will be some gigs where I could do with a little more clean headroom but on the whole it's an immense sound and I love it :)

EDIT: yes you can rag the power valves and get a lovely creamy breakup without making the guitarist cry or the hotel manager come and escort you from the premises ;)

Edited by Merton
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I'll remember that if I ever choose to sell it! Likely to be a long term keeper though, it's brilliant and for once my drummer actually noticed and complimented my new amp choice! Ashdown got this one dead right I think.

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[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1394314438' post='2390288']
I'll remember that if I ever choose to sell it! Likely to be a long term keeper though, it's brilliant and for once my drummer actually noticed and complimented my new amp choice! Ashdown got this one dead right I think.
[/quote]

'Tis true I was counting my pennies when that thread was going, just had other things on the boil at the time.

I'm glad your enjoying it :)

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[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1394312683' post='2390270']
8 KT88's may sound sexy, but I'd just be thinking about the £300 re-valve. I sometimes have sleepless nights about the 6 in my SVT.
[/quote]

Is the anti-Nexus vibe about the cost of re-valving? Do you have first hand experience of it? Does it sound fab or rubbish? Is it handmade in the UK?

I've no idea of the answers to those questions, just interested in some (reasonably) objective opinion without getting slapped down.

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