Laney R5 - opinions, please?

[Paul S]

Further to my last post about upgrading, somewhere down the list there, I've been Googling away and found an advert for a second hand Laney R5 plus extension 15" cab, for £225 - so not too much of a stretch of my meagre budget and within a reasonable travelling distance too.

Are these good? They seem cheap to buy new so what is the catch with them?

Thanks.

[rikki]

[quote name='Paul S' post='350469' date='Dec 10 2008, 10:44 AM']Further to my last post about upgrading, somewhere down the list there, I've been Googling away and found an advert for a second hand Laney R5 plus extension 15" cab, for £225 - so not too much of a stretch of my meagre budget and within a reasonable travelling distance too.

Are these good? They seem cheap to buy new so what is the catch with them?

Thanks.[/quote]

I've got this setup as a backup and practice rig, I have been thinking of selling it but the market is dead so didn't think I would get that much for it so haven't bothered advertising it.
The R5 was replaced by the RB-7, the only difference I can see is the R5 has a hard plastic covering that seems to be easily scraped, the RB7 has a carpet covering and different handle arrangement.
On its own the R5 will give around 200W through its 2x10s, with the R115 its power goes up to 300W
Its actually quite compact for a 2x10 and not too heavy, the kick back design is also handy if you want to just use it as an on-stage monitor

Soundwise - although the R5 has a hf horn it has no real punch, also without the R115 it doesnt have a great bottom end, a very mid-range sound, having said that people have actually positively commented to me about its sound so it obviously isn't bad.

They are cheap because they are a budget brand built to a budget price,

They are ok at the right price but you need to try one to see if the sound is what you are looking for

[Sibob]

I've got an R1 (120w-1x10) as a practice amp, I know its not the same but its in the same line so I assume similar components to a point!
I've found that mine sounds great at low volumes, practice volumes. But when I've taken it to a gig, a chilled acoustic, not playing over a band but still needing more volume than 'practice', the tone seems to be a bit lacking.

Conclusion:
Sounds great at low volumes, doesn't really cut it turned up!

But then the R5 is a much bigger amp, although I will say there's a reason why not many gigging players use Laney.
But if you're in a 'beggers can't be choosers' situation, go for it, ideally you should try it at a gig first.
If you're in no rush, and you're not sure, save up for something else perhaps.

Good luck
Si

Edited December 12, 2008 by Sibob

[Paul S]

Thanks for the replies, chaps.

I talked myself out of it (actually my wife talked me out of it) and went to the local PMT music store to get an Ashdown combo. I intended to get the MAG C115-300 EVO II Combo but, playing that alongside the 210, preferred the 210 sound. My wallet and lower back fluttered at the decision, though.