Laney VC 30 112 tubes

hey guys, i have got me a Laney VC 30 112 tube amp, it comes with a 'preimium' ECC83 pre amp, and some Premium EL84's.
I mean she sounds nice, but iknow she can sound better. What would be the way to go from here, some JJ tubes?? Also thinking about some groove tubes aswell. Money isnt really an issue with tubes.

Anyone?

What Speakers does it have?
A change to Alnico blues or greenbacks or other good celestion speakers would improve the sound.
Pre amp tubes i like are Electro Harmonix and good EL-84's are Ei Elites

Yea I know laney stuff, and i would say a speaker change might give you what you need.

yeah, just one 12 inch speaker, doesnt really say what it is


Originally Posted by viewaskew2k5yeah, just one 12 inch speaker, doesnt really say what it isIt is likely a Hamp;H speaker, if it is anything but the latest VC30. This speaker was too muddy in my LC30II, but may be ok to you.

You have to stay away from Yugoslavian (Ei), power tubes in Laney's (EL84 amps). The pins just don't work in Laney's, you would need to rewire the tube sockets.

I have JJ EL84's in both my Laney combo's. There are lots of tubes that will work in the pre.

I have an Eminence Screamin Eagle in my LC30II, still testing the tubes options. In my LC15, I have an Eminence Ramrod. The Screamin Eagle is bright, as the LC30II is pretty dark, and the Ramrod adds bass to the LC15.

Yeah, im thinking the Groove Tubes, then replace the speaker would probably be my best option.

I had one for a little while....put in a G12H30 amp; Ei's all around amp; it sounded GREAT!!!

I find the JJ EL84s to be a little generic: not bad, but nothing special. For about the same price, cheaper locally, the Ei's are nice

OH....and another plug for the MOJO British Vintage speakers. Their 12H30 clone ROCKS, is cheaper than Celestion, amp; is 100% Made in the USA!

You have to stay away from Yugoslavian (Ei), power tubes in Laney's (EL84 amps). The pins just don't work in Laney's, you would need to rewire the tube sockets.

I only suggested this because they improved the sound of my dad's VOX AC30 I didn't know they wouldn't fit laney's (bummer now what am i gonna but in my laney when i get it)

don't get groove tubes (they r just more expensive relabelled tubes)


Originally Posted by James RockI only suggested this because they improved the sound of my dad's VOX AC30 I didn't know they wouldn't fit laney's (bummer now what am i gonna but in my laney when i get it)Sovtek's, JJ's, EH.

You can also have the pinouts modded. There is some information out there on the net if you look.

I'm thinkin about getting tube doctor tubes now, since they have been getting some good reviews, as well as the JJ's and Eli'S


Originally Posted by wixedmordsYou have to stay away from Yugoslavian (Ei), power tubes in Laney's (EL84 amps). The pins just don't work in Laney's, you would need to rewire the tube sockets.I just read this part of your post....I used Ei's in the VC30 I had amp; they sounded great...no problems amp; no rewiring????!!!!


Originally Posted by PUCKBOY99I just read this part of your post....I used Ei's in the VC30 I had amp; they sounded great...no problems amp; no rewiring????!!!!

It's a known issue in VC30's and it occured in my LC15.

A close friend/tech/amp builder tried Ei EL84's in my LC15 and the bias was off the map, so he turned off the amp. He looked into the situation, and found it is a known issue. It appears as though some of the pins in the sockets aren't connected, really setup for Russian tubes. There is more on the web, if you look.

That being said, I do not know if this happens in certain year amps and in what EL84 powered models. I do know it happened in my LC15 and appears to happen in VC30 to some extent.

Here are some links.
from : localhost/groups.google.com/group/alt.g...2b43d98e4b72fd

from : localhost/

Do a search on the page for Ei tubes.

I also have an LC30II, and have never tried Ei tubes in it.

sounds dangerous!

Looks like Yugoslavia not only made the worst cars of all time, their tubes are also outta whack!

Oh, I wasn't dissing Ei tubes. Their tubes are fine.

I also wanted to post this for those who don't check the bias in cathode biased amps.

If you are a quot;plug n' playerquot;, and don't check your bias, it may be off the map.

You may not be able to adjust the bias easily, but...

Always check the bias in everything.

That's really interesting stuff...thanks!

Granted, I didn't have the amp very long...traded it for a guitar...it sounded great with the speaker upgrade amp; the Ei tubes. I have the Ei's in my Mesa Blue Angel amp; they sound great in there too.

Who knows, but the price difference in the tubes isn't worth screwing your amp. Check with The Tube Doctor or Mike with KCA NOS Tubes. I'm sure they'll steer ya' in the right direction!

It is interesting yours worked PB. That tells me that it isn't all the EL84 amps.

Was yours brand new? Do you think it could have been modded?

No, I got it in a trade amp; I couldn't tell ya' if it was modded.

When I first got it, I took it to a local tech to give it a good going over...as I've done with all my used tube amps, especially if they're shipped ....I don't recall him doing anything major other than checking the bias amp; throwing some new fuses in it.

It's weird that it worked at all after reading that...I doubt Laney changed anything, but ya' never know.

Thanks for those links...cool reads. The learning never ends!

Hey, I'm wonderring if maybe the model or year Ei tube matters?

The ones I have are the Ei Elites....