1990 Laney Pro Tube AOR 50 Series II

Overview

I purchased this amp after reading some great reviews which conveyed it as a budget JCM800-style amp, but with more gain and EQ flexibility. While I did love this amp, that’s not really how I would describe it now. It was much darker, with a looser low end, and in the “AOR” channel (high gain) it was borderline fuzzy, except when the bright switch was pulled out which could easily make it overly bright. Both the main channel and the AOR channel can be accessed via footswitch, or by pulling the preamp volume (gain) control on the front panel, and they both share a 3-band EQ as well as master presence. It also has an effects loop and in addition to the pull-brights (for either channel), it has a deep mode (pull bass) and mid boost (pull middle control) which expands its range quite a bit. I found some of my best tones were with the bass set low, but pulled out, and the bright switch on but treble and presence set lower on the AOR channel. It’s definitely a high gain amp, but the best way I’ve heard it described is “a high gain amp for 1988.” I sold this amp but wish I still had it, especially since prices have gotten quite high - I would love to compare it to my ENGL Straight 100 which sounds kind of how I remember this Laney - which makes sense, similar amp goals designed around the same time.