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Author Topic:  Should I buy this amp?
Ken Greene

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 7 Jun 2013 10:32 am    
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Been looking for something that might be suitable for playing out, just in case I ever get good enough playing steel. I play guitar, and I remember running across these Lab Series amps years ago. I thought they sounded pretty good for solid-state, plus this one has an original EV speaker, and there's even a built-in compressor. The guy wants me to make an offer.
I'd like to hear from anyone who's used one of these, and what do you think about them. Also, do you think $300 is a reasonable price to offer?
Thanks. Ken G

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Chris Boyd

 

From:
Leonia,N.J./Charlestown,R.I.
Post  Posted 7 Jun 2013 12:01 pm    
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I used to see/hear these on the road in the late 70's and always thought they sounded amazing for solid state amps... For $275-300.00 I'd take a chance and see how you like it..the EV is worth more than half the price alone...
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Johnie Helms


From:
Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 7 Jun 2013 12:19 pm    
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Hey Ken,

As I replied to Mark in a previous post.

I have an L-9 and really like it for a double duty
amplifier. I don't know of another SS amp that sounds as close to a tube amp as these.IMHO.
Or weighs as much either. Ha.!
But,100watts and really loud.!!

I've seen the L-5's and L9's go for between 375-500



Johnie
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Norm Fletcher


From:
Ashland, OR
Post  Posted 7 Jun 2013 7:23 pm     L-9
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I used to own one and played it on the road. Worked OK. Can't say it was a Session 400, but it served me well.
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Williams 700 E9th/B6. 1978 Webb 6-14. Taylor Acoustic, 1973 Ramirez Segovia 1a, Brian Moore iGuitar with synth driver and, my standby for acoustic gigs, a little Roland Acoustic amp.
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 8 Jun 2013 5:06 am    
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As long as it's working good, I'd put the value in the same area...$275-$350. These amps are somewhat scarce because they were priced ridiculously high when they were new, but the current values indicate they were really nothing special.
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chas smith R.I.P.


From:
Encino, CA, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jun 2013 11:53 am    
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The speaker is worth $200.
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Ken Greene

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jun 2013 4:29 pm    
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Thank you all for the response, and the input. As happens, I did make the offer of $300 which was accepted. I've had a chance to demo the amp, and it sounds pretty darn good, notwithstanding a few crackles and pops. It needs some cleaning up and a good going-through, but everything works and the speaker seems in fine shape. I'll say this amp has a surprising amount of presence for a solid-state amp. Never really cared much for the Peavey sound, and tube amps seem to be expensive and require a lot of maintenance. I'll report on this amp further as I test it out. Thanks again!
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John Billings


From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 9 Jun 2013 12:01 pm    
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Wonderful-sounding amps, that don't sound like they're solid state. Was really bummed when I got my Vegas, as, sound-wise, there was no comparison. Lab sounded like tubes, Vegas sounded as if it had been emasculated, sterile.
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Rich Peterson


From:
Moorhead, MN
Post  Posted 13 Jun 2013 9:31 am    
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If the compressor/limiter is working properly, It makes the amp "feel" like tubes. $300 was a great deal. I wish I could find one.
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