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Laney DIGBETH DB500H
- Thread starter CAILLOUX
- Start date
Article on MusicRadar.
"...... There is a volume control for the FET preamp gain, plus Tube Drive and Tube Volume for the tube-driven preamp, and if you pull on the latter control you can mix the FET and Tube sections together. Both of these sections are footswitchable. This set up is reprised on the more compact DB200H, but the 3-band EQ is replaced by a selectable mids and a single EQ control."
"...... There is a volume control for the FET preamp gain, plus Tube Drive and Tube Volume for the tube-driven preamp, and if you pull on the latter control you can mix the FET and Tube sections together. Both of these sections are footswitchable. This set up is reprised on the more compact DB200H, but the 3-band EQ is replaced by a selectable mids and a single EQ control."
I haven't seen Laney mentioned in quite some time but this 500 watt head and DBV410-4 vertical 410 cab looks like it would be a sweet setup. I like that the amp is FET/Tube selectable and has headphone out/aux in. The EQ controls have a pretty wide range of tones on tap.
Is this a class D or class AB head? There is an FCC class B digital device compliance reference in the manual and a sizeable rear heat vent.
This link has a demo video:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
DB500H Specifications
https://manuals.laney.co.uk/DIGBETH-RANGE_Manual_ML.pdf
Is this a class D or class AB head? There is an FCC class B digital device compliance reference in the manual and a sizeable rear heat vent.
This link has a demo video:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
DB500H Specifications
- 500 Watts
- 2 Channels
- Folding Tilt ‘EQ Seesaw’ Function
- Fet & Tube Preamps Sections – Footswitchable
- Mixable Fet & Tube Pre Amps Sections
- Tube Drive & Volume
- Fet Volume
- 3 Band EQ
- Selectable Mid Pre-Shape EQ Curves with Level
- FX-Loop
- Ground Lift
- AUX In with Level
- Phones Out with Vol
- XLR Balanced DI Out Pre/Post Selectable
- Combi Socket (Speakon Compatible Twist Lock and 6.3mm Jack)
- Tuner Out
- Footswitch Socket
- H: 205mm x W: 420mm x D: 220mm
- Weight: 7.1kg
- 600 Watts
- 4 x 10" HH Black Label Ceramic Drivers
- 1 x LaVoce DF10 Compression Driver
- Compression Driver On/Off
- Compression Driver Full/Half
- 4 Ohms
- Combi Socket (Speakon Compatible Twist Lock and 6.3mm Jack)
- Side Mounted Metal Grab Handles
- H: 910mm x W: 500mm x D: 390mm
- Weight: 32.7kg
https://manuals.laney.co.uk/DIGBETH-RANGE_Manual_ML.pdf
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Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Class B means that the equipment is meant for residential use, and not for a business or industry. This has to do with potential radio frequency radiation that the amp might produce. I actually think it would be considered "digital" by their definition if it uses a switched power supply, regardless what class amplifier it is.
It's true Laney doesn't get much visibility here in the US. They don't advertise at all and I've never seen any of their equipment in the flesh.
Where's that thread for the guy who wanted old school aesthetics for his equipment? This would certainly check that box.
It's true Laney doesn't get much visibility here in the US. They don't advertise at all and I've never seen any of their equipment in the flesh.
Where's that thread for the guy who wanted old school aesthetics for his equipment? This would certainly check that box.
At 7.1kg (15.6lb) the head doesn’t scream lightweight Class D. It feels more akin to the Orange Class A/B heads (weight wise anyway).
I have to say after watching the Andertons demo I am rather intrigued. That DBV-410 is really ticking some boxes for me. Form factor of a vertical 2x12 but with 4 ceramic speakers. It’s like a mini fridge
I’ll definitely be checking them out when they arrive in Australia. It could possibly be the “light weight” head I’ve been looking for.
I have to say after watching the Andertons demo I am rather intrigued. That DBV-410 is really ticking some boxes for me. Form factor of a vertical 2x12 but with 4 ceramic speakers. It’s like a mini fridge
I’ll definitely be checking them out when they arrive in Australia. It could possibly be the “light weight” head I’ve been looking for.
Also yes the old school aesthetics tick a lot of boxes for me.
According to the response on social media it if Class D however they also said there were no tubes in it which makes me question what the heck the tube pre section is about…
They originally started doing the "EQ Tilt" on the Nexus SL head (pictured below), which has been discontinued with the rollout of this new "Digbeth" series.
Personally, I think it is a really interesting feature, as it allows for a "quick-&-dirty" adjustment to suit the room conditions.
Nexus SL 1000W (2x500W) head-- newly-discontinued, but there might still be a few of these available on AMS\Zzounds:
I think the Nexus was a good-looking piece of gear, but I have to admit, I definitely have an affection for things that *look* old-school, but with modern functionality, and I think the new Digbeth certainly looks the part.
I think the classic Laney Supergroups are some of the classiest, most handsome guitar\bass amps of that era. The white piping, the salt-&-pepper grillcloth, the black-on-silver knobs-- just pure class and quality aesthetic!
Speaking of those black-on-silver knobs, Black Country Customs-- Laney's pedal brand-- is now making bass pedals, also very recently-released. From left to right, they are the "Custard Factory" Compressor, "The 85" Interval\Octave, and the "Blackheath" Distortion.
Actually, the description on their website is quite clear. There is one FET and one tube preamp, which are selectable. This is before the Class D power amplification section. No tubes in the power section.
In their live demo they mention 'Tube Emulation'. Nowhere on the specs is a tube listed nor on the circuit diagram.
On their social media account the question was "What is the power section and is there a tube in the pre" and the answer was "Class D, no tubes" which admittedly could be taken either way. Seems very hard to find out what is actually going on in this amp.
KEY FEATURES
- 500 Watts RMS
- FET & TUBE pre amp sections - footswitchable
- Mixable FET & TUBE pre amp sections
- 3 band EQ
- Selectable MID pre-shape EQ curves
- TILT 'EQ Seesaw' function
- XLR Balanced DI out Pre/Post selectable
- 6.35mm phones out with level control
- 3.5mm stereo Aux IN - with level
- FX loop
- Tuner out
- Combi Socket (Speakon Compatible twist lock and 6.3mm Jack)
- Ground Lift
- Remote footswitch socket
- 2 channels
- FET Volume
Yeah dude, I am aware of the write up.
What tube is it? Why isn't it listed in the specs (e.g. 12ax7/12at7)? Or the block diagram in the manual?
Listen at around the 8:24 mark
All I am saying is that there is a potential of marketing hype happening here as there seems to be some lack of forthcoming details. The only reason I am taking this to heart is that I was very interested in this amp until I hit the wall with spec info.
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Confirmed by Laney. No tubes in this amp whatsoever. It is a tube emulated overdrive circuit.
Despite my annoyance at their use of “tube preamp” as marketing hype I’m still interested. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Did you get a cab as well?
I did only order the head. I do own too many cabs by now 
But if I like the head, a cab might follow. I am searching for a lightweight cab that is able to sound like a heavy one. Usually I end up with my old (!!) trace 410 that I think is (one of) the best built cab(s) ever, at least at this period on earth :-D The thing that sounds promissing to me is the fact, that the Laney cab is NOT a lightweight cab 
One's heaven is another mans hell...
But if I like the head, a cab might follow. I am searching for a lightweight cab that is able to sound like a heavy one. Usually I end up with my old (!!) trace 410 that I think is (one of) the best built cab(s) ever, at least at this period on earth :-D The thing that sounds promissing to me is the fact, that the Laney cab is NOT a lightweight cab One's heaven is another mans hell...
