Woody_in_MN
Coptic Orthodox Deacon
So instead of picking a Laney, I thought I would try one of the Monoprice 15W Tube Amps. I got this about a month ago. I am going to keep it. Here are thoughts so far.
THE GOOD: As far as I can see this is a clone of the Laney Cub 12r Combo. This includes the <1 Watt input. This feature sold me on the purchase. I had the Cub 12 head - not combo, but as far as I can see this is a clone of the laney. It is a very versatile amp. Besides the 3 common tone controls, it has an additional control marks "Tone". I think this changes the mid's curve. To the left gives a darker Marshall tone - to the right gets things brighter, closer to a Fender tone. Very nice cleans. Does really nice blues, classic rock, even gets to metal. Does a really nice Vox AC15 tone. I love the size of the combo. Light and small enough to grab and go. Very nice response to picking and strumming. Overall quality of very good.
THE BAD: The Celestion 80-70 is hmmm...so so. I swapped in a WGS ET65 the second day I had it. Maybe if I spent more time with the Celestion, I might have warmed up to it. As it is I can't comment much on the stock speaker. I know it is a personal thing, but I don't especially like the spring reverb. Sounds kind of tin-like to my ears. To get to a Marshhall tone, you probably need to put a pedal in the mix. The downside - I have no idea what resale will be like on these.
VERDICT: A keeper. Even with the stock speaker it does some nice cleans, and a very nice Vox tone. Got this for under $250. Monoprice often has sales going - so be patient and watch prices.
PICS:
MONOPRICE1 by Brian Kail, on Flickr
MONOPRICE2 by Brian Kail, on Flickr
MONOPRICE3 by Brian Kail, on Flickr
MONOPRICE4 by Brian Kail, on Flickr
MONOPRICE6 by Brian Kail, on Flickr
THE GOOD: As far as I can see this is a clone of the Laney Cub 12r Combo. This includes the <1 Watt input. This feature sold me on the purchase. I had the Cub 12 head - not combo, but as far as I can see this is a clone of the laney. It is a very versatile amp. Besides the 3 common tone controls, it has an additional control marks "Tone". I think this changes the mid's curve. To the left gives a darker Marshall tone - to the right gets things brighter, closer to a Fender tone. Very nice cleans. Does really nice blues, classic rock, even gets to metal. Does a really nice Vox AC15 tone. I love the size of the combo. Light and small enough to grab and go. Very nice response to picking and strumming. Overall quality of very good.
THE BAD: The Celestion 80-70 is hmmm...so so. I swapped in a WGS ET65 the second day I had it. Maybe if I spent more time with the Celestion, I might have warmed up to it. As it is I can't comment much on the stock speaker. I know it is a personal thing, but I don't especially like the spring reverb. Sounds kind of tin-like to my ears. To get to a Marshhall tone, you probably need to put a pedal in the mix. The downside - I have no idea what resale will be like on these.
VERDICT: A keeper. Even with the stock speaker it does some nice cleans, and a very nice Vox tone. Got this for under $250. Monoprice often has sales going - so be patient and watch prices.
PICS:
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/592/22677726985_251ddd9fe3_z.jpg)
![](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5693/22055002874_0b17126637_z.jpg)
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/634/22664201492_a5fdce658f_k.jpg)
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/761/22489808330_33aa040b35_h.jpg)
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/683/22677755535_41697ab8e1_h.jpg)