I just bought both. I like how they both sound on my les Paul classic and fender strat ultra. Both good for carrying around and practice. Better then trying to carry around a Marshall plexy head and cab.
Thank you for this, man. I've been considering an AC15 vs. a Cub 12 and while these aren't the exact same, it gives me a general side-by-side guideline.
Just a heads up to folks watching this video, the vid is 7 years old and Laney released a much better version called Cub *Super* 10, the overdrive sounds much better in the newer version of the Cub, it's one of my fav amps...the Box isn't bad either, but the new Cub has more warmth like this one does but with a more boutique-ish vibe and a great roaring OD....so check that version of the Cub out before you decide against Laney!!
Very good comparison and review of these useful little amps. Off this I got the box and am very pleased with it but you need pedals to get the best out of it.
I think the Laney Club blows the doors off the Vox, it sounds muddy and tinny compared to the Club. but the Laney Club 12 is a huge step up for a small fee, if you want to step up on the Vox your goung to be spending 2 to 3 times what the Laney cost
I'm planning to buy the super cub 10, haven't tried it yet. Just not sure if it has good clean tones. Planning to buy my first tube amp for practice at home.
Both are great, IMHO, but not really comparable. The Laney is great in the way a Fender Champ is; you wouldn't want to play certain things through it, but then again, a good part of "Layla and other assorted" was recorded with a Champ. Like you summed up: boxy-vs-voxy lol!
Vox is awesome! I don't understand why people get so hung up on the bass? The only time bass is of any consideration when it comes to guitar amps - is for the home player. Now you may say - hey this is a 4 watt amplifier, what else is good for? But still, in general darker tones, bassier tones are for the home player that wishes to fill a wider spectrum. In the context of a band or in a recording mix - bass is absolutely useless, you will lost once you have a drummer and a bassist. It's just a fact of life, the kind of guitar tone that gets you heard in a band - may not what you like to hear jamming by yourself. So if you have a P.A. where you play - lack of bass is not an issue. The guy at the mixing board is going to remove all that low end stuff anyways - he will reserve it for the bassist and kick drum.
Everyone likes what they like, if you like the way it sounds then it is perfect, After you buy it you will in my case always find something more perfect. upgrade junkie.
I'll have to agree but then too a guitar without low end is like a bass without top end.... Where the bass without top end lack definition, a guitar without low end lacks body and girth and will sound very thin and weak despite volume.
In my opinion, the AC4-BL Is the best sounding of all the Vox AC4 amps. With that said, there’s just something about Vox treble that I find very fatiguing of the ears. Ant time I play one, it doesn’t take long for that piercing treble to really start annoying me. I could never dial it out, it’s either there slightly more or less, or just too dark. I could never dial in the happy medium tone I was looking for. Now in 2019 however, Supro has came out with a great tube amp for home practice/Jams. The Supro Blues King 8. A fantastic little 1x8” combo that sounds HUGE for a 1 watt 8” combo. Check it out..... thanks for sharing this video, great job. Of the 2 I think the Laney is the winner. Again, just my humble opinion.
Use an EQ pedal. A must have on any pedal board. People spend a fortune changing speakers and tubes, when a $50 eq pedal might be the answer of dialing in the tone they want.
Great demo. I like both. I just got a Vox pf 10 solid state. I really liked, a lot of range, never fuzzy, clean also overdrive gently, that’s my setting right now. Balanced and great trebles and basses. I use very little the treble (1-2), still adjusting bass (2-3 now). So, I got treble in excess, maybe the Laney will work nice, also. I had to be pretty sure of what I looking for my tone before getting the valve real thing. I like the Vox live, I’m thinking about Orange since a like it (how overdrives) on videos (I got the little Vox ‘cos store hadn’t Crush 20), and my third option, also by videos is the Laney IRT Studio. Any suggestions? I don’t like Marshalls, I like Fender but not this time.
I think the best is try it out on your local music store. By videos just let you have the icing of the cake taste. Bring your guitar/pedals to try out how it behaves. Your ears are the best judge =)
Computer Simulated Atomic Coded Reality the Cub10 doesn’t have a powerful drive - it is mostly a clean amp. It can emulate American tones very well with its 6v6 tubes. If you want a very good all-around amp that can give you those glassy cleans and as well as that warm, creamy tube drive then the Laney Cub12/Cub12R is the answer.
I was looking at both of these amps as I need something that doesn't piss off the neighbors, then I found the Palmer Fab 5 which blows these Asian made amps out of the water. Same price class but the build quality (made in Germany) and tone was far, far superior. But as always, ask 5 guitar players get 6 answers. Everything is subjective to personal taste.
I'm impressed with the ac4c1 with the 10" speaker. Often amps with that little wattage aren't that great although some are. I've played vintage tweed Champs and didn't care for them, but the blackface and sf versions are very good.
Low wattage amps through large extension cabs are awesome, I run a '74 champ through a 2x12 and it blows my blues jr. and ac10 out of the water as far as pure tone goes
@Tariq Khan Cub12 has character of an all tube Marshall, but cub 10 has character of BJ. This is a good comparison shows how Vox lacks bass and chime but Laney is really balanced.
***** I have the CUB 10 as well as a green board Fender BJ. They really are not similar at all. The CUB 10 is more like a low gain Fender tweed. And with some new tubes and an Eminence Legend in it, it's a GREAT sounding amp. The BJ has always a decent amp but after getting the CUB I rarely play it. The BJ has this midrange thing going on which really gets to me after a point. Oh and the CUB 10 puts out 12W RMS (not 10 as most people believe) and with an efficient speaker like the Legend 1058 it can be as loud as the BJ. In fact, because of it's tone stack, I've found the CUB to have more clean headroom than the BJ.
***** I was only comparing the CUB 10 and the Fender Blues Junior. I've never played the VOX AC4. Sounds quite nice here though. I would be very interested to here the VOX and CUB in stereo.
Both fantastic amps but very different sounding, vox is chimier, laney tighter and growls more, i paid 100 us for the laney used, best amp purchase i made
the best overdriven tone obtained with the vox isn't by turning up the gain knob bro', try the gain between 11 and 1 o clock and master at least at 1 o clock too.
If the speaker is capable of delivering the higher wattage too - yes. Lets say the speaker is marked 30w, 15watt amp will be louder than 1 watt through it. But not like 15 times louder. 2-2,5 times louder
I am not a fan of vox. they just don't handle overdrive will. if you love bright and clean great. soon as you hit the pedal its ice picky. fender gives you bright tones but handles pedals bette imho
They both sound great yes the Vox is slightly better as it should be its more money and has a better speaker, if you put a eminence or celestion speaker in the Laney it would scream then you are at about the same money. Thinline sounds great is that mahogany or ash body ? Sounds good take care. Oh the stage right 5 or 15 w/ reverb all valve amp is insane and less $$ than both these !
Hi bro, tanong ko lang, ano mas ok kung gagamitan ng pedals (od, dist), hanap kasi ako ng may tube na amp, dami kong choices as of now like the Vox AV15, Vox Vt40x, Orange Micro Terror, Ac4cl bl and Cub 10. salamat
+arbitermatt i guess a better comparison? Not knocking anything. I've just seen some good sounding recordings and didn't know how this was recorded. I'll try to find another one that sounds better.
+Boltjolt hey buddy, i used my old iphone 4 to record this. Just to let u hear what a naked ears will be hearing. Again, compression and mic clipping is definetely present. If u asked me what i'll go with the Laney Cub 10
are you presenting the comparison for yourself or the viewers? how can the viewers know whats the real difference if your camera is nearer to the vox? next time get a mic for both.
The Vox sounds brittle to my ears. It comes down to 6V6 vs EL84 output tubes. My ears love the creamy midrange of 6V6s, plus they're a tad louder, tube for tube, depending of course on the OT.
i saw a newer video of 6 tube vintage amps review. both sounded warmer and much better. heon this video the sound is cold. except when he plays metal.. better check the other video.. there you can see how amazing all the tube vintage amps do sound.
I've had the Laney Cub 10 for 4 years, great amp workhorse.
Vox all the way for me too. Clear, great chime, no harsh, more natural and "open" overdrive.
I just bought both. I like how they both sound on my les Paul classic and fender strat ultra. Both good for carrying around and practice. Better then trying to carry around a Marshall plexy head and cab.
Thank you for this, man. I've been considering an AC15 vs. a Cub 12 and while these aren't the exact same, it gives me a general side-by-side guideline.
+Tariq Khan I understand the 12 and 10 are totally different tube sets, etc. A lot of the gearheads have a strong preference for the 10.
+David Greenspoon i have to agree with you. Tested cub 12 vs 10 and went home with the 10
+Richter Fabro what made the difference for you?
Definitely Laney very warm and great clean and dirty also a Nice good looking amp
Just a heads up to folks watching this video, the vid is 7 years old and Laney released a much better version called Cub *Super* 10, the overdrive sounds much better in the newer version of the Cub, it's one of my fav amps...the Box isn't bad either, but the new Cub has more warmth like this one does but with a more boutique-ish vibe and a great roaring OD....so check that version of the Cub out before you decide against Laney!!
Very good comparison and review of these useful little amps. Off this I got the box and am very pleased with it but you need pedals to get the best out of it.
tenodogblu Pedals works much much better on laney Cub 10 rather than the Vox for its Clean headroom. the vox has very little headroom
Thank you Rich, my buddy has a Laney and so can test out your advice, take care,
what if you run them together?
I think the Laney Club blows the doors off the Vox, it sounds muddy and tinny compared to the Club. but the Laney Club 12 is a huge step up for a small fee, if you want to step up on the Vox your goung to be spending 2 to 3 times what the Laney cost
I think the Laney Cub 12R could be the answer
Vox all the way (and I own, and like, a Laney....)
I'm planning to buy the super cub 10, haven't tried it yet. Just not sure if it has good clean tones. Planning to buy my first tube amp for practice at home.
ac4 c1-12 or a Cub 12R whit creenback both used for the same price. wich one showl i pick? ;'3 already hasve a 80's JC120
Both are great, IMHO, but not really comparable. The Laney is great in the way a Fender Champ is; you wouldn't want to play certain things through it, but then again, a good part of "Layla and other assorted" was recorded with a Champ. Like you summed up: boxy-vs-voxy lol!
Vox is awesome! I don't understand why people get so hung up on the bass? The only time bass is of any consideration when it comes to guitar amps - is for the home player. Now you may say - hey this is a 4 watt amplifier, what else is good for? But still, in general darker tones, bassier tones are for the home player that wishes to fill a wider spectrum. In the context of a band or in a recording mix - bass is absolutely useless, you will lost once you have a drummer and a bassist. It's just a fact of life, the kind of guitar tone that gets you heard in a band - may not what you like to hear jamming by yourself. So if you have a P.A. where you play - lack of bass is not an issue. The guy at the mixing board is going to remove all that low end stuff anyways - he will reserve it for the bassist and kick drum.
Laney, isn't a bad little amp - I own the AC4, it's a great little amp.
You are absolutely right.
Everyone likes what they like, if you like the way it sounds then it is perfect, After you buy it you will in my case always find something more perfect. upgrade junkie.
I'll have to agree but then too a guitar without low end is like a bass without top end.... Where the bass without top end lack definition, a guitar without low end lacks body and girth and will sound very thin and weak despite volume.
A guitar needs mids, not bass. Look at the tubescreamer that guitarists use for leads - that things cuts off a bunch of bass and puts in a mid push.
In my opinion, the AC4-BL Is the best sounding of all the Vox AC4 amps. With that said, there’s just something about Vox treble that I find very fatiguing of the ears. Ant time I play one, it doesn’t take long for that piercing treble to really start annoying me. I could never dial it out, it’s either there slightly more or less, or just too dark. I could never dial in the happy medium tone I was looking for. Now in 2019 however, Supro has came out with a great tube amp for home practice/Jams. The Supro Blues King 8. A fantastic little 1x8” combo that sounds HUGE for a 1 watt 8” combo. Check it out.....
thanks for sharing this video, great job. Of the 2 I think the Laney is the winner. Again, just my humble opinion.
Use an EQ pedal. A must have on any pedal board. People spend a fortune changing speakers and tubes, when a $50 eq pedal might be the answer of dialing in the tone they want.
i have a cub 10 ..like the sound alot it has a very noise buzz that no one seems to be able to fix..any ideas..You cub seems quiet
greg malcolm if you’re playing it with single coil pickups it will buzz quite a bit.
Great demo. I like both. I just got a Vox pf 10 solid state. I really liked, a lot of range, never fuzzy, clean also overdrive gently, that’s my setting right now. Balanced and great trebles and basses. I use very little the treble (1-2), still adjusting bass (2-3 now). So, I got treble in excess, maybe the Laney will work nice, also.
I had to be pretty sure of what I looking for my tone before getting the valve real thing.
I like the Vox live, I’m thinking about Orange since a like it (how overdrives) on videos (I got the little Vox ‘cos store hadn’t Crush 20), and my third option, also by videos is the Laney IRT Studio.
Any suggestions? I don’t like Marshalls, I like Fender but not this time.
I think the best is try it out on your local music store. By videos just let you have the icing of the cake taste. Bring your guitar/pedals to try out how it behaves. Your ears are the best judge =)
the Laney to me sounds more like a real amp much rounder sound but not as good overdrive as the vox
Computer Simulated Atomic Coded Reality the Cub10 doesn’t have a powerful drive - it is mostly a clean amp. It can emulate American tones very well with its 6v6 tubes. If you want a very good all-around amp that can give you those glassy cleans and as well as that warm, creamy tube drive then the Laney Cub12/Cub12R is the answer.
Laney Cub 12R is the answer.
eljefeguapobarbon yes it is it's true
There's been three times when I came across a Vox AC4-BL at a reasonable price and walked away every time. Still kicking myself.
I was looking at the laney 12 r and the fender super hamp
I was looking at both of these amps as I need something that doesn't piss off the neighbors, then I found the Palmer Fab 5 which blows these Asian made amps out of the water. Same price class but the build quality (made in Germany) and tone was far, far superior. But as always, ask 5 guitar players get 6 answers. Everything is subjective to personal taste.
I'm impressed with the ac4c1 with the 10" speaker. Often amps with that little wattage aren't that great although some are. I've played vintage tweed Champs and didn't care for them, but the blackface and sf versions are very good.
Low wattage amps through large extension cabs are awesome, I run a '74 champ through a 2x12 and it blows my blues jr. and ac10 out of the water as far as pure tone goes
@@jasondorsey7110 Do you have the cab at 4 ohms? That would be nice.
@@Sparky6string yea, 2 8ohm celestions wired in parallel
@@jasondorsey7110 GB128s?
@@Sparky6string g12h-80s for some chime
Laney wins Over the vox
Laney sound so much better to me. There's a nasty boxy scoop with the vox
What is the speaker in the Laney? Celestion tube 10 or HH?
All stock. U may check on their website. Cheers
+Ligtez It used to be a Celestion (mine is) but now it is the HH, according to the Laney website. BTW, the lo input offers a huge amount of headroom.
+David Greenspoon Exactly! I bought a Cub10 a few weeks (with HH like you say) and it is a fantastic amp. I am a very happy person now! :-D
@Tariq Khan
Cub12 has character of an all tube Marshall, but cub 10 has character of BJ. This is a good comparison shows how Vox lacks bass and chime but Laney is really balanced.
Yes i have to agree. The cub10 when it is played real loud.. the sound is huge from this small box
Richter Fabro You should check Fender superchamp XD or X2. I have a XD it is also really impressive.
***** I have the CUB 10 as well as a green board Fender BJ. They really are not similar at all. The CUB 10 is more like a low gain Fender tweed. And with some new tubes and an Eminence Legend in it, it's a GREAT sounding amp.
The BJ has always a decent amp but after getting the CUB I rarely play it. The BJ has this midrange thing going on which really gets to me after a point.
Oh and the CUB 10 puts out 12W RMS (not 10 as most people believe) and with an efficient speaker like the Legend 1058 it can be as loud as the BJ. In fact, because of it's tone stack, I've found the CUB to have more clean headroom than the BJ.
Soham Bhattacharya I agree, of course they are different but Vox is a different kind of monster and it is not for my taste.
***** I was only comparing the CUB 10 and the Fender Blues Junior. I've never played the VOX AC4. Sounds quite nice here though. I would be very interested to here the VOX and CUB in stereo.
Both fantastic amps but very different sounding, vox is chimier, laney tighter and growls more, i paid 100 us for the laney used, best amp purchase i made
yup bass in an amp is soooooo Kool. for persnell satisfaction
the best overdriven tone obtained with the vox isn't by turning up the gain knob bro', try the gain between 11 and 1 o clock and master at least at 1 o clock too.
Which is the best for 70's Crunch riffs ?
I was playing some 70s metal stuff with ac4c1
vox in a box, love it
The Laney jumped out with more mid range.
sounds good and bright for both . . i think more for the ac4c1 . . how did you mic them?
Why pay for fender twin reverb Laney has exact sound i tested them both vox good for rocker sound laney more warmer!!
Sorry I love the twin but the laney sounds much more than a princeton, but it does sound like a great fender
what mic(s) and how far? . . did you change the tubes?
Vox > Laney
does higher wattage make the speaker louder?
If the speaker is capable of delivering the higher wattage too - yes. Lets say the speaker is marked 30w, 15watt amp will be louder than 1 watt through it. But not like 15 times louder. 2-2,5 times louder
I am not a fan of vox. they just don't handle overdrive will. if you love bright and clean great. soon as you hit the pedal its ice picky. fender gives you bright tones but handles pedals bette imho
What guitar are you using?
Fender AVRI thinline 69
Vox ✌️🎶
In this case Laney wins, great balance bass treeble full valve an a 1x12 Celestion Grand Speaker l love it
Nothing is impossible
Definitely Laney.
vox win
you should get a commission from vox - you just sold me one !! lol
there's no mistake in term of tone
VirtualLife Laney = boxy, Vox = Voxy...
They both sound great yes the Vox is slightly better as it should be its more money and has a better speaker, if you put a eminence or celestion speaker in the Laney it would scream then you are at about the same money. Thinline sounds great is that mahogany or ash body ? Sounds good take care. Oh the stage right 5 or 15 w/ reverb all valve amp is insane and less $$ than both these !
Hi bro, tanong ko lang, ano mas ok kung gagamitan ng pedals (od, dist), hanap kasi ako ng may tube na amp, dami kong choices as of now like the Vox AV15, Vox Vt40x, Orange Micro Terror, Ac4cl bl and Cub 10. salamat
The Laney 10 is a better amp then the 12
Debatable.
The 10 has 2 6v6 output tube and the 12 has el84 . I like the 10 better , I play it in two 1 12" "lady luck " cabinets
I tried both at Thomann's and I agree.
Agree
I think they both sound very tinny. Not impressed with either.
+Boltjolt They're small, low wattage amplifiers recorded with a camcorder mic. What were you expecting?
+arbitermatt i guess a better comparison? Not knocking anything. I've just seen some good sounding recordings and didn't know how this was recorded. I'll try to find another one that sounds better.
+Boltjolt hey buddy, i used my old iphone 4 to record this. Just to let u hear what a naked ears will be hearing. Again, compression and mic clipping is definetely present.
If u asked me what i'll go with the Laney Cub 10
mic looks off axis 2 ft ish away ish for both-still a bite to both!
Both sound good IMO. Pick your poison.
are you presenting the comparison for yourself or the viewers? how can the viewers know whats the real difference if your camera is nearer to the vox? next time get a mic for both.
The vox sounds voxy.
El Vox! suena mejor y es valvular
The Vox sounds brittle to my ears. It comes down to 6V6 vs EL84 output tubes. My ears love the creamy midrange of 6V6s, plus they're a tad louder, tube for tube, depending of course on the OT.
i saw a newer video of 6 tube vintage amps review. both sounded warmer and much better. heon this video the sound is cold. except when he plays metal.. better check the other video.. there you can see how amazing all the tube vintage amps do sound.
That’s why I love Vox. I love that brittle chime and how they scream with more gain. Magical
Love Laney