Lab Series L9 amp

Steve Spitz · From: New Orleans, LA, USA

Anyone ever try one of these for steel ? I found one , looks like 70`s with a 15" eminence speaker and 100 watts of solid state horsepower. Two channels with reverb on one. The control panel looks like similar config to master volume twin , knob for knob. I might drag my steel over to check it out, unlikely it would have flown below radar from steel players if it was a good choice. Anybody ??

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

I have a buddy who plays guitar through a pair of 'em. They sound very "tube-esque". Never tried my steel though it, though.

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Used one for several years with my Shobud. I sold it when I bought a Vegas. To my ears, it sounded much better than the Peavey. Regretted selling it! And, it did have a kinda "tubular" sound. I have a friend who worked at TNN, even before the network started broadcasting. TNN put in a huge order with Peavey, and my buddy sorta snuck my amp into the order. Got it for a fabulous price, but without ever hearing it. I sold the Lab just before receiving the Vegas, so I bought the Peavey without ever having heard it. Mistake! Not that Peavey amps aren't great amps, just not my sound. I'm back to a Twin now. But I thought the Lab sounded very good, and it had plenty of power for me.

Mike Neer · From: NJ

I currently use one for guitar and steel. I have a JBL D-130F in it and I think it sounds great. Takes a bunch of tweaking the knobs to get the right tone for me, but it's in there. Really like the way the amp responds. I always leave the compressor off.
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John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Eggs Ackley Mike!

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

I really liked the compressor on my Lab L-5 which I played steel thru from the late 70's up till 1990 when I got a Session 400. What I liked about the compressor circuit was not only could you turn it on or off, but you could also vary the amount of compression. Just a switch and one knob. If that circuit was on the Fender Steel King it would eliminate the bottom end crap-out syndrome.

Mike Neer · From: NJ

I like the compressor, too, but with it engaged, I always find myself reaching for knobs all night long. I love compression and I've owned a few great pieces of outboard gear, but on the bandstand that particular Lab Series circuit gets in my way. I really like to hear strong attack.

All in all, it's a great amp. I bought mine for $150 from a retailer and swapped the speaker. In fact, I'm going to get it out now and fool around with it.

I love tube amps, but I find myself wanting to move away from the troubles associated with them. I always keep a Gallien Krueger 400 RBIII head in my trunk in the likely event that my Showman has a tube short out, which has happened 3 times this year. Tubes--they don't make them anywhere near what they used to.
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Dave Ristrim · From: Whites Creek, TN

I've been trying to sell mine. I just don't use it any more. $325 plus shipping. It has the EV 15 from the factory.
Dave

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Someone should jump on Dave's. I almost did as a spare, but other things came up.
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Stephan Miller · From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

Tom Morrell used one for years, recording much of "How the West Was Swung" with a Lab Series amp w/ 4 10" speakers.

Alan Rudd · From: Ardmore, Oklahoma

The first time I ever saw one of these amps in the 80's Smiley Weaver of Ada, Ok was playing steel through one. Sounded amazing. I found a Carvin amp similar to the L9 back in Okla. about a year ago and kick myself for not buying it. Only 60 watts, but had a JBL 15" in it. The tolex was black with sparkles. Dang it!!!!!! Next time buy it! Whoops! Talking to myself again...

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Mine had the JBL. Great amp. Again, it had a tubular quality to the sound. Not sterile like a Peavey.

Stephan Miller · From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

Alan, do you recall what model Carvin it was that you liked?

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

Wish I still had my L9. Good steel amp, GREAT guitar amp! Ray Flacke and Ricky Skaggs used to use 'em, and B.B. King used to---Don't know if he still does, or not.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

He still does. He had one last year when I saw him.

The only SS amps I've heard and liked were those Labs, Standels and one model of Carvin's that had a unique preamp that emulated a tube amp compression/saturation. I think it was the SX-100. I had one, but it was built so badly it was in the shop most of the time, just like every other piece of Carvin gear I've encountered (the only thing worse was my Crate Vintage Club 30 - absolutely fantastic AC-30 sound but a tin-foil chassis and appeared to be built by 5-year old retarded orangutans.).

I haven't seen a Lab for sale in So Cal for years. Everyone keeps them!
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Steve Spitz · From: New Orleans, LA, USA

Thanks for all the responses. Most of them seem positive. I am assuming all were speaking of the L9 model, 100 watt with 15" speaker. I`m gonna try it out. I have way too many amps as it is, it would have to be outstanding to replace my NV 112, Fox modded NV400,Webb,etc... But that never stopped me before.

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Sorry, wrong topic.......JH in Va.

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