Should I buy this amp?

Ken Greene · Post by **Ken Greene** » 7 Jun 2013 10:32 am

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

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 7 Jun 2013 12:01 pm

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...

Johnie Helms · Post by **Johnie Helms** » 7 Jun 2013 12:19 pm

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

Norm Fletcher · Post by **Norm Fletcher** » 7 Jun 2013 7:23 pm

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.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 8 Jun 2013 5:06 am

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.

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 8 Jun 2013 11:53 am

The speaker is worth $200.

Ken Greene · Post by **Ken Greene** » 8 Jun 2013 4:29 pm

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!

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 9 Jun 2013 12:01 pm

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.

Rich Peterson · Post by **Rich Peterson** » 13 Jun 2013 9:31 am

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.