“These amps just breathe like a well-rounded tube amp, no matter what you throw at them”: Inside the making of Laney’s Foundry Range

Laney’s Foundry Series was developed – as the storied UK amp-maker’s CEO, James Laney, succinctly puts it – to provide “Everything you need, nothing you don’t”.

Inspired by the firm’s acclaimed tube amp ranges, like the Ironheart and Lionheart, the Foundry line keeps that core powerful, dynamic character and reforges them into feature-laden, portable and affordable builds.

“It’s not just about mimicking specific tones like some of the modeler amp products out there,” explains Laney design engineer James Morrell. “But replicating the truly dynamic interactive feel and touch sensitivity that makes a great tube amp so expressive and addictive to play.”

Power play

The Foundry’s tube-like response maps the natural compression and harmonics of real tubes being overdriven and comes hand in hand with a punchy power section that is equally tube-like, albeit without the price and weight…

“We settled on a potent 60-watt output because it gives you ample clean headroom,” says product manager, Simon Fraser-Clark.

“Everyone loves the clean tones of the tube Lionhearts, so we wanted to preserve that, whilst adding the potential for very hot lead tones too. 60 watts gives you plenty of power to gig with too.”

The Foundry Series also features a first for the Lionhearts, in the form of a built-in, footswitchable Boost – allowing you to push a clean tone into slight overdrive, or an overdriven tone into a searing lead.

All this power and drive requires a speaker section that can stand up to the task.

“We worked closely with the speaker gurus at HH Audio,” adds Fraser-Clark.”To design custom drivers that could authentically translate the nuances and harmonic complexity coming from the amps, just like a finely balanced tube amp into a quality cab would.”

Record

While it might pack the volume for live stages, the Lionheart Foundry line is equally at home recording. The LF60-112’s FX loop also doubles as a cabinet-emulated line out for recording and on the two Super60 models, you’ll find LA⋅IR impulse response technology to nail both a 1×12 and 4×12 cabinets.

These bespoke Built-In IRs allow you to send the perfect cabinet output option direct to the PA without the need to mic, all via the XLR DI OUT.

“Our team literally wheeled a Laney GS412 into the lab and captured it in our state-of-the-art IR rig,” explains Fraser-Clark.

“The amp circuitry itself captures the core voicing and signature of those all-tube Lionhearts. The IRs just enhance the tangible realism and three-dimensionality you’d expect from a great cab.”

Effects

A significant side benefit of the much-lauded Black Country Customs pedals coming out of Laney in recent years means the firm has been able to directly incorporate algorithms from its Secret Path reverb, Spiral Array chorus and Steelpark Boost.

Testing, testing…

Fraser-Clark is also the man tasked with testing the amps to the point of destruction.

“We have rigs specifically mocked up to push these amps to their limits across every usage scenario – home practice, direct recording, gigging through massive cab rigs, you name it,” says Fraser-Clark.

“You can instantly hear it when a solid-state design has the slightest bit of harshness or unnatural clipping. These amps just breathe and comp like a well-rounded tube amp, no matter what you throw at them.”

Laney LIONHEART Foundry LF60 112 | 60 Watt analogue combo – YouTube

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“These amps need to be able to handle gigs, rehearsals and recording and practice scenarios just as easily”, remarks Simon. “We also wanted to build in maximum flexibility and capture world-class Laney tone. While avoiding the hassles and maintenance of a tube amp”.

“These amps essentially allow you access to the primal rock tones and feel that made Laney legendary. Whilst also offering practical designs that just work incredibly well for creative players in any scenario. As James put it – they are everything you need and nothing you don’t”

For more information, head to Laney.