Laney Ironheart IRT60H Guitar Amplifier Head Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

Welcome to the Laney Ironheart IRT60H, a versatile and powerful all-tube 3-channel guitar amplifier head. Designed for modern guitarists, this 60W head delivers a wide range of tones from pristine cleans to aggressive high-gain crunch, all powered by 6L6 tubes. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, and maintaining your amplifier to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

2. Key Features

• 60 Watts of all-tube power.
• Three independent channels: Clean, Rhythm, and Lead.
• Footswitchable Pre-Boost for added gain.
• Push-Pull EQ pots on Rhythm and Lead channels for enhanced tone shaping.
• Dynamics control for power amp response.
• Digital Reverb.
• Vari-Watt control for achieving desired tone at any wattage level.
• FX Loop with bypass.
• Speaker emulated DI output.
• Auxiliary input.

3. Setup

Before connecting your Laney Ironheart IRT60H, ensure the amplifier is switched off and unplugged from the mains power. Always use high-quality instrument cables for optimal sound and to prevent signal loss.

3.1 Connecting to a Speaker Cabinet

The IRT60H requires connection to a suitable speaker cabinet. Ensure the speaker cabinet's impedance matches one of the amplifier's output jacks (4, 8, or 16 Ohms). Using an incorrect impedance can damage the amplifier.

1. Connect a speaker cable from the appropriate speaker output jack on the rear panel of the IRT60H to the input of your speaker cabinet.
2. Never operate the amplifier without a speaker load connected.

3.2 Connecting Your Guitar

1. Plug your guitar into the INPUT jack on the front panel using a standard instrument cable.

3.3 Power Connection

1. Connect the supplied mains power cable to the IEC socket on the rear panel and then to a suitable mains power outlet.

Figure 1: Front view of the Laney Ironheart IRT60H amplifier head, showcasing the control panel and the illuminated tubes through the mesh grille.

Figure 2: Front view of the Laney Ironheart IRT60H amplifier head, showing the control panel and the tubes without illumination.

4. Operating Controls (Front Panel)

The front panel of your IRT60H provides comprehensive control over your tone. Familiarize yourself with each control for optimal sound sculpting.

Figure 3: Detailed view of the Laney Ironheart IRT60H front panel controls, with channel indicator lights illuminated.

• INPUT: Connect your guitar here.
• ON/OFF Switch: Toggles the amplifier's main power.
• PRE-BOOST: Activates a pre-gain boost for increased saturation.
• CLEAN VOLUME: Controls the output level of the Clean channel.
• LEAD GAIN / RHYTHM GAIN: Adjusts the amount of overdrive/distortion for the Lead and Rhythm channels respectively.
• BASS (Pull Deep): Controls the low-frequency response. Pulling the knob activates a 'Deep' function for added low-end girth.
• MIDDLE (Pull Shift): Controls the mid-frequency response. Pulling the knob activates a 'Shift' function, altering the mid-frequency center for different tonal characteristics.
• TREBLE (Pull Shift): Controls the high-frequency response. Pulling the knob activates a 'Shift' function, altering the high-frequency center for different tonal characteristics.
• LEAD VOLUME / RHYTHM VOLUME: Controls the output level of the Lead and Rhythm channels respectively.
• DYNAMICS: Adjusts the power amp's response to your playing, from tight and punchy to loose and expressive.
• TONE: A global tone control that shapes the overall high-end response of the amplifier.
• REVERB: Controls the amount of digital reverb applied to the signal.
• WATTS: The Vari-Watt control allows you to reduce the amplifier's output power without sacrificing tone, ideal for lower volume playing.
• STANDBY: Places the amplifier in a low-power standby mode, preserving tube life during breaks.
• POWER: Main power switch for the amplifier.

5. Operating Controls (Rear Panel)

The rear panel houses various input/output connections for integrating your IRT60H into a larger setup or for recording.

Figure 4: Detailed view of the Laney Ironheart IRT60H rear panel, showing various input and output jacks.

• AUX IN: Stereo input for connecting external audio devices (e.g., MP3 player) for practice.
• FX LOOP (SEND/RETURN/BYPASS): Allows connection of external effects pedals or processors. The bypass switch enables or disables the loop.
• REMOTE: Connect the supplied FS4 footswitch here for remote control of channels and boost functions.
• LEVEL: Adjusts the output level of the speaker emulated DI.
• DI (XLR): Balanced XLR output with speaker emulation for direct connection to mixing consoles or recording interfaces.
• SPEAKERS (4, 8, 16 Ohms): Speaker output jacks. Always connect to a speaker cabinet with matching impedance.

6. Maintenance

Proper maintenance ensures the longevity and performance of your Laney Ironheart IRT60H amplifier.

6.1 General Care

• Keep the amplifier clean by wiping it with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or solvents.
• Ensure adequate ventilation around the amplifier to prevent overheating.
• Transport the amplifier carefully to avoid physical damage.

6.2 Tube Replacement

The IRT60H uses ECC83 preamp tubes and 6L6 power tubes. Tubes are consumable components and will eventually need replacement. This should ideally be performed by a qualified technician.

• Symptoms of worn tubes include loss of volume, muddy tone, excessive noise, or inconsistent performance.
• When replacing tubes, ensure they are of the correct type and are properly biased by a technician.

7. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your IRT60H, try these basic troubleshooting steps before contacting support.

• No Sound: Check all cable connections (guitar, speaker, power). Ensure the amplifier is powered on and not in standby mode. Verify speaker impedance.
• Weak or Distorted Sound: Check guitar and speaker cables for damage. Test with different cables. Inspect tubes for visible damage or microphonics.
• Excessive Noise/Hum: Ensure proper grounding. Try a different power outlet. Check for faulty cables or pedals in the FX loop.
• Footswitch Not Working: Ensure the footswitch cable is securely connected.

If the problem persists after basic troubleshooting, contact a qualified service technician.

8. Specifications

9. Warranty and Support

Laney products are designed for reliability and performance. For warranty information, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official Laney Amplification website. For technical support, service, or spare parts, please contact your authorized Laney dealer or distributor.

Always ensure that any repairs or modifications are carried out by qualified personnel to maintain safety and warranty validity.