Laney LF-SUPERTOP User Manual

The Laney LF-SUPERTOP is a professional-specification, all-analogue, 120-Watt guitar head designed to deliver a powerful and clear sound. Crafted by the Black Country Customs team in the UK, it offers ample clean headroom and the potential for very hot lead tones.

This amplifier faithfully replicates the tone stack, EQ circuits, and gain stage of the award-winning tube LIONHEART range using discrete analogue components. It features built-in effects, including Vintage Tremolo and Spiral Chorus/Modulation, as well as the Secret Path Spring Reverb.

A footswitchable BOOST provides an additional channel for pushing clean or overdriven tones. The amp includes a passive 3-band tone stack and an overall tone control for quick EQ adjustments. Channel 2 offers a 'Dark' voicing option for added warmth.

The LF-SUPERTOP can be operated at less than 1W for home practice. It also features a high-quality effects loop and Laney's new Impulse Response (LA·IR) technology for cabinet emulation via the XLR DI OUT, offering selectable 1x12 or 4x12 IRs.

Weighing just 7.3Kg, the LF-SUPERTOP is a compact and portable head, suitable for both studio recording and live performance.

Features

• High and Low power modes (120W RMS or <1W bedroom mode).
• Built-in, foot-switchable Pre-Boost with level control.
• Two independent channels (Clean and Drive) with foot-switchable control, designed to replicate the tone and feel of the Lionheart tube series.
• Clean Channel: Features a Clean Volume control and a Bright switch.
• Drive Channel: Features Gain, Volume, and switchable Bright, Natural, and Dark voicing options. Includes a 3-band passive tone stack and an additional Tone control.
• Digital Secret Path Spring Reverb with foot-switchable control.
• Tremolo and Chorus effects with rate and depth controls, also foot-switchable.
• LA·IR High Quality Digital IR emulated balanced XLR DI Out with selectable 1x12 or 4x12 IR and ground lift switch.
• 6.3mm FX Loop (FX Send doubles as an unemulated line out).
• 3.5mm Stereo Aux In and 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Output with cabinet emulation.

Controls

Front Panel

1. Input Socket: 6.3mm jack socket for guitar audio signal input.
2. Boost Control: Pre-channel boost with on/off switch. An LED indicates when boost is active. Can be switched via rear panel remote socket and footswitch.
3. Channel 1 + 2 Controls:
   • Channel 1 Settings: Clean Volume control for overall level. Tone Switch with 'Bright' (up) and 'Off' (down) settings. Channel Select toggle switch (up for CH2, down for CH1), also switchable via footswitch.
   • Channel 2 Settings: Lead Gain control for preamp gain and distortion. Lead Volume control for overall level. Tone Switch with 'Bright' (up), 'Off' (centre), and 'Dark' (down) settings. The 'Dark' setting boosts low-end frequencies for warmth.
4. EQ Tone Stack: 3-band EQ (Bass, Middle, Treble) and an additional Tone control for top-end response.
5. Reverb: Built-in studio quality spring reverb. Turn clockwise to increase effect strength. Can be activated/deactivated via footswitch.
6. Effects Controls: Select between Vintage Tremolo and Spiral Chorus/Modulation. Use Rate and Depth controls to vary the effect. An LED above these controls illuminates when active. Effects are also remotely accessible via footswitch.

Back Panel

1. Power Switch: Main power switch for the unit, providing complete power isolation when off.
2. Power Socket: Universal power input via IEC C14 socket (100V-240V~ 50/60Hz).
3. Loudspeaker Sockets: Twin 6.3mm jack outputs for connecting passive guitar speaker cabinets. Supports single cabinets (4, 8, or 16 Ohm) or multiple cabinets with a combined impedance of 4 Ohms or more. Laney LF212 or LF412 cabinets are recommended.
4. Amp Power Control: Switches between full power and <1W mode for quiet playing.
5. Remote Switch Sockets: Two footswitch sockets (FS2-MINI recommended) for remote control of reverb, effects, boost, and channel select. For remote operation, boost, reverb, and effects should be 'on', and the channel toggle set to CH2.
6. FX Loop: FX Return and Send sockets for connecting external effects pedals. The FX Send also serves as a standard line level output.
7. Aux In + Headphones Out: 3.5mm aux input for backing tracks. 3.5mm headphone output for silent playing, which mutes the onboard loudspeaker when headphones are connected. Includes cabinet emulation.
8. DI Out: Balanced XLR DI out with LA·IR speaker-emulated output. Selectable between no LA·IR, or digital IRs of GS112 and GS412 cabinets. Features a ground lift switch.

How to Connect

3. Loudspeaker Connection

Connect your guitar to the input socket via a 6.3mm jack and connect the amplifier's loudspeaker outputs to your speaker cabinet.

4. FX Loop

Connect your effects pedalboard's input and output to the FX Send/Return sockets respectively.

5. Using the DI Out

The DI Out can be connected to a PA system, audio interface, or DAW. The cabinet emulation can be toggled off if you wish to use your own cabinet simulation. It is safe to use the amplifier with speaker outputs disconnected.

6. Aux In and Headphones Out

Connect a media player to the 3.5mm Aux In for backing tracks. Connect headphones to the 3.5mm Headphone Out for silent practice. The headphone output includes cabinet emulation.

7. Footswitch Connections

Connect up to two FS2 Minis (not included) to the remote sockets for footswitch control of reverb, effects, boost, and channel select.

Example Settings

Here are some suggested settings for familiar tones:

• 1. Clean: Settings for a pristine clean tone.
• 2. Pushed Clean: Settings for a slightly overdriven clean tone.
• 3. Lead: Settings for a high-gain lead tone.
• 4. Rhythm: Settings for a balanced rhythm tone.
• 5. Full On: Settings for maximum output and drive.

Specifications

Dimensions (in mm)

Diagrams showing the front, side, and rear dimensions of the LF-SUPERTOP amplifier head.

Block Diagram

A block diagram illustrating the signal path and internal components of the LF-SUPERTOP amplifier.

Safety and Warnings

Please read the following safety instructions carefully before using the product:

• Unpacking: Check for transit damage. Keep original packaging for potential returns.
• Amplifier Connection: Follow a specific power-on and power-off sequence to avoid damage to speakers and other equipment. Turn the amplifier on last and off first.
• Cables: Use appropriate cables for speaker connections. Shielded cables are recommended for all other connections.
• Servicing: Do not attempt to service the unit yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel.
• Warnings: Heed all warnings and follow all instructions.
• Water and Moisture: Do not expose the apparatus to water or moisture.
• Cleaning: Clean only with a dry cloth.
• Ventilation: Do not block ventilation openings. Install according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Heat Sources: Do not install near heat sources like radiators or stoves.
• Power Cord: Protect the power cord from damage. Ensure the plug fits your outlet; consult an electrician if necessary.
• Attachments: Only use manufacturer-provided attachments/accessories.
• Mobility: Use caution when moving the apparatus on a cart to avoid tip-over injuries.
• Disconnect Device: The mains plug serves as the disconnect device and should remain accessible. Unplug during lightning storms or long periods of non-use.
• Servicing (Damaged Apparatus): Refer servicing to qualified personnel if the apparatus is damaged, exposed to rain/moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
• Grounding: Never break off the ground pin. Connect only to the specified power supply type.
• Rack Mounting: If rack-mounted, provide rear support.
• Mains Lead Wiring (UK): Follow specific color-coding for green/yellow, blue, and brown wires to the corresponding terminals (E, N/black, L/red).
• Dripping/Splashing: Do not expose the apparatus to dripping or splashing. Do not place liquid-filled objects on the apparatus.
• Noise Exposure: Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause hearing loss. Use hearing protection when operating the amplifier at high sound pressure levels.
• Tilting Mechanism: Use caution with tilting mechanisms on a stable, level surface.
• Symbols: Pay attention to symbols indicating areas requiring extra caution.

Compliance Information: The device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules and relevant European directives (CE Mark, Low Voltage, EMC, RoHS, ErP). For the full EU declaration of conformity, visit http://support.laney.co.uk/approvals.

Environmental Disposal: At the end of its life, this product should be recycled according to WEEE directive recommendations, not disposed of in landfill.

Manufacturer: Laney Electronics Ltd., Steelpark Road, Coombs Wood Business Park West, Halesowen, B62 8HD, UK. For the latest information, visit www.laney.co.uk.

Version: V1.0