Lab Systems?
-
- Posts: 31
- Joined: 31 Oct 2008, 21:52
- Location: Melbourne
Lab Systems?
I heard these amps are made in Aus. Anybody have any opinions on them? I have heard a couple of their heads in action and I remeber them being pretty gritty and ampeg -like. So... Any devout Lab Systems fans out there?
- Petebass
- Posts: 8606
- Joined: 31 Oct 2008, 07:07
- Location: Hervey Bay, QLD
Re: Lab Systems?
They are no longer! They went out of business unfortunately. I played a Labby 400B for 10+ years. It was more GK-like than ampeg like, but it was a great sounding head. When mine eventually died, I look at replacing it with another one but their prices had increased dramatically, so I went with something else.
Their 410 and 610 cabs were also very good. If you see a second hand one for sale, look into it.
Their 410 and 610 cabs were also very good. If you see a second hand one for sale, look into it.
* 2 Stingray 5's (one heavily modded), Ibanez SR805, Ashbory, + more...
* Carvin B1500, Epifani PS1000, Ashdown Superfly amps.
* Lots of DIY neo/lightweight cabs including one made from composites http://www.ozbassforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2546
* Carvin B1500, Epifani PS1000, Ashdown Superfly amps.
* Lots of DIY neo/lightweight cabs including one made from composites http://www.ozbassforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2546
- PilbaraBass
- Posts: 15127
- Joined: 23 Oct 2008, 17:07
- Location: Gladstone, QLD
Re: Lab Systems?
when did they fold? it couldn't have been that long ago.Petebass wrote:They are no longer! They went out of business unfortunately. I played a Labby 400B for 10+ years. It was more GK-like than ampeg like, but it was a great sounding head. When mine eventually died, I look at replacing it with another one but their prices had increased dramatically, so I went with something else.
Their 410 and 610 cabs were also very good. If you see a second hand one for sale, look into it.
you're right, they were quite pricey...may have had something to do with their demise...
EDIT: hmmm...their website is still functioning and no news on the closure...
'98 Carvin AC40, '07 Squier JDAV, '91 P-bass, '96 Ibanez ATK300F, '15 Ibanez SR605
Kanye West wrote:My greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live.
- Petebass
- Posts: 8606
- Joined: 31 Oct 2008, 07:07
- Location: Hervey Bay, QLD
Re: Lab Systems?
From memory, I heard about it last year some time. My guess is that no-one remembered to turn the website off as they were leaving - or maybe they're back in business?? Does the website have contact details? Try contacting them and see what happens.
* 2 Stingray 5's (one heavily modded), Ibanez SR805, Ashbory, + more...
* Carvin B1500, Epifani PS1000, Ashdown Superfly amps.
* Lots of DIY neo/lightweight cabs including one made from composites http://www.ozbassforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2546
* Carvin B1500, Epifani PS1000, Ashdown Superfly amps.
* Lots of DIY neo/lightweight cabs including one made from composites http://www.ozbassforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2546
- Mr_Dave
- Posts: 539
- Joined: 27 Oct 2008, 19:17
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
Re: Lab Systems?
I'm not sure what the score is but you can still order gear. We ordered a 115 cab for a customer recently...
I work at the BassCentre
Fender, GK, Aguilar, Sadowsky, blah blah blah
Fender, GK, Aguilar, Sadowsky, blah blah blah
- rodl2005
- Posts: 4228
- Joined: 31 Oct 2008, 09:04
- Location: Hobart TASMANIA
- Contact:
Re: Lab Systems?
A bassist I know in my town had a 410, which I had the pleasure of using a cuppla times. Was awesome!!!! sounded better than ANY 410 I'd used B4 it! I used MY amp with it which at the time was an Eminar 150w All tube PA head-sounded GREAT too. But that head-thru the Lab systems 410 of his sounded better than it had ever sounded IIRC.
Mean & Surly
-
- Posts: 153
- Joined: 24 Oct 2008, 23:06
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Lab Systems?
I contacted Tim from Labsystems in about June of last year, he was still kicking hard then. I was chasing somebody to polish up my GuitarLab preamp, lo and behold he was the one that designed it back in the day.
Maybe I should get around to contacting him sometime sooner rather than later...
Maybe I should get around to contacting him sometime sooner rather than later...
- blizzard
- Posts: 803
- Joined: 23 Oct 2008, 23:03
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Lab Systems?
Always wanted to try some Lab Systems stuff, never found a dealer in Brisbane for them.
- rodl2005
- Posts: 4228
- Joined: 31 Oct 2008, 09:04
- Location: Hobart TASMANIA
- Contact:
Re: Lab Systems?
I never used/tried their amps... one reason being I've always used all tube stuff & had no real reason to wanna try em... But I agree, they weren't/aren't cheap.......dunno & cannot say how the amps sounded
Mean & Surly
- Petersland
- Posts: 1066
- Joined: 01 Nov 2008, 09:39
- Location: Perth
Re: Lab Systems?
My opinion? YUK!
Rickenbacker - 08 4003, Rickenbacker - 13 4003 SnowGlo, Rickenbacker 4003 Noir, 81 Schecter Jazz.
TC Electronic Rigs - RH750, Markbass Classic 106, RS210, RS210
TC Electronic Rigs - RH750, Markbass Classic 106, RS210, RS210
- Aussie Mark
- Posts: 16105
- Joined: 28 Oct 2008, 21:06
- Location: Sydney
- Contact:
Re: Lab Systems?
I'm not a fan of their cabs, and I know at least two guys who have had endless trouble with speakers crapping out.
Rolling Stoned | The Volts | Doors Alive | Bonza | The Vinyl Beats
Basses: Nash, Fender, Ibanez
Rig: Fender Bassman 500 and Neo 410
Endorsing artist: Fender; Cave Passive Pedals
-
- Posts: 31
- Joined: 31 Oct 2008, 21:52
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Lab Systems?
Heres something I found on TB:

Belongs to a TBer Geroge. C. Anyone want to own up?
Belongs to a TBer Geroge. C. Anyone want to own up?
- Daniel Kinnaird
- Posts: 1172
- Joined: 31 Oct 2008, 07:11
- Location: Melbourne, Australia.
Re: Lab Systems?
I have heard Mr_Dave and another local Melbourne bassplayer, Luke Hodge use them with tonal success (both use the 2x12 I beleive), but never was very fond of the amps or cabs when I tried them...
- Mr_Dave
- Posts: 539
- Joined: 27 Oct 2008, 19:17
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
Re: Lab Systems?
yeah, i've been using my 210 and 212 for about 5 years, tried a couple of other things but ended up going back. Was pounding on the 212 with no PA support. never had a problem with them except the other day i thought the tweeter was blown. turns out it screws onto the mount and had just come loose... not bad in 5 years. I'd love to try a bunch of new cabs on a gig, Eden, Epifani, Bergantino, Markbass, Aguilar and compare... It does have a fair bit of midrange colouration and isn't always the smoothest tweeter, but they have been absolute workhorses for me
I work at the BassCentre
Fender, GK, Aguilar, Sadowsky, blah blah blah
Fender, GK, Aguilar, Sadowsky, blah blah blah
- slashin_velvet
- Posts: 1051
- Joined: 13 Mar 2009, 10:55
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Lab Systems?
I know im a little late to this thread, but i thought id throw in my 2c.
Im a devout Lab Systems user. I have a VP600HP head, a 4x10 and a 6x10. I bought all of them second hand and have hardly had any troubles.
One thing that did happen was a valve started rattling as it aged, so i took it to Tim (about 15 mintes from my place) and he replaced the valve and serviced it for next to nothing.
For those who said Lab Systems is out of business this is incorrect. Tim is now working on the "George Evans" series of guitar amps (which are very nice), but he will still make any Lab Systems Gear for those who order direct from him. The thing is, he is no longer mass producing for store distribution.
For those who have never tried one, i would reccomend it. They are very flexible amps and i swear by them.

Im a devout Lab Systems user. I have a VP600HP head, a 4x10 and a 6x10. I bought all of them second hand and have hardly had any troubles.
One thing that did happen was a valve started rattling as it aged, so i took it to Tim (about 15 mintes from my place) and he replaced the valve and serviced it for next to nothing.
For those who said Lab Systems is out of business this is incorrect. Tim is now working on the "George Evans" series of guitar amps (which are very nice), but he will still make any Lab Systems Gear for those who order direct from him. The thing is, he is no longer mass producing for store distribution.
For those who have never tried one, i would reccomend it. They are very flexible amps and i swear by them.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest