United Kingdom · Est. 1967
Laney
British manufacturer founded in Birmingham that built Black Sabbath's first amplifiers. Laney combines history with affordability and a complete range for all levels.
About the brand
Laney Amplification was founded in 1967 by Lyndon Laney in Birmingham, England. Laney and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath were childhood friends, and the first amplifiers Laney built were for Sabbath. The very first heavy metal riffs in history rang out through Laney amplifiers — a piece of music history the brand carries with pride.
The Laney range is broad and accessible: from the small Cub tube amplifiers for practice and recording to the Nexus solid-state bass models and the high-gain IronHeart. Laney has managed to remain relevant for over 50 years by offering good quality amplifiers at prices that don't exclude guitarists on a limited budget.
The brand has also collaborated with artists like Ozzy Osbourne (who used Laney during the Sabbath era with Iommi) and has developed very popular bass amplifier lines in the jazz and funk world. The company remains family-owned and operates from Birmingham.
Key facts
- Founded in 1967 in Birmingham by Lyndon Laney, friend of Tony Iommi
- Black Sabbath used the brand's first amplifiers — the birth of heavy metal
- Complete range from practice to professional at accessible prices
- Family business operating from Birmingham for over 55 years
Iconic models
Supergroup
Laney's first major amplifier, used by Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath on his early recordings, helping create the original heavy metal sound.
AOR
A high-gain amplifier series that dominated the 80s metal scene, with a crunchy and aggressive sound highly prized by guitarists of the era.
GH100L
A 100-watt head with EL34 valves and Laney's unmistakable British character, a reference for classic rock and hard rock.
Ironheart IRT60H
A modern three-channel head that combines Laney's British tonal heritage with contemporary high gain and flexibility for metal and rock musicians.