Recommended Tube Guitar Amplifier [Laney CUB-SUPER Edition]

Did you know that Laney's CUB-SUPER series includes two types of amplifiers called Class A and Class AB?
These are classifications of power amplifier operation and are not indicators of amplifier superiority. They represent the operating point at which the tubes and transistors are made to work at which point of the amplification characteristics.

JJ ELECTRONIC / EL84

Class-A can be classified into “Class-A,” “Class-B,” “Class-C,” and “Class-D” according to the operating point, with Class-AB functioning as an intermediate between Class-A and Class-B. Class-C is used in high-frequency communication amplifiers, while Class-D is a circuit used in digital amplifiers. In this article, I will introduce the differences in the characteristics of vacuum tube amplifiers in Class A and Class AB operation.

There are two types of operations to amplify signals: single operation and push-pull operation.
In the case of CUB-SUPER, Class-A is single operation and Class-AB is push-pull operation.

■ What are Class A, B, and AB?

Class A:
The amplification characteristic has a linear part and a curved part. By bringing the operating point to the middle of the part with good linearity, a high quality sound without distortion can be produced, but only a small output can be obtained. In addition, the heat generated by a single power tube always operating at maximum output increases.

Class B:
The waveform of the input signal is divided into two parts, the +V side and the -V side, and each is sent to a separate vacuum tube for amplification. In contrast to Class A, it produces a large output, but is prone to crossover distortion, which makes it difficult to obtain a good sound.

Class AB:
The operating point is somewhere between Class A and Class B. Crossover distortion is canceled out by crossing some of the waveforms on the +V and -V sides. Therefore, Class-AB is an operating method that provides good sound quality and high output power.

When using KT88s, which are large power tubes, output power in Class-A is limited to about 15W. But in Class-AB, which provides greater output power, four KT88s can be used to create a 200W high-power amplifier.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, it is by no means the case that Class AB is superior.
Although Class-A has a smaller output, its sound quality is ideal for guitarists who want to express the nuances of picking. It is recommended as a tube amp for home practice, recording, and small-scale live performances.

■ Features of the CUB-SUPER Series

Now, let's take a look at the specifications and sound features of the CUB-SUPER series based on the above description.

Laney / CUB-SUPER10 Guitar Combo Amplifier

The CUB-SUPER10 is a boutique-style all-tube amp. It features a simple single-channel design with a 3-band EQ and footswitchable boost function. Equipped with a specially designed 10” speaker, it delivers 6 watts of toneful single-ended Class A tube sound from two 12AX7 pre-tubes and one EL84 power tube. The CUB-SUPER10, with its FX loop and external speaker socket, is ideal for home practice, studio, or stage use.

Laney / CUB-SUPER12 Guitar Combo Amplifier

The CUB-SUPER12 is a combo amplifier with a 12” speaker that delivers 15 watts of pure Class AB tube sound from three 12AX7 pre-tubes and two EL84 power tubes. If full volume is not available, the output power stage can be turned down to 1W or less by plugging into the 1W input. It also features an onboard reverb that incorporates the spring reverb algorithm of Laney's classic SECRETPATH pedal. This amp gives the guitar a realistic sound and creates a lively sound.

Laney / CUB-SUPERTOP Guitar Amp Head

The CUB-SUPERTOP is an amp head that looks like the amp part of the CUB-SUPER12, and can be connected to an external 8-16 ohm cabinet such as the CUB-212 or CUB-112. This is also a good choice if you want the sound of the CUB-SUPER12 with your favorite speakers.
If you know the difference between Class-A and Class-AB, you can choose not only the output and reverb, but also focus on the specifications of the power amplifier.

If you want to enjoy the pure sound of vacuum tubes, choose the Class-A CUB-SUPER10; if you want to enjoy the powerful and realistic sound of a large output, choose the Class-AB CUB-SUPER12 or CUB-SUPERTOP. Please take a look at them for reference!