Lâg CL-1 SpitFire

(Originally written by la basse orange/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
- Amplification technology (tube, solid state, ...)?

Tube preamp and 100-watt mosfet amp, Celestion Vintage 30 speaker, two channels (like the preamp of the same series).

- Connections?

Input, line out with speaker simulation, mono FX loop, footswitch, speaker.

- What about controls, effects etc.?

Each channel has its own 3-band EQ (unlike the Spitfire preamp that has only one tone control for the clean channel). It also includes a spring reverb (Accutronic IV). A hidden control on the rear panel allows you to adjust the power amp operation.

UTILIZATION

- What about settings?

Like every good 2-channel combo...

- Is it easy to get the right sound?

Yes (several good sounds).

- Is the user's manual clear and comprehensive?

No idea...

SOUNDS

- Does it fit your music style?

Very versatile. It allows you to play every music style from the 60's to the 90's (forget grind core and nu metal!).

- Which guitar, bass or effects do you use?

Fender Strat Std and Telecaster Std, Gibson Les Paul Special, Epiphone Sheraton, Line 6 Variax, Lag Roxanne STD.

- What kind of sounds do you get and which settings do you use ("crystal-clear", "fat", ...)?

The clean channel ranges from a damped and warm sound (jazz, soul) to a sharp sound (funk, reggae) but it doesn't reach the crystal-clear response of a Fender amp.

The lead channel produces fat distortions really fast (I will probably change the tubes to decrease the gain intensity). When combined with the V30 speaker the amp has a very present, powerful and warm response with well-defined and present mids that allow the sound to cut through a mix and a noisy jam session.

This amp enhances the sound of any effect pedal connected to the input or the FX loop.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you been using it?

A few weeks... I bought it from a friend. So I already knew the amp.

- Which feature do you like the most / the least?

Pros: The sound

Cons: sound dispersion of the speaker (not surprising for a V30...)

- Did you try any other models before buying it?

I've been playing music for 20 years so I've tried a few!

- How would you rate its value for money?

The amp was quite expensive when it first came out, but it was worth its price considering the components (Celestion Vintage 30, selected Bogner tubes, conceived in France and made in Germany, high-quality mosfet power amp...). It was a very good and moderately priced product. Today this amp is extremely rare (less than 100 pieces were ever manufactured!) so it's still quite expensive. It's true that you can find all-tube amps for the same price... but what about the speakers, reverb, tubes and manufacturing quality?

- Based on your experience, would you buy this product again?

Yes, it's a reliable amp, it sounds good, it's easily transportable, it has enough output power for any application and it has a special sound color and character. And it's a nice feeling to play with a unique amp... It makes people curious...