Laney Ironheart Foundry IRF-Leadtop review: It’s tiny and costs just $299, but this solid-state fire-breather can handle anything you can throw at it

Compact, crammed with gain and kitted out for home practice or the stage – meet the latest addition to Laney’s Foundry series

Laney IRF-LeadTop
(Image: © Future / Phil Barker)

Guitar World Verdict

Whether you use it at home or on stage, this compact head means business, delivering a wealth of convincing tones, all with a 60-watt output that can handle any live gig with ease.

Pros

  • +

    Wide range of tones with enough gain for metal.

  • +

    Footswitchable boost.

  • +

    Compact and portable.

  • +

    Plenty of power for gigs, quiet enough for home.

Cons

  • -

    No footswitching between clean and lead modes.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

With a history that stretches back to 1967, Laney’s place in the rock universe is assured. Most people would naturally point to London and Liverpool as epicentres for the development of British rock and pop in the mid-to-late 1960s, but the Black Country area of the West Midlands has an equal claim to fame as the origin for many great bands including Black Sabbath, ELO, the Move, Judas Priest, Slade and many more. 

Laney founder Lyndon Laney’s involvement in music included playing bass in a collective project called Band of Joy, which featured a certain Robert Plant as its singer and a drummer known as John Bonham. 

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**

Join now for unlimited access

US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year

UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year 

Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Prices from £2.99/$3.99/€3.49

Nick Guppy

Nick Guppy was Guitarist magazine's amp guru for over 20 years. He built his first valve amplifier at the age of 12 and bought, sold and restored many more, with a particular interest in Vox, Selmer, Orange and tweed-era Fenders, alongside Riveras and Mark Series Boogies. When wielding a guitar instead of soldering iron, he enjoyed a diverse musical career playing all over the UK, including occasional stints with theatre groups, orchestras and big bands as well as power trios and tributes. He passed away suddenly in April 2024, leaving a legacy of amplifier wisdom behind him.