Lab Series

Lab Series

Also known as: Lab Series Amplifiers

Unclaimed

Lab Series is a line of solid-state guitar, bass, and keyboard amplifiers developed in the late 1970s by Norlin, the parent company of Gibson, in collaboration with Moog. Initial design work began in 1976, reportedly in a barn behind Bob Moog's house, with the goal of creating a high-end solid-state amp that could compete with the Fender Twin Reverb and the Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120. The first ...

more

Lab Series is a line of solid-state guitar, bass, and keyboard amplifiers developed in the late 1970s by Norlin, the parent company of Gibson, in collaboration with Moog. Initial design work began in 1976, reportedly in a barn behind Bob Moog's house, with the goal of creating a high-end solid-state amp that could compete with the Fender Twin Reverb and the Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120. The first amps shipped in 1978, and while the amps themselves carried no Gibson branding, they drew on engineering talent from both Gibson and Moog.

The range included the L3, L5, L7, L9, and L11 guitar amps, the K5 keyboard amp, the L6 bass combo, and the L2 and L4 bass heads. The L5 — a 100-watt 2x12 combo with a multi-stage preamp, compression, and parametric EQ — became the best-known model and the one most associated with the brand. Production wound down in the early 1980s, not long after the line had begun to find an audience.

Despite a short run, Lab Series amps developed a lasting reputation in jazz, blues, and clean-tone circles, largely on the strength of the L5. B.B. King made the L5 a signature part of his live rig for decades, and the amp has also been associated with players such as Allan Holdsworth, Ronnie Montrose, Jimmy Messina, and Ty Tabor of King's X.

Lab Series has 6 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Combo Guitar Amplifiers, Bass Amplifier Stacks, and Guitar Amplifier Heads. Their gear is featured by 8 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Blues, and Metal. Notable users include Eric Clapton, B.B. King, and Ty Tabor.

Artists Who Use Lab Series

Eric Clapton uses 1 Lab Series product

Eric Clapton

Guitarist · Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

B.B. King uses 1 Lab Series product

B.B. King

Guitarist · Various Artists for Children's Promise

Ty Tabor uses 1 Lab Series product

Ty Tabor

Guitarist · King's X

Ronnie Montrose uses 1 Lab Series product

Ronnie Montrose

Guitarist · The Edgar Winter Group

Duke Robillard uses 1 Lab Series product

Duke Robillard

Guitarist, Music Producer · The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Roland Grapow uses 1 Lab Series product

Roland Grapow

Guitarist · Helloween

Steve Nieve uses 1 Lab Series product

Steve Nieve

Singer, Keyboardist · Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Zac Childs uses 1 Lab Series product

Zac Childs

Guitarist, Podcasters & Streamers

Are you on the Lab Series team?

  • Be the first to know when an artist is spotted using Lab Series gear
  • Curate the Lab Series catalog, images, and product details
  • Respond to community photos and reviews of Lab Series gear
  • See how Lab Series gear is trending on Equipboard