{"id":231,"date":"2021-12-03T15:31:44","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T15:31:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.laney.co.uk\/blog\/?p=231"},"modified":"2026-01-21T09:21:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T09:21:38","slug":"artist-announcement-justin-hawkins-the-darkness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.laney.co.uk\/blog\/artist-announcement-justin-hawkins-the-darkness\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin Hawkins Joins Laney – Designs Signature Laney JH3000"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to know what amps Justin Hawkins plays? Introducing the Justin Hawkins Signature Laney JH3000.<\/h2>\n

When other options simply weren’t heavy enough, Justin Hawkins joined the Laney family and designed the new (aptly titled) Justin Hawkins Signature Laney JH3000 amplifier. Get the details on what amps, cabs and pedals from the Laney family Justin uses to get his incredible signature sound!<\/p>\n

Out of The Darkness cometh LIGHT!<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

In the modern era of rock and roll, there are few artists who truly achieve Rockstar status. Then, in 2003, a little band from the east of England well and truly exploded onto the scene. Nearly two decades later, after a split, a comeback, a mighty new album called Motorheart, and a band that are stronger than ever, they are The Darkness. He is Justin Hawkins and he is an official Laney artist<\/a><\/strong> playing a very special amplifier called the JH3000\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Justin Hawkins, a household name, has never settled with one amplifier brand, never quite finding the comfort and confidence in sound with his backline, until now.<\/span><\/p>\n

We initially spoke to Justin about his kind of tone, and it is a tone we were not expecting. A much higher gain than you might anticipate for a player of \u2018classic rock\u2019 or \u2018riff\u2019 style playing, so the initial idea about a Supergroup or Lionheart style amplifier was quickly deemed not \u2018out-of-the-box\u2019 heavy enough. Step forward the Ironheart, the IRT120H to be specific, a perfect blend of high gain, channel options, FX Loops and back panel options.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Birth Of The Justin Hawkins JH3000 Amplifier<\/h3>\n

Now that the amp was decided upon, Justin mentioned that he had always wanted to create something special with the right amp and right brand:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think the best thing about being in a rock and roll band is being able to collaborate with companies like Laney to create your dream amp. I\u2019ve always wanted to have a range of products named JH3000 and I think eventually we\u2019ll be doing a bundle where it\u2019s JH3000 Country & Western shirt AND amp.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Country & Western shirt you say\u2026 Justin had a special suit made for the Laney interview, complete with a special JH3000 logo on the shirt collar, which, of course, looked absolutely phenomenal:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Laney<\/p>\n

Pic: Justin with His signature Laney JH3000 amps<\/p>\n

Justin Hawkins on Lionheart Amps & Black Country Customs Pedals<\/h3>\n

There it is, the JH3000 in all its glory, Justin next to it, as happy as can be!<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve watched the interview above, then you will have noticed that it\u2019s not just the JH3000 amplifiers that Justin is using, but the Lionheart 4×12 cabinets<\/a><\/strong> too, specifically loaded with Celestion G12H 16ohm Drivers, a loud and driven choice, and the perfect match for Justin and the sound of The Darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

What’s the difference between the Laney Ironheart IRT120H and the <\/span>Justin Hawkins JH3000 amp?<\/h3>\n

The actual difference between the JH3000 and an Ironheart is very subtle, the JH3000 is an IRT120H with a special custom-made front grille, so it still glows blood red, still has the reliable IRT tone but this one has the special Justin Hawkins touch, an extra bit of flare on the aesthetic side of things as Justin explains:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo the JH3000 is essentially an Ironheart, it\u2019s a beautiful, responsive, saturated, powerful amp that hits you in the guts AND in the face, at the same time.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

What other Laney gear does Justin Hawkins use?<\/h3>\n

But it isn\u2019t just the Laney amps and cabs that Justin is using, the Black Country Customs Secret Path Reverb Pedal is something that went straight onto his board, for an extra little bit of space added to his tone when doing a monster solo. To end though, it is much easier to let Justin explain why being with Laney is the right choice:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople who resist the Laney tone will fall.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

He’s also been using the Signature amps on his tour with The Darkness through the USA!<\/p>\n

Justin Hawkin’s Laney Rig:<\/h3>\n

Justin Hawkins uses the following Laney gear. Check out this article for the exact Justin Hawkins amplifier settings.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

HEAD: <\/b>JH3000 (IRT120H<\/a> w\/ Custom Grille)<\/span><\/p>\n

CAB: <\/b>L412 (loaded w\/ Celestion G12H 16ohm)<\/span><\/p>\n

PEDALS: <\/b>Black Country Customs Secret Path<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

And here are some incredible images of Justin, being the legend we all know and love!<\/p>\n

\"Justin<\/p>\n

Pic: Justin Hawkins with his Laney JH300 below & Lionheart Cabs above – just being awesome.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Laney<\/p>\n

Pic: The Laney Justin Hawkins JH3000 amps in the rack<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Want to know what amps Justin Hawkins plays? Introducing the Justin Hawkins Signature Laney JH3000. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":448,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[48,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artist","category-guitar"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nJustin Hawkins Joins Laney - Designs Signature Laney JH3000 - Laney<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Welcome, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness to Laney! 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