• From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Topic: Oranges (and apples)

Orange amps are one of the few brands I have not had the pleasure of hearing Joe discuss.

What are the opinions of the well travelled people of this forum?

I have owned a fair few amps over the years in my strive up the steep mountain of tone. From a 1971 Sound City 120w (six 6L6s are too much for one man) to JCM800s and 900s to an Engl Blackmore.

In each case, I feel I have made a significant improvement in finding better tone and the one closer to a sound in my head.

So here I am at a point with an Orange Rockerverb 100w which I acquired cheaply from someone (3-4th hand. It wasn't in the best condition (some people love to lean over amps with beer in their hand - *shivers*) - it had one dodgy tube from China (god knows?) and the reverb tube was knackered.
It had a lot of work done to it and came out the other side on top form. Eight new tubes (credit card didn't like that) including a wonderful set of KT88s which makes the output around 140 something watts (so headroom it does not lack).

As mentioned in another topic, I am ordering myself a Ceriatone OTS (100w) - because it seems a further relevant step to take.

I don't know if it is just me, but Im feeling the Orange has something lacking....can't place my finger on it - I thought of it as a step up to an amp that Joe says is quite cool - the Engl Blackmore - I thought that was a great amp, but made most guitars sound quite similar, it felt a bit stale and too modern for me (though it did well with my attempt at Thin Lizzy tribute playing).

I think there was something a bit odd with my one though - 100w - and it was easily the loudest amp I have ever had - No 100w I have ever had has come close (quite impossible to turn it above four - and Scott Gorham had his on 6-7 when I have seen him - that was loud standing next to the back line, but still less than mine through a single 4x12). Perception of volume is a tricky thing I know, but I have had mine in theatre-sized spaces and it was just stupid still! *ramble over*

I owned a very nice Jub 2x12 combo - at a stupid weight - that I /sold/ yikes because 1) I kept hurting myself with it (one carry handle and 40kg!?) 2) I bought a ticket of eBay to Zeppelin's O2 concert in 2007 (you can guess the price) 3) 50w combo lacked bass and balls - was a bit fragile.

I have played a few other Oranges (Rocker, AD30, TT) and they have all been cool - I thought the Rockerverb suited me best at the time - though maybe a bit too modern and an overload of gain on tap.
James Patrick Page had his handwired OR50 (I think) and a 30w one for his O2 show and you could easily "spot" his Orange sound (which was quite awesome).
I just think mine maybe these modern factory output amps just don't have that edge - Im not getting snotty about it - but I think as your ears mature over the years, you do start to hear these things (unless you are a lot older and start imagining them tongue )

So I suppose this ghastly block of text (which Im sure you enjoyed reading) sums up my Orangey thoughts. Now yours maybe!

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Oranges (and apples)

I don't have a whole lot of experience with Orange amps, but if you really dig the tones then that's cool.  They don't have a lot of them in my area (except for the Tiny Terror which sounds pretty cool).  I guess it's kind of a "curse" if you feel like something is missing from every amp you play because that's pretty much how Joe feels about amplifiers.  That's why he blends them.  If you feel that your Orange is "missing something" then when you get your OTS try and set that up to fill the frequency that is not really there.  More than likely it's midrange because most English style amps pack a healthy low end (and especially KT88's, yikes) and top end so you probably just need to drive the middle.  I wish I was one of those guys who get their rocks off on one amp.  I just love playing with all the different tones here and there and mix/matching them.  I would love to see some clips when you get your OTS/Orange together to see how they sound man!

        -Justin

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

3 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2009-05-18 02:53:26)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Oranges (and apples)

DaveWammbarro wrote:

Orange amps are one of the few brands I have not had the pleasure of hearing Joe discuss.


Do some forum searching wink

http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtop … 860#p87860

"Favorite amps:  under a grand!!

Used AC -30 with greenbacks
Used Marshall  JCM 800 50 watt
Orange Tiny Terror.. Pretty good.. it'll do in a pinch
Marshall Lead Overdrive 30 circa 1979 (solid state)
Fender Bandmaster head circa 1966 or 1967
and the NUMBER ONE favorite!!!!!
LAB Series L-5.. mine cost me $400 dollars in North Carolina!!! mint with tags..  best pound for  pound dollar for dollar"
-Joe Bonamassa

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Oranges (and apples)

I was going to quote that, but I was trying to say about other Oranges really.

I have had experience with the TT (not the dual terror yet) and it is a nice little amp and is surprising through a 4x12!

....and yes, I shall hopefully have some clips up within.....two months?!

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Oranges (and apples)

I personally find Orange amps to be quite expensive and break down more the most Marshalls.  I guess you can say I've just never been blown away by the amps I've tried.  I think you should replace V1 with an expensive tube as it colors the rest of the tubes.  If you replace the others you'll be waisting your time as they just power the thing.  If its lean maybe those KT88's need a biasing a tick hotter.  And Last but not least what cab are you running and whats the wattage on the speakers?  If your speakers can handle higher wattage then maybe your not driving the speakers hard enough and should try lower wattage speakers.  Thats how they did it in the old days, and that might help that Engl out too if its just too loud.  Mush up the sound a bit.  Just my thoughts.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Oranges (and apples)

AD3THREE wrote:

I personally find Orange amps to be quite expensive and break down more the most Marshalls.  I guess you can say I've just never been blown away by the amps I've tried.  I think you should replace V1 with an expensive tube as it colours the rest of the tubes.  If you replace the others you'll be wasting your time as they just power the thing.  If its lean maybe those KT88's need a biasing a tick hotter.  And Last but not least what cab are you running and whats the wattage on the speakers?  If your speakers can handle higher wattage then maybe your not driving the speakers hard enough and should try lower wattage speakers.  Thats how they did it in the old days, and that might help that Engl out too if its just too loud.  Mush up the sound a bit.  Just my thoughts.

Thank you for you input! smile

Im thinking these Oranges are getting like modern Marshalls in the reliability department hmm - not good - though I have had bits changed on it since and it seems more road worthy. Opening up side by side with the JVM etc - I feel the construction is neater, cabling better and generally cleaner - though seeing dry solder joints and other anomalies really does put me off! Tut tut at you big companies! mad
The tubes were replaced by a very good tech I know and were some very top notch pieces from http://www.watfordvalves.com/
They have been carefully matched and sorted and in comparison to stock or even some Ruby EL34s - wow - much more my direction.
I cannot remember about the biasing as it goes, but it sounds a lot better than the Engl because of this (Engl was too cold imo, for the guy I got it off preferred longer life - which is fair nuff).
I cannot see the problem at all with my cab which is a THD 2x12 (yeah ok, maybe 4x12 soon tongue ) - its pricey and contains Celestion Lead 80s - which Ive heard (and not sure if this is just me) maybe from Joe himself that these speakers are pretty straight up they-push-out-what-you-put-in types. Not bad reviews at all from HC etc and even the 2x12 really does put a standard 1960a cab to shame - but who on earth uses them any more!? yikes tongue
The Engl is no longer with me btw.
Ive come to the decision that a new amp is most definitely needed (see, Im justifying to myself as well as to my credit card!).

P.S. Just bought an Auralex Great GRAMMA on Joe's recommendation - I mean seriously, what the hell!? Its revolutionary - it blew me away - it felt like a new sound hovering in front of me - I felt it showed up my playing more, but that is no bad thing. As a result, I have tweaked my settings to a "truer" sound - I do regret one thing, NOT buying these 2-3years ago to try with older setups and on dodgy stages!

Thanks Joe - wondrous tone improver to all! big_smile