Aguilar DB750 versus Reeves 225 and Orange AD-200B

[Fawkes007]

Hi everyone!

I currently own an Aguilar DB 750 which I like a great deal. I also own an Orange Terror Bass 500 which has been great for rehearsals and situations where a smaller amp will do. I currently own 2 - 1x12s and a 4x10 and switch back forth.

The reason for my current case of GAS - I have found myself going "back in time" in terms of my gear - I made the switch to passive basses after playing actives for years (and loving it, why didn't I make the switch sooner), and am now considering an all tube head; Reeves or Orange.

My Aggie is fantastic sounding head - I am not at all displeased with it, and it gets the bulk of my gig work. Before I go and plunk down $2500 on an all tube beast, I was hoping to get some opinions from those of you who have owned these heads - specifically, is the difference going to be worth the investment? Is all tube really the "holy grail" for someone like me playing in classic rock/dance cover and tribute bands? And, yes, I've done a search.

Thanks

[johnk_10]

between and orange and Reeves, i'd go with a Reeves. IMO, they are built way better (handwired terminal/point to point) than the new Orange (PCB) heads.

[Matt Dean]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

between and orange and Reeves, i'd go with a Reeves. IMO, they are built way better (handwired terminal/point to point) than the new Orange (PCB) heads.

+1 re: Reeves... but, if you're going to consider Reeves, you might as well consider Metamp.

[tony_clifton]

I don't get this Reeves vs. Orange.

Fact 1 - Reeves is handwired and therefore a better amp regarding modifications/repairs later on. If they both keep working the difference is nearly non existent.

Fact 2 - They both sound different. Subjective part: think Strat vs. Les Paul or Eden vs. SVT. The Hiwatt is clean - chimey - bell like, the Orange is doomy.

So if you'd prefer the Reeves because of the handwired parts you might end up buying the wrong amp for you. Easily servicable yeah, but not the sound you are after.

[Fawkes007]

Originally Posted by tony_clifton

I don't get this Reeves vs. Orange.

Fact 1 - Reeves is handwired and therefore a better amp regarding modifications/repairs later on. If they both keep working the difference is nearly non existent.

Fact 2 - They both sound different. Subjective part: think Strat vs. Les Paul or Eden vs. SVT. The Hiwatt is clean - chimey - bell like, the Orange is doomy.

So if you'd prefer the Reeves because of the handwired parts you might end up buying the wrong amp for you. Easily servicable yeah, but not the sound you are after.

Thanks. In terms of sound, I am leaning towards the Reeves. I have an Orange Terror Bass, and it is a great little amp, that's why I was considering an Orange. But after listening to sound clips of both amps, I'm more inclined towards the Reeves in terms of sound. The hand wiring is also attractive.

My real interest is how folks who have owned or played through all three of these amplifiers would compare them - specifically against the Aggie DB 750.

[KramerBassFan]

Go Reeves.

[edbass]

I can't help with comparisons to the Aggie, but I have a fair amount of hands on experience with both the Reeves C225 and the Orange AD200B.

Originally Posted by tony_clifton

I don't get this Reeves vs. Orange.

Fact 1 - Reeves is handwired and therefore a better amp regarding modifications/repairs later on. If they both keep working the difference is nearly non existent.

Except for…

Fact 1a – With the tube sockets mounted on PCBs, and jacks and control pots soldered directly to PCBs, the durability of the AD200B would have to come into question. So, not only is the Reeves easier to repair, it’s less likely to need it.

Originally Posted by tony_clifton

Fact 2 - They both sound different. Subjective part: think Strat vs. Les Paul or Eden vs. SVT. The Hiwatt is clean - chimey - bell like, the Orange is doomy.

So if you'd prefer the Reeves because of the handwired parts you might end up buying the wrong amp for you. Easily servicable yeah, but not the sound you are after.

I agree about the tonal differences. The Reeves and the Orange are decidedly different. The Reeves is clean and bold with gobs of bottom and headroom, while the AD200B is soft and dirty, breaks up much earlier and gets much nastier at lower levels.
Not a case of “good” or “bad”, but as tony clifton alludes to; it’s a matter of personal taste.

Regarding choosing between forking out the big cash for one of the two, I have another “Fact” however…

Fact 3 – From a manufacturing standpoint, PCB construction is far more efficient than hand wired turret board construction. More efficient as in much less expensive to produce.
The Peavey VB2 is all tube, 225 watts, and packed full of features that neither the Reeves or the Orange have.
However, at least partly because of it’s much less expensive mass produced PCB construction the VB2 retails for $900, less than half the price of a hand built boutique amp.

The Reeves C225 is $2500; the Orange AD200B is $2400, but…
The only thing "boutique” about the Orange is its hand built price tag.