ORANGE BASS TERROR: The Review!

[KK Jale]

Thanks dannybuoy, that was my assumption too.

[astack]

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

To anybody that's not read this, Bass Gear Mag's analysis of the EQ in the Terror Bass is well worth a read: http://btpub.boyd-printing.com/publication/?i=76122

Main points:

- Treble and bass are boost/cut, mid is cut only
- 95% of the knob sweep occurs between off and noon, not much difference after noon (hence some claiming the eq doesn't do much)
- Flat setting is with the mid cranked and bass&treble almost all the way down!

Wow, super helpful. I get the logic behind baked-in flavors (e.g. MB's relatively flat flat settings mean in the store I'm never impressed relative to other heads until I realized what was really going on), but I wish that more info would be available from manufacturers for those who want to dig in. Well thank god for BGM in the meantime.

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by astack

Well thank god for BGM in the meantime.

Happy to help, thanks!

[astack]

Just needed to say that I've been really missing this thing for a bit now...

Anyone know of a good front end substitute? Distortion pedal, EQ, DI, etc.?


Dear Bass Terror,

I'M SORRY. I NEED THAT WOOL AND BITE BACK IN MY LIFE. SO SORRY I RETURNED YOU...

Sincerely,
Stack

...

[Shardik]

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

To anybody that's not read this, Bass Gear Mag's analysis of the EQ in the Terror Bass is well worth a read: http://btpub.boyd-printing.com/publication/?i=76122

Main points:

- Treble and bass are boost/cut, mid is cut only
- 95% of the knob sweep occurs between off and noon, not much difference after noon (hence some claiming the eq doesn't do much)
- Flat setting is with the mid cranked and bass&treble almost all the way down!

I have trouble finding the EQ analysis that you are referring to. I find a review of the Terror Bass, but not much in the way of EQ analysis to the details you list in the Main points above. I'd like to know more about this EQ.

If the above is right, you can not have (for instance) a significantly lower treble setting than the mids... Which could be useful if you have to play through a cab with an overly eager tweeter or want to lower the harshness of OD somewhat.

[astack]

There's the main article and then the bench test article, so just keep flipping pages.

As for your example, turn off/down the tweeter.

[Funky-Wunky]

It is refreshing to see that a manufacturer has enough sense to put a handle on an amp!

[godofthunder59]

I LOVE mine. I bought two 115 cabs to go with it. BIG beefy zippy vintage tone in a very portable package. I bought this rig for smaller venues instead of bringing the Hiwatts. I also bring the Terror Bas head along as a back up for bigger venues when I am using my Hiwatt gear. Great amp I can't recommend it enough.

[rpsands]

My bass terror 500 just sat in with my band and was capable of grossly shaming my Trace Hexavalve in terms of volume. Didn't sound quite as good but was close, and muuuch louder.

These things are amazing, and the real deal.

[Shardik]

Originally Posted by astack

There's the main article and then the bench test article, so just keep flipping pages.

As for your example, turn off/down the tweeter.

Thanx. My only excuse is that the mag was new to me.

[BadJazz]

So I've had my Terror 500 for almost three years and I just now discovered (so to speak) that turning all the eq's down mutes the amp. First amp I've known about that does that. I'm really digging it with the Treble and Mid off and the Bass at noon. Or the Treble around 10 and flipping the Treble boost On on my L2K for some grit/grind.

So yeah.

[snowblinder]

Hi all. Just chiming in to ask if anyone can tell me how the Terror Bass compares to the GK 800RB. I'm really digging Orange stuff lately. I have an old OR120 and a Tiny Terror that I love for guitar. And currently I'm running a Tech 21 Oxford into the effects return of my GK and getting a truly awesome tone. But this hasn't stopped me from GAS'ing for a Terror Bass. Just wondering if I should try one out or save my money and stick with the 800RB/Oxford setup. Thanks!

[astack]

I haven't A/B'd them, but I just got an Oxford a couple weeks ago and had the TB500 shortly about 10 months ago. I'd been missing the wide-open, raging awesomeness of the TB so thought I'd see how it compared. IMO, it's not that similar. I find I have to run the bass (@150Hz) all the way up for a flattish sound (speaker sim off), while on the TB bass was boost only so it could get really fat. So far I haven't been able to get the Oxford to sound very open like the TB did. Having the bass maxed makes it sound pretty congested/muffled (I guess).

I've been running it into the effects return of a TH500 and then the PA for S&G's, FWIW.

[all_sixes]

So I read this whole thread over the course of today. I tried the TB500 at Guitar Center when I bought my most recent bass, and I have to say I almost bought that too! It was put on top of a cheap Acoustic 4x10, and it STILL sounded killer! My only complaint was how easy it was to get dirt out of the amp, but I really didn't fiddle with it long enough to try dialing some loud clean tone.

Needless to say now I really want the head, and may even pull the trigger soon. Anybody want to sell me theirs? Although buying new or refurb has its merits because I would get the warranty...

[rpsands]

It'll do a loud clean tone as long as you're OK with SVT-Clean as opposed to say, EA clean.

[all_sixes]

Originally Posted by rpsands

It'll do a loud clean tone as long as you're OK with SVT-Clean as opposed to say, EA clean.

I play mostly SVT stuff anyways (3-pro, 4-pro, and a CL). Never really liked the #-pro stuff, but the CL is always good fun--despite being 80 lbs. If I got it, I would be running it through Ampeg 210's, 410's and maybe an 810 here and there.

But hey, the clean issue was mostly just a versatility vs. cost question. I'll probably crank the gain until my ears blow out!