Orange, Hiwatt or Peavey?

CJ_Horror · #1 09-19-2010, 06:08 AM

One of these days I'm gonna be in the market for a new rig, and I'm looking at the Orange AD200B, Hiwatt Custom 200/400 and the Peavey VB-3. All of them look awesome and sound great but I need to get the most out of my amp (naturally). I go for a distorted tone, heavy on the mids, but I still want versatility. I've been leaning toward the Orange for a while but I want to be sure, and seeing as where I live I don't really have the opportunity to try them out I was looking for outside opinions on each head.

Any takers?

RedLeg · #2 09-19-2010, 06:16 AM

sound vs price. buy what sounds best to you and also doesn't hurt the wallet too much.

perogato02 · #3 09-19-2010, 06:18 AM

The Orange sounds great, no doubt about that ... but they are pricey.
Expect to have early tube-break-up sound with the Orange.

I can't comment on the Hiwatt, but The Peavey is the best bang for the buck.

sk8 · #4 09-19-2010, 06:33 AM

hiwatt is very clean

panama · #5 09-19-2010, 06:54 AM

orange if you have the cash, peavey if you're on a budget.

rhopper · #6 09-19-2010, 09:29 AM

The Orange AD200B would be my choice or an Orange Terror Bass 500 if on a budget.

Plenty of break up in both of these amps (same pre amp).

Deluge Of Sound · #7 09-19-2010, 09:31 AM

None of these amps sound remotely alike. Play all three (if possible) and buy the one you like the best.

CJ_Horror · #8 09-19-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

None of these amps sound remotely alike. Play all three (if possible) and buy the one you like the best.

I would but unfortunately the Orange is the only one I've been able to get a look at. I live in Sydney and nobody stocks the Peavey, let alone the Hiwatt. From what I've heard the Hiwatt is very clean, not quite my cup of tea, but I have little to go on with the Peavey. I've heard awesome things about it but I just can't get my hands on one to try it out. The Orange is awesome though.

James Hart · #9 09-19-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ_Horror

From what I've heard the Hiwatt is very clean, not quite my cup of tea

Clean? I'll take 'articulate' maybe... but not necessarily clean at all.

Here is some Hiwatt bass action...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61QhoNayDs8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAmg4IRxc9c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZUMg6Maht4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5BUQzN8pl4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Yfs6eruLP4

Of the brands listed I would buy a vintage Hiwatt or Soundcity OR a new Reeves

and don't forget Matamp, I think I'd go with them before Orange.

Govier966 · #10 09-19-2010, 09:57 AM

I hear the distortion on the peaveys is cheesy, get an orange

RedLeg · #11 09-19-2010, 10:00 AM

Have you thought about a used SWR IOD and a poweramp?

heath_r_91 · #12 09-19-2010, 10:08 AM

I know I love my Orange. I keep it clean and loud but it is very easy to get a great tube grind out of it also.

Deluge Of Sound · #13 09-19-2010, 10:16 AM

If you're in Aus. & interested in Orange Matamps, Matamps & Oranges, I'd look into playing one of these:
http://www.tymguitars.com.au/Lemon%20120.html

CJ_Horror · #14 09-19-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

Clean? I'll take 'articulate' maybe... but not necessarily clean at all.

Here is some Hiwatt bass action...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61QhoNayDs8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAmg4IRxc9c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZUMg6Maht4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5BUQzN8pl4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Yfs6eruLP4

Of the brands listed I would buy a vintage Hiwatt or Soundcity OR a new Reeves

and don't forget Matamp, I think I'd go with them before Orange.

Cheers man! That helps heaps! Entwistle is the reason I got interested in Hiwatt, but I've never known just how I could push one. His tone is heavy on the treble, and that those live recordings sounded cool! The Reeves amps look mega cool as well.

Thanks again! Got much to consider.

MAMMOTHvolume · #15 09-19-2010, 12:34 PM

Hiwatts have more than enough gain to push the power amp into heavy distortion.

out of those i'd go for the 200watter hiwatt hands down.

Also +1 on the lemon amps

KramerBassFan · #16 09-19-2010, 03:14 PM

400 watter baby!

dalkowski · #17 09-19-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perogato02

The Peavey is the best bang for the buck.

And you'll develop a RIPPED upper body.

James Hart · #18 09-19-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalkowski

And you'll develop a RIPPED upper body.

You realize the Peavey VB-3 mentioned is a 37lbs 300 watt all tube head right?

MAMMOTHvolume · #19 09-19-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

You realize the Peavey VB-3 mentioned is a 37lbs 300 watt all tube head right?

anything with valves, weighs more than dark matter.

BbbyBld · #20 09-20-2010, 08:38 AM

I'd give the VB-3 a test drive if you like distortion. I spent a lot of time on that circuit after hearing responses about the VB-2 crunch channel.

Certain guitar heads a prized for their distortion channels and I thought I would try the same thing on a bass head. In other words I tried to give it one of those distortion channels where you could have fun and play anything and it sounds good. Bass players should be able to play palm-muted power chords too!