Orange vs. Ampeg

MtJusticeD · #1 06-21-2011, 07:50 PM

Im lookin at gettin either a Orange Terror Bass 500W head or an Ampeg PF-500, this will be the first head i buy, any suggestions?

JimmyM · #2 06-21-2011, 08:38 PM

Play both and decide from there. For me, though, while the Terror has a couple tubes and I always dig the tubes, the PF500 is a LOT less and sounds great, so I'd go with the PF500.

recreate.me · #3 06-21-2011, 09:35 PM

I have never played the PF500, are these PF series heads basically just the same as the VT bass pedal setting for the B15, and a power amp?

I think i would probably go PF... or even the PF 350 for even more savings (then again i play 100 ppl venues in an indie band, you may need more power)

JimmyM · #4 06-21-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recreate.me

I have never played the PF500, are these PF series heads basically just the same as the VT bass pedal setting for the B15, and a power amp?

You know, I guess an argument can be made that it is, but it isn't. The VT, while it's my favorite pedal in the world, trades ease of use for versatility. Its knobs are very sensitive and interactive, and it took me quite a while to figure it out. The PF heads won't give you the amount of drive you can get with the VT (although you do get a little), but it's a lot easier to cop a sound IMHO. Don't have a PF head but I have a Micro VR and I like both for completely different reasons.

prd004 · #5 06-21-2011, 10:58 PM

One company has fifty years worth of making bass amps under it's belt and the other........................doesn't. That's something I would consider

Andysalina5 · #6 06-21-2011, 11:05 PM

Ampeg is a great way to get started with bass amps. I've heard great things about those PortaFlex bass heads and the Ampeg cabinets have always been great as far as really feeling that low end.

GregC · #7 06-21-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prd004

One company has fifty years worth of making bass amps under it's belt and the other........................doesn't. That's something I would consider

That's a good point, Orange only has 43.

**cheezewiz** · #8 06-21-2011, 11:14 PM

If cost weren't an object, I'd get the Orange. If it were, I'd get the Ampeg. Two very well regarded heads for sure. I don't think you'll lose either way.

JimmyM · #9 06-21-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregC

That's a good point, Orange only has 43.

I could be wrong, but I don't remember Orange making bass rigs until the 90's at the earliest. Anyhow, not sure I buy into the "how many years" argument. I tend to judge stuff being made now on its own merits, and a new builder can have great stuff as easily as an old one. Having said that, I went back to being exclusively Ampeg a couple years ago

GregC · #10 06-21-2011, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I could be wrong, but I don't remember Orange making bass rigs until the 90's at the earliest. Anyhow, not sure I buy into the "how many years" argument. I tend to judge stuff being made now on its own merits, and a new builder can have great stuff as easily as an old one. Having said that, I went back to being exclusively Ampeg a couple years ago

But folks were using the OR120 for bass long before that.

Having said that, I don't buy into that argument, either. Heck, I can think of a bunch of newer companies I'd buy bass amps from over some of the older ones.

BasHermus · #11 06-22-2011, 03:07 AM

I would go for the PF500.

The only thing that the Orange got is preamp tubes, which can produce overdrive.
You don't need that much for bass anyway (imho) and if you want tube overdrive, powertubes are much nicer.

The PF500 is a very nice sounding amp and has (which is lacking on the Bass Terror):
-Compressor
-More flexible EQ
-Headphone out

And I just think the Bass Terror is really ugly (but what do I know, I'm just a designer).

bigbottomend · #12 06-22-2011, 03:10 AM

Ampeg all the way, personally i think all Orange bass amps sound like buffalow farts.

recreate.me · #13 06-22-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You know, I guess an argument can be made that it is, but it isn't. The VT, while it's my favorite pedal in the world, trades ease of use for versatility. Its knobs are very sensitive and interactive, and it took me quite a while to figure it out. The PF heads won't give you the amount of drive you can get with the VT (although you do get a little), but it's a lot easier to cop a sound IMHO. Don't have a PF head but I have a Micro VR and I like both for completely different reasons.

I will have to look into that...

ON topic, both companies produce very solid amps, and both of those amps sound amazing.

Trouble is they are very different sounds. Its come up alot on theres boards, but its a matter of style i think.

What kinda tone do you want ?

parsons · #14 06-22-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbottomend

Ampeg all the way, personally i think all Orange bass amps sound like buffalow farts.

Many people would argue the opposite with you, stating that an Ampeg is as sterile as a neutered puppy.

JimmyM · #15 06-23-2011, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parsons

Many people would argue the opposite with you, stating that an Ampeg is as sterile as a neutered puppy.

Find me one person besides you who says that. Except for the B2RE

Sartori · #16 06-23-2011, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parsons

Many people would argue the opposite with you, stating that an Ampeg is as sterile as a neutered puppy.

He didn't say Orange amps sounded sterile. He said they sounded like buffalo farts. That doesn't seem like a description of something sterile.

Rob Lewis · #17 06-23-2011, 01:13 AM

Pedigree & History « Orange Amps

And they still sound like buffalo farts, even after all these years.

starmoon · #18 06-23-2011, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Lewis

Pedigree & History « Orange Amps

And they still sound like buffalo farts, even after all these years.

looks nice source.

Tim1 · #19 06-23-2011, 02:19 AM

I own and regularly use both an SVT VR and an Orange AD200. Neither sound sterile. Neither sound like buffalo farts. They are both great amps. The Orange seems to go deeper and to cover a wider frequency range than the VR. If I had to choose just one I would go for the VR. My bandmates would disagree, they prefer the Orange as it dominates less the on stage mix.

JimmyM · #20 06-23-2011, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim1

I own and regularly use both an SVT VR and an Orange AD200. Neither sound sterile. Neither sound like buffalo farts. They are both great amps.

I think Orange bass amps get unfairly stigmatized as having a nasty ratty sound because so many people set them up to sound ratty and nasty. It's kind of a trademark sound that you CAN get out of Orange amps, but I've also heard them be clean and pretty sounding as well.

But these are the days of easy generalizations, and every piece of gear has to be lumped into a box from which there is no escape, despite much evidence to the contrary that all amps are capable of getting quite a broad range of tones. So when people say dopey things like "_____ is a one trick pony," or "You can't do _____ music with a _____ amp," I tell them, "If you can't get a good sound out of any amp that works and has enough guns to handle the gig, I blame you and not the amp."