Are you still happy with your Orange AD200?

father of fires · #1 10-03-2011, 07:17 AM

I try to avoid trendy equipment and stick with gear that has some longevity. It's an easy way to see what's quality and what's just hype. Anyways, I played a used Orange AD200 the other day and I really liked the tone.

I haven't had a chance to crank it but It seems to have plenty of power (I do play metal though!).

I know these were pretty popular when they came out but I was wondering how many people still play one???

Did G.A.S. get the best of any of you or are you still in the honeymoon phase?

Anyone else hate the orange tolex but love the tone?

Musicman20 · #2 10-03-2011, 07:22 AM

Love everything about it. Much much better gain (IMO) over the Ampeg SVT CL and lighter!

ItsMichaelYeah · #3 10-03-2011, 08:12 AM

you can't always say that trendy equipment doesn't have longevity. I have played and recorded with this amp. really good and really gritty. but I still love the sound of my SVT-CL.

Musicman20 · #4 10-03-2011, 08:15 AM

I wouldnt say its 'trendy'...Orange and Matamp have been going for a LONG time.

A lot of people in the UK went for an Orange setup (or Matamp etc) because Ampeg started to have problems a few years back with their Vietnam-made products. I was one of those. Had an 810E, never bonded with it at all.

Plus, in the UK, Orange is a good price, whereas the SVT CL is very expensive. Its the one time we actually get a good deal haha!

MAMMOTHvolume · #5 10-03-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman20

I wouldnt say its 'trendy'...Orange and Matamp have been going for a LONG time.

A lot of people in the UK went for an Orange setup (or Matamp etc) because Ampeg started to have problems a few years back with their Vietnam-made products. I was one of those. Had an 810E, never bonded with it at all.

Plus, in the UK, Orange is a good price, whereas the SVT CL is very expensive. Its the one time we actually get a good deal haha!

The orange you see nowadays is very different to the orange / matamp back in the day.

father of fires · #6 10-03-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAMMOTHvolume

The orange you see nowadays is very different to the orange / matamp back in the day.

This.

Spinal Tapper · #7 10-03-2011, 11:23 AM

If you're buying brand new, I think you can order the AD200 in white or black tolex (might be tough to find a used one, but it COULD happen). REAL sexy in white or black though, I must say....

I think the Orange AD200 has a great tone - I'd certainly get a used one if I could find it under $1500. Can't justify the $2500 for a brand new one though.

Musicman20 · #8 10-03-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAMMOTHvolume

The orange you see nowadays is very different to the orange / matamp back in the day.

Yes, Im well aware. I was demonstrating the fact they are not just a 'fad' in the market.

Muckaluck · #9 10-03-2011, 12:07 PM

I've only had mine a few weeks, so I am definately still honeymooning. Have to say it's by far the best amp I've ever played out of. Nothing else, Traynor, Mesa, or Ampeg could get that smooth, dark sound that I had in my head.

This amp gets it.

Jim Carr · #10 10-03-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman20

Yes, Im well aware. I was demonstrating the fact they are not just a 'fad' in the market.

I think he meant this...

Musicman20 · #11 10-03-2011, 02:12 PM

Well aware of the controversy regarding the PCB, but, it sound amazing. If you want to point to point, I would go to Matamp. I'm happy with PCB....same as modern Ampeg.

father of fires · #12 10-03-2011, 02:21 PM

There is nothing wrong with PCB. It is a superior way to build...

...as long as component choice, maintainability, and ruggedness are not overlooked.

Tim1 · #13 10-03-2011, 02:39 PM

Downunder the AD 200 is significantly cheaper than the SVT VR or CL. I own both an SVT VR and an AD200. I have had absolutely no reliability issues with either. The Orange goes deeper while the SVT has that pronounced midrange which sounds great out front. I swing between the two, currently preferring the SVT as it seems to cut through the mix more although my bandmates prefer the Orange for its greater bottom.
I find I can get a great clean tone with the Orange and it certainly has plenty of volume. I love the Orange tolex, looks great on stage, and another plus is its weight - at 55 pounds it is quite manageable for an all tube head. It has behaved perfectly in all the time I have owned it, absolutely loves a P bass through it.

Alex1984 · #14 10-03-2011, 03:29 PM

The Orange sounds great in punk and most metal genres. But I've only ever heard it cranked.

Mr. Foxen · #15 10-03-2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by father of fires

There is nothing wrong with PCB. It is a superior way to build...

...as long as component choice, maintainability, and ruggedness are not overlooked.

It is the mounting valve bases and jacks direct to PCB that is the bad. I'm pretty sure turrets come ahead on maintainability, the hybrid in modern Matamps of the two is the ultimate.

But the main problem with Oranges is this one: Servicing of an Orange AD200 Bass Guitar Amp

coreyfyfe · #16 10-03-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman20

Well aware of the controversy regarding the PCB, but, it sound amazing. If you want to point to point, I would go to Matamp. I'm happy with PCB....same as modern Ampeg.

Ampeg has been mounting tube sockets to PCBs since 1969. Certainly not to the extent that they do now, but as long as the components are good, the construction is well laid-out, and it's a good circuit you shouldn't be able to tell a difference in tone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

But the main problem with Oranges is this one: Servicing of an Orange AD200 Bass Guitar Amp

You haven't seen this then? Mercury makes a replacement transformer so you can get the full 200 watts.

Timi · #17 10-03-2011, 10:32 PM

Had one for about 5 years, originally disliked the orange tolex and built a new case for it which I covered white, but now I like the orange...

Still love it to bits, but it mainly gets studio use these days. Live sound engineers don't want to mic it so I don't see any point dragging along a 25kg head which the crowd won't even hear. VT or Leeds into a GK MB500 has replaced it for most live shows.

bassboysam · #18 10-04-2011, 04:42 AM

Unless you're buying used, I can't justify the price of the AD200. For a mass produced PCB amp it should be about half the price they sell it for. For that kind of coin I think there are much better options out there.

Musicman20 · #19 10-04-2011, 05:02 AM

Try before you buy. I did, and the AD200b knocked the socks off the latest Ampeg CL and VRs. Sometimes, reading positives and negatives on forums ruin the fun, because if you like it, it sounds good, and you can afford it, go for it, no matter what it is, (as long as it doesnt have reliability issues, and Orange amps give you 3 years in the UK...they did for me, anyway). I didn't want Ampeg because they were going through Vietnam-issues at the time, plus they were more money and heavier, and not so great service in the UK. Orange have everything based a few hours from me, so I was happy to buy.

I'd still like to try a Matamp, but I'm quite happy with what I have, and it sounds fantastic. I'm not really bothered about web reports on the PCB/construction...the amp works great, looks great, and has a good resale value.

Anyway, its all down to tone. You may love it, you may not. You may even prefer it over Matamp...or Ampeg. Try it out

father of fires · #20 10-04-2011, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timi

Had one for about 5 years, originally disliked the orange tolex and built a new case for it which I covered white, but now I like the orange...

Still love it to bits, but it mainly gets studio use these days. Live sound engineers don't want to mic it so I don't see any point dragging along a 25kg head which the crowd won't even hear. VT or Leeds into a GK MB500 has replaced it for most live shows.

This is my thoughts exactly. Now, I'm not playing big stages and sound reinforcement will be few and far between but I hesitate to buy one when basically the band, FOH, and recording engineers don't particularly care about "MY" tone. I fell for the marketing hype for a long time and I'm trying to change my ways but sometimes G.A.S. can't be rationally explained.