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are orange bass amps worth the $

#23
Oh, bear in mind, assuming you are in the US, you are comparing an imported western product with domestic manufacturers. Orange customer service here in the UK is really good in my experience, not sure how it compares in the US. I don't rate their products as a tech, but the customer service is important, and if its not so good in the States, then there goes their redeeming feature.
 
#24
Orange mounts their power tubes directly to the PCB. For me, this cheapo move is a deal breaker on all but the cheapest, low watt tube amps and unacceptable in a high wattage, hot running $2,500 amp. It's laughable actually. I think they sound great, but I feel like they are grossly overpriced, especially when compared to the superb quality of Matamp.

The Terror Bass also sounds great for a one trick pony. The bare bones feature set (and ridiculously hot and almost unusable DI) subtract pretty heavily from the bang-for-the-buck factor, but at least it's in the reasonable range, unlike their tube offerings.

If you need THAT sound, I guess they are worth whatever Orange wants to charge for them, and whatever people are willing to pay. I don't think that I would ever spring for an Orange unless it was used and mega cheap.
 
#26
I've had chance to hear the overdrive of the GT200 up close and I much prefer the AD200b...much less fizz.

The reason Orange is expensive in the USA is because it's a company based in the UK which is doing well and receiving awards for its amount of business and growth, and the US get stung for taxes and import duties etc, just like we do when we buy an Ampeg, GK, Genz, Fender, etc!
 
#27
Downunder Orange is considerably cheaper than Ampeg, not the other way round. For example, in New Zealand where both are imported an Orange AD200 is NZ3499, while an SVT VR is NZ$5299. My AD200 has never caused me a single problem and yes, it does have a signature tone, but so does my Ampeg. FWIW my AD200 can go very loud and stay very clean with my passive basses, it has the tightest real low end thump of any amp I have played, just as the same statement can be applied to the midrange of the SVT.
Can't comment on the other Orange heads and their cabs as I have not played them, but it pays not to knock the AD200 unless you have tried one out.
 
#31
I have owned the Orange TB-500 which I purchased to replace my GK1001rbII.
I think the TB-500 is a really cool concept, but the DI kinda ruins it for me. Also I went through a phase where I collected compression pedals but then I stopped using them - The TB-500 had some kind of (very noticable to me at low to moderate volumes) 'always on' limiting/compression that irked me.
The Tb-500 is worth it if you want a miked up dirt tone, for other things it's just ok at best imo.
 
#33
To me, the Orange AD200b is the best sounding amp I've ever heard. Do I wish they were cheaper? Hell yes. Will I pay what they're asking when I finally save it up? Yeah I will... so I guess you can say they're worth it, assuming you like the sound. So much is in personal preference...
 
#35
I've owned an Orange 200B Mk1 for 11 years. It has done several tours, countless shows, most where it was part of a shared backline, been dropped, and never ever failed. It is the only part of my rig that has remained unchanged in that time. I love the sound of it and don't care in the slightest that it lacks the 'versatility' of other amps. I've played it through a bunch of different cabs, with a whole lot of different bands and different pedals etc and have never found a situation in which it didn't excel.

I recently found a second AD200 Mk1 and bought it as a backup, but it probably isn't necessary and I think I'll sell it.

I have no experience with the Mk3 PCB version, though I'm guessing the surface mounted valves could be a problem if it got dropped.

I couldn't recommend a single piece of equipment higher.

Here's a link to a blog my amp tech did when he serviced it if you want to take a look at the insides:

http://ivanrichards.com.au/2012/04/28/service-centre-for-the-orange-ad200-amplifier/
 
#36
That Mk1 looks nice, still being built in the Matamp style then. Pretty far from what your money gets you now.

Since they are capable of making stuff to that standard, the cracking pinging noises of arcing you get as the power valve bases break loose of the PCB after being vibrated by poorly braced cabs they supply must be an intentional feature that is part of the 'Orange tone'.
 
#37
I've heard a few players using the big, tube Orange amps...not the tiny terror or whatever it's called...I really thought they were almost really cool, but not quite...can't put my finger on it, but they don't quite get all the way there for me...the cabs I remember are insanely heavy for what they actually put out, sonically...I guess I always thought most people getting those are buying with their eyes.
 

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