So I've had a couple rehearsals with the new Orange and have some observations. I'm also happy to answer questions anyone might have. First things first - full disclosure, Vigier has a working relationship with Orange. High Tech/Vigier distributes Orange in France. That said, I gain nothing from sales of Orange product here or abroad. I bought my Terror Bass used simply because the price was good and my Verellen weighs almost 100lbs. That was the first time I ever even played one at length. I don't think this thread breaks any rules as I've read 'em, my apologies if it does.
So far I've played the OB1-500 it through my Mesa RR 215 loaded with 3015s and my Ashdown MAG810 which is a badass cab! Especially for the weight, size and price I got on CL.
Anyway, originally I sold my Terror Bass 500 to upgrade to a 1000 watter. I was in love with the tone the TB500 thing pumped out through my last Mesa RR 215 (loaded with a Kappa 15A and a Kappa 15LFA... not the most efficient combo it turns out, but it sounded great in the mix.) When I went to get the 1000... discontinued. I decided to give the OB1-500 a whirl and I'm glad I did.
The amp seems to be well built. I mounted it in an SKB rack/case, but would be comfortable not doing that as well. The feet it comes with are pretty heavy duty.
The EQ, from what I can tell IS active. It has a lot more range and more boost/cut than the TB. Leaving the EQ flat makes for a real punchy rock tone. I have cut the mids a little and boosted the lows a bit while using the Mesa/3015s. With the Ashdown, not nearly much, as that cab has a little more bottom (shockingly.)
The real interesting thing here I guess is the switchable OD/Blend. It's cool, and definitely more distortion-ish than the preamp gain on the TB could ever be. I love that it's switchable, but if I have a gripe, it's that there's a pretty big jump in volume whenever you engage it, even at a relatively low setting. And the jump is across the spectrum, it doesn't really lay a "guitar amp" over the top quite like I was hoping it would. You get a bump in the ass end as well. For my band Black Table I run it blended all the time with both the blend and gain knobs set between 10 and 11 o'clock. That gives me just a little growl around the edges that helps me cut while still sitting in the mix comfortably.
Tonight will be the first time I use it with Dead Empires (which requires a lot more gain/OD/switching). If you crank the blend and/or gain, you'll be looking at a crazy boost.
The amp is loud as hell. I was even hesitant to dime it on the 3015s because it really seemed to push 'em hard. It didn't stop me, but you might want to exercise caution on a lot of cabs lol. You might find the EQ a little limiting, but coming from a Meat Smoke it's ok for me. I let my Source Audio EQ do my fine tuning. I feel like there's more headroom than the TB500, but it's been a while since I had that amp. If anyone near me would want to bring their Terror over and have a shootout, I'm down.
Please, feel free to ask any and all questions you want, I'll answer to the best of my ability. I'll update this post as I get more time on it. I'm excited to hear it through my Sunn 215B - I took the 15L's out of the Mesa to put in the Sunn, but I need to widen the holes a bit for those beasts to fit. I have a feeling I'm going to dig that combo (also excited to run the Verellen through that one).
So far I've played the OB1-500 it through my Mesa RR 215 loaded with 3015s and my Ashdown MAG810 which is a badass cab! Especially for the weight, size and price I got on CL.
Anyway, originally I sold my Terror Bass 500 to upgrade to a 1000 watter. I was in love with the tone the TB500 thing pumped out through my last Mesa RR 215 (loaded with a Kappa 15A and a Kappa 15LFA... not the most efficient combo it turns out, but it sounded great in the mix.) When I went to get the 1000... discontinued. I decided to give the OB1-500 a whirl and I'm glad I did.
The amp seems to be well built. I mounted it in an SKB rack/case, but would be comfortable not doing that as well. The feet it comes with are pretty heavy duty.
The EQ, from what I can tell IS active. It has a lot more range and more boost/cut than the TB. Leaving the EQ flat makes for a real punchy rock tone. I have cut the mids a little and boosted the lows a bit while using the Mesa/3015s. With the Ashdown, not nearly much, as that cab has a little more bottom (shockingly.)
The real interesting thing here I guess is the switchable OD/Blend. It's cool, and definitely more distortion-ish than the preamp gain on the TB could ever be. I love that it's switchable, but if I have a gripe, it's that there's a pretty big jump in volume whenever you engage it, even at a relatively low setting. And the jump is across the spectrum, it doesn't really lay a "guitar amp" over the top quite like I was hoping it would. You get a bump in the ass end as well. For my band Black Table I run it blended all the time with both the blend and gain knobs set between 10 and 11 o'clock. That gives me just a little growl around the edges that helps me cut while still sitting in the mix comfortably.
Tonight will be the first time I use it with Dead Empires (which requires a lot more gain/OD/switching). If you crank the blend and/or gain, you'll be looking at a crazy boost.
The amp is loud as hell. I was even hesitant to dime it on the 3015s because it really seemed to push 'em hard. It didn't stop me, but you might want to exercise caution on a lot of cabs lol. You might find the EQ a little limiting, but coming from a Meat Smoke it's ok for me. I let my Source Audio EQ do my fine tuning. I feel like there's more headroom than the TB500, but it's been a while since I had that amp. If anyone near me would want to bring their Terror over and have a shootout, I'm down.
Please, feel free to ask any and all questions you want, I'll answer to the best of my ability. I'll update this post as I get more time on it. I'm excited to hear it through my Sunn 215B - I took the 15L's out of the Mesa to put in the Sunn, but I need to widen the holes a bit for those beasts to fit. I have a feeling I'm going to dig that combo (also excited to run the Verellen through that one).
