• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Orange AD200B..... Thoughts

#41
BlacknWhite said:
Yeah I noticed the layout was definitely different. I had the gain almost full out and the volume at pretty much 3 quarters. I had the EQ all around noon though as I didn't know about the tone stack. Just so use to my Ampegs where I can just set everything at noon or around there and it just sounds good and loud lol.
Click to expand...

I'm really surprised to hear that your volume levels didn't seem adequate with those type of settings. I hate the claims of "something was wrong with the amp" just because someone else's experience is different from my own, but in this instance it really doesn't sound right. Yes, your Ampeg does have more volume on tap and more mid control capability, but that amp should have been a snarly, sick mess at those levels. The only time I've experienced severe volume output dip in the AD200 was when I had power tube failure.

I've got a 4ohm, 2x15 Sunn cabinet (150W) that I've played my AD200 through before, and I'm able to get massive volume out of it. I don't crank the gain because power amp drive sounds better to my ears that preamp tube distortion (YMMV), but with gain at around 11-12 o'clock I'm only able to get volume at about 9 o'clock before I'm shaking things on walls. At your settings, I would have fried speakers.

Do you normally play super distorted tones? Because that's really what you should have been getting at those levels.
 
#42
SVT and AD200B... Two different beasts. The AD200B is not a pristine clean at by all means nor was that their point. IMO, I prefer the AD200B over the SVT for the organic differences and the personal distaste I have with a baxandall eq :). If I wanted clean clean... I would probably roll with an Darkglass 900 or some other small class D amp.

Dialing up the AD200B is pretty easy and straight forward but I can also manage an SVT with ease (common, who can't. Its been here forever haha). Also putting 200w vs 300w is not a solid justice. Those are so close in real world applications that I cannot put that in the equation. Get an efficient cabinet and then pick what flavor you are looking for. My AD200B and NV412 has thumped harder than a SVT and SVT810 rig I've used many times. But... these amps are just two different flavors. Do you like chocolate or vanilla? To each their own but regarding the performance aspect, there are way too many variables. Both will perform well and learn them. Personally, I run always run input into passive (with an active bass), my gain at 12-1 o'clock, bass at 10 o'clock, mid at 12-1 o'clock, treble anywhere from 11-1 o'clock depending on the circumstances and master to taste. But hey, I like a slightly broken sound so....
 
  • Like
Reactions: SirMjac28
#43
example of my sound, here is a clip. I run a Fuzzrocious Dark Driving on all the time with above settings. The boosted fuzz is an Fuzzrocious Grey Stache (germanium setting) with the increased gain activated. So, everything above is based of me achieving these tones. As you can tell from the video, no issues with thump.... and this was with my OBC115 cabs which are no where near as strong as my NV412

 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: smcgov, gscroggin, SirSparkz and 1 other person
#44
Bass'd on a true story said:
It definitely reveals whether your bass actually sounds good or not. My best bass becomes even better and my worst bass is not exactly improved...
Click to expand...
+1 I think it also forced me to
carbonfold said:
example of my sound, here is a clip. I run a Fuzzrocious Dark Driving on all the time with above settings. The boosted fuzz is an Fuzzrocious Grey Stache (germanium setting) with the increased gain activated. So, everything above is based of me achieving these tones. As you can tell from the video, no issues with thump.... and this was with my OBC115 cabs which are no where near as strong as my NV412

Click to expand...

Very nice!!!!!
 
#46
I agree that something is probably up with that particular AD 200 if the headroom is that low. I went from an SVT to an AD200 a few years ago and never looked back. I didn't even notice much of a volume shift. I found I loved the Orange alot more.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SirSparkz
#47
P-oddz said:
I'm really surprised to hear that your volume levels didn't seem adequate with those type of settings. I hate the claims of "something was wrong with the amp" just because someone else's experience is different from my own, but in this instance it really doesn't sound right. Yes, your Ampeg does have more volume on tap and more mid control capability, but that amp should have been a snarly, sick mess at those levels. The only time I've experienced severe volume output dip in the AD200 was when I had power tube failure.

I've got a 4ohm, 2x15 Sunn cabinet (150W) that I've played my AD200 through before, and I'm able to get massive volume out of it. I don't crank the gain because power amp drive sounds better to my ears that preamp tube distortion (YMMV), but with gain at around 11-12 o'clock I'm only able to get volume at about 9 o'clock before I'm shaking things on walls. At your settings, I would have fried speakers.

Do you normally play super distorted tones? Because that's really what you should have been getting at those levels.
Click to expand...

I like to drive my tubes pretty hard. I like I bit of break up and some tunes I like it nice and distorted. My band plays pretty heavy. My guitar player had a massive tube head as well so when we are both going it's nice to have the extra juice. I found it strange that the tech said there was no issues with the tubes or anything. Settings or not with the gain and master volume cranked I should have had some decent volume.
 
#50
The power of google. Revived.

Just finally picked up a used ad200 after maybe 20 years of GAS. Waiting for it to arrive. Will be interesting to re-compare to my similar yba200 (also fender tone stack but with mid freq knob). A/B compared them way back and preferred the traynor.

Wont lie, i want the orange cause it looks cool (as have many of us i am sure if we are being 100% honest). I like mids, but as i read the arguments here, i was drawn to the eq knobs on my dingwal active bases… and eyed my multiband eq on my darkglass pedal…. so I dont get the fuss. Translation I have mids out the eyeballs if i want them.

I also have a traynor yba100 (ampeg style eq) and just got a v4b (late 70’s) to a/b compare. Back in the day i recorded with a vintage v4b with my ric 4003 and i hope to again replicate the grinding vibe.

I also have an amazing yba300 that I love. Ampeg style tone stack. Basically a bigger yba100/v4b but cleaner… like a svt.

I suppose i need a D class amp also. I love tubes I think for the experience… but oddly i think i came to a point where i feel digital distortion has surpassed tube overdrive. Feel dirty typing it, but that was my takehome.

Once i get it all set up in the new space i will share on the ad200 (and obc115/410)
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlienLanes and tombowlus

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back