Orange Amps

They do cost a lot of money. Whether they are worth that is the question.

I feel that someone your age might be better off looking at something less than a tube amp. It's heavy, cumbersome and needs regular maintenance. Once you have it, you could possibly hate how it sounds - you wouldn't be the first! You also may not even be able to pick the thing up.

This is no reflection on your gender or age, just personal experience. I've played through tube amps most of my career. I still own a 200W Hiwatt but I'd never try to gig with it. Too damn heavy and I'm too damn old to be trying to carry things like that up narrow stairs.

Consider Mark Bass, Genz Benz, Mesa Walkabout or Carvin all excellent amplifiers, all considerably cheaper and all very much lighter.

Good luck with your choice.

Paul

 

If you played it and liked it. Go for it. Really nice amps, too expensive for my income though.

 

I tried the AD200B through an Orange 410 in a store in Portland, OR.

Now, being used to playing SS amps almost exclusively, I plugged into the Orange and thought it was pretty damn fine. The tone wasn't especially noteworthy or remarkable, but it wasn't bad. Seemed pretty clean and pillowy, like a big tube amp would. It got pretty loud. Not bad at all.

Then I plugged into an Ampeg SVT-VR (through the same Orange 410) and was blown away. The Ampeg completely destroyed the Orange. It had stronger lows, more aggressive mids, and the amazing SVT grind that you've heard in your dreams. It sounded great when I plucked. Sounded even better when I slapped. It seemed solid. It thwarted the Orange like a giant, angry monster defecating on a labradoodle. I was in awe.

Then I plugged into another tube amp: an AIMS VTB-120 through an AIMS 610. It sounded great. Better than the Orange, definitely. Not as great as the Ampeg, but pretty comparable. It had those aggressive highs and some decent grit.

And now the kicker:
Orange = $3,000
Ampeg = $2,000
AIMS (including the 610)= $600

I sold my amp and bought the AIMS. I'm now selling the 610. I just got a bitchen tube head for (after I sell the 610) about $400 including shipping.

Orange did not impress me much, definitely not at 7.5 times the cost of the AIMS. Compared to the other two, it lacked character. It sounded bland and lacked the power and definition of the other two. Just IMHO, though. YMMV.

 

SpankyPants I was lookin at that exact same amp this April (I think it was april...might have been march...)! I ended up with the Bass 400+ that they had instead. That AIMs looked killer though I just really dug the Mesa's tone more, so it ended up coming home with me

As for the Orange, I think they look awesome, and sound decent, but I really would suggest trying out an all tube amp if you haven't played one; the tone is definately different than a solid state, and there are days when I wish I had a solid state amp instead of my 400+ (especially load out at 2am...oh man thats when I am glad my amp is only 42 pounds and not a whopping 90 like Ampegs lol).


YMMV = you're mileage may vary

took me for ever to figure out that one lol. hope that helps

 

For that kind of money, there are dozens of great amps to consider. All tube amps have a thing that's all their own, for sure, but for my money, a solid hybrid amp with lots of power is much more logical. Take your time, consider all options, tone, price, and weight. You'll find something that fits you perfectly, without spending a fortune. Not a dis on Orange, btw, they're great amps, just way too over-priced for my taste.

 

Well, you must have checked right before me! I was there in April, and they didn't have the 400+! haha I wish I could have tried the Mesa, man. I've never heard the 400, and I've been dying to compare it to Ampeg.

Me too, haha.

When it comes down to it, the Orange is a fine amp. Not $3000 fine, though. There are IMO a lot better amps for much better prices all around. Especially if you've only been playing for a year! A $3000 tube amp is overkill for one of your first rigs! Like Lorenk said, spend some time playing some different heads first and really figure out what sound you're looking for. If you still want the Orange, go for it!

 

What about the Orange Tiny Terror Bass?? I'm curious how that little sucker sounds! Tube/SS . . .

 

Well I have the Orange AD200B and the 15" cab. For me it's great, plenty of power, sits in the mix well with the band and has what I like, simplicity of controls. I've never been one of those in search of the perfect tone in an amp, I keep the eq flat and let my bass do the talking.

That said, I've been playing 20 years, played through plenty of amps and learned a few things about what sort of tone I'm looking to get, and what I don't like. I would definitely recommend buying a less expensive amp more tonal characteristics so you can better get a sense out of ultimately what the perfect amp will be for you. I love my Orange set up but I just think it's too specific and simplistic for a very first rig.

Now if money is no object, (and for some it is not) then get the orange and have a blast with it, it's a super amp.

 

Well, next time you hit up Oregon (lol particularly Bend) lemme know

And Lady, I would soooo suggest not sinking like $3k into an amp if you've only been playing for one year...I promise you that in one more years' time you will probably have grown even more with your tastes and preferences for style of playing, tone and volume...I'd say get something you can gig without dropping serious bank on and then stash the rest til you need to upgrade again or decide to buy a second amp (always a good idea in my opinion).

 

The Orange is probably tied for (with the Eden 300) my favorite out of the all-tube bass head market. It's got a real nice transparency (which I like) but still has that all-tube "gut punch" thing going on. I really like the sound when it starts to break up as well, much more than other tube heads. It's a nice subtle grinding break up. Being 200 watts instead of 300 like most others, it reaches that breaking up point at a reasonable volume too IMO.

If you want a nice, transparent tube head with a good kick, snag the Orange. If you're looking for a tube head that colors your tone to a specific sound, go with something else.

 

if you want to hear the orange bass sound really good . my bud sherman plays an ad200 with a 4x10 and the 1 15. he plays for the veronicas. check out their live videos.

for even better orange sound, check out my other buds band Lights Resolve. They are endorsed by orange and the bassist luke uses the same setup.

As far as the rig goes Even though its your first band, im only 20 been playing bass for since i was 14. i only got serious when i was 19 when i got offered a fillin gig for lights resolve.

I have played through many amps and thing for rock nothing beats an orange or an ampeg svt rig.

I have opted for the ampeg because it is a more common amp, and easier to get serviced etc. Plus the tone blends in better than an orange. Though I would prefer the orange, i think i would use the ampeg more for gigging.

I am the kind of guy who has a rickebacker but still goes back to my fenders as my main basses. even though i technically like the rick more, the fender is more versatile.

getting back the ampeg. a complete rig in good condition svt cl with an 810 can be had used in great condition for 1,500 if you play your cards right.

and also. id rather break my back than play a solid state head. if jimmy m can lug his svt, i sure as heck can lug mine

 

Orange is unique sounding amp, so you love it or hate it. I love it, but at the same time I know that it won't suit things I play.

Check out new Tiny Terror for bass. It has the same tube preamp as AD200, so it should have this DIRTY sound.

 

Get it. Save up and buy an Orange if you love it. Don't be "rational" and buy something "more practical" first. You'll just end up being unsatisfied and selling it to get the Orange later if you do.

Tube amps are heavy, but the Orange AD200 is 55 pounds (25kg) and so is only about ten pounds heavier than my amp, fifteen pounds heavier than my old solid state amp. Just make sure you lift correctly (NOT with your back) and you'll be fine. It's the downside of having that great tone.

That said, if you have enough to buy the Orange, you have enough to buy pretty much any tube amp out there. Here is a thread with a list of many.

 

right, cause it costs $2179

i'm obviously biased, but i prefer the "cleaner" tube sound of the orange over an ampeg.

 

Oh yeah.... the Thunderverb costs $3000

 

I'll weigh in again if I may. Seventeen years old and playing for a year your musical tastes have yet to develop. Three grand is a huge investment for someone your age. I'm sixty three and have been playing since I was sixteen. I would not even consider such a purchase. There are so many different choices that could well suit you better. Making that sort of investment on one trial goes against everything I have learned throughout my career. I really feel that you should wait until your tastes mature more and get something good in the mean time.

What does your Dad say about this?

Paul

 

I would encourage trying out lots of different amps.

However, I think it's funny that I ended up getting basically what I had wanted when I'd only been playing a couple years, while going through a few things that weren't quite what I wanted in the meantime.