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Orange OB-1K

Not trying to be argumentative here, but anybody looking for a great SS head that does the dirt would gladly get this over an SVT4-Pro. Similar wattage, great build quality (presumably), and similar form factor...

...but it will get grindy. Unlike the SVT4-pro

...And there's no re-tubing to have to do for the power section. ever.

Great for a long term rig investment. I think there's value. Especially below MSRP.

I would take it over a 4 pro too. Hence, the reason I said the SVT Classic, not the 4 pro. My point was that I doubt most bassists will want to pay close to 2 grand for a solid state head when they could get an all tube head for less. Or just pay a hair more for the AD200b.

Then again, I and everyone else are making alot of assumptions. Funny thing is, even though I'm making these generalizations I ditched my all tube SVT classic in favor of the Orange TB1000. Then again, the TB is cheaper than the classic, not more.
 
So compare it to something like the B1500.

For Even if the B1500 cost more than $400 I would take it over this amp.

Not to say the B1500 is a bad amp-I haven't played it, but why would you say that you would take that over the OB-1K simply based on price and features and not based on, gee, like the tone of the amp. If you're in the market for a B1500, you're most likely not even considering a higher-end amp like this. Posed another way: if the name on the front said Aguilar or Glockenklang would you still take the B1500 over it?
 
Not to say the B1500 is a bad amp-I haven't played it, but why would you say that you would take that over the OB-1K simply based on price and features and not based on, gee, like the tone of the amp. If you're in the market for a B1500, you're most likely not even considering a higher-end amp like this. Posed another way: if the name on the front said Aguilar or Glockenklang would you still take the B1500 over it?

I would take the B1500 over just about any SS amp. Period. Most tube amps too.

Eq points are perfect. It is goes from crystal clear, to warm. Might not do grindy but that is what pedals are for. On top of it, the power and price of the amp cant be beat.

IMHO Aguilar, Glockenklang, and Orange dont make anything that comes close to the B1500.
 
Not to say the B1500 is a bad amp-I haven't played it, but why would you say that you would take that over the OB-1K simply based on price and features and not based on, gee, like the tone of the amp. If you're in the market for a B1500, you're most likely not even considering a higher-end amp like this. Posed another way: if the name on the front said Aguilar or Glockenklang would you still take the B1500 over it?

sounds like you listen with your eyes and your wallet to me
 
Actually I was pointing out that it is suggested that based on your experience with the B1500 you would take it over ANY other amp including ones you've never heard. That's fine, I prefer to judge amps with my ears and one of the reasons I don't play Carvins because its difficult to hear them in person without purchasing them. And I would argue anyone that says they would prefer an amp based solely on features/price without hearing it. Not to say some features or lack thereof wouldn't rule some amp out for your rig, but that's a different argument.

vbchaos- actually, I'm the one arguing FOR listening to the gear in question.

And in case you're curious, I do not use Orange cabs because I don't think they warrant the price for the tone of the cabs that I've been able to try. Again though, that involved playing through them and listening myself.
 
Missing the point.

How many people have played through this new amp? Very few. So what we have to judge it on is the known information. Based on that, I dont see it being an amp worth its price tag. So we narrow down the comparisons to amps with in a size/weight/power realm and see how this one pans out with what we know about it. With all that taken into account, I STILL dont see this amp ousting those amps. Take into account what we know about the "orange sound" I really dont see many people paying for this amp over the TB1000 as that amp is killer.

My statement about cabs stems from your quip about high end gear. A lot of people will pair this amp with orange cabs, "cause ZOMG ITS ORANGE and check out how it looks!" Which makes me laugh because it wouldnt matter how "high end" an amp is if you playing through the wet cardboard sounding cabs orange makes. (Since when is orange "High End" anyways?) I agree that they are way over priced for what you get, just like this amp.
 
Help Me OB1-K-nobi!
 

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I don't think I'm missing the point. I will continue to play gear I think sounds good. . . . yep, uh . . . don't think I see a flaw in that logic. I'm not saying this amp is the shizzle; I'm saying hold off on that judgement until you get to hear it. However, it doesn't sound like you will hear it because your mind is fairly well made up based on an amp that no one's heard and a price that no one knows and what knobs and sounds are in the amp you have. That's cool but I wouldn't call that an informed opinion and I certainly wouldn't consider suggesting someone else is missing the point when all of the above points have already been missed.
 
I don't think I'm missing the point. I will continue to play gear I think sounds good. . . . yep, uh . . . don't think I see a flaw in that logic. I'm not saying this amp is the shizzle; I'm saying hold off on that judgement until you get to hear it. However, it doesn't sound like you will hear it because your mind is fairly well made up based on an amp that no one's heard and a price that no one knows and what knobs and sounds are in the amp you have. That's cool but I wouldn't call that an informed opinion and I certainly wouldn't consider suggesting someone else is missing the point when all of the above points have already been missed.

My thought is that not many will actually hear this amp, because I dont see a draw for it to go into major production. Regardless of how it sounds, there is no corner of the market where this thing is a hit.
 
My thought is that not many will actually hear this amp, because I dont see a draw for it to go into major production. Regardless of how it sounds, there is no corner of the market where this thing is a hit.

I agree that that is a distinct possibility. The Trace Quadra Valve wasn't a hit either but it sounds pretty awesome. These amps are good to keep in mind when they show up 10 years from now on the used market for 1/3 the price.
 
Missing the point.

How many people have played through this new amp? Very few. So what we have to judge it on is the known information. Based on that, I dont see it being an amp worth its price tag. So we narrow down the comparisons to amps with in a size/weight/power realm and see how this one pans out with what we know about it. With all that taken into account, I STILL dont see this amp ousting those amps. Take into account what we know about the "orange sound" I really dont see many people paying for this amp over the TB1000 as that amp is killer.

My statement about cabs stems from your quip about high end gear. A lot of people will pair this amp with orange cabs, "cause ZOMG ITS ORANGE and check out how it looks!" Which makes me laugh because it wouldnt matter how "high end" an amp is if you playing through the wet cardboard sounding cabs orange makes. (Since when is orange "High End" anyways?) I agree that they are way over priced for what you get, just like this amp.

I don't know what Orange cabs you've played that sound like cardboard, but they damn sure sound better than any Ampeg, GK, and especially Peavey cabs that I've ever played. Oranges 410/115 set up is one of the best speaker combinations I've ever heard. I'd play em if they were painted pink and yellow.

The problem with most Orange gear is that it's next to impossible to find used, and most music stores only have the TB500 and Orange combo amps, not the higher end cabs. They are also made MUCH better than any other bass cabs I've played. But, I CAN empathize with your argument that they are a bit overpriced in the US, especially when you can get a nice used Ampeg 8x10 for $300 on craigslist.
 
One man's "sounds better than anything else" is another man's "totally doesn't work for me."
The Orange stuff I've played was made well, and good at what it did, and very much not my personal flavor.
 
I don't know what Orange cabs you've played that sound like cardboard, but they damn sure sound better than any Ampeg, GK, and especially Peavey cabs that I've ever played. Oranges 410/115 set up is one of the best speaker combinations I've ever heard. I'd play em if they were painted pink and yellow.

I wouldnt call ampeg, GK, or Peavey cabs "high end". The 410/115 combo is a joke, but that is for another thread. Its not the color, its the fact that they limit the sound I want. They are very limited in their production IMHO. (not to mention heavy, expensive, and cheaply built)

The problem with most Orange gear is that it's next to impossible to find used, and most music stores only have the TB500 and Orange combo amps, not the higher end cabs. They are also made MUCH better than any other bass cabs I've played. But, I CAN empathize with your argument that they are a bit overpriced in the US, especially when you can get a nice used Ampeg 8x10 for $300 on craigslist.

I would disagree with you on being much better built. They make a lot of sacrifices to improve their profit margins.
 
I wouldnt call ampeg, GK, or Peavey cabs "high end". The 410/115 combo is a joke, but that is for another thread. Its not the color, its the fact that they limit the sound I want. They are very limited in their production IMHO. (not to mention heavy, expensive, and cheaply built)



I would disagree with you on being much better built. They make a lot of sacrifices to improve their profit margins.


First, they probably have higher cab production numbers than Carvin because their guitar cabs are some of the most popular ones out there. No cab combination is "a joke" if it sounds good and some players like it. And what sacrifices do you mean, the Demeter-OEM'd Mercury OT clones, the extra thick boards and PCB traces. I'll admit they chassis mount sockets and jacks which is generally frowned upon, so yes, it's no Reeves, but I've yet to have a problem on my AD200 after 10 years of gigs. The better question is who doesn't sacrifice some quality to benefit price to the end user.
 
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First, they probably have higher cab production numbers than Carvin because their guitar cabs are some of the most popular ones out there. No cab combination is "a joke" if it sounds good and some players like it. And what sacrifices do you mean, the Demeter-OEM'd Mercury OT clones, the extra thick boards and PCB traces. I'll admit they chassis mount sockets and jacks which is generally frowned upon, so yes, it's no Reeves, but I've yet to have a problem on my AD200 after 10 years of gigs. The better question is who doesn't sacrifice some quality to benefit price to the end user.

I was speaking about their cabs. If they work for you, play them, but they do not meet my critera for "good" let alone "High End".

Per their amps... If they made a TB1000 in a lightweight rack unit, I would own one. Their amp builds are no better/worse than any other major producer.

That said, if I was spending what a new all tube costs from the, I would be buying a Dunwich. There are no sacrifices in Nick's builds.
 
Yeah, once again different strokes for different folks.

I will be interested to see what happens with the OB-1k. Hopefully it will prompt Orange to keep releasing more bass gear, and maybe rack mountable versions of the TB line.
 
I like how TB can turn from a thread started about a new product by a company for those that may be interested in it, and completely devolve into a "my dad can beat up your dad" level of discussion.

I agree with earlier comments, that what works for one guy maybe doesn't for someone else. I happen to thoroughly enjoy the tone of my Orange cabs and would argue that wet cardboard is probably not as articulate and punchy as I find my Orange cabs to be. Additionally, I happen to agree that the OBC410 and OBC115 is a helluva fun combo together and we'll just have to disagree what constitutes a joke.

I find it might be better to pass judgement on the gear upon its release to the public, instead of opinions formed from little more than a press release from NAMM. If everyone is so finely tuned with what will work or fail in the market, you should consider day trading as a career and effort less time arguing on internet forums.

And in summation I thoroughly agree with mancefine above.... Let the companies we love release more bass gear.