Be careful about comparisons, guys.
I was chastised and called a hater earlier in this thread for comparing the OB-1K to an amp that cost less than 1/2 the expected price.
How. Dare. You.

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.
Be careful about comparisons, guys.
I was chastised and called a hater earlier in this thread for comparing the OB-1K to an amp that cost less than 1/2 the expected price.

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.
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 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.
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.
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.