OrangeTerror 500... Almost it, but not quite, what next?

[kasbrey]

The major plus for me about the TTE 500 is how good it sounds at low volume. I struggled with my Markbass LM2 in certain venues because I couldn't get a full tone until I was too loud.

 

[kasbrey]

Looks like I'll be trying the Streamliner on for size and keep on keepin on if that doesn't work out, from what I've gathered, I'm very optimistic it will.

Thanks for the help ya'll!

I thought you were excited by the TTE ???

 

[LakeEffect]

I thought you were excited by the TTE ???

Oh I am, but I know someone who has one who is letting me borrow it. I plan to set the two heads up and spend an hour or so switching back and forth.

Really, just very excited at the optimism and confidence from the TB community, who have made it pretty clear that what I'm after is out there, even if I need to keep looking somewhat. Never fails!

 

[bassmachine2112]

Have you tried sticking a preamp in front of the amp?
BDI21 works very well and sounds ace.

 

[Downunderwonder]

First try using a 12AT7 instead of a 12AX7 in the first tube position. Cuts the gain. In fact, I replaced all the 12AX7s with AT7s. It really tamed the beast. (I do the same in my all tube version as well.)

Promising.

 

[LakeEffect]

Have you tried sticking a preamp in front of the amp?
BDI21 works very well and sounds ace.

Kind of far exceeded my budget on the Orange in the first place. I know others may feel differently, but I don't spend that kind of money on something to feel like I have to change it. Plus that thing is long gone at some returns processing facility.

Like I said, great amp, I could just tell it wasn't for me. No need for me to complicate that, in my opinion.

 

[big evil robot]

I found that my Terror Bass 500 was much too gritty and shrill in spots when I first got it home, especially at high volumes with the gain up.

I did a tube swap in the pre-amp to a 5221 in the first stage and a 12AT7 in the second stage, and it smoothed out the gain a lot and removed a lot of the unwanted noise I was getting (the cheap JJ's that ship with the terror just sound plain bad). You can easily pick up a good set of pre-amp tubes for under $40, I managed to get my hands on a couple of good vintage GE tubes for $30.

I think if you're looking for a little less colour though, the Little Mark or GB Streamliner 600 are pretty awesome, they both have distinct voices, but still aren't as coloured as the Orange. GK's MB500 is right up there as well.

 

[slade]

I'd look at an Ampeg SVT7 pro. No reliability issues in the new version. Very warm sounding amp, can get gritty, but also can be driven very clean and clear. Headroom for days. More articulate in a band/live setting than the Streamliner IMHO. I've owned and gigged both extensively. I still use my Streamliner for the rehearsal space- but always gig the SVT7pro....
my pennies

 

[boristhespider7]

Ashdown ABM...masses of clean headroom, gritty when valvedrive engaged

 

[xander8280]

Throw a 12AU7 in the preamp

 

[Downunderwonder]

12AU7 would probably be a bridge far too far. Still waiting for someone to chime in on sucess or otherwise of 12AT7.

 

[xander8280]

Yeah, AY or AT, if you need the 500 watts of power though you'll need higher gain