Best amp you can get for the money.
I've own many amps. When I say this, I mean it. I'm a tone nerd. Granted there are amps out there I have not owned, played or heard, I have heard the best and owned a few of the best. This amp is DEFINITELY in that category of ONE OF THE BEST.
For years I've wanted to own an Orange simply for the crystal clear tone. Some would say its almost colorless in tone, but I disagree as you can immediately tell its tone seems based off a similar british design as most old Marshalls, except it actually brings most of its tone from the actual guitar you plug into it. Alot of amps may do this, but alot of amps also have annoying noise levels and confusing tone settings or cruddy gain stages.
Other amps can also be very expensive to maintain. Further research shows you can fully retube this amp [which I personally recommend doing with ANY tube amp once a year if you play it regularly, more often if you do alot of shows and practices] for around $100 if you know where to shop and what kind of quality tubes to get. Most tube amps will run you closer to $200 - 300 just for a simple retube and rebias by a tech. Oh did I mention this amp has a nifty self bias feature? Thats right. Just take the old tubes out, put the new tubes in. That simple.
Other amps have to be cranked really loud to get a good sound. Thanks to the switchable power as well as a tube attenuator, you can run this amp at 7 watts [perfect for the bedroom], 15 watts [perfect for practice and recording], or 30 watts [perfect for loud practices and small or mic'd gigs]. Guess how loud you have to be before the good tone starts? at like 2 or 3 on the dial. Granted 2 or 3 can get pretty loud if on the higher wattage settings, and cranking it up to 10 can also get extremely loud if you want it, but the tone is always there. The only thing some people may not like is that, even with a great deal of headroom when compared to other class A low wattage amps, you will get natural break up alot sooner. But any person who needs a cleaner tone is probably needs to learn to play their guitar properly.
This amp is light and easy to haul around. I play shows with it and a 2x12 cab and keep up with, if not slightly overpower, my other guitarist who runs a 100 Watt JCM 900 Marshall and a 4x12 cab. This thing also sounds amazing when hooked up to two 16 ohm 4x12 cabs.
Other reviews have bashed this amp in certain departments. No effects loop [they make a great mod that lets you put an effects loop on one of the two footswitchable channels for $50. This, to me, is an even greater idea than having it on both channels.]
Others complain that the two channels are too similar. I agree, but its not in complaint format. I'm excited about it because one channel is only slightly fatter in the low mid region, but it is possible to get them sounding identical, then just give more gain or more volume to one to give a nice boost channel like you've always dreamed your amp REALLY had.
I sold my JCM 800 just to get this amp, and honestly feel like I have successfully replaced it without losing anything I was capable of doing with my JCM 800. I actually feel like I ended up with a better tone and MORE versatility
Bottom Line: If you want to play alternative, grunge, rock, metal, or if you just want one of the best guitar amps made for a very low price, get this amp. If you want to play Jazz, you probably are not reading this review.
P.S. THIS THING HAS ENOUGH GAIN TO PLAY ANY KIND OF METAL. END OF STORY.Read full review
