Orange Amps: Quality Issues?

[gnd567]

I have a question. Has anyone else had quality control issues with Orange? I have loved their sound since the first time I plugged into one 7 years ago and have been using them as my main sound ever since. But I have had a problem with every single amp I have ever received from them. First one was a Tiny Terror but it's failure was not their fault but a clumsy light guy! I replaced it and within a week it died. Sent it back and they replaced it for free. A year later, same thing. They send me another one and it lasts a good 3-4 years before crapping out onstage in front of thousands of people. So I decided to try a different model, the OR15. It was out of stock forever but I finally got it have had it about a month now and the pilot light has already died (which seems to be a common thing with Orange.) I know that its no big deal but I can't help but think its a sign of bad things to come.

I don't understand. I've literally dropped my 68 Dual Showman Reverb on the pavement and NOTHING was wrong with it. I've had a roadie drop a 66 Custom K200 on its face its fine but these brand new amps (that haven't been abused and heavy gigged at all) continue to die? What gives?
Anyone else have problems with Orange? I really wish I didn't have these problems. I love the tone.

 

[muscmp]

i have a 1976 or80 that has only needed a replacement of 2 caps. otherwise it still works fine after 40 years.
pilot light, no big problem. clumsy light guy, not orange's problem.
what's with the dropping of amps? maybe you need road cases.

play music!

 

[Spaceboy]

I have four modern Oranges and have had others, with no problems outside typical use.

 

[buddhuu]

I have two current Orange SS amps. They're fairly new but no issues so far. Great amps.

 

[Johnny Cache]

I had an Orange 120 head and cab that had a few issues back in the '70's. When it worked it worked fine. Traded it off after fixing it too many times.

 

[bunny 7]

Micro Terror with 2 cabs 1x8, Crush 35RT, no problems so far.
Seems pretty sturdy.

 

[earl diltz]

Big money for circuit boards made in China.

 

[buddhuu]

Wow, got past half a dozen posts before the "China" thing happened.

 

[earl diltz]

Sorry, I just think it's bull when companies in the U.K. and USA move production to China and charge the same or more for their product. (looking at you Orange and Peavey)

 

[Jakedog]

Sorry, I just think it's bull when companies in the U.K. and USA move production to China and charge the same or more for their product. (looking at you Orange and Peavey)

Usually it's because production at home is no longer profitable at those prices. They want to continue to sell you the product for the same or similar price, but if they keep production in place, they'd have to jack pricing way up.

Or so they say. I try not to spend my money on imported goods, and the overwhelming majority of my gear is made in the US and UK. It's important to me.

I do own a Crush 35RT. I bought it because I think the price was very reasonable for what I got. There isn't another amp made (that I'm aware of) that does what it does, and is the same size and weight, for under $300. I consider it a steal.

FWIW- even if it were built in the UK, the boards would still be made in China.

And, if I want a UK made Orange or Marshall, or a US made Peavey, I can still get one.

 

[E5RSY]

I have never played an Orange. Where does their character fall on the sonic spectrum?? Fender...Vox...Marshall...etc.

There is a local dealer that carries a bunch. Might check them out.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Jakedog]

I have never played an Orange. Where does their character fall on the sonic spectrum?? Fender...Vox...Marshall...etc.



There is a local dealer that carries a bunch. Might check them out.



Thanks,

Scott

Definitely Brit voiced. Not in the Fender camp at all. But not Marshall or Vox either. They have their own thing going on.

 

[E5RSY]

Definitely Brit voiced. Not in the Fender camp at all. But not Marshall or Vox either. They have their own thing going on.

Figured as much since I recall you don't like Fender amps.

Are they similar to Hiwatt?

Are they fairly consistent across the different "eras" with regard to their character?

Are the new ones worth a look?

 

[KC]

just bought a TH-30c combo off of Craigslist more or less by accident -- I had money, the guy had nobody else on the line, the price finally got down to where I had to buy it. I'm very pleased with this little screamer. it seems to be built like a brick sh!thouse, loud for its size, simple controls but pretty versatile. the dirty channel seems pretty close to Marshall territory, though you can also make it do the scooped-mids metal thing. the clean channel feels closer to Vox. great little amp.

 

[Shrednoise321]

I had 2 of them. A TH-100 and a DT-30. The TH-100 sounded like straight poo. My DT-30 killed. A little boost on it and it was awesome! Plenty loud for 30 watts!! Was told to turn down with that little amp. It would be the only one I'd buy again!! If I bought a new one, I would by a rockerverb 50 combo or a dual dark 50.

 

[Jakedog]

Figured as much since I recall you don't like Fender amps.



Are they similar to Hiwatt?



Are they fairly consistent across the different "eras" with regard to their character?



Are the new ones worth a look?

I haven't played any old ones from back in the 70's, etc.

The cleans are very nice. Not scooped like a Fender. Very full and punchy. One might say authoritative.

Somebody else said the dirt is in Marshal territory. I disagree. It's fuzzier. Furrier. Sonically, when you get the gain up, it's more like fuzz than distortion, but a warm smooth fuzz. Not jagged or harsh. If that makes any sense. I can't think of a better way to describe it. It's not mushy. Even at high gain you can hear all the notes in an open chord. Very crisp.

Great gain tones for 90's grunge, and seventies stoner rock.

I have a Crush 35RT that I use as a small grab and go. It's tiny, light, and has power to spare. It screams.

I use a Rockerverb 50 mkII 2x12 combo at a rehearsal space. It belongs to the other guitarist. He stores it there and said I should use it rather than haul an amp back and forth.

I love them both. The Rockerverb is definitely in a league above the Crush, but characteristically, they are very similar.

As for sounding like a Hiwatt, I don't know. I've never played one actually. I have always wanted one because that's what James Mankey mostly used. I have a slight guitar player crush...

Using the clean, I can get right in the Mankey or Gilmore ballpark for cleans. It'll also do a really nice country tone with bumped mids that slices nicely.

 

[E5RSY]

I haven't played any old ones from back in the 70's, etc.

The cleans are very nice. Not scooped like a Fender. Very full and punchy. One might say authoritative.

Somebody else said the dirt is in Marshal territory. I disagree. It's fuzzier. Furrier. Sonically, when you get the gain up, it's more like fuzz than distortion, but a warm smooth fuzz. Not jagged or harsh. If that makes any sense. I can't think of a better way to describe it. It's not mushy. Even at high gain you can hear all the notes in an open chord. Very crisp.

Great gain tones for 90's grunge, and seventies stoner rock.

I have a Crush 35RT that I use as a small grab and go. It's tiny, light, and has power to spare. It screams.

I use a Rockerverb 50 mkII 2x12 combo at a rehearsal space. It belongs to the other guitarist. He stores it there and said I should use it rather than haul an amp back and forth.

I love them both. The Rockerverb is definitely in a league above the Crush, but characteristically, they are very similar.

As for sounding like a Hiwatt, I don't know. I've never played one actually. I have always wanted one because that's what James Mankey mostly used. I have a slight guitar player crush...

Using the clean, I can get right in the Mankey or Gilmore ballpark for cleans. It'll also do a really nice country tone with bumped mids that slices nicely.

Excellent. Thanks for the rundown.

Have been planning on getting a Pro Junior, but I may go the Crush route, instead, now.

Scott

 

[YellowBullet]

No issues so far. At the moment i have dark terror and ad-5, but owned th30 and rockerverb 50 and none of them have suffered from quality or other issues. Great amps.

 

[YellowBullet]

Jakedog how's the crush?planning to get it for my son.

 

[Jakedog]

Jakedog how's the crush?planning to get it for my son.

The Crush is a sick little box. Loads of power and clarity for its size and wattage. Especially for an SS amp. Doesn't sound small and boxy like a lot of smaller amps. More low end than you'd ever expect. I attribute that to it being a sealed closed back cab.

The cleans are flat fantastic. Dirt is very good, in the spirit of the rockerverbs, but not quite as smooth. A tad grittier.

It's not as dynamic and touch playable as a nice tube amp, but it's every bit as good as a lot of cheap consumer grade tube amps.

FX loop, decent reverb, nice headphone out that doubles as a cab voiced recording out.

My only complaints are no extra speaker jack, and the built in tuner doesn't mute the output. In the amp's defense, I don't think Orange intended it to be used as a stage amp. It's very capable though. I've used it at rehearsals, jams, and even some gigs. If your drummer is at all reasonable, it's useable with a band easily. Handles my pedal board well.

I bought it to be an easy lightweight grab and go, and it excels. I'd buy it again without hesitation if it were somehow lost or stolen.