Orange OR120 - Used for part of my Last Studio Gig

[bear]

Oh My!

This was a very unexpected treat to find when I arrived at last weekend's recording session:

[jps]

COOL! So how did it sound?

[johnallg]

What a pairing! Yeah, how did it sound?!

[bear]

COOL! So how did it sound?

SWEET!!!


Talk about a trip into the Way Back Machine........ I felt like I was at a Wishbone Ash session

Rib Rattling, Chest Thumpin, PUNCH, that only got PUNCHIER when I plugged in the Rickenbacker.

2-15" FANE speakers in what was called a Reflector Cab.

I had no problem getting that "Blind Eye, "Handy" etc. tone from the first Ash LP.

That low pass filter sure is cool, it's a 5-position filter that has position one (annotated "Kama Sutra Anyone?) at full bandwidth and then rising (and unknown) frequency points for the LP filter. It is interactive depending on other settings as is the Punch control, sometimes it squirrels around with the mids while on other settings it does a very rich and smooth Over Drive. I would need more time, or a manual/brochure to be able to suss out what's occuring here.

The one thing that I really liked is that I could not put this thing into "Clack CIty" mode. No matter how I set the 4001 or the OR120 the treble bite and cut remained attached/part of the punch and slam of the mids and low end. I hope I am communicating the proper terminology here but that ganky, thin, Piezo that most amps give you at some point in the controls travel. Like a steel hammer on a forge the clink and shimmer remains attached to thesteel on steel thunk, that's it like a thunk instead of a thump, lots of percussive attack, and Dynamic response that is Way Too Cool.

Gak! Could it be that the "Mojo of Valves" especially those from across the Pond really is true and the old stuff really is that much better?

Oh yeah it seems they both weich about 100 lbs. Actually 114 lbs. on the Reflector Cab but the OR120 feels close.

[jps]

One of these day (I'm going to cut you into little pieces) I will have to try an Orange amp.

[johnallg]

Steve, high watt tube power has that punch factor you just don't get from SS. My Ampeg Pro 3 (450W MOSFET) and Pro 2 (300W tube) share preamp circuits (all tube, same design) and the Pro 2 can make you "start" because of the jump/punch it has over the SS. A tightness that just isn't there with the 3 Pro, even though there is 50% more watts, and using the same cab and bass, Rick of course!

[bear]

Hey John,

Totally understand the phenomena, but always wind up using those dreaded "audiophile" when it comes to trying to describe vintage valve tone.

I've owned and gigged heavily on Ampeg, Sound City, Orange, Marshall, Garnett, Laney, and Hi-Watt tube amps back in my touring heyday, so I am pretty confident that my memory is correct. Well I cheated a little bit in that respect so I best fess up. Got hold of a bassist that has a 2007 AD200B Orange Amp, went to the studio, ran an A-B between them, which didn't last too long. Suffice to say that the 1972 OR120 had the AD200B for a snack; lunch wasn't even in the picture.
Rumor has it that the new Thunderverb200 Bass/Guitar head is closer to the "Real Deal" as far as "The" Orange sound goes.
No opinion to offer here just the rumor on the "net" this week.

If I was truly in the market for a Large Valve Head I would most likely be talking to Dave http://www.reevesamps.com/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=50 Reeves as my exposure to the Guitar Versions, implemented for bass, says that they ARE the Real Deal as far as sounding like vales of the good old days.

Cheers,

BEAR

[johnallg]

I have not tried a vintage Ampeg SVT, but what you describe between the current and vintage Orange is about the difference old Ampeg users describe, even for the new Vintage line.

[bear]

COOL! So how did it sound?

Okay enough of the audiophile rhetoric, sound sample, in a rough mix context, has a link posted here:
http://www.rickresource.com/phpBB3/view ... 8&t=379808

I heard more bottom end and treble in the room but then I WAS 4 ft. away from it , same room as the wide open Fender 15 watt tweed/tube Ghi-Tard amp

Cheers,

BEAR