Just got an Orange OR-15...

[stetyrrell]

Have my name down for one of these in the local store, still haven't been delivered to stores in Ireland yet, really looking forward to it. Played the OR50 and was blown away, hopefully it's akin to it, just lower volume and no hf drive.

[Al Rose]

Originally Posted by schristie

Ok not much time with the amp but first impression is that it will be a keeper.

Tons of gain on tap if you need it, the loop works surprisingly well, good taper on the master volume and all 3 tone controls have significant impact on tone shaping.

I've not yet been able to open up the power section, plan on doing that tonight...if that goes well I'm going to gig it tomorrow night.

As I said, still in the honeymoon phase and for the price this seems to be a great amp...will post more as I spend time wth it.

Last thought...the Orange midrange/thickness apears to be there too, that's what I was missing by not having my old Rockerverb.

Does it have more clean headroom than the TT, and if so, how much would you guess? The TT crunched up too quick for me, so I bought a Tweaker 15. Also, the TT didn't have an effects loop.

Al

[schristie]

Originally Posted by Al Rose

Does it have more clean headroom than the TT, and if so, how much would you guess? The TT crunched up too quick for me, so I bought a Tweaker 15. Also, the TT didn't have an effects loop.

Al

I wouldn't buy this guy (or any low wattage amp) for clean headroom...this amp sits firmly in the classic crunch to hot rodded vintage amp tones...does it in spades. If you want chimey cleans with a little break up it can do that pretty well but not fat clean at loud volumes.

I'd say this amp is designed for a guy looking for AC/DC - Van Halen tones at moderate volumes. Not really a modern chugga chugga amp...that would be the Jim Root which is the same amp with the EQ voiced differently.

[schristie]

Originally Posted by stetyrrell

Have my name down for one of these in the local store, still haven't been delivered to stores in Ireland yet, really looking forward to it. Played the OR50 and was blown away, hopefully it's akin to it, just lower volume and no hf drive.

Contact these guys...great to deal with and they might be able to get one to you for a decent price: http://eddiesguitars.com/

[Al Rose]

Originally Posted by schristie

I wouldn't buy this guy (or any low wattage amp) for clean headroom...this amp sits firmly in the classic crunch to hot rodded vintage amp tones...does it in spades. If you want chimey cleans with a little break up it can do that pretty well but not fat clean at loud volumes.

I'd say this amp is designed for a guy looking for AC/DC - Van Halen tones at moderate volumes. Not really a modern chugga chugga amp...that would be the Jim Root which is the same amp with the EQ voiced differently.

Thanks. Actually, not looking for loud clean (like say a Fender Twin) as where we play are places like country clubs, small bars, and small outdoor parties. I have to say I've never played quieter. The Tweaker 15 works great for these gigs. I'm looking to buy a Mesa Express 5:50 which would give me plenty of clean headroom, but I'm finding here in my area (Mountains of North Carolina) the need for loud clean is small, so I might not go in that direction. The OR15 looked interesting.

Al

[t-rey]

My gas for an OR15 is completely out of control.

I currently have a Dark Terror, but I kinda want to sell that and work toward an OR15 since it's a bit less agressive/modern sounding. Anybody compared the two?

Since the OR15 is pretty much supposed to a little Rockerverb, how much does it actually sound like a Rockerverb?

And what are the actual dimensions on the thing??? I just can't believe it's only 11x7x5 or whatever the origninal specs said.

[Al Rose]

Originally Posted by t-rey

My gas for an OR15 is completely out of control.

I currently have a Dark Terror, but I kinda want to sell that and work toward an OR15 since it's a bit less agressive/modern sounding. Anybody compared the two?

Since the OR15 is pretty much supposed to a little Rockerverb, how much does it actually sound like a Rockerverb?

And what are the actual dimensions on the thing??? I just can't believe it's only 11x7x5 or whatever the origninal specs said.

I hear ya T-rey....I'm at the same place GAS wise. If it's got a little more clean headroom over a TT (maybe 3db or so) I just might have to pull the trigger. Can't beat the price.

Al

[schristie]

Just got back from load in and sound check....this little guy is pretty awesome!! My band is a full tilt party rock band and we run in ear monitors so the output of the amp is not as important to me as the tone it gives me in ears and out in the FOH.

I've played a Dark Terror and this amp is better IMO but I'm not a metal guy...hard rock, blues rock is where the OR15 lives.

Dimensions wise, it is about 50% the size of a traditional Orange head....think OR-50 shot with a shrink ray gun.

I will post tomorrow after 3 sets...and a few brews.

[schristie]

Well the amp held up like a champ last night...no issues at all. I ran a fan on it to keep it cool and all I can say is the tone was consistant all night and our FOH guy said it sat in the mix quite well.

It's a little rock monster for sure, cleans up "pretty well" with guitar's volume and it seemed to like having a little brighter guitar (I have a lightweight pine parts tele with a humbucker in it and it got lost in the mix but my maple capped Les Paul with Antiquities cut through like champ).

If you don't need a 2-3 channel amp and are good with running a dirty amp from clean(ish) to scream with your guitar's volume you could certainly do much worse than the OR15.

The loop worked GREAT and it was definitely nice only having a lightweight 1x12 cab and a 15lb head to bump at 3am.

Only concern for some would be if you really need clean-clean at higher volume the OR15 won't make you happy.

Bottom line...if you are looking for a brit voiced, mid to high gain lunchbox and you don't want to break the bank AND you prefer a simple/straightforward plug in, dial up a tone and go type amp I'd defiitely reccomend looking at this amp.

[t-rey]

Thanks for the review. The OR15 really sounds like it will suit my needs very well compared to the Dark Terror. I primarily play dirty anyhow, so cleans are secondary anyways. I will probably try and pick up a Fender Superchamp x2 head and a/b for cleans if I need them.

[t-rey]

Got to try an OR15 today. Very impressed. I definitely need one.

[Andy J.]

You guys are NOT HELPING my GAS. Wonder if the OR15 could work well as a pedal platform running a 12AU7 in V1? I've got plenty of NOS 12AU7's in my stash for my AC50...

[schristie]

Originally Posted by Andy J.

You guys are NOT HELPING my GAS. Wonder if the OR15 could work well as a pedal platform running a 12AU7 in V1? I've got plenty of NOS 12AU7's in my stash for my AC50...

Not unless you don't need much volume.

The OR15 is a little rocker for sure...doesn't stay clean at "band" volume. For home use you might be fine.

I've been running the OR with a nice transformer isolated A/B switch (Radial Switchbone) along with my early 2 channel Mesa Dual Rec and they compliment each other nicely, crunchy mids out of the orange and the Mesa handling the low end and top end...

Still finding great tones with this amp...definitely a keeper if you like the Orange take on Brit crunch/lead tones!

[Al Rose]

Originally Posted by schristie

Not unless you don't need much volume.

The OR15 is a little rocker for sure...doesn't stay clean at "band" volume. For home use you might be fine.

I've been running the OR with a nice transformer isolated A/B switch (Radial Switchbone) along with my early 2 channel Mesa Dual Rec and they compliment each other nicely, crunchy mids out of the orange and the Mesa handling the low end and top end...

Still finding great tones with this amp...definitely a keeper if you like the Orange take on Brit crunch/lead tones!

It's interesting about the volume issue here. I'm currently using a Tweaker 15 with a single 12" V30, and it easily keeps up with the band. In fact, I'm always the one who needs to turn down at the places we gig. We play 60's classic rock and lots of blues. Small clubs and Country Clubs (weddings, parties, and the like). The Tweaker master is normally between 10 and 12 'o clock, and the gain is a 10. Rarely get to open the amp up. Also, I use an Orange Crush 35 for band practice (Tweaker is much louder) so I'm thinking the OR15 will work quite nicely.

Al

[Luisito_les]

I have both, the Tweaker and the OR15. The Tweaker has a good headroom and excellent tone. But the OR15 is a crunch beast!! It's louder! It has so much saturation that I changed the first preamp tube with a 5751. Now I have more control on the crunch (between 10 to 1 o'clock). It cleans well with the guitars volume and less congestion on the high gain side.