Orange OR-120?

tube · Post by **tube** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 11:14 pm

hello guys.
I have a Orange AD200 MKII

the best!
Now I want to buy another, I'm looking for an orange OR-120.
quelè the best model for play with a bass?
regards
Gerlando

a.hun · Post by **a.hun** » Sun Oct 28, 2012 5:08 pm

Any of them will sound terrific with bass BUT clean headroom for bass is very limited. They are just silly loud guitar amps, but for bass there are plenty of other 4 x EL34 'hundred watters' which'll go louder cleaner than the ORs. If you like a little edge of distortion in your sound, have nice efficient bass cabs, and don't need to go very loud this isn't a terminal problem. Just don't expect very loud clean sounds - won't happen.

Trust me on this - I've used mine (a 1978 'Overdrive' = master volume (MV) variant) for bass since 1980. Doesn't really matter exactly which one you go for - MV or non MV. The similarities way outweigh the differences and an MV one like mine is essentially the same with the MV set fully open as an earlier non MV amp.

Before you ask, changing preamp valves has some but not a vast effect on clean headroom. These are just plain dirty amps whatever you do, end of story...

Andy.

tube · Post by **tube** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:12 pm

what is the best?
the more vintage? because I saw that there are many models OR-120,
logo Orange white or black.

OrangePaul · Post by **OrangePaul** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 11:50 pm

That's interesting I wasn't aware there were different pix only fascias.
I have a 1975 model pix & text and it sounds awesome on bass. Not the cleanest of amps no but even when they are distorting they have a very cutting big bold sound to them.

I know some of the pix only amps dont have an adjustable bias so that might be worth keeping in mind, plus there were alot of pix/text models made so you might find one easy.

a.hun · Post by **a.hun** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 2:14 pm

tube wrote:what is the best?
the more vintage? because I saw that there are many models OR-120...

Seriously, they are all good. Even the '90s reissues sound great, though the transformers were somewhat less robust and can sometimes blow with impedance mismatches.

Being ultra picky, yes the early 'pics only' ones are the most sought after. But right through to the '79 Series II amps, the 90s 'Graphic and Overdrive' reissues and OTR models they are all monster amps.

See here:
The Orange Amp Field Guide

They are all fixed bias but some were fitted with an internal pot (variable resistor) for bias changes. Still fixed bias though as once you set it it stays fixed. Not a big deal, any decent tech can easily change resistor values to set the bias.

If there is a bias pot be aware that there is also a 'hum balance' pot!
http://forum.orangeamps.com/viewtopic.php?t=21403" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

STRONG ADVICE: Unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing with high voltage valve amp circuits just don't go under the chassis at all. The voltages (often stored long after powering down) kan easily KILL YOU!!!

Andy.

ironlung40 · Post by **ironlung40** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 4:33 pm

I've owned both Pix and text and Pix only. I really didn't notice a lot of difference between them. The only differences is that the phase inverter circuit is slightly different between the two, and

the pix only has pcb mounted preamp tubes, some had a mid lift inductor, no bias or hum adjust pots, and some had the lay down transformers. What all of that means, I don't really know But..........I thought they sounded really about the same.

I stuck with the pix/text because I like all chassis mounted tube sockets, and I like adjustable bias pots for the hum and bias. It makes it easy for me to self bias when I put new tubes in.

Some of the more technical minded OR120er's may chime in. I'd pay particular attention to..........fiveeightandten, a.hun, and gladmarr......those are the OR120 experts in here IMO.

tube · Post by **tube** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:35 pm

I read something.
I understand that there is three models.
those in the picture are:
foto1 ORS100
foto2 GRO100
foto3 OR120
foto4 OR120

ORS is the best?

a.hun · Post by **a.hun** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 5:21 pm

tube wrote: ORS is the best?

All good!!! (Didn't I mention that?

)

Andy.

OrangePaul · Post by **OrangePaul** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:05 pm

tube wrote:I read something.
I understand that there is three models.
those in the picture are:
foto1 ORS100
foto2 GRO100
foto3 OR120
foto4 OR120

ORS is the best?

Haha

To reiterate photo 4 has a bias pot control fitted as standard which if you are intending to gig with regularly with bass I would pick over the others...

This will allow a Tech to set the amp up with ease to get the most out of new tubes and maybe get you that little bit more headroom.

If on the other hand you're just after a museum piece go for the earliest best condition amp you can find

tube · Post by **tube** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:21 am

OrangePaul wrote:
tube wrote:I read something.
I understand that there is three models.
those in the picture are:
foto1 ORS100
foto2 GRO100
foto3 OR120
foto4 OR120

ORS is the best?
Haha

To reiterate photo 4 has a bias pot control fitted as standard which if you are intending to gig with regularly with bass I would pick over the others...

This will allow a Tech to set the amp up with ease to get the most out of new tubes and maybe get you that little bit more headroom.

If on the other hand you're just after a museum piece go for the earliest best condition amp you can find

sorry.
'm not very good with English.
Can you explain better?

OrangePaul · Post by **OrangePaul** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:12 am

Sorry...
My choice for Bass would be photo2 or photo4 because they are easier for an Amp Technician to setup with new tubes.

In other words GRO100 or OR120 pix/text.

tube · Post by **tube** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:48 am

OrangePaul wrote:Sorry...
My choice for Bass would be photo2 or photo4 because they are easier for an Amp Technician to setup with new tubes.

In other words GRO100 or OR120 pix/text.

because the valves in the orange ORS100 cannot be replaced?

OrangePaul · Post by **OrangePaul** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:53 pm

tube wrote:
OrangePaul wrote:Sorry...
My choice for Bass would be photo2 or photo4 because they are easier for an Amp Technician to setup with new tubes.

In other words GRO100 or OR120 pix/text.
because the valves in the orange ORS100 cannot be replaced?

Yes they can. It would probably need a resistor value changing to get the new valves working at their best.

The other amps have a variable resistor to do the same job.

Hope that helps

ironlung40 · Post by **ironlung40** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:04 am

You can have a tech add a bias pot to them though. It really comes down to finding one in decent shape at a fair price regardless of the model IMO.

tube · Post by **tube** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 3:43 pm

fell in love with Orange ORS100
as I do now?
where can I find it?

Orange OR-120?

Orange OR-120?

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