Tell me everything about the Thunderverb 50 head!

[dflipp]

Hey guys! After months of browsing the web for reviews, videos, soundclips, random feedback and some posting on this and other forums I think I've reached a decision on which amp to get. THUNDERVERB 50!

I played most of the Terror series and the OR15 and unfortunately I don't think I will be able to try the TV50 until it reaches my doorstep.

I'll be using it for doom-ish/sludge/stoner/hardcore/drone/metal. It will be my one and only amp and will be used for both bedroom practice, rehearsals with a hard-hitting drummer and hopefully soon, small gigs.

Why I ended up choosing it? It has the Orange tones I love plus enough gain for the styles I'm looking for. It's more powerful than the Terrors and OR15 I thought of in the first place, and which I love, but it's a common opinion that neither can really keep up with a drummer. It's great at lower volumes with the built-in attenuator. It's UK made!

So please, as I'm close to pull the trigger on this deal, please tell me everything I need to know about this amp. Am I thinking right and making the right choice? Videos are more than welcomed. Any thoughts, really!

Thanks in advance!

[Lama]

Get a used Dual Dark 50. Not much help here but that's my opinion.

[snickerpuss]

The Thunderverb should fit your needs well. It's a massive sounding amp with a slightly loose, vintagey feel compared to the Rockerverb, Thunder, and Dual Dark series. PERFECT for sludgey doom and stoner rock. I'm a big fan of the similar channels with different tone controls, too. My old bassist has a 200 and I loved running my SG into it, keeping the gain from 11:00-1:00, cranking the volume, and setting channel B for a bright rhythm, and A for a dark lead.
Also, for bedroom jams, it's got an incredible master volume, without even touching the attenuator. Haven't used the 50 watt, but the 200 never sounded discernably bad at 8:00-9:00, unless you dimed the gain.

[dflipp]

Hey guys, thanks for your replies. Looks like it could be the right choice for me.

I'm thinking of getting the PPC212 2x12 closed-back cab to go with it. What do you think?

[dflipp]

Heard these work great for downtuning with the output transformer apparently handling bass as low as 30 Hz.

Also, Corrosion of Conformity's Pepper Keenan seems to like it so that's a good thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2xs5VHO2jw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Come on! Someone must have something to add. I'm very close to spending my hard earned money on it and would like to have more feedback.

Thanks in advance!

[Les Paul Lover]

It should fut the bill pretty well for the styles you are aiming for.

Be aware that channel B is very dark (LOTS of low end) and some people haven't been able to dial it in outside of down tuned heavy stuff.

[dflipp]

These are some of the tones I'm aiming at. Need some help with which cab to choose too. Thinking about the PPC212 closed back with V30s.


High on Fire - Ethereal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY1kUL34iA4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Sword - Apocryphon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEICgnxoPMQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pallbearer - Foundations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2A0o4iXoPE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Brainoil - Opaque Reflections
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfL-iYwlxC8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Converge - The Saddest Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjDUkAQugqg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DiabloS]

These are some of the tones I'm aiming at. Need some help with which cab to choose too. Thinking about the PPC212 closed back with V30s.


High on Fire - Ethereal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY1kUL34iA4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Sword - Apocryphon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEICgnxoPMQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pallbearer - Foundations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2A0o4iXoPE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Brainoil - Opaque Reflections
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfL-iYwlxC8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Converge - The Saddest Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjDUkAQugqg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As far as cabs go the PPC212 closed back with V30's would be a good choice as long as you don't mind the weight/portability. It's a pretty heavy cab to carry alone. If you want a cheaper/lighter option, the PPC212 Open Back is great and it's not too difficult to close the back if you want. That's what I ended up doing and I have no regrets.

There's also the Jim Root cab that's a 212 with Orange Voice of the World speakers. That one comes in black, has a closed back and it's the same size as the open back.

[Kristian Ford]

These are some of the tones I'm aiming at. Need some help with which cab to choose too. Thinking about the PPC212 closed back with V30s.


High on Fire - Ethereal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY1kUL34iA4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Sword - Apocryphon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEICgnxoPMQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pallbearer - Foundations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2A0o4iXoPE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Brainoil - Opaque Reflections
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfL-iYwlxC8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Converge - The Saddest Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjDUkAQugqg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can tell you EXACTLY how to get Sword tone, all day long..
Find a OR80 or OR120, on a PPC412, and a Metal Muff, and a Super Distortion equipped Explorer, and you're there.

[dflipp]

These are some of the tones I'm aiming at. Need some help with which cab to choose too. Thinking about the PPC212 closed back with V30s.


High on Fire - Ethereal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY1kUL34iA4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Sword - Apocryphon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEICgnxoPMQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pallbearer - Foundations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2A0o4iXoPE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Brainoil - Opaque Reflections
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfL-iYwlxC8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Converge - The Saddest Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjDUkAQugqg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can tell you EXACTLY how to get Sword tone, all day long..
Find a OR80 or OR120, on a PPC412, and a Metal Muff, and a Super Distortion equipped Explorer, and you're there.

I like The Sword and their tone! A lot really. You have it pretty much dialed with a lot of certainty... What was that site again, with all the artists gear listed?

I read somewhere one of their guitarists uses a Rockerverb 100. I guess and wish the Thunderverb 50 can get pretty close too. From what I read and listened to around the web, sure it can!

Also, I've done it! I've decided I would buy the amp. I already told the seller I would keep it. A mint condition Thunderverb 50 is waiting for me to try. Only if something goes terribly wrong, will the deal not take place. Either way, I'm still getting a Thunderverb 50, even if I don't make this deal. I've decided it's probably the right amp for me, I just need to try one in person. It's on the top of my list.

Next step, will be choosing the right cab to go with it. Main objective will be getting the right tone for the style I wan't to play. Check the videos!

Second, portability, as it will be moved around a bit for rehearsals and hopefully soon small gigs.

I don't have a lot of room to spare around the house either. Will the PPC212 closed back do it or should I go the extra mile and weight and get the PPC412? Will it be a total waste and overkill? It will be a major pain to haul around, load into the car and in and out of places, but I can pay it too, so it basically figuring out which one is the right choice.

Keep your opinions coming. Thanks!

[Les Paul Lover]

The difference between a PPC112 and PPC212 is much bigger than the difference between a PPC212 and PPC412.

I personally think a PPC212 is enough - it sounds absolutely huge already, and the closed back configuration is what you want for the styles of music you play.

Bear in mind the PPC212 is already pretty heavy, and an awkward lift. Be careful with your back. Do ask for help moving it if there's some at hand.

The PPC412 is near impossible to move by yourself. It's a beast.

[dflipp]

Thanks Les Paul Lover. 1 vote for the PPC212! I'm leaning towards it already from what I been reading. I do need to carry it around. 32 kg. A lot. Home to car to rehearsal space to car to home. That's a lot of moving around. 47 kg for the PPC412 is just too much. Sound-wise you say it won't make that much of a difference. Great.

I could always get a second PPC212 in the future.

[a.hun]

Heard these work great for downtuning with the output transformer apparently handling bass as low as 30 Hz.

Big deal? Not so sure. Yeah 'd imagine you'll get on fine with the TV50 and a PPC212, but just a little perspective on that point.

Firstly even downtuned guitars don't go anything like that low. Yeah the open low B on a 5 string bass guitar is nearly there, but not on a guitar.

Secondly no normal guitar speakers will put out strongly anything like that low. Their output falls off pretty dramatically below about 70Hz. But that is okay, because (even for downtuned ones) the core of electric guitar tone isn't in the bass but in the (lower) midrange frequencies, so not a worry.

Thirdly if you want impressive output transformer specs check out the Partridges fitted to old Hiwatt 100s...
Frequency Response (-3db) 3.6 Hz - 112 kHz (!)

Just saying you don't need to believe all the marketing hype around, not even from Orange. How things work real world is more important than any marketing BS, and that rig should work just fine for you I'd think.


Andy.

[dflipp]

Heard these work great for downtuning with the output transformer apparently handling bass as low as 30 Hz.

Big deal? Not so sure. Yeah 'd imagine you'll get on fine with the TV50 and a PPC212, but just a little perspective on that point.

Firstly even downtuned guitars don't go anything like that low. Yeah the open low B on a 5 string bass guitar is nearly there, but not on a guitar.

Secondly no normal guitar speakers will put out strongly anything like that low. Their output falls off pretty dramatically below about 70Hz. But that is okay, because (even for downtuned ones) the core of electric guitar tone isn't in the bass but in the (lower) midrange frequencies, so not a worry.

Thirdly if you want impressive output transformer specs check out the Partridges fitted to old Hiwatt 100s...
Frequency Response (-3db) 3.6 Hz - 112 kHz (!)

Just saying you don't need to believe all the marketing hype around, not even from Orange. How things work real world is more important than any marketing BS, and that rig should work just fine for you I'd think.


Andy.

Hi! Andy, thanks a lot for you input. Yes, my inexperience makes me an easy target for marketing ploys. Thanks for explaining the tech part of things. I've learned something today. BTW, I tune C standard for my sludgyness. I hope this setup sounds HEAVY! THICK! LOUD!

[LeeC]

Just to add my experience with the Thunderverb 50. I didn't use the orange 2x12 but I have used a Zilla 2x12 (and that is an oversized cab) with v30s with the Thunderverb and it does sound pretty nice. Any well built cab with V30s will sound fine. I use my 2x12's vertically too as they sound better to my ears.

I also play doom/sludge and my only issue with the Thunderverb is that it doesn't have enough clean headroom for my purposes. In fact, I found it hard to compete with my mate's TH30 (also set clean) in a band setting. I also found that it didn't play well with most of my fuzz pedals. If I had only wanted to push the amp's gain with an OD it would probably have been fine, but for what I wanted it wasn't loud or clean enough. I saw Conan play last June and their guitarist was using 2 amps, one of which was a Thunderverb 200. That was running very loud and fairly clean from what I could see and it sounded fine with his setup. So the extra headroom definitely helped there.

I'm sure you'll be happy with the TV50, it is a nice amp.