Crush Pro 120 tone question

[Garrett512]

Hi everyone!

I recently got the Crush Pro 120, which I'm playing out of a Marshall 2x12 with a Gibson SG Standard. The issue that I'm running into is that I've dialed in a really solid tone on the clean channel as long as I'm strumming pretty gently, but as soon as I take it up a notch the sound gets pretty muffled and muddy, with some of the notes really getting lost. The other channel is much the same way: when playing pretty softly the tone is fantastic, but as soon as I do anything north of that, the tone degrades pretty quickly and gets really muddy.

Any recommendations for this? EQ settings or pedals I can use? I love the tone I'm getting for the quieter stuff, I just want most of that clarity when I'm playing louder, too.

[PBA]

I have no experience with the CR120 but...

Are you sure you have a speaker cable and not an instrument cable connecting it to the cab?
Secondly, does the speaker cab sound alright with other amps at the volumes you are using?

[Garrett512]

Thanks for the reply! I'm using speaker cables. And unfortunately, the only other head I've ever ran out of the cab was a Fender. The cleans were great but the distortion channel left much to be desired so it's hard to say. I'm going to try hooking a friend's Orange head up to my cab to see if it's a cab issue.

[lunchbox]

I play a CR120H and CRPRO412. Loudly. I haven't experienced what you're describing.

I find that Orange amps sound great with certain speakers, and terrible with others. The G12T-75's that are in the Marshall cab sound terrible with Orange tone, imo. They're bass heavy, mid-scooped, and lose a lot of the Orange mids character.

In general, I always recommend Celestion V30's to pair with Orange amps, though there are some other models that work well too. I'd look into trying a CR120 combo with VOTW speakers at a shop to see if you get the same result from those speakers.

I'd also suggest adjusting your pickup height. It sounds like it may be too close to the strings. Backing them off a little might help. It's happened to me before.

[Dexter211275]

Lunchbox is right, those G12s dont sound right with the 120. I didn't like how my CR120 sounded even with my Orange 2x12 after awhile. I also play an SG Standard loaded with '57 Classics. I know you probably dont want to switch cabs and guitars but FWIW, I played my friends CR120 thru his Orange 2x12 and his PRS Tremonti and it sounded awesome.

[Garrett512]

Thanks so much, guys. I really appreciate the help! I'll try a different cab and see if that sorts it out. I'd love to get an Orange 2x12 but they're a bit out of my price range right now, unfortunately.

[Garrett512]

Also, I was wondering if there was a big tonal difference between the open back and closed back Orange 2x12s? Is the closed back worth the additional money?

[Dexter211275]

Also, I was wondering if there was a big tonal difference between the open back and closed back Orange 2x12s? Is the closed back worth the additional money?

Ive had both the CB and OB and yes, there is a big difference. OB is better for everything up to classic rock IMO. CB is better for everything harder. The CB is tighter, more focused and more directional than the OB.

[fiveightandten]

Also, I was wondering if there was a big tonal difference between the open back and closed back Orange 2x12s? Is the closed back worth the additional money?

The price difference is due to the labor costs where the cabs are assembled (and probably some material costs as well), not because the CB cab is better. Dexter's post above is spot on.

OB = open, warm, clear, airy, good projection, lots of midrange. Not a lot of low end.
CB = tight, focused, lots of low end. Very directional, poor sound spread. Not a lot of midrange compared to the CB.

The OB does not have enough low end to please a metal player. The CB does not disperse well enough to please someone who is looking for an open 3D type tone. They each have their strengths and weaknesses. I prefer the OB with most amps and in most situations, personally. The CB sounds killer for certain things. The CB is a lot more expensive, and a good deal bigger and heavier.

Note that the OB has the speakers set somewhat diagonal in the baffle. The CB speakers are in line with each other, horizontally. Also note that you can easily cut a piece of plywood to make a temporary cover for the OB, making it a closed back (a number of us have done this, but I personally never use my cover). It is NOT the same sound as the CB cab, due to different dimensions. But if you want a CB type sound sometimes, you can easily do that with the OB cab. You can arguably do this with the CB by cutting the rear panel up, but it's much more involved and.

[Gray]

Note that the OB has the speakers set somewhat diagonal in the baffle. The CB speakers are in line with each other, horizontally. Also note that you can easily cut a piece of plywood to make a temporary cover for the OB, making it a closed back (a number of us have done this, but I personally never use my cover). It is NOT the same sound as the CB cab, due to different dimensions. But if you want a CB type sound sometimes, you can easily do that with the OB cab. You can arguably do this with the CB by cutting the rear panel up, but it's much more involved and.

You don't have to cut up the original back plate, you can make a new one and line up the screw holes. It might not be as easy but it's definitely not hard.

[fiveightandten]

You don't have to cut up the original back plate, you can make a new one and line up the screw holes. It might not be as easy but it's definitely not hard.

True. I shouldn't have even mentioned it, as the internal volume, dimensions, and speaker placement of the cabinets is totally different. No back swapping will ever make one sound like the other.

[lunchbox]

Don’t forget to look into adjusting your pup height. Too close to the strings will sound muddy, undefined and out of time, as the magnets will mess with the string vibrations.

Too far away and they’ll sound weak.

[Garrett512]

Thanks so much for all the replies and advice! I really appreciate it. I'm going to pick up an Orange open back 2x12 next month.