New Theory For Dating Graphic Pix And Text Heads.

Maybe someone can help you date your Orange Amplifier?

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Rally Car
Orange Expert
Posts: 564
Joined: Wed Feb 12, 2003 7:05 am
Location: Canada

Post by Rally Car » Tue Feb 01, 2005 8:22 am

I know there are no records for dating old Orange amps with the serial numbers but I've been watching the chassis serial numbers of amps on ebay and using the 3 1970's orange amps I have owned over the last few years as a reference. So I'm trying to put together some info to date these amps. This is what I have so far.........

I have a 1973 Graphic pix and text OR80 head. I dated the amp using the caps on the pcb board. The serial number is 10021

Then I also have a 1974 OR120 head that I dated using the same method. The serial number is 11743.

Then there was a 1975 OR120 I used to own and the serial number on that amp is 12640.

There is an old OR120 amp on ebay right now that the seller claims to be a 1972 but is most likely a late 1973 head and the serial number of that amp is 10002 and the backplate serial number starts as OA3824 just like the older Pix only heads.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 06215&rd=1

So I believe that 1973 was the transition year When they released the Graphic Pix and Text heads and I believe the serial numbers for these new versions started with 10000 and worked up from there. So If you have a vintage Or120 or OR80 open it up and check the date codes on the caps and post back with the serial number and year so we can start to figure out a way to date these amps by serial number.

This is my guess at the years and serial numbers.

10000-11000 ----------- 1973
11000-12000 ----------- 1974
12000-13000 ----------- 1975
13000-14000 ----------- 1976
and so on.

Another interesting fact I found is that around 1975 they switched from using a big power on light to a small power on light that sits almost flush with the faceplate. So if your vintage Orange has a big Power on light it will date from before 1975.

This dating theory is only for the Graphic Pix and text heads. So if you have a pre 1973 Pix only Orange amp this wont help you date it.




Edited by - rally car on 01 Feb 2005 08:24:26

Rally Car
Orange Expert
Posts: 564
Joined: Wed Feb 12, 2003 7:05 am
Location: Canada

Post by Rally Car » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:09 am

This has been discussed more at the plexi palace forum if anyone wants more info on this subject. http://vintageamps.com/PlexiPalaceUBBcg ... 4;t=001176

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