70's reverb unit
Moderator: bclaire
70's reverb unit
I picked up a Orange Custom Reverb Unit recently and I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into as I can't seem to find much information on these.
After figuring everything out this thing really is awesome! Sounds great! You can run it in front of the amp or in the effects loop. I thought it sounded much better in front of the amp. I tried it out on my PA120 and on one of my AD15s. Sounded great with both. Luckily it has recently been serviced so everything is good to go. Unfortunately they don't have switchable power sockets like the amps do for different voltages but during the service it had the transformer replaced for 120V. So I can use it here in the states with out having to use a step down transformer.
I wonder roughly how many of these they ever made? I know they offered two versions of reverb units. One from 1968-73 and this version that I have here from 1974-77.
After figuring everything out this thing really is awesome! Sounds great! You can run it in front of the amp or in the effects loop. I thought it sounded much better in front of the amp. I tried it out on my PA120 and on one of my AD15s. Sounded great with both. Luckily it has recently been serviced so everything is good to go. Unfortunately they don't have switchable power sockets like the amps do for different voltages but during the service it had the transformer replaced for 120V. So I can use it here in the states with out having to use a step down transformer.
I wonder roughly how many of these they ever made? I know they offered two versions of reverb units. One from 1968-73 and this version that I have here from 1974-77.
Rollin with a fat sack of Oranges
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- Duke of Orange
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Re: 70's reverb unit
Amazing!!!!!
How in hell did you find that?
How does the gain pot work? Is the reverb pot simply adding reverb depth?
Huge unit. Would love to try it!!!!
How in hell did you find that?
How does the gain pot work? Is the reverb pot simply adding reverb depth?
Huge unit. Would love to try it!!!!
Ant
Orange Gear: RV50 MKI, R30, AD15, PPC212
And.... Genz Benz Black Pearl 30
Past Orange: AD30TC Combo, TT, AD5
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded, Vigier Expert Retro 54, Gibson SG 70s Tribute, Aria Pro II RS X80, G&L ASAT Special Tribute
Orange Gear: RV50 MKI, R30, AD15, PPC212
And.... Genz Benz Black Pearl 30
Past Orange: AD30TC Combo, TT, AD5
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded, Vigier Expert Retro 54, Gibson SG 70s Tribute, Aria Pro II RS X80, G&L ASAT Special Tribute
Re: 70's reverb unit
Hi Les Paul lover,
The gain works as a volume and yes the reverb just adds depth. There is also a switch that cuts the amp signal and just outputs reverb only. It's pretty neat and sounds awesome!
It is a big unit haha, I had to laugh when I removed the chassis, it was so small. There is not much going on inside of it, but the reverb tank is big, so that must be why they made it so large. It looks cool being the same size as the amps though.
The gain works as a volume and yes the reverb just adds depth. There is also a switch that cuts the amp signal and just outputs reverb only. It's pretty neat and sounds awesome!
It is a big unit haha, I had to laugh when I removed the chassis, it was so small. There is not much going on inside of it, but the reverb tank is big, so that must be why they made it so large. It looks cool being the same size as the amps though.
Rollin with a fat sack of Oranges
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- New Member
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Re: 70's reverb unit
Wow! That is rare. First time I've seen any internal pics of these. No idea how many of these were made, perhaps someone at Orange knows, Mickey Dines? they probably didn't sell many at the time.
I've got a Orange Matamp valve one which I've also found very little info on, and even Matamp have little or vague knowledge on, but it sounds great. The serial no of mine is the earliest I have found, but the number is not necessarily a guide to how many they made. I've only found 3 others than mine.
Good luck on the find and the research.
I've got a Orange Matamp valve one which I've also found very little info on, and even Matamp have little or vague knowledge on, but it sounds great. The serial no of mine is the earliest I have found, but the number is not necessarily a guide to how many they made. I've only found 3 others than mine.
Good luck on the find and the research.
Re: 70's reverb unit
That's awesome that you have the first version that was tube. Any pics?Davepedalsteel wrote: ↑Tue Jul 31, 2018 3:39 pmI've got a Orange Matamp valve one which I've also found very little info on, and even Matamp have little or vague knowledge on, but it sounds great. The serial no of mine is the earliest I have found, but the number is not necessarily a guide to how many they made. I've only found 3 others than mine.
Good luck on the find and the research.
Yeah vintage serial numbers don't seem to make any sense. It's like they just put random numbers on. kind of sucks, it would be nice to accurately date my vintage gear. I usually can narrow it down to a few years but never for sure the exact year.
Rollin with a fat sack of Oranges
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- Duke of Orange
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Re: 70's reverb unit
I was wondering where the spring tank would fit.
His the tank original? It looks really new and well conserved.
Mind you the whole unit seems to be in pretty tip top shape.
His the tank original? It looks really new and well conserved.
Mind you the whole unit seems to be in pretty tip top shape.
Ant
Orange Gear: RV50 MKI, R30, AD15, PPC212
And.... Genz Benz Black Pearl 30
Past Orange: AD30TC Combo, TT, AD5
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded, Vigier Expert Retro 54, Gibson SG 70s Tribute, Aria Pro II RS X80, G&L ASAT Special Tribute
Orange Gear: RV50 MKI, R30, AD15, PPC212
And.... Genz Benz Black Pearl 30
Past Orange: AD30TC Combo, TT, AD5
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded, Vigier Expert Retro 54, Gibson SG 70s Tribute, Aria Pro II RS X80, G&L ASAT Special Tribute
Re: 70's reverb unit
I do not think the tank is original. I've read that they came with hammond tanks and this one is accutronics like the AD30R uses.
This unit was recently serviced before I bought it. which i'm glad because it works really well and sounds awesome!
This unit was recently serviced before I bought it. which i'm glad because it works really well and sounds awesome!
Rollin with a fat sack of Oranges
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Re: 70's reverb unit
Wow... that's cool.
I, too, was wondering where the reverb pan would go - makes sense now. But what a tiny chassis!
Thanks for the pix!
I, too, was wondering where the reverb pan would go - makes sense now. But what a tiny chassis!
Thanks for the pix!
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- Duke of Orange
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- Location: Derby, England
Re: 70's reverb unit
In terms of usability, it's really great.
Parts do deteriorate, and I value functionality over originality too.
Thanks a lot for sharing it all!!!!
Ant
Orange Gear: RV50 MKI, R30, AD15, PPC212
And.... Genz Benz Black Pearl 30
Past Orange: AD30TC Combo, TT, AD5
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded, Vigier Expert Retro 54, Gibson SG 70s Tribute, Aria Pro II RS X80, G&L ASAT Special Tribute
Orange Gear: RV50 MKI, R30, AD15, PPC212
And.... Genz Benz Black Pearl 30
Past Orange: AD30TC Combo, TT, AD5
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded, Vigier Expert Retro 54, Gibson SG 70s Tribute, Aria Pro II RS X80, G&L ASAT Special Tribute
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- Orange Hero
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Re: 70's reverb unit
Wow, that's awesome.
So I take it it's pretty light? I mean the weight.
So I take it it's pretty light? I mean the weight.
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- Orange Master
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Re: 70's reverb unit
The solid state reverb unit on the Orange Field Guide has an Accutronics tank in it. I think 70s is too new to have a Hammond reverb tank. Hammond spun off reverb production to Gibbs in 1964 and then accutronics by 1971.
http://www.accutronicsreverb.com/main/? ... 03_01.html
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- Orange Master
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Re: 70's reverb unit
For what it’s worth, I always like the labels on the tanks made by OC Electronics in Milton, Wisconsin.
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