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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
 Posted - 04/24/2006 : 16:46:08
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| I was thinking about getting a small practice amp in the near future, as it is hard to get a decent practice volume when I am by myself with a 120watt amp that won't disturb half the neighborhood. I have always liked Orange Amps, just could never afford the real thing. However, I was looking for a 15-30watt amp, and the Orange Crush series caught my eye. I know they are solid-state, but has anyone had any experience using either the Crush 15, 15R, or 30R? Or even the 10watt model. I just want to know if these are decent amps for non-gigging/rehearsal situations, for practicing alone. Thanks. |
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Craig
Copper Member
10 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2006 : 22:19:08
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| I have the Orange Crush 10. It is okay for a practice amp bit it does NOT take pedals well, probably because it only has 1 channel with overdrive knobs. It sounds good for light classic rock stuff like the Rolling Stones, ZZ Top etc.. but don't buy one thinking you can get a heavy tone or even a good clean tone. I think all the amps in the Crush series only have this 1 channel. It sure looks cool and thats why my wife doesn't want me to sell it. I think you could do better with the same money. This is all just my opinion keep in mind. Anyway, let us know what you get. |
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Dingus
Silver Member
USA
472 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2006 : 22:22:59
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| Your Wife doesn't want you to sell something? That's odd. |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2006 : 23:16:40
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Thanks for the input so far. And for the record Craig, just thought you might want to know that the Crush 30R has 2, footswitchable channels. Right now due to funds, I am leaning toward either the 15 or 15R which are a bit more in my price range, though I am deciding on whether or not I will get reverb, but then the 30R has a 10" speaker which is more tempting to me than an 8" in the 15, and I could do that if I budget my money just right.
UPDATE, Just found out about the Kustom 12A practice amp, solid state hybrid with a 12AX7 Tube pre-amp, so now I'm debating between the Kustom and an Orange Crush 15 or 30R. But if anyone is familiar with the Kustom Tube 12A let me know what you think. Thanks. |
Edited by - jack on 04/25/2006 17:56:50 |
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Craig
Copper Member
10 Posts |
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Craig
Copper Member
10 Posts |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2006 : 01:57:49
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Wow, only listed for about 4 hours before someone bought it. I know its not record time, but still, that is pretty fast.
For the record, in regards to my practice amp search, I am leaning more now towards the Kustom Tube 12A since I have heard that the Orange Crush series (maybe Orange Amps in general?) do not react well to certain pedals. Plus after nearly 20 years of solid state amps, I think I might try something with a tube, though just a pre-amp tube, in it. I have never had a tube amp before because when I was younger they just seemed like too much hassle, in regards to set-up, care, maintenance, and troubleshooting. |
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Erik dP
Silver Member
Sweden
150 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2006 : 10:30:52
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The Epiphone Valve Junior Head has gotten real good reviews. Pure class A 5W tube amp for $99! Just add a speaker of your choice.
There is also a slightly older combo version for a few 10ths of $ extra, but with a background hum which seems to be gone with the 2006 version.
Myself, I'm playing through a 60 (?) year old Luxor tube radio. Sounds great! |
Edited by - Erik dP on 04/28/2006 10:41:58 |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2006 : 15:21:33
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| I've looked into that, but for some reason, I think since my familiarity with Epiphone starts in the mid 80s, I just cannot convince myself to own something with the Epiphone label (or Squier, for that matter, and LTD a little bit). I know they are supposedly making things better these days, but part of my belief is that if no one supported Epiphone, the prices of Gibson guitars would go down because if no one was buying the "affordable Gibsons", which is what I see Epiphone as, that Gibson might need to make their guitars prices lower to hit that market. Then maybe I could think about getting a new Gibson guitar that would not cost more than 2 mortgage payments. Went a little off topic there, my bad...but thanks fo the suggestion. |
Edited by - jack on 04/28/2006 15:22:08 |
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1964
Copper Member
39 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 13:46:13
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The MIJ Epiphones and Squiers were excellent for most of the 1980's; often better than their MIA counterparts. If you�d said your experience with these brands started in the late 80�s or early 1990�s, I could understand your point.
The new Valve Junior heads are very good, but a 5w tube amp is still very loud, even if played through an inefficient single speaker.
It really depends what sort of practise amp you're after, but I think there are several very good options in each category; the likes of the Orange Crush Series not being one of them, IMO.
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 16:04:53
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I have to admit that the Epiphone Valve Junior Combo and Head are a bit intruiging to me, because of its simplicity of just one knob and that aspect also reminds of some of the Electric/Matamps Heads I have seen with just a knob for volume and one for bass. In fact the 5 watt head seems like a great value at just around $100, and since I am just looking mainly for a home practice amp, no one will ever know I own anything with an Epiphone logo, and nameplates can always be removed. It could be our little secret, do not tell anyone I told you... |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2006 : 00:38:50
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Just wanted to update this topic, as I decided that part of not growing old is to be open minded to using something from a company that really gave me a bad impression in the mid 80's-early 90's. So I decided to break into the world of tube amps with the Epiphone Valve Junior Combo. Unfortunately, I got one of the ones with the hum problem, but its only noticeable when you are not playing, and while it is annoying at times, its not as bad as people make it seem to be.
As mentioned before, this is my first tube amp after nearly 20 years solid-state, but I am not jumping ship, but then again I'm not saying one is better than the other either, it depends on what is needed for what you are doing. From my personal experiences, solid-state can sound somewhat tube-like at high wattages and volumes (depending on your gear), but at low volume and wattages solid state will sound like solid state. Tube amps do have a certain warmth, but depending on the wattage, you may be deaf before you get to the sweet spot. Thats what is great about this Epiphone Valve Junior combo, because while its only 5 watts, it can get hella loud if you need it to be, but has a low enough wattage to get the tubes pushing without pissing off all your neighbors within a 5 mile radius.
Anyways, to get to my point, if you are looking for a small tube amp for practice or home recording (home recording is why I bought mine), then definitely give the Epiphone Valve Junior combo (or the head, as I have heard nothing but great things about the head) a shot, especially since you can either one for under $150.... |
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Orange Amps- Crush Series
