Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

I like this amp so much, I made an account here just to review it!

I see Orange as the red headed middle step child of classic amp brands, and this head has the attitude to prove it! There are so many tones, overdrive/crunch to nearly clean, that can be coaxed from this thing, it's like having an all tube analog modeler of classic amp tones, no exaggerating at all. More gain than any vintage design, yet set up right, you'd swear it was a vintage single channel amp of some kind, cranked and it sounds like a hot rodded vintage amp modded out by a master amp tech from the golden days.

As vintage flavored as this amp can get, it's not a reissue, and this is really it's biggest advantage. Without the constraints of trying to nail a very particular sound that other brands have built their reputation on, Orange is free to design and release amps that just work for the needs of modern players. This amp sounds really good with modern production tubes which, in a classic reissue circuit, can often leave a lot to be desired if you've ever played a classic amp design with old glass in it. This makes this amp a really incredible value for someone looking for vintage tones, but adds the versatility of a more modern amp with tons of gain on tap.

The gain structure is flat out brilliant. Set the master up high, and the gain lower for some very vintage crunch and lead tones, set the master low and the gain high for modded vintage amp singing lead and heavy crunch riffs. This thing covers the Beatles to Zep, Steely Dan to the Ramones, it's nuts. With some experimentation, you can set it up to go from clean(ish) to crunch/lead by using just your volume and tone controls, or go from crunch to searing lead sounds. Pro players back in the day loved amps that could do this if you read some gear interviews, and many a classic amp was modded to achieve it, here you get it right out of the box without even having to change out the tubes! Amazing!

You may find you don't even need that old od box you're used to using once you get a handle on how your volume/tone controls on your guitar can work in tandem with the gain structure of this amp. The fx loop is really good too! Perhaps this bit is even the secret to the amps incredible control over preamp and power amp distortion, as the tube buffered fx loop is always in the circuit, it gives great control over the preamp and power amp gain sound. Add your modulation and echo here and you won't be disappointed! High gain settings may not work so great with reverb in the loop, but I honestly think reverb rarely sounds good in high gain amps myself, unless all the gain is in the preamp, which is a sound I'm rarely fond of, but in this thing it actually sounds ok!

The 7 watt mode and very well designed preamp gain allow you to get great tones at low volumes but adding an attenuator will give you all the vintage tones you could need at any volume. It's really great that you don't absolutely need one for good low volume sounds though!

I really could write all day about this head, it's so great! If you have some old glass, pop it in and the amp sounds even more authentically vintage but honestly, you don't even need it to massively enjoy this amp!

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

Just tried an Or 15. Great amp. Plugged in through a ppc 212 speaker cab and a les paul. Awesome sounds. The clean is warm and mello. The overdrive is what makes this amp though. It's so amazing! Warm, articulate, and hits you in the face, with plenty of gain on tap and an excellent 3 band eq. It is loud! The only tones you could get for bedroom volumes are clean and a good classic rock. Any more gain and it gets fuzzy. A good overdrive pedal could fix that though. Outside of bedroom levels this amp seems suited for many areas, and it can always be miced up. Also there is an fx loop to run any reveb or delay etc. This amp does many styles of music very well. If simplicity is your thing, check it out!

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

This amp is evil. It seems to be set up on a heavily modified Tiny Terror base, and I say heavily modified as there is a 12AT7 tube for the effects loop with an extra 12AX7 in the preamp stage. 2 EL84s give this thing the juice! But, the whole amp is given a proper enclosure and there is a mids level adjustment knob thrown in. This amp sounds superb even without my fuzz box attached. I suppose this is because this thing has even more gain than the Tiny Terror I traded in for yesterday at my local Guitar Center. I took the thing home, plugged in, and annoyed my neighbors for hours, I'm sure. Stop reading. I'm finished talking about this product. If you've not been convinced that this is THE amp, then further discussion will be fruitless.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

Thank you, Orange. After trying everything from Mesas and Marshalls (great for the stage, but no sweet spot at home volume), to modelers (meh) and even custom-made heads that promise tube goodness at sane volume levels (but still don't deliver), the OR15 is finally, FINALLY, the head that actually does heavy rock at home, and does it well (Led Zep to Van Halen to Crue and beyond). The preamp voicing is simple and effective and responds as it should even at home volume. (It's a loud 15 watts too, so band practice volume is there if you need it.) Aanother thing that sets the OR15 apart? There's more gain here than you need. What a concept, right? Set to 11:30 or noon, it's perfect for EVH. Wanna do Crue or Maiden or Nirvana? Push it up a few notches. The best part is, it's true, juicy, tasty, harmonic-filled ROCK gain, not ultra-modern antiseptic, might-as-well-be-digital nu-gain. There are plenty of other amps that do the nu-gain, modelers too. But this is the first truly satisfying, tube ROCK head I've found for home use. So if you're tired of so called "mini" heads that still need to be cranked up to "divorce papers" volume to sound good and other mini-heads whose gain maxes out at Skynyrd and ZZ Top, try the OR15. For me, it's replaced amps that cost twice the price and more. Again, thank you Orange. You guys rock, both literally and figuratively.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

I just recently picked up a OR15 Head at the Syracuse store. For me, it was refreshing to purchase the head still in its original double boxed shipping set up from the vender. I ran the head first through an Epiphone Valve Junior cabinet loaded with a Celestion V30. The head was focused an punchy. It gave me sounds from in your face distortion, when dimed, to chimey clean when the gain was at 20% and the master volume at 60%. I then ran the OR15 head straight into a second Epiphone Valve Junior cabinet loaded with a Celestion Greenback. This set up opened up a world of Orangey goodness. I play a Gibson Les Paul Traditional and this set up married extremely well together. After going through the paces with the Greenback, I hooked up some effect pedals ( a nessassary evil for gigging ). I ran the Les Paul into a Dunlop Wah, an MXR Script 90 and then into the head. Gain at 60%, bass and mids at 65%, treble at 45% and the master volume at 30%. I also ran an MXR Carbon Copy through the effects loop (I only utilize the effects when the song calls for it). I kept the head at the full 15 watts and ran it back into the Epiphone Valve Junior cab with the Greenback. I was in heaven. I tore into Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak and The Warrior like I recorded the album. I have also played the head through various cabinets loaded with:a Roland Vintage 12, Eminence Lady Luck, Jensen C12n and a Mesa Boogie Dual Rect 2x12 loaded with two Celestion Greenbacks. Each one sang! The 15/7 watt flexibility allows you to crank up without disturbing your neighbors and swap out cabs with different rated speakers. It is light weight and looks cool. The minimal features keeps the guitar signal strong and toneful while remaining easy to operate. I am happy with the purchase and I believe that if you are interested in the full scope of 70's guitar, this amp is for you.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

What a fantastic amp! I'm running mine through an Orange PPC 212CB. The responsiveness is amazing and the gain is incredible. The first thing I noticed was any slight movement of any eq knob made noticable differences in tone and sound. There are no "dead areas" in any of the knobs. Second, this amp responds well to touch. Even on mid to high gain settings at a medium volume, if I soften up my attack on the strings, the amp maintains a decent volume while cleaning up the tone. If I play harder, the tone dirties up. I know this is characteristic of most tube amps. However, compared to my other amps, the Orange seems to be a lot more responsive. I've rid my board of one overdrive pedal because I can get the grit I want out of this amp by just a change of string attack. This amp is punchy, too. There is no "flub" at high gain settings. It stays tight and full. The fullness of this amp is what really gets me. I mentioned the gain earlier, but the clean on this amp is so full. It surrounds my room and really brings out the warmth of my LP's. This is a must have for any tone-hound or minimalist that wants to work the amp vice pedals. I'm certain the marriage of this head's tone with any decent cab will bring a smile on your face while the volume parts your hair.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

This amp cranks. My other amps are orange ad30, marshall jcm 800 and 1987 plexi. The or15 is much easier to bring to gigs. Works great for the band I'm in. I run this head through an orange 412 or open back 212. Great little tube head that won't break the bank.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

I am a pro musician, I have recorded major label recordings and toured all over let me tell you this is by far the best amp for the money that I have ever played, I researched this amp for over two years before I pulled the trigger and so glad I did, this will be my main amp from here on out... the OR15 can do it all! The little monster is plenty loud for any gig out there.the tone is unbelievable and I don't care what king of music you play, this amp has a voice for it. I use the Orange OR15 with Orange PPC112's(2 cabs)Epiphone SG G400 and get plenty of low end and juicy thickness! I will say this, as with any and ALL tube amps that are new, you must break the tubes in a bit to get a good tone, and always warm the tubes before playing.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

I have been comparing and test driving this amp with many others. It is really great for the price and delivers great tones.
However, never ever order ONLINE from guitar center. I ordered the item for in store pick up san jose (GCW50164235). Received a call stating they only have a demo model but they can order it from another store. I received the package which was shipped from another guitar center store but the item was an open box amp, with missing knobs and many marks and tears on the body. Brought it back to the store at San Jose, and waiting or replacement.
On the phone customer service clearly discouraged me from online shopping from their web site and told me to visit the store to check inventory.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

I've using the Orange Micro Terror since November 2014 through a Orange 1x12 sealed cab and it sounded pretty loud. The OR 15 is louder and I can manipulate the tone a little more with the high/middle/ low frequency knobs that the Micro Terror lacked. These are the only two heads I can compare but this was worth the money.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

I've owned many amps through the years, and this amp is the best sounding amp I ever owned. I'm super happy with it. For those who are looking for a tube amp to play in bedroom levels, this is the one to have. This amp is not like a Marshall that you really need to push the power tubes in order to sound good. With the OR15, you can put on 15 watt, set the volume to 2, and still get some great tones out of it.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

Great Old school Orange tone. Very happy with this amp and Guitar Center. This amp is all tube and the tone can be controlled noticeably with tube selection. All tho the stock JJs sounded just fine. The tube buffered effects loop is quiet and works fine with echo and re-verb and does not rob tone. A more vintage Orange tone as apposed to the Tiny Terror.But still plenty of gain on tap. Fat blues tone up through early Ozzy. Loud amp for its size,when in its sweet spot but get a good low volume tone also. Big amp tone in a small package.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

Great little amp, makes you think your plugged into a goliath tube amp on stage. I bought this amp when they first came out and thought I would put my 2 cents in. I mostly play at small studio levels- 7watts, but this thing is so much fun for classic rock. I keep the treble low and turn up the mids and bass and get a perfect tone. It?s really not meant for modern metal but it can do Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Zeppelin and Kiss with ease. If you get one just get the matching 1 x 12 cab and its perfect. My small light went out- easy fix; unscrew cover push and turn bulb out, upgrade at Radio Shack if there still around or call Orange.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

i played this amp in the store and didn't want to leave it!!! it was one of the best amp sounds i have ever heard for an amp under $1000. definitely worth the money! buying the amp in a couple of days so its mine to keep. it is definitely good orange quality they are known for!

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

I bought this purely on reviews and online Demos. I have been SO curious about Orange stuff but in all my years of playing, (43 years) I have never heard an Orange in person or played one. What I was distant to was that they weren't very feature laden. My last serious amp was a H&K Tubemeister 36. I wanted a three channel amp for Clean, chunky rythem and a volume boosted lead. I didn't like trusting the sound man to lift my solos. It was midi and I had it all set up crazy complicated. Eventually I tired of the Hi-Fi sound and all the gizmos. I heard the kind of sounds that were being captured from this thing and I was amazed. I still couldn't pull the trigger and traded the H&K in on a Mesa Transatlantic 15. Nice amp but no effects loop. So I finally did it and ordered an OR15 in black from Dan at Guitar Center in Oakdale Minnesota. One concern I had was that this was a SINGLE channel amp. How was I gonna get clean, dirty AND a lifted lead?
Well I did it!!! After much experience over the years I knew a distortion pedal or tubescreamer in from of the amp won't really boost your volume... it just compresses more. What I bought was an Orange "Two Stroke" dual parametric clean boost pedal and most importantly "put it in the effects loop" this leaves your natural preamp alone and will push the power amp tubes harder for a lift in volume AND you can dial in the parametric to enhance the mids better to truley cut through the mix for your solos....ALL IN ONE CHANNEL!!!
This will cut the mustard now. And my effects are in the loop as well so they sound WAY better than in front. Now I gotta hear what it sounds like in a Orange cab with Vintage 30s. Was never real keen on V30s but it sounds like Orange likes them. Playing through a Marshall 2x12 slant with Celestion 70:80s.
I am now a FAN!!! Killer tones for days.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

Great sound and tone. I cant get enough of it.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

When I first played this amp (albeit through a cheap guitar), the amp offered some amazing tones. The OR15 is extremely user friendly, due to its precise knobs and minimalist design. I love this amp. It does not take very long to find a satisfying tone.

However, my beloved OR15 only lasted less than one month before it broke down and stopped working. I will definitely be exchanging this for a different amp.

Comments about Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head:

Forgot to mention FX loop works great, however can?t get my Boss Loop station to work in loop? Works on my H&K and Marshall thou, still giving it 5.