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I'm hankering after something with more "presence" than my trusty Blackstar HT20 since we've had two guitarists in the band. I'm a big fan of Orange amps when other people play them, but the only one I'd ever played before was a Dual Terror. Went into my local Orange dealer today and played around with a few (I should give them a mention actually - Sound Unlimited in Plymouth, bloke in there actively encouraged me to try a few amps even though I made it clear I had no intention of buying a new one).
First impression was that I really liked the Rockerverb 50 (Mk 2). Very clear, and loads of top end clarity compared with my Blackstar. Clean channel and a dirt channel, which is what I want. Has an effects loop, which is what I'm used to. Reverb is nice to have, although I don't use it that much on my current amp. I thought I'd like the less modern-voiced amps more, but the RV sounded really good. Obviously pretty pricey though...
They didn't have an AD30 in unfortunately, but the guy reckoned an OR15 was similar (another EL84 amp). Slightly more grainy, slightly less bass I think. Also nice, but I want two channels.
Also tried an OR100 (EL34s again I think) - not sure about that one, almost too much top end presence or something. I wouldn't refuse if somebody gave me one though!
So, from that I think I'd go looking for an RV50, but I've got a niggling feeling I might still like the AD30TC... But perhaps I just like "modern" amps (the Blackstar is quite modern voiced after all, and I like that). I've never played an amp with a valve rectifier - is it likely to feel too spongy to me, or is it not that noticeable? Anybody in the Plymouth/Exeter/East Cornwall area got an AD30 they'd be willing to let me have a go with?
I suspect the Rockerverb might be more versatile than an AD30 as long as I don't specially like the sound of the AD (assuming I can find one to try). The AD doesn't really have a clean channel does it. The other thing to consider is reliability... any nasties I should know about with RV50s or AD30TCs? Whatever people's opinions of Blackstar, my HT20 has not done anything nasty to me - I've had one failed preamp valve and recently one power valve, but it's never done any damage to the amp.
Sorry that got a bit long! I'm reluctant to spend that sort of money without being absolutely sure.
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Thanks for the replies. Think I'll try to find an AD30TC to try before I make up my mind, and possibly a TH.
Dave, I do really like the HT20 - I've defended its reputation many times. I am using an EQ in the loop, but it's just not quite "the sound in my head" (sorry ) with this band. I've had it for a few years and it's been excellent. Nothing against it at all.
How reliable are the big Oranges? I suppose one side effect of the SS bits in the HT that people love to hate is that there's less "old tech" to conk out at the vital moment. I've seen a few people moaning about reverb problems on RVs, but not much else, which I hope is a good sign.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Yes, the Rocker 30 always seems to bring out good comments. Having had a go with a Rockerverb recently (and liked it), what would you say was different about the Rocker? (apart from no loop and reverb of course). Chances of finding one of those to try is pretty slim, so if I bought one it would probably have to be blind.
Thanks for the recommendations @ThePrettyDamned - for some reason I've got a bit of an aversion to Peavey (no rational reason!) and if I'm changing amp I'd rather have a change from the Blackstar (much as I do like my HT20H). For an equally irrational reason I'm drawn towards Orange. If I'm considering a Rockerverb, then I'm into quite hefty money where all sorts of interesting stuff lives... Mesa 5:25 or 5:50 for example are supposed to be pretty versatile.
I'm not a metal player, although some of the stuff we do in the band is pretty dark and heavy, almost Sabbathy. But then some of our stuff is much more lively, almost rockabilly, and some is a bit goth. I'm quite a fan of the type of stuff Jim Jones does (who uses a Rockerverb as it happens!). So I want something that can do a half decent clean and low to medium gain dirt - I prefer not to use dirt pedals. The AD30 I suspect may not clean enough for the clean stuff and possibly too loose for the stabby punk stuff. The Rockerverb sounded superb to me in my short test, although the gain available is overkill for me (although so is the HT20). Having a loop is nice, as I do like to put delay and chorus in the loop, but not the end of the world if I didn't have it.
Oh dear, not really getting anywhere am I... I get the feeling if I bought a Rockerverb I'd probably be happy, but I've got a "what about x, y, z...?" in the back of my mind.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
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"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
OK thanks. @ThePrettyDamned, I did try the Rockerverb in the shop - really liked it. Disappearing in the mix is not what I want though... that's what's made me look at changing amps. Jim Jones Review use Rockerverbs as far as I could tell and they sounded excellent when I saw them live though. I think I'll have to find somebody with a Rocker 30 I can have a go with before I make my mind up - no big rush, the Blackstar's just about holding its own at the moment, and I'd rather be sure than buy and sell stuff willy nilly.
Oh, one thing I've never quite understood is the "doesn't like pedals" thing. I've never used dirt pedals - always bought amps I like the drive sound of - but I do use wah, delay and the odd bit of chorus. What is it that's bad with some amps compared to others? Not enough headroom in the preamp for the dirt pedals?
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I had my Nomad at a gig the other week, and had it dialed in just perfect for home use, a warm jazzy sound. It could not be heard, even at full volume.
I realised what had happened (it was sitting squarely in the bass frequencies) and turned the treble up. From "it's too quiet" to "it's too loud now". I had to turn the volume down to about 2/3 at that point. A lot of people came to have a look at it that day.
Obviously some amps are voiced to sit nearer the bass than the treble, hence the idea of a treble boost in the loop, but getting the bassist to narrow his scope can pay dividends with a more punchy sound from him, and a clear guitar sound.