I Got this 120 watt, 2X12 combo, a week ago. When Orange decided to move their Crush (solid state) range of amps on, from practice (PIX) to the Pro series, they decided to make a really solid, quality, giggable amp. They also decided to keep things simple. Solid state, with the only digital aspect being the Reverb. 2 channels (clean and dirty) that are footswitchable and just the EQ you need.
I really like the rugged build quality, with good quality, solid knobs and switches. No flimsy push buttons or illuminated dials.
Everything works simply and effectively. Straightforward and easily visible. Even the large, recessed carry handles, on each side, are metal. All very sturdy and re-assuring. It's no lightweight but manageable, with those side handles. Heavy amps, with just a single handle on the top, are asking for back problems.
So, most importantly I guess, how does it sound. The clean channel is very clean. Although when you crank it right up, you do get some pleasant, light crunch.It doesn't sparkle or focus like my Fender Blues Junior.
But there's plenty of presence and the EQ works to get a great sound with my PRS Singlecut's humbuckers.
Also, very good with effects pedals. The dirty channel gets you from mild crunch to highly saturated, metal distortions.
The mild crunch isn't great and you're better off cranking up the clean channel, for that sound. Heavy rock and even heavier metal distortions are really good, to my ears. Very responsive and great to go wild with. Heavy chords, ripping lead lines and squeals, all sound pretty awesome.
I heard somewhere that this combo sounds like Orange's Rockerverb (valve) combo. I couldn't say, not having played through one. But I could say that to my ears, this amp has a sound of it's own. Strong and well defined, with a nice character.
It won't replace a valve combo, like for like. But it doesn't need to, it sounds great, being what it is. Oh yeah, that digital reverb section also works very well, with a choice of plate, hall and spring reverbs.
FEATURES
Power: 120W (solid state)
Two channels
Speakers: 2x12" Voice of the World
Digital reverb: Plate, Hall & Spring
Clean channel controls: Volume, Bass and Treble
Dirty channel controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble and Gain
Global controls: Volume and Reverb
Impedance: 16 ohm
Dimensions: 25.98" x 20.08" x 11.81"
Weight: 63.93 lbs.
Comments
I've always thought that if you simply build a solid-state amp properly, it will sound good. This is the proof - there's no modern modelling or any very new technology at all in these, they're just well-made using decent quality components. They even use a 'power chip' output section which I'm often not fond of since they can fail, but Orange seem to be running them conservatively - and properly heatsinked - and I haven't seen a single one for repair yet.
"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
That combo looks really nice!
I've absoloutely no need for one but I'm seriously thinking of getting a 2X12 ext. cab for this beauty.
An Orange stack!
Just so cool.
Thanks for the vid, p90fool
The Orange CR60/120's seem like winners, really great to see a company make decent SS amps without modelling etc that just seem to be really sturdy and reliable amps.
Cool to see your reply Wiggy.
The more I use this amp, the better it seems to sound.
Orange really got this right.
I like that chap's videos. Some people take it a bit seriously, as if he'd exactly nail a particular player's tone, but it shows that with thought and technique you can reasonably closely emulate plenty of tones.
The cr60 is actually squeezed into a fairly small combo. It's not boxy boxy, just didn't sound as big as my bandit - but the bandit is bigger. And the crush, in my opinion, sounded better despite that.
they're ok, perfectly giggable but do I prefer it to any of my valve amps - absolutely not., clean channel isn't a patch on any half decent valve amp, and I prefer to use my pedals rather than the dirt channel.
I did try a blues cube hot albeit in a music shop, but personally preferred that to the orange. I'd be quite happy going to a solid state amp, and would like to try the award session blues baby, and also a quilter amp.
Go and sit on the naughty step and think about what you said.