I have a Mesa F-50 and a Marshall DSL-50 and have been looking into getting yet another amp. The reason for the search - well, I am not a 100 percent satisfied with the mesa clean - great amp for heavy stuff but just ain't totally sold. The marshall is a great sounding amp but you have to get it so darn loud for it to sound good. I recently tried an Orange Rocker 30 that is a class A amp. I totally loved the tone of this amp at a reasonable volume. However, I noticed the amp really picks up your picking dynamics and in my case my slop. Obviously this can force you to become better, however, I wanted to ask, is this something you all got used to? I'd hate to purchase yet another amp I am not totally satisfied with.
Class A Amps? Orange Rocker 30
- Thread starter marcg71
- Start date
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Class A Amps? Orange Rocker 30
modern Orange amps are awesome because they're so 'pure'...they really show the character of the guitars and players using them. I wouldn't recommend a 30-watt Orange if you want a more 'clean' tone, thought...I'd get a Fender for that.
I'm surprised the F-50 and DSL50 aren't doing it for you, man. Those are really great amps in my experience. As much as I love the Rocker 30 I wouldn't really say it would even be an 'improvement' over those -- just something 'different'.
modern Orange amps are awesome because they're so 'pure'...they really show the character of the guitars and players using them. I wouldn't recommend a 30-watt Orange if you want a more 'clean' tone, thought...I'd get a Fender for that.
I'm surprised the F-50 and DSL50 aren't doing it for you, man. Those are really great amps in my experience. As much as I love the Rocker 30 I wouldn't really say it would even be an 'improvement' over those -- just something 'different'.
mediumpimpin
New member
Re: Class A Amps? Orange Rocker 30
I own a rocker 30 and love it. I've had it for about 3-4 months and yes you do get used to it, it forces you get better and clean up your technique. Oranges aren't really known for their cleans, but it does have pretty decent cleans imo. As far as the mesa and marshall comparo, I've never played with the f50, but have tried the dsl50 several times. I found the dsl to have a kinda of fizzy distorted sound and the cleans were ok, not great by any means tho. I like the orange leaps and bounds better than the marshall, it sounds awesome for pretty much any style rock. It sounds good with my strat plugged in for a cool vintage sound and sounds evil with my emg equipped guitar.
I say if you like it, buy it. You can always sell in on the bay for a minimal loss if it doesn't work out for you.
I own a rocker 30 and love it. I've had it for about 3-4 months and yes you do get used to it, it forces you get better and clean up your technique. Oranges aren't really known for their cleans, but it does have pretty decent cleans imo. As far as the mesa and marshall comparo, I've never played with the f50, but have tried the dsl50 several times. I found the dsl to have a kinda of fizzy distorted sound and the cleans were ok, not great by any means tho. I like the orange leaps and bounds better than the marshall, it sounds awesome for pretty much any style rock. It sounds good with my strat plugged in for a cool vintage sound and sounds evil with my emg equipped guitar.
I say if you like it, buy it. You can always sell in on the bay for a minimal loss if it doesn't work out for you.
Re: Class A Amps? Orange Rocker 30
Thanks for the replies. I thought for the size and volume the rocker 30 sounded better than my dsl 50. I think the dsl 50 sounds awesome when cranked, but I can't always get it to that volume. When i can, I certainly do, have I mentioned I have a bad case of gas? I've gone through 4 overdrive/distortion pedals as well looking to be able to get a classic warm distortion (Black Crowes)out of my amp and then get brutal (Puddle of Mud) if I need it. I play in a cover band and really are just looking to have versatility in a smaller rig. I am sort of tired of purchasing pedals and then not being completely sold on them. I may be trying to get too much from my rig.
Thanks for the replies. I thought for the size and volume the rocker 30 sounded better than my dsl 50. I think the dsl 50 sounds awesome when cranked, but I can't always get it to that volume. When i can, I certainly do, have I mentioned I have a bad case of gas? I've gone through 4 overdrive/distortion pedals as well looking to be able to get a classic warm distortion (Black Crowes)out of my amp and then get brutal (Puddle of Mud) if I need it. I play in a cover band and really are just looking to have versatility in a smaller rig. I am sort of tired of purchasing pedals and then not being completely sold on them. I may be trying to get too much from my rig.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Class A Amps? Orange Rocker 30
What exactly is it that you don't like about the tone you get? What pedals are you trying? What guitars and pickups?
I mean you're working with some pretty high quality gear here, the tone you want can't be that far out of reach.
I know what you're sayin about the Rocker 30 tho...the lower wattage lets you get that sweet 'cranked' tone at a more tame volume.
What exactly is it that you don't like about the tone you get? What pedals are you trying? What guitars and pickups?
I mean you're working with some pretty high quality gear here, the tone you want can't be that far out of reach.
I know what you're sayin about the Rocker 30 tho...the lower wattage lets you get that sweet 'cranked' tone at a more tame volume.
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: Class A Amps? Orange Rocker 30
Well, it all depends on what class A 30w amp.
My Mesa Blue Angel is a pretty forgiving amp, for example. The Orange AD30 is voiced more toward a Marshall tone than many 30w EL84 amps, which are often more in the Vox ballpark. The Marshall overdrive thing is tighter than the Vox thing, and that's at least part of what you're hearing.
Perhaps try more voxy 30 amp or any 30w amp with a tube rectifier to see if you like the response a bit better than the Orange.
Well, it all depends on what class A 30w amp.
My Mesa Blue Angel is a pretty forgiving amp, for example. The Orange AD30 is voiced more toward a Marshall tone than many 30w EL84 amps, which are often more in the Vox ballpark. The Marshall overdrive thing is tighter than the Vox thing, and that's at least part of what you're hearing.
Perhaps try more voxy 30 amp or any 30w amp with a tube rectifier to see if you like the response a bit better than the Orange.
Mllerrin
New member
Re: Class A Amps? Orange Rocker 30
I also recently got the Rocker 30 Combo and it is amazing even at low volumes. I haven't really been able to get it past 2 or 3 yet but I have a gig friday.
The only way I'm getting rid of this is to get a Rockerverb 50 Head. Not that I want/need the 50 watts, but the 50 Watt version has an effects loop.
Before I got the Orange I was thinking of either a DSL 50 or a JCM 800 setup. But I wanted a setup that sounded good at all volumes, and partially because I wanted the 30 Combo so I could take it home to record with more easily. Now if the 30 Watt Rocker Head had an Effects loop, I'd be in frickin heaven!
Showing your mistakes more is something pretty subtle. Like when you overbend a note in a song you can pretty quickly train your finger to bend it just right. It's just like that. You're right hand and left hand sloppiness will be a little more noticeable, but you're brain will tell your hands to pick up the slop and before you know it, it won't be a problem, and you'll be a better player for it.
I also recently got the Rocker 30 Combo and it is amazing even at low volumes. I haven't really been able to get it past 2 or 3 yet but I have a gig friday.
The only way I'm getting rid of this is to get a Rockerverb 50 Head. Not that I want/need the 50 watts, but the 50 Watt version has an effects loop.
Before I got the Orange I was thinking of either a DSL 50 or a JCM 800 setup. But I wanted a setup that sounded good at all volumes, and partially because I wanted the 30 Combo so I could take it home to record with more easily. Now if the 30 Watt Rocker Head had an Effects loop, I'd be in frickin heaven!
Showing your mistakes more is something pretty subtle. Like when you overbend a note in a song you can pretty quickly train your finger to bend it just right. It's just like that. You're right hand and left hand sloppiness will be a little more noticeable, but you're brain will tell your hands to pick up the slop and before you know it, it won't be a problem, and you'll be a better player for it.
Re: Class A Amps? Orange Rocker 30
Thanks for the great responses and feedback. I used to play back in the eighties and life sort of got in the way, so I started back up a couple of years ago and have gone through a ton of equipment. To sort of sum up what I am trying to achieve, I’d like to get that sort of Orange sound when playing chords and a singing lead tone, with the added capability of getting brutal for other cover songs. If I were not in a cover band I would say my tastes are more towards a Black Crowes, Joe Bonamassa type aggressive classic sound.
Empty Pockets you were wondering what type of gear I use, I have a Gibson 58 LP VOS I use the most, then I also have PRS 22 and a Fender Custom Shop Strat. Pedals well, I’ve been experimenting through an OCD, Keeley DS1 Ultra, Keeley TS9, and just picked up a Bixonic Expandora. As for amps, the mesa f-50 and the dsl –50.
Thanks for the great responses and feedback. I used to play back in the eighties and life sort of got in the way, so I started back up a couple of years ago and have gone through a ton of equipment. To sort of sum up what I am trying to achieve, I’d like to get that sort of Orange sound when playing chords and a singing lead tone, with the added capability of getting brutal for other cover songs. If I were not in a cover band I would say my tastes are more towards a Black Crowes, Joe Bonamassa type aggressive classic sound.
Empty Pockets you were wondering what type of gear I use, I have a Gibson 58 LP VOS I use the most, then I also have PRS 22 and a Fender Custom Shop Strat. Pedals well, I’ve been experimenting through an OCD, Keeley DS1 Ultra, Keeley TS9, and just picked up a Bixonic Expandora. As for amps, the mesa f-50 and the dsl –50.
