Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

Re: Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

Orange cabs are usually well-regarded when it comes to build quality and tone. Comparing the PPC412 w/V30's to the Marshall 1960V with Marshall's version on the V30, the Marshall is brighter, scratchier, more up-front, and thinner than the Orange, which is bassier, warmer, and smoother in the room. The Marshall is made of thinner plywood, and it is lighter.

I do feel that the Marshall cabs tend to be more mic-friendly and mix-ready, though, but that's JMO.

The more common standard 1960's with T-75's are pretty different when it comes to tone, though, and there are a few other Marshall cabs which are less comparable to Orange cabs.
 
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Re: Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

Im looking at a Marshall Vintage 1987X 50 Watt Plexi Guitar Amp Head w/ FX Loop. Not sure what model the Orange is, i'm going to have a look at it tomorrow. style is everything from blues to metal, mainly hard rock/80s metal
 
Re: Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

Depending on what model the Orange is, it should have more gain on tap for your versatility needs. Plexi's aren't known for super high gain (unless you have OD/Distortion pedals you want to run through) and you have to crank the snot out of them

Like I said, depends on what model Orange it is, id go with the orange if you need to cover a wide variety of styles without running a bunch of pedals
 
Re: Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

I have a pretty standard pedal set, just echo a tuner, over drive and distortion, that's all i really use and i run it through the clean channel Vox AC30. I'm looking for a band to join or start one myself so I thought i would need a cool looking and rediclously loud amp to jam out to Judas Priest with.
 
Re: Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

Im looking at a Marshall Vintage 1987X 50 Watt Plexi Guitar Amp Head w/ FX Loop. Not sure what model the Orange is, i'm going to have a look at it tomorrow. style is everything from blues to metal, mainly hard rock/80s metal

That's a great amp, but the Orange will probably suite your real world needs better. If you do go with the plexi, use it with a G12M loaded cab.

Another amp to consider in this vein is the Marshall Vintage Modern. The VM is plexi based but features a master volume and more pre-amp gain if needed.
 
Re: Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

That's a great amp, but the Orange will probably suite your real world needs better. If you do go with the plexi, use it with a G12M loaded cab.

Another amp to consider in this vein is the Marshall Vintage Modern. The VM is plexi based but features a master volume and more pre-amp gain if needed.

VM would be a good choice or a DSL, and it's hard to go wrong with a JCM800. Plexi RI, even @ 50w is a lot of amp. Oranges are great amps but years of playing through all sorts of amps has taught me that if you want Marshall sound buy a Marshall. (Although some of the clones are very exellent)
 
Re: Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

Also, somewhat in contradiction to my previous post, if your looking at a new Orange head and cab, budget for this is pretty decent. Check out Splawn Quick Rod, it does an excellent job of clean Plexi through Hot Rod 800 tones
 
Re: Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

haha, so Orange is the best option, is it a little quieter?

The key to heavy tone at less-than-insane volume is having an amp with a master volume control, which a Plexi does not have. If you're looking for good Marshall OD tone on the cheap, check out a used JCM2000 DSL 50. It'll do a variety of tones from vintage to modern and can be had used for ~$700.
 
Re: Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

To me comparing Marshall and Orange is like comparing Fender and Vox. Both really cool amps but they are polar opposites tonally.
Orange is a completely different kind of gain than a Marshall, they don't even feel the same to me.
I love the Rockerverbs but I personally like the JVM better just my personal taste, I like the feel of the JVM.
I have a Dark Terror and I like it a lot. My suggestion is to go play both brands and play several different models and several different price points.

My suggestion, for blues to 80s metal. I'd go look at Marshall DSLs and don't leave out the EVH 5150iii. I have one of them and that amp covers everything you want at half the price of a JVM or a Rockerverb.
The EVH range of tone is fantastic for everything from modern country to modern metal and all the classic stuff.
I can play anything I want with that amp. It's the best $1200 I have ever spent on a piece of musical equipment.
 
Re: Marshall vs Orange Heads and Cabs.

To me comparing Marshall and Orange is like comparing Fender and Vox. Both really cool amps but they are polar opposites tonally.
Orange is a completely different kind of gain than a Marshall, they don't even feel the same to me.
I love the Rockerverbs but I personally like the JVM better just my personal taste, I like the feel of the JVM.
I have a Dark Terror and I like it a lot. My suggestion is to go play both brands and play several different models and several different price points.

My suggestion, for blues to 80s metal. I'd go look at Marshall DSLs and don't leave out the EVH 5150iii. I have one of them and that amp covers everything you want at half the price of a JVM or a Rockerverb.
The EVH range of tone is fantastic for everything from modern country to modern metal and all the classic stuff.
I can play anything I want with that amp. It's the best $1200 I have ever spent on a piece of musical equipment.
 
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