Re: Orange - I'm hearing very mixed reviews!
They're cool amps, but there are some pretty significant differences between the original orange amps and the modern-era versions.
The original orange amps definitely had their own thing going, different from both Hiwatt and Marshall. Loud and open, but not quite as balanced and sparkly as a Hiwatt, and not as upper-mid aggressive as a Marshall. British-sounding, but different.
The modern Oranges are, for the most part, a lot closer to a Marshall tone than their predecessors. They don't sound exactly like Marshalls, but are much more toward that sound. If you're after a more 'vintage' Orange sound, check out some of Matamp's stuff. I have seen a 'retro 50' orange at my local store, which may be Orange's attempt at their original sound, but haven't tried it yet.
In my opinion, Orange have deliberately moved away from some of the cool eccentricities that made their amps stand out with one reason in mind: they knew they had an amp with visual appeal, but also knew that they'd sell more of them if kids tried them and heard a more 'familiar' tone. That's basically why modern Oranges have been successful: a cool look that sets you apart (until everybody starts using them: we get Brit live music TV shows down here and I swear pretty much every act uses at least one Orange rig) and a sound that is fairly familiar.
If what I saw on the festival circuit this summer is anything to go by, Hiwatts are the new 'cool' amp, in the same way that Oranges were two years ago. I wonder if anyone has ever made one with orange tolex? -sort of like a reverse of that Wolfmother guy's Oranges with black tolex. Now that's an image-based endorsement if ever I saw one. Not surprising, considering that band is made up of former graphic designers and photographers...
