There are so many unique features on the Orange OR30 amp that it’s difficult to know where to start. But whether it’s the all-UK construction, the footswitchable volume control, or the bright switch — the first on any amp in Orange’s history — it definitely needs to be said, because the OR30 is also one of the loudest amps out there. That’s right: don’t let the 30W rating mislead you — this critter hits the same sound pressure readings as a 100W amp in the test room.
With a tube rectifier to enable the kind of super-playable attack and release feel that just seems to glide your fingers along the fretboard, and a gain that goes from clean to crunch to roaring saturation, this is an amp that will have players of all styles performing at their best. That versatility is reflected in the amp’s controls, too: with an cross-line presence control designed to work at any volume and not just howlingly loud, you can roll off the treble on the tone stack and add presence, or vice versa, and get two totally different tones.
Add to that the three-way bright switch, and the tone-shaping possibilities are almost endless. With the switch in the neutral centre position, the amp is a perfect pedal platform, allowing the muscularity of your distortion and overdrive effects to augment the tone of the amp. Flick it leftwards for a fine treble boost; switch to the right and a broader treble will be engaged to sharpen your tone, resembling the best classic rock amps of yesteryear.
Once you have your ideal sound nailed, a second volume control can be toggled with a footswitch for further flexibility : a perfect rhythm tone can become your lead tone with the stomp of a foot, giving you a jump in wattage for soloing, with a choke and a huge output transformer offering more perceived clean headroom, ensuring your tone stays cleaner as you get louder.
Features
- Single-channel 30W Tube Amplifier
- Incredibly versatile amplifier
- Bright Switch expands tonal pallet
- Preamp: 3 X 12AX7 (ECC83)
- Power Amp: 4 X EL84 (6BQ5)
- Cross-Line Presence Control
- Footswitchable Volume Boost
- Output Power: 30 Watts (scalable to 2W)
- Output Impedance:8 OHMS Minimum