Orange combo w/attenuator?

[InnerRage]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to tube amps. Hell, I'm new to guitar playing in general. Anyway, I currently have a VOX DA-5 amp and really dont like the sound. I want pure tube but live in a condo. I'm looking at an Orange AD-5 5W combo. Could I hook-up a Weber attenuator directly to it? Also, I heard attenuators burn up tubes quickly, is this true. Thanks in advance for all you help.

[banditguitarist1]

at 5 watts an attenuator is pointless man its only 5 watts you can crank it safely without the use of an attenuator.

[Harpozep]

Originally Posted by banditguitarist1

at 5 watts an attenuator is pointless man its only 5 watts you can crank it safely without the use of an attenuator.

Good choice Orange tube amps sound so nice cranked and attenuated.

Gotta disagree. Five watts Class A is like 25 watts solid state.
I have an eight watter, and get the best tones at 1/2 watt with its built in attenuator.
My Mesa Lone Star Special at five watts class A was deafening.
You could use an attenuator. All tube amps could.

If you don't ant to use it, take it out of the pathway or set it to bypass or zero.
Attenuators are a tube amp owner's best friend

Attenuators allow you to get the tones of a dimed amp at lower volumes. Hence, they can wear tubes out a bit faster since you tend to push tem more. No problem though, that's what they are for.

Check out the attenuator thread here:

Power attenuators, Anyone using them?

[Boleskinehouse]

My Tiny Terror is too loud to crank in the house on 7 watts. That's running it through a 4x12 though.

[InnerRage]

Originally Posted by banditguitarist1

at 5 watts an attenuator is pointless man its only 5 watts you can crank it safely without the use of an attenuator.

I was hearing that even though its only 5 watts, it's kind of too loud for an apartment situation. Thanks for the input, neighbor.

[InnerRage]

Harpo,
Thanks for the thread link. Interesting read. I'm trying to figure out what the attenuator plugs into on a combo amp like the Orange 5W or Epi Valve Jr.

[banditguitarist1]

I live in an apartment situation maybe I'm just lucky but I've never had a problem with my 50watt Orange Rockerverb and I play with no attenuator (not cranked i generally have it set from 2-4) However!!!

I attenuate my 100 watt plexi because well even I couldn't be in the room with that thing on anywhere past 2 and even 2 was pushing it.

But my old bassist said it best about guitarists "your all assholes that want the whole world hear you shit"

[Splattle101]

Sssshhhh, you'll have Brett in here soon...

[Frippified]

Originally Posted by Splattle101

Sssshhhh, you'll have Brett in here soon...

rofl

[brettk7]

Originally Posted by Splattle101

Sssshhhh, you'll have Brett in here soon...

haha

These guys are right, 5w class-a tube is LOUD!

I was using a Tiny Terror for band practice one time, borrowing from a friend. And I couldn't get it dimed. On seven watts.

Tube power most of the time is severely underestimated. I would bet money that you could not only use an AD5 combo for band practices effectively, but you could probably gig it at a small venue without a problem.


Here is my $.02.
Get a Tiny Terror comb or head/cab and an attenuator. Then if you decide to play in a band or something, and get gigging... You'll be set for basically any kind of venue. Aside from maybe a stadium gig!!!

[brettk7]

Read my review on the TT. << link btw

For what the AD5 costs (I believe around $800?). You could have a Tiny Terror set-up, and those things are phenomenal. Not that the AD5 isn't, its great. But, in my opinion, the TT is a much better investment. Especially if you get the head/cab then you could have a really nice cab to use different heads with (and they are rated at 60-watts, Celestion Vintage-30, light-weight too!).

[PunkerJon]

AD5 costs around $500

Orange AD5 Combo Amplifier

[brettk7]

Well shit.

That is a nice amp I'm sure, but you have to figure.. How much use are you going to REALLY get out of it?

[InnerRage]

Originally Posted by brettk7

Well shit.

That is a nice amp I'm sure, but you have to figure.. How much use are you going to REALLY get out of it?

Brett,
Thanks for the input. In all reality I'm 45 and just retired 2 yrs ago and just starting out and don't have any visions of playing in a band. But I want to have authentic tube sound to go with my Elitist 57' goldtop. But I see what your saying about having the spare power on hand.

[brettk7]

Originally Posted by InnerRage

Brett,
Thanks for the input. In all reality I'm 45 and just retired 2 yrs ago and just starting out and don't have any visions of playing in a band. But I want to have authentic tube sound to go with my Elitist 57' goldtop. But I see what your saying about having the spare power on hand.

No problem man!

But, don't give me that I'm too old non-sense, that is unacceptable! You are NEVER too old to rock.

To be honest, I have never played an Orange that I haven't liked! And I'm sure if you like the Orange sound, you will find both the TT and the AD5 to be tonally and totally awesome amps. Currently I have my buddies Rockerverb 50 at my house and I'm pretty sure that is gonna be my next amp. That sucker is LOUD as hell though. I'm talking, blow the friggin' roof off loud!!!

But with some technical info for you on your amp decision...
The TT has four tubes total. Two EL84 power tubes and two 12AX7 preamp tubes. The AD5 only has two tubes, one EL84 and one 12AX7. TT and cab or the combo will set you back about $800-something bucks, and the AD5 will set you back around $500. But then again... You figure in the price of a good attenuator (unless you already have one), with the AD5 you could of just got the TT, with more control over your tone, more power, and more versatility. An attenuator with the TT or even an AD30 makes more sense than the AD5, a GOOD attenuator for that is going to cost almost as much as the amp itself!!!

You never know what your gonna want to do later on with music. Playing in a band, even if its just for the sake of playing some of your favorite songs with some of your buddies, is something every guitarist should experience at least a couple times in their life.

The best advice I can give you, is to do it right the first time around. If that means getting an AD5 or a Tiny Terror, or something else even. Just be sure you find an amp that you truly enjoy and are gonna get your moneys worth out of. I'm in the same boat man, I've been trying to figure out the best amp for me as well and I have been trying out EVERY Orange I can get my hands on. Not that the AD5 is bad, but it is a one-trick pony. You know what they say though... If you like the trick.

[slowhand0461]

+1 to Brett....but he did forget that the Tiny Terror can be switched to 7 watts(a big advantage for keeping mama happy) ...so honestly the Tiny terror wins the match,in my opinion

[brettk7]

Originally Posted by slowhand0461

+1 to Brett....but he did forget that the Tiny Terror can be switched to 7 watts(a big advantage for keeping mama happy) ...so honestly the Tiny terror wins the match,in my opinion

I said earlier I'm sure haha.

That is a huge plus to the TT. Idk how much of a tonal difference there is between 15 watts MAXED and 7 MAXED but with an attenuator you could experience both without blowing the roof off.

I get where he is coming from, but why not spend a little more and get the real deal? And YES, a Tiny Terror is a real deal Orange amp! haha

[slowhand0461]

No Joke on the real deal..A friend of mine brought his head and 1-12 cab over and jammed with me a couple of weeks ago and I was using my 50 watter. That little bugger blew me away..kept up with the drums and everything..
I kind want one now(or a Deluxe Reverb) or both,,,you can never have too many,,,can you?

Also don't forget the Valve jr's...I have used mine at shows(mic'd of course) but my wife get's p.o.'ed if i even get it over half way in the house with 1 -12(although I personally think she's just being crabby,hahaha)...if you tube 'em with JJ's they are classic tube tone all day,without the hefty price.

[brettk7]

The VJs are great too. AWESOME price as well

[InnerRage]

Brett,
Thanks for the input & info regarding the differences between the amps. I just kind of figured why buy an amp with all that power if I'll never use it to it's full potential. I've heard some Youtube clips of the Epi Valve Jr, and I got to tell you, I like the sound. But I think I should hear them both in person to hear how they really sound. The TT is a little pricey, thats why I was looking at the AD5 because the wattage I'm looking for and quality is there.

[brettk7]

The AD5 is an awesome amp.

I guess I am in a different mind-state really, with the TT vs. AD5 thing. But, all-in-all... I have to say that I think I would rather have an AD5 or a TT over a Valve Jr any day. Not to mention that, but with the Orange if you ever DID sell it, it would hold its value a lot more.

I still can't get over how nice and Orange-y the Tiny Terror sounds like. I promise if you try one out, you'll reconsider.

And the combo is $799.. Not a huge difference, plus you have 12" Celestion G12 special edition. Orange Tiny Terror Combo - In stock now

[mudpuppy]

Orange has the Crush line. The youtube clip of the Orange 30R sounded good. Solid state with master volume, reverb.

[brettk7]

Originally Posted by mudpuppy

Orange has the Crush line. The youtube clip of the Orange 30R sounded good. Solid state with master volume, reverb.

LOL

There is absolutely no comparison between the Crush line and the real deal Orange amps.