Orange Th30 or Ad30

[kpunk56]

I recently got an Orange Th30. I really wanted the Ad30 but did not have an opportunity for the AD30 at the time. I got the TH30 used for 800... and I have a 30 day return policy. Now guitar center has an Ad30 for 100 more and says that they will drop the price 100. Problem is, I would have to return the TH30 and have them ship the AD30.

Alot of people complain about the high gain of the TH about not getting classic rock tones. What is wrong with not using all of the gain, I find it gets great tones with it halfway up. The clean channel is awesome with an OCD.

I was in love with an AD30 that I recorded with but have not had the chance to play through one for several years. WHAT SHOULD I DO???

I like that the AD has two gain channels, but the TH also has the ability to cut wattage, does 30 15 and 7 the 7 watt setting sounds awesome at bedroom levels. I will be using in the bedroom as well as small clubs.

I play punk rock and roll. Think Ramones, Sex pistols, Ny dolls type of tones. Does anyone have experience with both amps.... Please give advise.... AD30 or just stick with the TH30

 

[chupe442]

For your punk rock vintage, I would say that the Vox will be the one. However the Orange is probably a bit more versatile for what you are doing with it.. That said, your screwed... If you get rid of the TH, you will regret it. If you pass on the AD, you will never know how bad you should have given it a try. Stick with what you have and deal with the second guessing yourself to death..

 

[Ginger Beer]

Go with your first love. TH30 amps are everywhere these days.

 

[kpunk56]

Go with your first love. TH30 amps are everywhere these days.

I think that I would be running toward the AD30 if it had the option to cut the power like the TH does.. but that is a good feature.

 

[kpunk56]

I think that I would be running toward the AD30 if it had the option to cut the power like the TH does.. but that is a good feature.

Does anyone have tone experience with the two? The th is pretty awesome. Am I gonna hate myself if I do not go for the AD30

I would think the character would be similar being that they are both el84 amps

 

[lunchbox]

Does anyone have tone experience with the two? The th is pretty awesome. Am I gonna hate myself if I do not go for the AD30

I would think the character would be similar being that they are both el84 amps

Yes, I have experience with both. They are both EL84 amps, but that means nothing really.

IMO, AD30 >>>>>>>>>> TH30.

The AD30 tone is more of a 'classic', slightly fizzy Orange tone. The TH30 is more of a 'modern' tone.

On the AD30, the two channels, which are really both gain channels, are independently EQ'd, as opposed to the TH30 which only has a shape knob for the gain channel.

AD30 iron quality is better.

AD30 is also MIE as opposed to TH30 MIC.

AD30 will always have higher re-sale value.

It's totally worth the wait for the AD30, IMO.

 

[Ginger Beer]

I have played the Th30 but have only heard the AD30 so my opinion is of limited value (I do own the Rocker 30). To me, the TH30 is the "metalist" of the bunch. Really high gain (beyond useful to me) and just a little frizzy. The AD 30 I heard seemed not as thick sounding and definitely more Vox like (as opposed to my Rocker which is more Marshall like).

In my opinion on a sliding scale..

TH30 - Hard Rock to Stoner Rock to Metal
Rocker 30 - Classic Rock to Hard rock to Stoner Rock
AD 30- Alternative to Classic Rock

 

[lunchbox]

AD 30- Alternative to Classic Rock

I disagree. I used to use one in my old band and got really thick, crunchy tone out of it.

There's a few vids on YT of guys doing stoner/sludge/doom through an AD30, and it sounds great.

 

[Ginger Beer]

I disagree. I used to use one in my old band and got really thick, crunchy tone out of it.

There's a few vids on YT of guys doing stoner/sludge/doom through an AD30, and it sounds great.

Sliding scale. They are all oranges. The AD30 had more chime than the Th30 and my Rocker 30. The TH30 had more thickness and fuzz/fizz than my rocker 30 and my rocker 30 had more gut punch than the ad30 or the TH30.

I could do doom though my 60's Vox solid state Royal Guardsman but I don't think that's where it's strength lies.

But, like I said - my only hands on experience is with the TH30 and the Rocker 30. My Ad30 experience was with someone else playing it and showing me what it sounded like. If I had to choose between the TH30 and the AD30, I would grab the AD30 as it seemed more versatile (and I think it was British made). If I had to choose between the AD30 and the Rocker 30...

 

[kpunk56]

Sliding scale. They are all oranges. The AD30 had more chime than the Th30 and my Rocker 30. The TH30 had more thickness and fuzz/fizz than my rocker 30 and my rocker 30 had more gut punch than the ad30 or the TH30.

I could do doom though my 60's Vox solid state Royal Guardsman but I don't think that's where it's strength lies.

But, like I said - my only hands on experience is with the TH30 and the Rocker 30. My Ad30 experience was with someone else playing it and showing me what it sounded like. If I had to choose between the TH30 and the AD30, I would grab the AD30 as it seemed more versatile (and I think it was British made). If I had to choose between the AD30 and the Rocker 30...

Most of the opinions of the TH30 being a gain monster are correct except that if you only have the gain at half... Its a pretty great tone. The clean channel crunches up nicely when cranked as well. Very plexi crossed with Hiwatt sounding IMO. So that is a nice option. Sounds super great with the OCD overdrive on it too. I will mull it over for a few days. The hesitance really falls in with that power cut option though. The Th30 I think would record really awesome in the 7 watt mode at low volume...It retains the thickness really nice. Plus taking it back to guitar center and then waiting to have the AD30 shipped seems like a little of a hassle too.

 

[kpunk56]

For your punk rock vintage, I would say that the Vox will be the one. However the Orange is probably a bit more versatile for what you are doing with it.. That said, your screwed... If you get rid of the TH, you will regret it. If you pass on the AD, you will never know how bad you should have given it a try. Stick with what you have and deal with the second guessing yourself to death..

I think you may be confusing Vox ac30. The AD30 is also an Orange.

 

[kpunk56]

Can anyone convince me that the tones are much better on the AD30. My experience with the AD30 was years ago. I recorded in a studio with it, loved it. But that has been a long time. The th30 does give me the same love. But I do value that the AD30 is british made and has the better resale (even though I doubt that I will, I have been wanting Orange for years ). The power cut option and the awesome clean channel on the TH are good points to consider. The tone is definitely the decider. What I am afraid of is going through the hassle of returning the TH and getting the AD and not liking it as much.

 

[CHUNKYNECK]

Why don't you go and play a Ad30 in a local store or privately advertised? I'd find one to try out before going to the bother of replacing the Th30.

 

[kpunk56]

Why don't you go and play a Ad30 in a local store or privately advertised? I'd find one to try out before going to the bother of replacing the Th30.

That would be awesome idea if there were one here locally. However there is none.

 

[lunchbox]

Can anyone convince me that the tones are much better on the AD30. My experience with the AD30 was years ago. I recorded in a studio with it, loved it. But that has been a long time. The th30 does give me the same love. But I do value that the AD30 is british made and has the better resale (even though I doubt that I will, I have been wanting Orange for years ). The power cut option and the awesome clean channel on the TH are good points to consider. The tone is definitely the decider. What I am afraid of is going through the hassle of returning the TH and getting the AD and not liking it as much.

Unless you can try them in a store, the next best way is probably going to be Youtube demos. There's plenty of them for both amps.

I play bluesy, hard rock/stoner rock (Sabbath, Clutch, Kyuss, Red Fang, etc.), and I still prefer the AD30 after having played both for extended periods of time.

 

[CHUNKYNECK]

That would be awesome idea if there were one here locally. However there is none.

When you're looking ask if there are any at the shops that hire gear or local practice rooms, studios etc. I'd even try craigslist. If you spot one just don't tell the seller you're only test driving.

 

[kpunk56]

When you're looking ask if there are any at the shops that hire gear out too. I'd even try craigslist. If you spot one just don't tell the seller you're only test driving.

I plan to stew it over for a couple of days. I have been obsessed with youtube clips etc even before getting the TH30. Everything orange sounds great to me ... So sound clips can only go so far I guess. Gotta get hands on one to know the real. The only Orange that I have ever hated was the Rockeverb 50. I dont know what it was... Seemed really stiff and unforgiving... I am an experienced player but I like a little sponge in the attack, Not alot but a little.... Rockeverbs record really nice also but I do not like them for me. The 100 is awesome but its like 2 grand.

 

[CHUNKYNECK]

I plan to stew it over for a couple of days. I have been obsessed with youtube clips etc even before getting the TH30. Everything orange sounds great to me ... So sound clips can only go so far I guess. Gotta get hands on one to know the real. The only Orange that I have ever hated was the Rockeverb 50. I dont know what it was... Seemed really stiff and unforgiving... I am an experienced player but I like a little sponge in the attack, Not alot but a little.... Rockeverbs record really nice also but I do not like them for me. The 100 is awesome but its like 2 grand.

I've got a Th30 head and love it. I use it for Classic Rock/ heavy rock. Works great for both. The only other Orange amp I've used is the OR15. I prefer the Th30. I stopped looking after scoring the Th30 for $600 used mint from musicians friend a couple years ago. Like you said it would be a pita to change to the ad30 and then back again if you weren't happy with it.

 

[kpunk56]

Unless you can try them in a store, the next best way is probably going to be Youtube demos. There's plenty of them for both amps.

I play bluesy, hard rock/stoner rock (Sabbath, Clutch, Kyuss, Red Fang, etc.), and I still prefer the AD30 after having played both for extended periods of time.

Can I ask you though. Did you hate the TH30? I understand if you preferred the AD30 ... but can you elaborate some ?

 

[kpunk56]

I've got a Th30 head and love it. I use it for Classic Rock/ heavy rock. Works great for both. The only other Orange amp I've used is the OR15. I prefer the Th30. I stopped looking after scoring the Th30 for $600 used mint from musicians friend a couple years ago. Like you said it would be a pita to change to the ad30 and then back again if you weren't happy with it.

Don't you agree that the TH30 sounds great with the gain dialed back. All I ever read is how fizzy the gain is etc and that it is not good for classic rock, punk etc. Every tube amp that I have had that had alot of gain, I never used it all. I have had Mesa Boogie DC10, the gain never left 4. I just wonder if some of these people think that the gain is always supposed to be dimed.