Billy Apple Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 (edited) I've been lucky enough to be trusted with a pre-release Orange OB1-500 head in advance of them going on sale. So thought I'd post up my thoughts now I've been sitting with it for a day or two. Firstly, straight out the box it's a quality piece of kit. Very sturdy steel construction that puts me in mind of '70's Hi-Fi gear. This is supposed to be rack mount, but with the Orange crest on the top it looks great as a stand alone head. Being solid state it's no class D light-weight, but I'd say it's easily portable. Certainly lighter than any valve head at 10.2Kg on the bathroom scales. The box is 43.5cm x 23.5cm x 8.5cm with the front plate a bit wider. The fit and finish is first rate and it seems a shame to hide it away in a rack. The front is resplendent in the classic Orange pix only graphics and knobs, along with a nice jewel light and a big old switch. It all adds up to a very handsome package I'm wondering if Orange might offer a carry sleeve to get a proper old school head type vibe thing going on The front of the head offers two inputs in the shape of where the bass goes (with an active pad) and the foot-switch. On the back there's not much more either, just a line out, a balanced DI, power input and two cab-outs (min 4 Ohm load). There is no tuner input, effects loop or anything else. I asked Orange about this and they say they want things to be as simple as possible with the minimum of fuss between the bass and the tone. Orange say they have an old school philosophy and this head most certainly is. It suits someone like me just fine (although I do like a mute button), but for a player who wants to rack mount this with other rack mount gear it may be lacking. Unlike the Terror Bass series, the 3 band Eq section is active offering +/-15dB bass and mid with +/-20dB treble. The input signal is split into two with the clean path unaltered into the Eq. The gain path is filtered to only act only on the upper registers leaving the clean bass thump. Your gain knob increases gain while the blend knob decides how much gain will go into the signal. So if you zero the gain and max the blend you get a clean boost. This is where the 'inspired by Bi-Amping' bit comes in, because with the right amount of blend you get the clean untouched signal (bass amp) and the fuzzed-up gain tone (guitar amp). As I've been messing on with this it's clear that the concept does work and two distinct signals can be heard in the cab. But, the more blend/gain you put into it, the more that gain signal dominates the cab and it becomes a single over-driven amp. While it is not true Bi-Amping it certainly gives a decent result while saving carrying two rigs around (if that be your thing) I think Orange are putting a twist on the Bi-Amp trend which is fair enough, but for my money where this amp really scores is the flexibility and range of the gain structure. It is very lively and organic. The gain path is before the Eq and the interaction of the blend/gain/Eq gives a lot of possibilities. Anything from a nice bite around the edge to something quite insane. No matter how mental it all gets you've still got an unprocessed bottom end that does not get lost like an SVT CL. It's absolutely got a valve bounce to it and the start core tone is very nice indeed. For someone like me this is like a valve amp that is portable, you could probably drop it while hot and won't need new bottles or servicing here and there. So why buy the OB1 and not the Terror Bass? Well, for my money the OB1 sacrifices having a handle on top for greater range and flexibility. That and I prefer the magic smoke in a SS power section than I do the 1's and 0's in a class D section. Any-hoo, I've managed to do some sound bites and I'm going to be brave and post them up for you. I used my '83 Squier JV with a SDQP pup and La Bella flats with the tone knob on full treble. All samples are played with a pick, recorded onto Audacity with no garnishing. I went from the line out into my laptop. First the core tone, Eq at noon, no blend or gain [url="https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1coretone"]https://soundcloud.c...gus/ob1coretone[/url] Then mids at 3 o'clock with the bass and treble back at 11 [url="https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1pushedmids"]https://soundcloud.c...s/ob1pushedmids[/url] Next a smiley face with the mid back at 10 and the bass and treble both at 3 [url="https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1smilyface"]https://soundcloud.c...us/ob1smilyface[/url] Finishing on the clean channel with all pushed to 3 o'clock [url="https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1pushedeverything"]https://soundcloud.c...ushedeverything[/url] For the gain/blend samples I kept the Eq the same all the way through with bass and treble just backed off from noon and the mid pushed to 1pm. As the Eq works on the gain too these samples will not fully show the flexibility of the gain structure, but there you go. My logic with this setting is it is feasibly one you could use live. Blend at 10pm, gain at 11pm. I thought this setting the most 'Bi-Amped' sound as I think you get the clean bass and the gain [url="https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1blend10gain11"]https://soundcloud.c...b1blend10gain11[/url] Next we start moving into more insane territory with the blend and gain both at noon [url="https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1halfblendhalfgain"]https://soundcloud.c...lfblendhalfgain[/url] And topping it off with blend and gain at max [url="https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1fullblendfullgain"]https://soundcloud.c...llblendfullgain[/url] So there you have it. This last one is my favorite so far and is getting into the realms of valve drive. At around 1m10s I tried to show the gain coming in and out with quiet/loud bits. I think the gain here is a peach, very analog, very organic, very valve.With blend at 9pm and gain at 10pm [url="https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1blend9gain10"]https://soundcloud.c...ob1blend9gain10[/url] I think the strengths of this amp is its flexibility and range while being very simple and intuitive. it needs sitting with for a while to find your sweet spot, but you'll be glad you did. I briefly plugged the Spector into it last night and it's pre sent the gain quite bonkers! So lots to do Thanks for reading Edited April 3, 2015 by Billy Apple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doomed Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Cheers for putting this up, this is firmly in my sights when it's released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 (edited) Many thanks for taking the trouble to do such a great review Sean. I personally find it a bit strange they are saying on one hand they are keeping it simple, yet on the other hand all the above seems more complicated to me. The words bi amping send me scuttling back to my trailer for my banjo. Over the last week I have contemplated selling my Puma 500 to buy one of the OBT at the fabulous £359 they are selling them off at. Made even worse by trialing my Dee Dee Ramone through the 212 combo version. GORGEOUS. The greatest aspect (imo) of the OBT (after pre amp valve changes) was that little switch on the back that gave you 500 watts at 8 ohms or 4 ohms. IE, a one cab solution with 8 ohms at trickier venues. Seems that is no more? Price wise, think the OB1-Kenobi is going out pushing £200 more than the OBT? Wonder why Orange couldn't carry on with both products. Presumably the answer lies in the profit word. Sorry to seem negative Sean, it's a great review and much appreciated, just seems a couple of Orange's decisions are a little cloudy to a dumb muppet like me. Cheers bud (oh, and guess which little La Cabronita is winging her way back to me ). Edited for spelling as usual Edited April 3, 2015 by karlfer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share Posted April 3, 2015 [quote name='doomed' timestamp='1428043100' post='2737288'] Cheers for putting this up, this is firmly in my sights when it's released. [/quote] [quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1428045743' post='2737315'] Many thanks for taking the trouble to do such a great review Sean. [/quote] Cheers Chaps, you're welcome [quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1428045743' post='2737315'] I personally find it a bit strange they are saying on one hand they are keeping it simple, yet on the other hand all the above seems more complicated to me. The words bi amping send me scuttling back to my trailer for my banjo. [/quote] What is it you find complicated? I found the whole thing very simple. But, you do need to play with it for a while to discover what you want out of it. In that respect it maybe more complex than the TB, but not by much. I've never owned a TB, but played them in shops and heard the likes of Happy Jack use one to very good effect. Although it's said that the TB is a (very good) one trick pony where as the OB1 has more to it. I think the SS power section gives it more glass and thump and I'm sure the sound will get better the more beans you put in it. I wouldn't get too bogged down by the bi-amping thing [quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1428045743' post='2737315'] I have contemplated selling my Puma 500 to buy one of the OBT at the fabulous £359 they are selling them off at. Made even worse by trialing my Dee Dee Ramone through the 212 combo version. GORGEOUS. The greatest aspect (imo) of the OBT (after pre amp valve changes) was that little switch on the back that gave you 500 watts at 8 ohms or 4 ohms. IE, a one cab solution with 8 ohms at trickier venues. Seems that is no more? [/quote] I don't think you can get a bad sound out of the TB, unless it's a popping cap! . When you say selling them off, are Orange discontinuing the TB? It's certainly nothing that I've heard. Hear's the skinny on cabs n' Ohm's from the user manual (which I'm just opening for the first time! ) 1 x 8 Ohm cab. Use either output 2 x 8 Ohm cabs. Use both outputs 1 x 4 Ohm cab. Use either output. Never use two cabs of mismatched impedance Never connect a speaker load of less than 4 Ohms [quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1428045743' post='2737315'] Price wise, think the OB1-Kenobi is going out pushing £200 more than the OBT? Wonder why Orange couldn't carry on with both products. Presumably the answer lies in the profit word. Sorry to seem negative Sean, it's a great review and much appreciated, just seems a couple of Orange's decisions are a little cloudy to a dumb muppet like me. [/quote] GAK are showing the OB1 500 at £589, but you could get the same thing with with the 300 watter at £479. The 500 is f***-loud, I'm waiting for Easter Sunday so I can give the old bag upstairs who runs her washing machine all day a lesson in being a good neighbor! I should imagine the 300 will be more than enough for most peoples needs. Like I say, I've no idea if the OTB series is being ditched. Has there been any official word? BTW, are you keeping the same neck on the La Cab? I was surprised when you announced the DDR Sig, I was expecting a DH CS in gold okume! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Great review Sean, the soundclips are very nice - a surprising amount of twang for a P-Bass with flats as well (must be that QP). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doomed Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Thanks for the cab info too, I was wondering if it might go down to 2 ohms, as it stands I'll connect the Dubster and FTW! 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooks79 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1428054001' post='2737449'] Like I say, I've no idea if the OTB series is being ditched. Has there been any official word?[/quote] Not official word, but when I last emailed them and asked about one, the reply was - "Hi Si, Sadly, we have absolutely none left. The likelihood is that the ones you have seen are the last." So I guess without an official word, that's a yes, they are gone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qlank Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Great sounding amp. This should sell pretty well. Nice review dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Thanks for all the clarifications Sean, good job that man. I came VERY close to the Okume Gold Top last Monday but I just couldn't mentally justify that amount. So, yours is coming back and a reverse headstock,slim jazz profile neck is getting made by those nice chaps at Warmoth. Nearly a Black Dusty for less than half the price (Warmoth neck's are pricey though, with VAT, shipping, import). Back on topic, pretty splendid amp, thanks for that, cheers, Karl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 [quote name='Qlank' timestamp='1428075432' post='2737852'] Great sounding amp. This should sell pretty well. Nice review dude. [/quote] Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwindham Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 (edited) Hi Sean, I really dig the tones you recorded- very nice overtones and harmonics on both clean and distorted settings. I was curious which cab you are currently pairing the ob1-500 with? Edited April 8, 2015 by jwindham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 [quote name='jwindham' timestamp='1428460386' post='2741502'] Hi Sean, I really dig the tones you recorded- very nice overtones and harmonics on both clean and distorted settings. I was curious which cab you are currently pairing the ob1-500 with? [/quote] Thanks . Although the sound on the clips is the line out from the amp direct into my laptop I'm using an EAD Foundation 212 with it. EAD was formed by Dave Perry who is well known round here for building [url="http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/"]BFM[/url] cabs. As well as the two 12's it's got a 6" mid driver and a tweeter. The cost of building these was in excess of the return though and unfortunately they were discontinued. You might like to look at this thread [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/168108-ead-cabs-opinions-etc/page__hl__foundation"]here[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwindham Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 (edited) Thanks Sean- sweet setup you got there. Looking forward to hearing some gig reports Edited April 8, 2015 by jwindham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 I don't know whether you're familiar with the Tubetone control on TC amps but it adds a layer of overdrive to your clean sound. Is the OB1 capable of adding just a little lightly-driven signal to the clean, almost as 'colour'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1428498453' post='2741825'] I don't know whether you're familiar with the Tubetone control on TC amps but it adds a layer of overdrive to your clean sound. Is the OB1 capable of adding just a little lightly-driven signal to the clean, almost as 'colour'? [/quote] Yes, you should be able to with the blend and gain on the down low. I'll try and do a clip in a bit and see what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1428498453' post='2741825'] Is the OB1 capable of adding just a little lightly-driven signal to the clean, almost as 'colour'? [/quote] This is through my Spector set with the Eq flat and the P pup slightly pushed. The bass and treble on the head are flat with a slightly pushed mid. The blend and gain settings are both equal at a touch past 9 o'clock, so it could go less if that be your thing. or more indeed. Any-hoo is this kinda what you mean? https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1blendgain9andabit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 I've just found out that you get no sound from the OB1 if you plug the bass into the footswitch input. I discovered this after trying 3 different leads and 3 different basses. Oops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 So it,s no good for metal in the footswitch socket then. done that change the leads,batteries and hey ho-standby on-bollocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLOYDWT Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Got the opportunity to play through this head yesterday when Billie Apple brought it into Bass Gear whilst I was relieving my bi-annual GAS. We ran it through all the TKS gear as well a Berg CN212 and Billie Apple's EAD. Really blown away by it. The range of tones available from quite a small array of bells and whistles was impressive. Every combination seemed to create something usable. The cleans were suprisingly clean, not the hifi tone I was getting from the GK gear I was getting but they had a clarity that worked really well with the EAD and the TKS cabs. Hearing it played through the S112s with some dirt mixed in created a much rockier tone that suited the snakeskin finish of the cabs. Amazing bit of kit for the price and definitely worth checking out if you have the opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooks79 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Really cant decide whether for a backup, to snatch up a Bass Terror before they are gone, or go for one of these... Bass Terror has the weight and effects loop going in its favour... Help me decide! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I've never really got on with the Terror and found it a bit 'one-dimensional'. Seemed to me to have one really good tone and, if you liked that, it was great but I found to difficult to get anything else from it. However, having heard the OB1 yesterday I much preferred it. It was really easy to dial in a nice warm clean tone with very little eq and then to add some grit using the blend. I'm not really a distortion or grit player but it was interesting that I dialled in almost exactly the same settings that Sean liked for a grittier sound. One thing that impressed me was that you could use some fairly subtle eq to to 'tune' the head for different cabs. As Lloyd mentions above, we got a really nice grindy rock tone using the little baby tks cermic loaded S112 cabs. Conversely we also found a particularly musical sound running the head clean into a pair of tks neo 1126's. One thing we all seemed to agree on was just how lovely and warm the Orange was into those tkx neo cabs. Really not what you'd expect from a neo set-up at all. Loads of volume on tap too - especially when firing through the, more sensitive, EAD cab. Managed to get the roof shaking quite nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebassman Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Great review, looks and sounds like a nice bit ok kit. Any news on when these will be available in the shops? cheers thebassman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1428515578' post='2742066'] This is through my Spector set with the Eq flat and the P pup slightly pushed. The bass and treble on the head are flat with a slightly pushed mid. The blend and gain settings are both equal at a touch past 9 o'clock, so it could go less if that be your thing. or more indeed. Any-hoo is this kinda what you mean? [url="https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1blendgain9andabit"]https://soundcloud.c...endgain9andabit[/url] [/quote] Sort of, but this has all got a bit academic for me since I got my Demeter head! Sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted May 4, 2015 Author Share Posted May 4, 2015 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1430759809' post='2764350'] since I got my Demeter head! Sorry! [/quote] No need for appypollyloggies. I played through one at Bass Gear... Outstanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted May 4, 2015 Author Share Posted May 4, 2015 [quote name='thebassman' timestamp='1430759099' post='2764340'] Any news on when these will be available in the shops? [/quote] No idea. Still saying pre-order on 'tinterweb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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