Orange Little Bass Thing or Laney Digbeth DH500B

[uhuglue]

Hi All,

 

I'm a long time lurker on BassChat and finally registered an account as I am currently in a dilemma and hope some of you could help me out.

I'm currently looking for an amp to pair with my Orange OBC115 cab and have narrowed it down to the Orange Little Bass Thing and the Laney Digbeth DH500B. Unfortunately, I wont be able to get the chance to try both these amps in person and would have to take a leap of faith.

 

I am mightily impressed by the demos of both on youtube. I love the punch of LBT's built-in compressor however the missing aux in and headphones input is a little annoying. The Laney seems to have a tube-like warmth and the ability to mix the drive and clean channels is a really neat feature - doesn't hurt that it has the aux in and headphones inputs too.

 

For those who have tried both amps, which would you get and why?

[Dan Dare]

I've never played through a Laney, but the Orange heads I've tried have had a quite modern/punchy quality. One might even say they were a bit in yer face - perhaps a little lacking in vintage or warm tonality. So it depends what you want. If you like both and the Laney has the feature set you prefer, I'd lean towards that in your shoes. Generally, it isn't a good idea to buy without trying. Is it really impossible to do so?

[BassAdder60]

I had the Orange LBT and it’s a nice amp but I moved it on ( nothing wrong with it but fancied a change ) warm and clean sounding amp and very loud 

Edited October 18, 2022 by BassAdder60

[uk_lefty]

Do you have the option to buy both online together, carefully unpack them and return the one you don't want to keep? Might be the best way to test through your own gear and playing style.

[uhuglue]

Thanks for the input guys. Im actually making a trip to London in a couple of weeks and I will have the opportunity to test both at a Guitarguitar outlet.

[BassAdder60]

The LBT has a trick up it’s sleeve regarding the compressor ( it’s an Opto Compressor ) 

 

When you increase it the tone warms up like a tube amp and if you go past midday ( a lot of compression) it sounds gritty 

It’s a fine amp with one of the better EQ ranges on an Orange amp.

Its very different to the Terror Bass head