Orange Bass Terror Question

[fretmeister]

Do these have notched controls?

I'd just seen a classifieds for a different Orange amp and it mentioned notched volume controls.

 

Do Orange do this on all their amps?

 

I quite fancy trying a Terror Mk2 but if it's got notched controls then it gets crossed off the list.

 

ta

[Paul C]

No notches on my MK2

[fretmeister]

Lovely!

 

Thank you.

[BassmanPaul]

Just for sheer curiosity what difference would a notched volume control make?

[fretmeister]

4 minutes ago, BassmanPaul said:

Just for sheer curiosity what difference would a notched volume control make?

 

It really depends on the gap between the notches.

 

I had a notched volume on my Ashdown RM800Evo2 and the gap was massive. Only 1 notch between too quiet and deafening so then I'd have to use the Input control as the volume, but that lowers drive levels. I sent it into Dave Green at Ashdown to replace the pot with a smooth one (which he did for free - what a star!).

 

I had seen some comments about the Orange Little Bass Thing having the same issue - Too quiet and then Too Loud in 1 notch.

I didn't know if the Terror Bass had the same system or had a good old standard smooth control.

[BassmanPaul]

Yes Dave Green is a good lad!

[Happypants]

2 hours ago, fretmeister said:

I had a notched volume on my Ashdown RM800Evo2 and the gap was massive. Only 1 notch between too quiet and deafening so then I'd have to use the Input control as the volume, but that lowers drive levels. I sent it into Dave Green at Ashdown to replace the pot with a smooth one (which he did for free - what a star!).

 

I had seen some comments about the Orange Little Bass Thing having the same issue - Too quiet and then Too Loud in 1 notch.

I didn't know if the Terror Bass had the same system or had a good old standard smooth control.

 

Can't speak for the OBT but briefly had both the RM800 and LBT and agree they have similar issues with volume between the first few notches being too great (for my use at home). I never thought about changing the pots!

[BassAdder60]

On 06/01/2023 at 22:07, Happypants said:

 

Can't speak for the OBT but briefly had both the RM800 and LBT and agree they have similar issues with volume between the first few notches being too great (for my use at home). I never thought about changing the pots!

The LBT can be overcome by using the compressor less or more as this boosts the output level too as you increase it 

I tried the Terror MK2 and found it too dark sounding 

[fretmeister]

10 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

The LBT can be overcome by using the compressor less or more as this boosts the output level too as you increase it 

I tried the Terror MK2 and found it too dark sounding 

 

I'm not convinced anything should need to be 'overcome' when a better pot choice at the design stage would have never caused the problem in the first place.

[Stub Mandrel]

Bass Terror isn't notched, which is just as well as it gets very loud very fast when the gain is in the golden zone (where how hard you play has a significant impact on tone).

[Downunderwonder]

4 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

when the gain is in the golden zone (where how hard you play has a significant impact on tone).....

I am in heaven.

[NHM]

when I was a boy I had a Hornby train set with a notched controller, at least I learned the meaning of 'crap' at an early age.

[Stub Mandrel]

Back in the mists of time, top quality hi fi used volume controls with multiway switches and resistors instead of crackly, poorly matched pots.

 

These got associated with a quality feel...

[fretmeister]

I even had a cheap hifi with them on.

 Fortunately crap pots aren't as common these days.

[Stub Mandrel]

1 hour ago, fretmeister said:

I even had a cheap hifi with them on.

 Fortunately crap pots aren't as common these days.

 

These days they are usually  just detents fitted to a pot.

[fretmeister]

Yeah - apparently on the Ashdown ones the detents can be removed, but as I'm highly likely to kill myself with anything electrical I got Dave to swap the pot. He said that was actually quicker to do.