ShortScale.org

Edit: Original post was too long.

I'm trying out a Laney Lionheart head this weekend. The cleans are beautiful and the overdrive channel sounds like Heartbreaker by Zeppelin. I love my Tiny Terror but kind of want a little more versatility. Does Orange make an amp with great cleans AND overdrive with the responsiveness and sound of the Tiny Terror? Is the reality that players often use 2 amps?

The Laney head feels more like a real amp whereas the Tiny Terror feels more like an awesome overdrive pedal. That statement is hard to explain but pickup selection and playing style really come through with the Laney, even when overdriven. The Tiny Terror sounds more quacky and compressed when distorted but I get more variety in the level of breakup on chords than with the Laney. I wish the TT had more of what the Laney has in cleans and transparency but that the Laney had the responsiveness and drive of the TT.

24HRS2MDNT wrote: 1) Its only 20 watts so if I'm going to trade up to a new head maybe I should go for at least a 30 watter. (I'm not in a band though.)

So you want more power?

24HRS2MDNT wrote:3) The clean channel has tons of headroom. I can't hit it hard enough to break it up. Maybe that is a good thing?

So you want less power?





Besides it sounds like you'd rather prefer an Orange.

The clean channel is 20 watts, loud as hell, and clear as crystal. I would have thought that 20 watts wouldn't be enough for playing with a drummer but if I put this thing in the window it could probably be heard down the street.

The Tiny Terror is 15 watts but the cleans are a fraction of what the Laney has and its only rated 5 watts higher.

24HRS2MDNT wrote:Does Orange make an amp with great cleans AND overdrive with the responsiveness and sound of the Tiny Terror?

I know what you mean about the TT, I had one and whilst I enjoyed it it never blew me away.
The Rockerverb however, is my favourite modern amp I have played - so much so that I regretted selling it enough that I got another. The clean channel is just lovely and warm, and the overdrive is thick and articulate, much more versatile than the TT. I've had original RV50s, and not played the current MkII versions.


Would be good to get Progrockabuse to tell you about the Dual Terror too though, as at 30 Watts should give you the clean headroom you are missing in the DT but retaining the characteristics you like.

I'll second the Rockerverb 50. Orange amps have probably the most underrated clean sound of any amp: fat, warm, and crystal clear. Plus you get a little of that Orange "graininess" that gets addictive once you hear it.

And of course it has the Orange driven sound.

As thom says, ive been running a dual terror for about 2 months or so now. I tried it side by side with the tt and my old fender blues deluxe. The extra headroom does make a difference, I've been able to keep up with my band mates. At practise i run it in 15 watt mode, and this gives me a nice clean with just a touch of compression starting to come in. The fat channel on the dt makes for a great clean channel. Try runing the volume flat out and using the gain knob to control the volume. You'll find you'll be able to dial in the clean better for the most volume/headroom. 30 watt mode is plenty loud and plenty of headroom, I've cranked it up a fair bit at practise and it has no problems coping. I'm doing my first gig with the dt on Saturday, will report back to see how it fairs if that's any help.

I will give some love to the lionheart, if i had the cash when i bought my vc15 i would of bought the lionheart. They sound and look great and I think they cover a lot of bases with their sounds.

I really like the look of the Lionhearts too - was eying up the 4x10 combo a few years ago.

24HRS2MDNT wrote:The clean channel is 20 watts, loud as hell, and clear as crystal. I would have thought that 20 watts wouldn't be enough for playing with a drummer but if I put this thing in the window it could probably be heard down the street.

The Tiny Terror is 15 watts but the cleans are a fraction of what the Laney has and its only rated 5 watts higher.

Volume has not much to do with the Power in this case. I'd play both amps in an band anytime. I'd rate any tube amp 10 w or above band-usable, according to volume. I'm sure that 20 W would allow you to play clean, even in a band that can play louder from time to time. Hell, I played gigs with a cranked 5 w amp. it sounds awful, but it is loud enough.

I think Orange is known for having their smaller amps sound dirty. They just don't have much headroom because they are not supposed to.