www.shortscale.org

[Nick]

I think I've decided to get an Orange amp to go with my new mockingbird...the DRRI and AC15H1TV aren't really high gain sort of amps and I like the idea of keeping with the brightly colored theme for the rig.

Tried a Tiny Terror combo at parkway for $550 and enjoyed it but I didn't have the head and cab to compare it to. I did like the fact it was so small and light, but I'm kind of getting tired of combo amps, since the chassis is exposed to more vibrations from the speaker I feel I go through tubes faster because of it.

My local guitar center has a PPC112C cab and several heads to choose from, unfortunately the cheapest Tiny Terror ($350) seemed to be broken as it only put through a weak guitar signal at high levels. The other one they had seemed kind of noisy, which may have just as easily been their power setup or a poorly shielded guitar.

They also have an OR15H on clearance for $599, but I could get one shipped from GC's used inventory for as low as $460. I like the idea of the three band EQ and the look is cooler with the orange wrap. But is it $100-200 better than a Tiny Terror?

Cost might be a factor but not the main one.

[Bacchus]

I've never had a Tiny Terror, but given frans recent difficulties getting a heavy sound from one I'd maybe look at something else.
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[Nick]

Yeah I'm leaning towards the OR15h...from demos and reviews it's supposed to have a more compressed drive and better tonal shaping options.

[markleton]

The OR-15 is still a classic rock type amp. If you want gain maybe have a look at the Dark Terror or the Jim Root Terror thing. I have a TH30 and really like it, clean channel is really nice (and loud) and the gain goes from crunchy to very very fuzzy. Maybe bigger than you want but it does scale down to 7W, it doesn't make it much quieter though.

I've had a Tiny Terror before and they sound best when cranked up, I thought it was a bit average at home volumes.

[Concretebadger]

The OR15 would be the one I'd go for. I recall reading somewhere that its preamp stage was based on the Terror series, but I'm not 100% sure I remember correctly, or whether the forum post in question was right about it.

I've started to fall out of love with the idea of combos, and think of them as a compromise that's not all that great. They're portable in the sense that you can carry the whole thing in one go, but I'd rather make two trips with a head and cab and avoid straining something important. You can mix and match speakers with the amp more easily with a separate cab, as well as being able to swap to a backup in the event of a mid-set amp failure. Good point about the issue of combos and their valves being prone to speaker vibration as well.

[benecol]

The Tiny Terror circuit is based on an AC15. And you already have one of those.

[Nick]

The h1tv while a beautiful sounding and looking amp in its own right, is not suitable for just about anything as it turns out. The plate the power tubes mount to is only secured to the chasis on one side and acts like a spring when the right frequency vibrates the amp. This causes plate rattle in the power tubes, not to mention the ef86 which is super sensitive.

I may try to unload it in the not so distant future but for now I like having it around.

Also the ac15 I have does not have a master volume so it isn't as useful at dialling in distortion.

[Fran]

If I've read your post right Nick, you mention high gain.
The Tiny Terror is probably closer to the normal channel on a Marshall DSL Amp, it will go as far as an AC/DC kind of sound, but to get anything higher gain you're looking at a boost pedal.
The tone/EQ is limited as well, don't get me wrong though, it's difficult to dial a bad sound in. But it isn't versatile. The OR15 I would assume is more versatile due to the EQ.

The cabs sound great, I've got two now and they kick out a lot of volume. The whole sound is very high midrange/classic rock.
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[Nick]

Keep in mind when I say high gain my frame of reference with tube amps are 60's vintage and reissued amps with no master volume (fender, vox, epiphone, hilgen, etc).

I don't have any experience owning or playing Marshall amps but a raw classic rock sound is probably fine with me. If nothing else I'm starting to lie the idea of only having to buy another head if it turns out I need something gainier later on. Leaning towards the OR15.

[Doog]

just sayin

[Fran]

[Fakir Mustache]

I don't own an OR15, but I've played several in shops. It has lots of gain, you could easily play death metal with it.

[Nick]

[Doog]

Sounds like there's a good wedge of gain on that thar amp


Link


Link

[Fran]

Do an Lava Lamp.


Link

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[Nick]

Fucking hell Guitar Center. So I bought the used PPC112C but I couldn't try the OR15 because it was completely dead. Even deader than the Tiny Terror. I'm still planning to buy the OR15 but will need to make sure it works before I order one.

[Doog]

Total fuckin' clownshoes, man.

[stewart]

i'd def go for the OR15 over the terror, the EQ section would be enough to swing it. PPC112s are great as well, they sound really nice and are light as hell.
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[Nick]

Just ordered a minty OR15 from reverb. Accepted his counter offer for $450 shipped.

We will see how this turns out, first time I've ever bought an amp blind.

[Doog]

I'm sure it'll be fine; new sounds = new inspiration