Mason Music Demo Lab: Orange Amps TH30

[@stephenatgraceland]

Nice job on this review. I appreciate the straightforward approach. I personally like the balance between playing and discussion. There seems to be a lot of Orange head models, so the fundamental explanation is very useful.

[@MasonMusicRocks]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed our approach!

[@dougbounds631]

Best TH30 demo I've seen. Thanks

[@MasonMusicRocks]

Wow thanks! Glad you enjoyed. Richy is the man!

[@GonzGunner]

Hi Richy, just want to say I'm glad I spotted your video here, as I am awaiting the end of a pawn hold at GC to get my own TH30. I tried it out, plugged into an Orange PPC112, and the amp ROCKED! I couldn't crank it loud enough to take it to it's full capability, but I will make up for that when I get it home! I bought the PPC 112 too, they just sound great together! But yours is the only video I have seen so far that covers all the bases and versatility of the amp in a clear and defined way, explaining it's features and how they can be used effectively to create different sounds, without the need for a "Mission Control" layout. You did a great job, and I appreciate it! Glad to subscribe to your channel!

[@MasonMusicRocks]

Thank you so much! We love demoing Orange for that reason; everything they make is just remarkably versatile.

[@miketurnbull7410]

Great little video review, many thanks. Nice and clear and simple (and I mean that in a complimentary way) so that you can understand the controls and hear what they do. Too often, reviewers pedal the hell out of an amp and you lose the core of the amp's purpose and sound. I love my TH30, such a versatile amp that's easy to use. It also just has that classic seventies vibe look too. Look forward to watching more, as I like your straight forward style of delivery. Best wishes from the UK home of Orange!

[@MasonMusicRocks]

Greetings from Birmingham, AL, Mike! Glad you're enjoying our videos - the TH30 is a favorite of mine as well :)

[@robzona7779]

Would love to hear that on the bridge it would sound more rock and roll and mean

[@alexwalker5645]

Ey, heavy Van Halen riff with the NECK pickup?!?! What!!!??

[@MasonMusicRocks]

haha! I know that was sacrilegious!

[@ald7248]

This is a really good demo - but the more I hear Orange EL-84 designs the more I wish they had stuck with EL-34 designs such as the Rockerverb. In my experience their EL-84 designs don't really get the sparkle & chime of Vox amps, yet suffer from the same limitations on their drive channels as most EL-84 designs do.

[@MasonMusicRocks]

Thanks! Yes, there is definitely a distinct difference in chime between Orange and Vox. What limitations do you perceive on the drive channels? Also, just curious, have you checked out Supro Amps, and if so, what are your thoughts?

[@ald7248]

@@MasonMusicRocks I think EL-84 designs can sound great clean or crunchy. I think that they tend to produce harsh/rough overdrive once you get the power stages working hard, though, compared to EL-34 and 6L6 designs - with a couple exceptions. If you aren't getting that classic British chime in an EL-84 amp - it's difficult for me, personally, to see the point of having one.

[@MasonMusicRocks]

AlD72 yeah- I definitely agree that orange does a crunchy thing well, but isn’t going to be your ticket to a chimey high end.

[@tyleraho2485]

@Jon Merlin these replies are spot on in my opinion. Secondly why compare this amp to another classic amp like the vox? If you want the vox, buy a vox, at this price level you can choose either one . Personally ive gravitated towards el84s over time.

[@mladengrubelic873]

'Ain't Talking 'Bout Love' sounds wrong if you use any other sound but the guitar's BRIDGE pickup. It amazes me how many KZbin reviewers use the wrong pickup settings for well known riffs. The latest I've heard is AC/DC's 'Hell's Bells' opening riff played on the NECK pickup. C'mon people.

[@chetwalters4418]

What’s the best way I should run my head into my orange 4x12? Like speaker output wise. Just confuses me. And I have no idea how to run my reverb through the FX loop lol

[@MasonMusicRocks]

Chet Walters you should be using the 16 ohm output on the amp. Most orange cabs are 16 ohms. Reverb for fx loop- just run out of the “send” on the back of the amp into the input on your reverb pedal, then out of your reverb pedal into the “return” on your amp.

[@ericsavage89]

Serious chops here, just with it was more of playing than talking. Good review

[@MasonMusicRocks]

Thanks! Yes, Richy is a beast on the guitar! Glad you enjoyed. We will try to get more playing into the next vid. ROCK ON!

[@hutch_hunta]

Can you play the amp head + the cab at home for practicing or its too loud?!

[@MasonMusicRocks]

With the half power switch, you can definitely get some good crunchy sounds at bedroom levels. Still not going to have the same sound as when you hit the power tubes with the master volume knob, but definitely workable. Are you looking for something that can do stage and bedroom? I keep saying bedroom - you just said practicing at home. Which is it?

[@hutch_hunta]

@@MasonMusicRocks yeah home and maybe some bars, terrasses.. i was thinking of buying a kingtone Imperial II.. who has an attenuateur.. and its also graet for clean and blues tones

[@MasonMusicRocks]

@@hutch_hunta That thing looks awesome. Yeah, a combo may be the better route then. If you're looking for clean and blues tones, that looks like a great option. Let us know how it turns out!

[@jonathandiaz2435]

Sounds very AC30 inspired! Must be the EL84s

[@MasonMusicRocks]

Yes - It definitely has that British thing going on - this one is more growly though, with the AC30 having a more chimey sparkle, especially on the clean side. The Orange voice is darker in general. What kind of amp do you have? Are you looking for anything in particular?

[@antonioalbares]

You lost me and miss represented this amp by playing EVH / Pantera with low gain, choppy and a tele neck.. geeeeezzz... whyyyyyy!!

[@mikeyo3230]

Way too much talking and not enough playing

[@MasonMusicRocks]

We have started a new series of videos called “shut up and play.” The first one should be coming out this week... might be up your alley.

[@TheXxjmpxxx]

Probably a dumb question - the 3 band EQ from the clean channel, those knobs affect nothing while on the dirty channel, correct? In other words, you only have the shape knob to dial in the dirty channel.

[@MasonMusicRocks]

JxPx 9 not dumb at all! You are exactly correct. Thankfully, the shape knob is really useful with sculpting the eq.

[@TheXxjmpxxx]

@@MasonMusicRocks I agree. I've had the TH30 on my radar for awhile now as a possible upgrade from the Micro Dark, which has the shape knob and I love the versatility of it.