Orange Rockerverb mkII & mkIII - Shootout

Lets check the differences between the Orange Rockerverb mkII and mkIII shall we?
Big thank you to Jon and Ryan from The Home Team for making this possible!
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[@slysendice]

Interesting - Orange claims they changed the clean channel & left the dirty channel untouched, but I'm hearing the opposite - the clean channels sound almost identical, but the dirty channel on the MKIII is noticeably more scooped & bass heavy!

[@vuriby]

I'm hearing differences in both cases, the MKIII basically sounds like a modern MKII, it sounds a bit tighter and heavier.

[@johnyang799]

vuriby mk2 brighter and less compressed but maybe harsh.

[@Philip__-bl8iz]

Both channels awfully similar too me but that just be my moniters

[@Gonboo]

MkII is brighter on the clean channel.

[@wheresallthezombies]

Same here. I prefer the mkii.

[@gabrielazzopardi6037]

The Mk3 sounds a bit more 'American' scooped mids and not so present in the highs. The Mk2 sounds more 'British'. I prefer the mk2 sound.

[@JoshRiffMonster]

I feel like the clean channel is the same in both, but the Rockerverb 50 mklll has more bass in the dirty channel

[@brandonverdier4036]

Same exact experience for me

[@suffersystemstudios]

Def what I feel as well. I found because of this the MKII had a bit of a nicer and more pronounced midrange to my ears.

[@JoshRiffMonster]

Ray Blaquiere yes, as fluff said, the mkll is more a rock machine

[@suffersystemstudios]

Oh for sure. Strangely enough I still think in my opinion the MKII would be my choice of the two as I like the sound better for me for metal. Though be a broke ass musician I would take either one if I could haha. I think maybe because it reminds me more of my 6505+ is why it sounds better to me, as I hear that amp so much.

[@MuffDiver71]

The MK3's cleans are more broken up than the MK2's. Listen through headphones.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

No idea who Ernia Ball is but she sounds hot

[@josefeld7164]

The other John Browne Shes James Valentine, so Im afraid shes taken.

[@KaoswareMetal]

I need to get myself an Orange amp :)

[@isaiaharriaga4977]

Kaosware SAME

[@tyleraho2485]

do it. you wont be disappointed. not even, at all.

[@jsneed7207]

Was just thinking that myself, lol.

[@Bandersnatch786]

Recently switched to Orange myself. Got a Rocker 15 Terror and for fun, a Micro Dark. The Rocker 15 Terror is just incredible and the Micro Dark will amaze you at how much air it can push through a 412 or 212. If you haven't tried Orange before, I suggest starting with a Micro Terror or Micro Dark as the price of entry is low enough that you won't feel like you wasted money and the amps are symbolic enough of the rest of their line that you can really get a good sense if Orange is a good fit for your style and sound.

[@heavenearth3703]

Nick Donato even the tiny terror has a great sound and can push 4x12 on just the 7 watt setting. I just got the tiny terror combo at a pawnshop and I’m amazed, I fell in love with the sound it puts out.

[@georgioskaratsoris7350]

I didn't like Orange amps when I first saw them, but when I listened for the first time the Orange OR100, I said "Oh, dear! That's what I am looking for!"! Then, I became an Orange amps fan! I listened the two amps with headphones and the tone of each amp is indeed different! Keep up the great work, Fluff! I love your channel!

[@spoiledsk]

Overall the MK3 sounds darker. I think I like the 3 better than the 2. Wish there were a MK1 in there for comparison to the OG version.

[@bulletproofprs]

Tom Williams I owned the MK I. The strongest aspect of that amp was the clean. I always preferred the MKII’s dirty channel as it was a lot clearer

[@spoiledsk]

B McIsaac I’m a Mark I owner myself. I found the opposite. I preferred to dirt on the early version. Different strokes, though.

[@keaulana1]

I own the MKI and also prefer the dirty channel on that one

[@LoreAccurateHusky]

5:05 The text that indicates which amp is being played changes before the shot of the amp does causing the names for the amps to display for the incorrect amp. I didn't see any comments but you might want to fix that soon to prevent minor confusion for viewers.

[@Colin.W]

I was waiting for you to nail the description you did at the end. The MKIII IS smoother on the reverb but I find it can still have one more notch of power. The MKII knobs move smoothly where the MKIII has slight clicking adjustments, making those sweet spots hard to nail sometimes. There's no Mid knob on the MKIII clean channel, only the crunch channel. I was able to get better cleans with the MKII. All in all, I say put the gain and attenuator of the MKIII into the MKII and put the reverb power in the middle of the two heads and it would be perfect. IMO

[@gqnelly]

I think the subtle implied assertion from this video is "buy the MK III cuz its the new one and we are here to sell new gear". I hear more British character from the MK II with a bit more snarl. I hear a bit more low end and fuzz from the MK III. Both sound great...so I guess it depends on what tone you are chasing. I lean towards the MK II...

[@samward9641]

I've got the MK1 50c 212, I love it so much I picked up another one and I realized that they were different, the early rockerverb came with orange Mercury magnets and the other MK1 rockerver didn't have the orange Mercury magnets in it and didn't sound as good, I've played a few of these amps and the early MK1 model is the best with the orange magnets in it! But hard to find!!!

[@Dicktoben]

I hope so. I’m about to get one

[@zachr21897]

It would be cool to throw a mkI into the mix and show the high gain capabilities, I think Jim root uses a mkI still and it sounds disgustingly amazing

[@thedondeluxe6941]

MkIII is very slightly bassier all around imo, but the difference is extremely tiny. Both sound awesome!

[@antoinehillion]

Now do this with the mkiii and a CR120H

[@stoneyvision108]

Thank you for doing a comparison where you made the amps sound to what you think was their best separately. That is how to do a real-world test

[@mentholdeathray]

Can’t go wrong with either mkii in this video does sound like a slightly brighter amp. I love my mkii so much.

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

Dude, I play some of the most ridiculously heavy Acid Doom and shit, and I prefer the MKII, I use the clean channel with a billion dirt pedals and NEEED that mids knob. Plus, I crank mine anyway.... ITS DOOM!!!!!!

[@gamerboyzeke]

Ok, why is it i was just playing everlong on me guitar, i set it down to watch some youtube, i click on fluffs new vid, fluff is playing everlong, my Mind is Blown

[@wheresallthezombies]

The orange rockerverb mkii is one of my all time favorites. Regret trading it. The attenuator on the mkiii sounds awesome.

[@SQPREZI]

I‘ve tried both of them myself and I always liked the MK II better. And I like the MK II better in your video as well. Especially when you play heavier stuff the MK II seems to be way more clear and not that much scooped, which is great in my opinion when you want to be present in a metal mix.

[@Alfgunnarp]

I liked the MKII the best, more pronounced

[@timothymckane6362]

MkIII would be preferable for Doom Metal.

[@maxupp]

Completely identical clean, a little more highend fizz on the crunch channel on the MKIII. But still very similar sounding with a bit more mids on the MKII. I'll stick with my MKII.

[@johnyang799]

Schwurbel mk2 is brighter on clean same as the other channels.

[@johnyang799]

more open rather.

[@maxupp]

i couldn't even tell when he switched with my eyes closed. The difference, if there is any, is marginal.

[@jayj023]

Rockin a rockerverb in a modern metalcore outfit with a lot of drop A and it does the job. Master volume would definitely be handy though!

[@robertciaschini7625]

I'm subscribed. Great comparison. I'm getting a mkiii for its high gain a la Root.

[@AlexAvila-hw3ys]

I have a 50w MKIII It is very versatile I play a jazzmaster. I enjoy the extra push that this amp has. You also get vintage style tones when using the half power and the attention knob.

[@McDachpappe]

Mk3 is darker and has a finer gain structure... it sounds creamier. Mk2 sounds more open and rawer. The gain is far less creamy, it's more like bits and pieces. Even though I like heavy music, I'd prefer the mk2. I simply love coarse-grained gain. Would love to see how the mk1 compares to these two amps. Almost no usable videos on the mk1 out there.... Fluff, could you do something about that?

[@goobiecaro8135]

A little trick I recently discovered on the Rockerverb MKII is if you run the footswitch on the reverb off and turn the reverb level up, you add another level of tone control as it thickens the sound. Kind of like a depth control.

[@mountainpeakcloud8442]

Thanks, I'm going to try that on mine.

[@giuliocarmassi]

Very interesting! On the cleans it always felt like the MKIII had a slight blanket on top, or it was plastic wrapped. Ever so slightly less immediate, less sensitive. Splitting hair tho for sure.

[@sonictemple2925]

I prefer the OR100. Wish they would have kept it in the line. Have you checked out a Matamp? I absolutely love my GT120.

[@keaulana1]

Any opinion on the rockerverb MKI 50 watts 6v6 power section?

[@Gainovermg]

I need more demos with the E906. Really loving this tone.

[@themightymcb7310]

The MKIII has a bit more bottom end than the MKII, with tighter mids. I personally love that kind of tone, so I've gotta hand it to the MKIII. Both amps crush and kick so much ass, but the MKIII just has the mojo for me

[@Tcflohr]

I love both the rockerverb (playing on a band with a thunderverb myself and formerly owning a mkII) but feature wise the mkIII takes it. For the "attenuator" (pretty much a post phase inverter master volume) and the much more manageable reverb (the RV mkii like my thunderverb goes from nothing to cavernous pretty quick). Also the pics only looks alot cooler.

[@Tcflohr]

Ah, and I end up parroting you almost word for word. I could have watched till the end and simply said "I agree".

[@666warschau666]

could you do a MK1 Demo?

[@matthewg3478]

I prefer a Thunderverb, but that's neither here nor there. I think I like each of these. I think I like one more than the other until he switches. I think they're just both great and almost anyone would be happy to have either.

[@chrismonaut]

tbh I really prefer the sound of the MKII. However I never understood who designed the reverb for the mkII, that's so much fail for such a big company. For me it's a little bit too much bass on the mkIII. In my area I see the mkIII mainly in stoner and sludge bands. But of course the lowend really depends on the cabinet

[@JohnHartmanMortalDecay]

Sick man, i just picked up a Rockerverb 50. LOoOVE it!!!

[@maddhendrix]

I had a rockerverb 100 mk2. One of the biggest regrets of my life so far was selling it. It was the best amp I ever owned. The clean channel on the rockerverbs is so sweet, but where mine really blew my hair back was the dirty channel. Such a great, musical distortion. Tons of feel. With a delay in the loop it had epic lead tones. Bottom line.... if your lucky enough to get your hands on one of these amazing amps, dont sell it.

[@mountainpeakcloud8442]

I have to agree with you. I got a good deal on the MKii a few months back, and it's a killer amp... can totally do metal.

[@mountainman8775]

MkIII takes it to my ears, they sure are very similar. MkIII sounds a tiny bit more compressed, and more modern. I like both amps but MKIII would get more use from me.

[@JoshRiffMonster]

*_EVERLONG_*

[@seanridley2596]

yurpiense

[@nitroville4899]

MKII for us, classic rock tone galore and a great addition to our Marshall JMPs

[@humro5960]

Push to full overdrive.....MkIII sounds awesome.

[@a.j.ratchford2846]

Fluff, when you played the intro riff to everlong I felt that shit!

[@anthonyring123]

i hear verrrrryyyy little difference in the clean, but i much prefer the dirty on the mrkii over the iii. I like my mids

[@asnark7115]

I'd trade that for having an attenuator and a working mid pot.

[@Podcastage]

The MKII has slightly more twang to it on the clean channel, while the MKIII has more bass or mud. I have the original Rockerverb 100 and loved it, but haven't used it in years because it's not an apartment amp.

[@leontaylor6011]

you prolly dont care but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times you can watch pretty much all the new movies and series on Instaflixxer. I've been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last days xD

[@mitchellbennett3638]

@Leon Taylor Yup, been watching on InstaFlixxer for since december myself =)

[@mikefoster5423]

I thought i liked the mkII more but when i closed my eyes i realized i could barely tell when they switched in the video. I recently picked up a 50 watt mkI so i'd love to see a comparison between all 3 some day!

[@Nattskog]

The mark II has warmer cleans, but then the III has much more bite on the dirty channel. Personally I think II for guitarists who use cleaner tones (IE: Blues, Classic Rock etc) and the III for heavy tones (IE: Metal, Hard Rock, Punk etc). Both good amplifiers.

[@CT-5576]

Can you try to make a Jim Root tone? Maybe do a slipknot cover? Mick Thomson was using the JP2C. I'd love to see and hear you do a slipknot cover.

[@xandersthoughts]

Demo thoughts: the clean channels are almost identical - very negligible differences - but the MK3 sounds darker with more bass on the dirty channel. Either way, sounds great with those "Ernia" Ball guitars.

[@jeffmays7192]

Had a guitarist in my band with a rocker verb. Not a bad sounding amp but I wouldn’t replace my KSR with it.

[@emmanuelbertrand176]

Great choice of song to compare these two beasts. Well done ;-)

[@RubyRoks]

The mark 2 seemed to handle the input level on the clean channel. The mk3 sounded a bit farty, whereas the 2 felt like it still had a BIT of headroom Dirty channels were identical to me

[@TheLeavesAreBrown]

I apologize if you've already announced the Orange Amps relationship, but if not I think a video on the topic explaining the relationship may be worthwhile. Some topics I'm curious about as a long time viewer of your channel are 1) What effect will this have on your amp reviews for other brands? 2) Did you have to compromise your sound in Rest, Repose since you've been using Mesa for a while? 3) Will you provide disclaimers when there is a chance that your endorsement could be viewed as biasing your opinion on a topic? 4) Generally, what does it mean for your channel? To be clear, I love Orange amps (Yeah, I think the EMG 81/85 + Rockerverb combo is one of the greatest tones in metal, fight me) and I trust your integrity, so I'm not criticizing your move in any way. I just like content where all the cards on the table. \m/

[@iag127]

I was really hoping to like the mk3 better but my ears are leaning towards the mk2. The mk2 has punchier mids and less low end rumble and its cleans are a little sparklier.

[@PedalingPrince]

The MK III has fatter bottom end and more defined top end on overdriven tones to my ears. Not much difference between them on clean tones I find. Both sound killer, though. 👍

[@coreyclark6505]

They both sound good, but the MK II sounded more open to my ears.

[@bdwitt66]

Congratulations! I didn't know you were on the Orange roster.

[@mestizoaudio]

The Home Teeeeam! Such a good bunch of guys

[@davethrash7270]

FLUFF- Your labelling on which amp is playing gets backwards in the middle…says mkII while mkIII is playing and is mixed up til the end of the first run, not sure if you noticed 😉 The mislabelling starts at 5:05 i think

[@davethrash7270]

Just wondering which one is actually playing (the one in the pic or the label)

[@paradox7743]

The Mark III is the best Amp I've ever played-I'm glad I passed on the II.Here's the thing it is very rare to find an Amp that does excel in all area's.The clean channel is brilliant & the way the reverb is set up is on point & lush but very versatile-on the II it sounds like shit-like you mention ,when it first came out I noticed how pass at a certain point it was useless.Mark III has that gradual type setting & sounds beautiful & can create atmospheric soundscapes w/ease.Now The Distortion here is Aggressive & potent & very versatile-It covers alot of Sonic Ground so if you are going for a Zepp/Sabbath sound it's on point-If your looking to Downtune & get fucking Brutal it's all there-Dial back a bit & you get those Root type overtones it excels there also.The global attenuater gives you a world of options tone wise.The mark II is a fine amp but the 3rd Generation Orange knocked it outta the park-The hieroglyphic's pic's only is Fuckin Badass.As well as the Original Orange logo from 68' just adds to it's brilliance.Sweet as Fuck/Great demo...

[@AliceinCovers]

Did the dirty channel on the MKIII have more clarity than the MKII? It sounds a little more clear from the video. I've found note definition between strings on the MKII a little lacking with high gain.

[@MaxAdamantium]

I reckon musicman would probably benefit pretty highly if they do an endorsement for Ryan.. he clearly digs their stuff.. and a Hyperion shaped music man would make me (and I’ll assume him more so) the happiest boy in all the world 🤜🏼🖤🤛🏼

[@wmxx2000]

Love the 906 mic. I hear just a little bit more brightness from the MkII

[@patrickolivier1]

I’ve owned 5-6 Rockerverbs so far, I currently have an MKII 100 and an MKIII 100... Never ever turned on the reverb knob lol

[@Goth108]

Demo with matched controls: 3:51 Demo with matched sound: 6:11

[@AllenHarrison]

I couldn't tell a difference between the clean channels, the only way I could tell the switched was from the popping of the tracks ending and starting lol but the MKIII was a little mid scooped to me, a little more squishy

[@AdamFaulkner375]

I'm well happy with my mkii. But the iii just has a touch more bight and clarity. I also don't care much for the mkii clean channel. Too muddy. I'd also like to swap out the reverb tank. Ugh!! Looks like I need a mkiii.

[@randylegresley4646]

I prefer the Dirty channel on the Rockerverb 50 mklll, its a little tighter and more full sounding but i prefer the clean on the Rockerverb 50 mkll its a little cleaner and more open it has a more natural sound less compressed. The clean on the Rockerverb 50 mklll sounds a little dull

[@betolicks4071]

They sound really similar wouldn't even tell in a stage setting

[@240zzz]

Mkii dirty is more open, cleans are both good for me.

[@mars6433]

The 2 clean channels sound pretty much the same, but, the MK III's dirty channel sounds thicker, heavier and more aggressive.

[@jameswoodie5657]

Sounds like you can get it at a lower volume because the intinuator for in house use ?

[@jaychen2000metal]

Yay for raw sound videos! I guess i'd choose 3 since it's less rock, more modern metal

[@rumglas]

Great sound, both amps!

[@ScottJPSmith]

Excellent shootout!!! Thanks!

[@KillaFXZ]

Fluff Fighters! Sounds great!

[@marsattacks7071]

I revise my 1st impressions... With Mk III, more bottom end and high frequencies too compared to the Mk II. Fuller might be the word ? Well, both sound great finally. It's a small difference that doesn't change the personality of the tone. The practical aspect would make me buy the Mk III just because of the attenuator. Still, it is a very expensive amp and there is no used one on the market or they are very rare... Thanks Ryan !

Eric D. Yeah man, I just bought second hand Mk2 and I was very lucky. I could find only Mk1s which I don't really like mainly because of the bad reverb. And you are right, I could not find Mk3 anywhere.

[@alezd786]

is it my impression, or the MK2 sounds more 'open' and bright on the high frequencies? Great video btw

[@DriveCarToBar]

The Mk3 sounds like it has a mid-shift going on compared to the Mk2. The mid-low end is noticeably fatter. The Mk2 seems to keep the fizz better contained. Mk2 has slightly more expressive cleans up top. Mk3 sounds like someone stuck a resistor in the cable.

[@300WINMAG360]

My only question is, should I buy a Music Man or an Orange first??

[@Yngchtonlambert]

1:06 : I don't think you mentionned it, but which one of the Orange 2x12" cab was this one ? The open back one or the closed back one (which is also a little wider and deeper) ?

[@Xyklonikus]

Gotta love me some Foo! Great vid man. Thanks.

[@kyleb6325]

What's the difference between mk1, mk2 and mk3???

[@wykkidbass]

I love the sound of the Cutlass through either.

[@brandonbryson3317]

MKII all the way for me.

[@heathbarnhart1092]

Overall I think they both sounded the same, the MKIII is just has a little more bottom end to it. Of the two I preferred teh MKII, I think it would cut through a mix better. I don't dislike the MKIII, my ear just prefers the MKII. I agree with the reverb though. I have a Cr60Pro (which is based on the MKI I believe) and the reverb gets ridiculous past 2, I normally keep it just over 1.

[@keaulana1]

I own the MKI and played the CR and sounded way different than my rockerverb.

[@johnathan.jerusik]

MkIII clean sound bit rounder mids bit more full, gain sounded hotter and crunchier.

[@wheresallthezombies]

Oh damn, I’m surprised mesa didn’t have you as an official artist.

[@rjmcmooseknuckle]

Never gonna get a true comparison on youtube, but the MKII does sound less bass / muddy .Mybe do a shootout in a live environment, and have the amps dimed

[@RobJMeronek]

Comparing Oranges and Oranges, interesting....

[@fizzervc7264]

the mk2 sounds infinitely better to me especially on the OD channel

[@patrickhasachannel]

I never realized how varied the tones are in Everlong until now

[@LotharOfTheHillPeople]

They're basically indistinguishable. The differences could easily be found in two of any amp.

[@isaaca.9091]

That Valentine guitar sounded great on the dirty channel.

[@jitk1]

I hear a minor difference in the clean channels, MKIII is a little chimer but the MKII seems to have punchier mids on the gain.

[@minus9us677]

does the attenuator bring down poweramp NOISE?

[@hectorezequielibelles5393]

I like the MKII

[@bainmack]

love that Foo Fighters!

[@astro2069]

Do you prefer the rockerverb mkii or the old rev g Mesa Dual rec 2ch?