Dirty channel controls: Volume, Shape, Gain Clean channel controls: Treble, Bass, Volume Effects loop Output: Class AB, switchable between 100, 70, 50, and 35 watts Preamp tubes: 4 x ECC83 Ouput tubes: 4 x EL84 Effects loop tubes: 1 x ECC81 Half-power switch Speaker outputs: 1 x 16 ohms, 2 x 8 ohms Dimensions: 21.6" x 9.5" x 9.5" Weight: 33 lbs. UTILIZATION I have used a lot of different orange amps over the years. They seem to always make their way into my collection. In the past I have strayed more toward the Rockerverb and AD30 amps and not really payed much attention to the other models. But I had a chance to pick up a TH100 on the cheap so I went for it. The TH100 features a variable wattage, and these days a lot of amps are doing this. In my experience, it's not exactly a full proof feature because you are really just choking a 100 watt tranny instead of actually putting a smaller tranny in there. The intended effect is felt but with all variable wattage amps you have to keep in mind that it's not perfect. The controls are idiot proof. Clean channel is literally a set your volume affair. The gain channel doesn't even have an EQ. I like this approach because I am usually the less is more kind of amp lover. SOUNDS I'm glad Orange went with EL34's even though the fad with these high gain amps seems to be 6l6. It's good to think of the TH100 as a simpler, high gain version of the rockerverb. The clean channel is pretty jazzy. It's very transparent and let's the guitar do most of the talking. Obviously if you lower the wattage the clean channel breaks up more. The lead channel is indeed very nasty. It sounds equally good for lead and rhythm types of play. The low gain tones are okay. But the real strength of this amp is the high gain stuff. It can get super doomy. Classic rock stuff just sounds iffy though. OVERALL OPINION This is really more of a high gain amp that doesn't really lend itself to anything but metal or heavy rock. But it is good at those things. And the clean is actually usable. I think it fills its niche very well. Not the most versatile amp. If you want mellower tones get a rockerverb.
The effects loop on the Orange Thunder 30 is very transparent, which is nice. The amp seems a little more susceptible to hum from a dirty power source than other amps, so you may want to get a power conditioner. Otherwise, it's pretty quiet. UTILIZATION The clean channel starts to break up around 10 o'clock, depending on your guitar, which means that you can only go that loud for totally clean sounds. A bit of a bummer, but not a huge deal. As I said, I wish it had a presence control--it's not a bright amp and the treble control doesn't seem to boost much (though it can cut a lot if you need it to). Might also have preferred an amp with separate mid and bass controls, but that would have cost a good deal more. You can always add an EQ pedal if you want more control or brightness. The amp is very punchy and just overall such high quality that I would much rather put an EQ pedal on it than have bought a Mesa that comes with all those knobs. Generally, though, two tone controls is enough for me. SOUNDS The dirty channel packs all the tone you need into one knob. It's pretty incredible. Probably not the most flexible amp, but you can get all the gain you'd ever need and it can be either scooped or relatively flat or all mids, so there isn't much need for another knob, in my opinion. I also like dialing back the volume on the guitar a bit while on the dirty channel--kind of a gritty, lo-fi sound that I really dig. OVERALL OPINION Overall, it's a solid amp that sounds great. Not the most flexible, but if you're like me, the reason you like an amp like this is because it has so few knobs. The less you have to fuss with, the less you have to worry about. This amp is a keeper.
This is an unusual looking amp from Orange. Usually they have just the front of their combos with the speaker grille cloth and then the control panel on top. This has the control panel on the front as well as the speaker grille cloth. I had to take a double look at this to make sure it wasn't some random prototype Orange combo amp. However, the tone is killer! Orange TH 30 Combo 2-channel, 30-watt, 1 x 12" Combo Amplifier Features: Dirty channel controls: Volume, Shape, Gain Clean channel controls: Treble, Bass, Volume Effects loop Output: Class A, switchable between 30, 15 and 7 watts Preamp tubes: 2 x ECC83 Ouput tubes: 4 x EL84 Effects loop tubes: 1 x ECC81 Speaker outputs: 1 x 16 ohms, 2 x 8 ohms Weight: 53 lbs. UTILIZATION Details Type Tube Number of Channels 2 Power 7W, 15W, 30W All Class A - Switchable Speakers 1 x 12" Celestion G12H-30 No Effects No Reverb EQ Ch 1: Shape; Ch 2: Treble, Bass No Amp Modeling Preamp Tubes 4 x ECC83/12AX7 Power Tubes 4 x EL84 Inputs 1 x Instrument Outputs 3 x Speaker Footswitch I/O Yes Effects Loop Yes SOUNDS The tone from this amp is just killer. This is a two channel amp with one somewhat clean channel and then an overdrive channel. The distinct Orange voicing is in this amp as well. The oh so familiar British tone but unique Orange voicing is just downright amazing. One great tonal feature on this amp is the Mid sweep knob but as they like to call it the Dirty Shape control knob. This actually changes the midrange in the EQ section of the amp. As you take it all the way up it gives you a mid cut for modern or drop tuning music. You will need to play around with this control along with your standard EQing to get the desired overall tone for your particular guitar. OVERALL OPINION At new these amps come in at around $1350, which may seem a bit on the high side. They are still UK made and they pack the punch that all the Orange amps are known for. The features are great with the power cut on the front as well as the tube cut on the back. Here you can really dial in the exact wattage and volume with these two features.
