Orange Rocker 30H

The Orange Rocker 30 is a great sounding all tube head in that classic tradition of simple and stripped down British fury. It delivers 30 watts of power and features two channels. The clean channel features simply a volume control, and the dirty channel features gain and volume controls. The amp has a basic shared EQ featuring bass, middle and treble controls, and it is run by a single pair of EL34 tubes in the power section. No effects loop, no reverb, just a pure and simple, stripped down British tone.

UTILIZATION

Dialing in this amp for a good sound is not too difficult. I find the EQ controls to be less responsive than I might like at certain times, but that's how many British voiced amps are for me... they don't have the defined parameters of low, midrange and high. It is almost as though this amp has a more narrow focus to the EQ, which isn't for everyone, but it does help in getting that more nasally classic British type of tone.

SOUNDS

I've tried this amp through various guitars and it's certainly got that aggressive British bark to it. The clean channel is decent, though there is not a lot of control with just a volume knob. It is the type of gritty clean that you might use for blues or rock stuff over more pristine textures. The drive tones have a great classic voice that excels for everything from Thin Lizzy to Paul Gilbert, great British fury that packs a serious punch. It's not the most versatile or dynamic drive sound, but the sort of crazy attack that it does, it does well. It's got a pretty loose vibe overall, very typical Brit rock tone.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think the Orange Rocker 30 head is a decent buy for the cash. They ran about $1,400 new which is a decent price for a great sounding British made tube head. The lack of reverb/effects loop might turn off players, as might the stripped down control layout, but overall it works very well for that simple yet effective application of rock n' roll.

This is Orange's vintage or classic series amplifier. It is two channel but shared EQ which is different than the class A amp they have such as the AD series. This amp does have a pre amp tube distortion, but minimal so you have to crank up the volume to get the break up. This is going to be more like the ways of old. Much like a Marshall JTM45 or a Plexi you have to get most of your grind from the power section of the amp. So this is not going to be a high gain amp, but will lend itself to the classic rock crowd of old school amplifiers.

This is the same amp as the orange Orange Rocker 30 but just in a custom black tolex covering. This looks very sharp when you see it up close. I actually like this over the orange tolex.

These amps have been discontinued and I believe replaced with the TH series amp from Orange. So finding one on the used market is the only way to get your hands on one of these amps.

UTILIZATION

Power 30 watts
Channel Configuration Natural / Dirty
Footswitch Function Channel
Preamp Tubes 3 X 12AX7
Power Tubes 2 X EL34
Weight I don't know... Soon.
Natural Channel Controls Volume
Dirty Channel Controls Gain / Volume
Bass / Middle / Treble

SOUNDS

When you crank up the gain its get s natural distortion similar to a Vox Ac30. It has a unique sustain that I only hear from the Vox amps but this one has it as well. This is great amp for the classic rock tone. It has a singing sustain that makes playing guitar so much fun and enjoyable.

You need to crank the volume up more on this amp to get the sustain you need for gigging. The Gain control knob does add a great sustain and drive but I feel the volume is the most important part of the dialing in a great tone from this amp.

Put a Les Paul in front of this amp and you will be cranking out Jimmy Paige riffs all day long. I'm not sure but I think I saw him use this amp or maybe the Rocker 50 or 100 when on stage with the Foo Fighters at Wembley Stadium a couple years back. It has a great tone to it that I don't think sounds like a Marshall. The flavor of the British distortion and tone is there but is tastes much different than a Marshall or a Hiwatt

OVERALL OPINION

There is no upcharge for the black tolex. Just a nice feature from the good people at Orange. This is a great sounding amplifier. Anyone who gets a chance or opportunity to play this amp will be impressed. The tone is outstanding and couple that with a nice delay pedal and you be good to go.

I recommend this amp to anyone looking for a vintage but classic sounding amplifier. They are a little harder to find now that they are discontinued. So the used market is the only way to go now.

This is Orange's vintage or classic series amplifier. It is two channel but shared EQ which is different than the class A amp they have such as the AD series. This amp does have a pre amp tube distortion, but minimal so you have to crank up the volume to get the break up. This is going to be more like the ways of old. Much like a Marshall JTM45 or a Plexi you have to get most of your grind from the power section of the amp. So this is not going to be a high gain amp, but will lend itself to the classic rock crowd of old school amplifiers.

These amps have been discontinued and I believe replaced with the TH series amp from Orange. So finding one on the used market is the only way to get your hands on one of these amps.

UTILIZATION

This is not a class A. It will also not have a tube rectifier in it either. The power tubes are military spec El34. These sound almost identical to El34 and will get that volume empowered distortion breakup found in amps from the 60's. So you will have to turn it up pretty loud to get nice grind to it.

Specifications

* Power 30 watts -
* Channel Configuration Natural / Dirty
* Footswitch Function Channel
* Preamp Tubes 3 X 12AX7
* Power Tubes 2 X 6CA7
* Natural Channel Controls Volume
* Dirty Channel Controls Gain / Volume / Bass / Middle / Treble


SOUNDS

When you crank up the gain its get s natural distortion similar to a Vox Ac30. It has a unique sustain that I only hear from the Vox amps but this one has it as well. This is great amp for the classic rock tone. It has a singing sustain that makes playing guitar so much fun and enjoyable.

You need to crank the volume up more on this amp to get the sustain you need for gigging. The Gain control knob does add a great sustain and drive but I feel the volume is the most important part of the dialing in a great tone from this amp.

Put a Les Paul in front of this amp and you will be cranking out Jimmy Paige riffs all day long. I'm not sure but I think I saw him use this amp or maybe the Rocker 50 or 100 when on stage with the Foo Fighters at Wembley Stadium a couple years back. It has a great tone to it that I don't think sounds like a Marshall. The flavor of the British distortion and tone is there but is tastes much different than a Marshall or a Hiwatt

OVERALL OPINION

This is a great sounding amplifier. Anyone who gets a chance or opportunity to play this amp will be impressed. The tone is outstanding and couple that with a nice delay pedal and you be good to go.

I recommend this amp to anyone looking for a vintage but classic sounding amplifier. They are a little harder to find now that they are discontinued. So the used market is the only way to go now.

This is an all tube 30 Watt top - British!
This amp doesn't have a spring reverb (as compared to the rockerverb) and is very simple. A few adjustments is all you need to rock!
Construction is top!

UTILIZATION

These amps are very straight forwared. You have two channels and most settings give you something to work with.
No manual is really needed...

SOUNDS

Orange amps sound british and dirty. This is amp is totally useless if you are looking for a clean sound. If you need crunch and lead-gain then this amp is the one to look into! It possesses a lot of character… you really need to like the sound. But if you do then you’re in for a treat! It’s totally straight fortward and lacks a reverb – but makes it up having a lot of attitude! It sounds a bit more mid range than the bigger Orange Amps.

OVERALL OPINION

As I said – if you’re looking for Fender clean sound then you’re on the wrong path. The same goes for guitarists who are looking for high gain sounds. But if you like the dirty, British sound then you’re in for a treat! This amp is lound, juicy and has a lot of punch. The construction is very rugged and the casing is unbeatable. This model is not equipped with a spring reverb and has a bit less gain and volume. If you need more balls then go for the rockerverb 50.