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King Loudness « Not much of an update »
Published on 08/31/11 at 06:38The Orange Rockerverb 50 Mark II is the second (or updated) version of the original Rockerverb. The original model was loaded with 6V6 power tubes which is certainly not standard fare for most higher gain amplifiers. In addition, it featured a very simple EQ for its clean channel, and the reverb was known to be extremely wet and cavernous even at low levels - rendering it unusable for many players. The Mark II version changed the 6V6s over to the more conventional EL34s found in Marshalls or other British amps, which brought on a more typical sounding amp tone. The clean channel was also given an expanded EQ setup, and the reverb was modified to be more - or rather, less crazy.
Otherwise, the features of this amp are pretty standard. It's a dual channel 50w amplifier with clean and drive channels. Each channel has its own EQ with bass, middle and treble controls. There is also a master reverb. On the back are speaker outputs, the effects loop jacks and footswitch jacks. Pretty standard. The amp is available in orange tolex or black.
UTILIZATION
Getting a decent sound out of this amp is more difficult than I'd like it to be. It doesn't have a complex interface per se, and much like my old Rockerverb 50 Mark I, it does have good tones lurking within, but they're just harder to coax out of the amp than I'd like. The clean channel is definitely an improvement to tweak compared to the Mark I version which is a plus. However, I firmly believe that the 6V6 tubes actually work BETTER in this amp than the EL34s do. The EL34s in this amp cause it to go from a really thick and viscous sort of raw tone that is a cross between Brit and American, but the new version is a lot like a Marshall without the kick to it. I kept waiting to hear that magical tone when I'd twist the knobs and never got it...
SOUNDS
I've tried this amp with various Gibson and Ibanez guitars and the results are basically the same. The clean channel has improved functionality, but I don't like the tone of the EL34s clean in this circuit. It just sounds anemic and weaker. I didn't care for the functionality of the original, but the clean tones were much fuller and had a nice VOX-y chime to them. This one sounds more like a Marshall clean which was never my thing anyway.
The drive tones are decent, but underwhelming. Plugged into an Orange 4x12 even, I was waiting for the punch and classic EL34 roar to kick in... but what I got was just a fairly bland and fizzy tone. It didn't sound BAD at higher volumes, but it lacked the in your face quality of a good EL34 loaded amp like a Splawn where the sound is really harmonically rich and pleasing. I don't think the EL34 vibe really works for this amp. I loved the tones of the original, just had gripes with the functionality. This one seems to be the opposite unfortunately.
OVERALL OPINION
All in all I think the Orange Rockerverb 50 Mark II is not a bad amp, and the improved functionality of the controls is nice. However I didn't care for the tones as much out of this amp, and as a result I wouldn't touch it. At $2,299 new they're extremely high priced for what you get and to me really aren't worth looking into unless you're a devoted fan of Orange. People looking for an EL34 loaded firebreather should stay away though.
Otherwise, the features of this amp are pretty standard. It's a dual channel 50w amplifier with clean and drive channels. Each channel has its own EQ with bass, middle and treble controls. There is also a master reverb. On the back are speaker outputs, the effects loop jacks and footswitch jacks. Pretty standard. The amp is available in orange tolex or black.
UTILIZATION
Getting a decent sound out of this amp is more difficult than I'd like it to be. It doesn't have a complex interface per se, and much like my old Rockerverb 50 Mark I, it does have good tones lurking within, but they're just harder to coax out of the amp than I'd like. The clean channel is definitely an improvement to tweak compared to the Mark I version which is a plus. However, I firmly believe that the 6V6 tubes actually work BETTER in this amp than the EL34s do. The EL34s in this amp cause it to go from a really thick and viscous sort of raw tone that is a cross between Brit and American, but the new version is a lot like a Marshall without the kick to it. I kept waiting to hear that magical tone when I'd twist the knobs and never got it...
SOUNDS
I've tried this amp with various Gibson and Ibanez guitars and the results are basically the same. The clean channel has improved functionality, but I don't like the tone of the EL34s clean in this circuit. It just sounds anemic and weaker. I didn't care for the functionality of the original, but the clean tones were much fuller and had a nice VOX-y chime to them. This one sounds more like a Marshall clean which was never my thing anyway.
The drive tones are decent, but underwhelming. Plugged into an Orange 4x12 even, I was waiting for the punch and classic EL34 roar to kick in... but what I got was just a fairly bland and fizzy tone. It didn't sound BAD at higher volumes, but it lacked the in your face quality of a good EL34 loaded amp like a Splawn where the sound is really harmonically rich and pleasing. I don't think the EL34 vibe really works for this amp. I loved the tones of the original, just had gripes with the functionality. This one seems to be the opposite unfortunately.
OVERALL OPINION
All in all I think the Orange Rockerverb 50 Mark II is not a bad amp, and the improved functionality of the controls is nice. However I didn't care for the tones as much out of this amp, and as a result I wouldn't touch it. At $2,299 new they're extremely high priced for what you get and to me really aren't worth looking into unless you're a devoted fan of Orange. People looking for an EL34 loaded firebreather should stay away though.