Post by grayn on Nov 19, 2016 16:24:26 GMT
For the last year, I've been very happy with my Fender Blues Junior III.
Still am, infact.
But every now and then I hanker to play real heavy guitar stuff.
OK, my pedals can get me so far but sometimes you just need a bigger amp.
I'd previously owned a Blackstar ID 260 (2X12).
Which was an impressive combo, with some great sounds.
But all that modelling and emulating kind of gets, too much.
Just too many knobs, buttons and flashing lights.
I'm no Luddite but too much fiddling gets in the way of the music, for me.
Orange amps are kind of iconic and very British.
That blend of orange, black and white, is just so cool.
Plus the humourously pretentious, coat of arms.
When Orange decided to move their Crush (solid state) range of amps on, from practice to the Pro series.
They decided to make a really solid, quality, giggable amp.
They also decided to keep things simple.
Solid state, with the only digital aspect being the Reverb.
2 channels (clean and dirty) that are footswitchable and just the EQ you need.
I really like the rugged build quality, with good quality, solid knobs and switches.
No flimsy push buttons or illuminated dials.
Everything works simply and effectively.
Straightforward and easily visible.
Even the large, recessed carry handles, on each side, are metal.
All very sturdy and re-assuring.
No lightweight but manageable, with those side handles.
Heavy amps, with just a single handle on the top, are asking for back problems.
So, most importantly I guess, how does it sound.
The clean channel is very clean.
Although when you crank it right up, you do get some pleasant, light crunch.
It doesn't sparkle or focus like my Fender.
But there's plenty of presence and the EQ works to get a great sound with my guitar's humbuckers.
Also, very good with effects pedals.
And the CR120C has a good quality send and return section, to handle those pedals.
The dirty channel gets you from mild crunch to highly saturated, metal distortions.
The mild crunch isn't great and you're better off cranking up the clean channel, for that sound.
Heavy rock and even heavier metal distortions are really good, to my ears.
Very responsive and great to go wild with.
Heavy chords, ripping lead lines and squeals, all sound pretty awesome.
I heard somewhere that this combo sounds like Orange's Rockerverb (valve) combo.
I couldn't say, not having played through one.
But I could say that to my ears, this amp has a sound of it's own.
Strong and well defined, with a nice character.
It won't replace a valve combo, like for like.
But it doesn't need to, it sounds great, being what it is.
Oh yeah, that digital reverb section also works very well, with a choice of plate, hall and spring reverbs.
FEATURES
Power: 120W (solid state)
Two channels
Speakers: 2x12" Voice of the World
Digital reverb: Plate, Hall & Spring
Clean channel controls: Volume, Bass and Treble
Dirty channel controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble and Gain
Global controls: Volume and Reverb
Impedance: 16 ohm
Dimensions: 25.98" x 20.08" x 11.81"
Weight: 63.93 lbs.
Still am, infact.
But every now and then I hanker to play real heavy guitar stuff.
OK, my pedals can get me so far but sometimes you just need a bigger amp.
I'd previously owned a Blackstar ID 260 (2X12).
Which was an impressive combo, with some great sounds.
But all that modelling and emulating kind of gets, too much.
Just too many knobs, buttons and flashing lights.
I'm no Luddite but too much fiddling gets in the way of the music, for me.
Orange amps are kind of iconic and very British.
That blend of orange, black and white, is just so cool.
Plus the humourously pretentious, coat of arms.
When Orange decided to move their Crush (solid state) range of amps on, from practice to the Pro series.
They decided to make a really solid, quality, giggable amp.
They also decided to keep things simple.
Solid state, with the only digital aspect being the Reverb.
2 channels (clean and dirty) that are footswitchable and just the EQ you need.
I really like the rugged build quality, with good quality, solid knobs and switches.
No flimsy push buttons or illuminated dials.
Everything works simply and effectively.
Straightforward and easily visible.
Even the large, recessed carry handles, on each side, are metal.
All very sturdy and re-assuring.
No lightweight but manageable, with those side handles.
Heavy amps, with just a single handle on the top, are asking for back problems.
So, most importantly I guess, how does it sound.
The clean channel is very clean.
Although when you crank it right up, you do get some pleasant, light crunch.
It doesn't sparkle or focus like my Fender.
But there's plenty of presence and the EQ works to get a great sound with my guitar's humbuckers.
Also, very good with effects pedals.
And the CR120C has a good quality send and return section, to handle those pedals.
The dirty channel gets you from mild crunch to highly saturated, metal distortions.
The mild crunch isn't great and you're better off cranking up the clean channel, for that sound.
Heavy rock and even heavier metal distortions are really good, to my ears.
Very responsive and great to go wild with.
Heavy chords, ripping lead lines and squeals, all sound pretty awesome.
I heard somewhere that this combo sounds like Orange's Rockerverb (valve) combo.
I couldn't say, not having played through one.
But I could say that to my ears, this amp has a sound of it's own.
Strong and well defined, with a nice character.
It won't replace a valve combo, like for like.
But it doesn't need to, it sounds great, being what it is.
Oh yeah, that digital reverb section also works very well, with a choice of plate, hall and spring reverbs.
FEATURES
Power: 120W (solid state)
Two channels
Speakers: 2x12" Voice of the World
Digital reverb: Plate, Hall & Spring
Clean channel controls: Volume, Bass and Treble
Dirty channel controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble and Gain
Global controls: Volume and Reverb
Impedance: 16 ohm
Dimensions: 25.98" x 20.08" x 11.81"
Weight: 63.93 lbs.
Jo whoever he is.
