22nd November 2006
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#1 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 785
Thread Starter  | Orange Tiny Terror Review
I just picked one of these up today ( http://www.orangeamps.com/tinyterror/), and my dealer requested I write a review to send to Orange. Thought others would be interested, so here it is... Wow, what can I say? In all honesty, the Orange Tiny Terror is one of the best sounding amplifiers I have ever played...at any price. It sounds better than my Matamp (original Orange manufacturer) costing four times as much! It is insanely loud even on the 7 watt setting and should have no trouble keeping up with a drummer at full power. There is an insane amount of useable gain on tap, and it sounds great at low, medium, and high gain settings. For such a small package, the tone is jaw droppingly HUGE. Every bit as much low end as a 100w Orange. The master volume is one of the best I've ever played with no loss of tone at low volume. The tone is as British in character as it gets, and while the clean tones don't quite compare to my Victoria 5112 (nothing does), there is an unbelievable amount of clean headroom available. With the volume at full tilt and the gain set low the amp will not break up. Similar to the gain, the tone knob sounds great throughout the entire range. The amp cleans up nicely as well allowing easy control of the drive from the guitar. The amp responded well to both my P90 equipped Gibsons and my American Fender Tele run through a Rivera 1x12 widebody cab. Finally, I have found the ideal recording amp with enough power on tap to double as my live rig.
I know this sounds like cheerleading, but for $500 it is a no-brainer. And before the masses chime in, yes, I know it is made in China. I'm a total boutique amp snob, but this thing sounds so good I could care less where it is manufactured. There is nothing that can touch it for the $$$. And surprisingly enough, it came stock with JJ tubes.
-Chris
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22nd November 2006
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#2 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Feb 2004 Location: C-ville area VA
Posts: 1,618
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Nice, thanks for the review.....can you post some samples?  | |
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22nd November 2006
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#3 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Bahstahn, MA
Posts: 2,698
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didn't even know it existed. i'll have to investigate further. thank you.
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22nd November 2006
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#4 | | Gear addict
Joined: Apr 2003 Location: CT
Posts: 458
 | ummm
should this be under new products?
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22nd November 2006
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#5 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 1,057
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Saw one of these at my local guitar shop yesterday. I'll have to check it out. Some other patron was playing a LP Deluxe through it and it sounded great.
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Yeah I'm an attorney, but everyone needs a day job.
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22nd November 2006
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#6 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2005 Location: Seattle
Posts: 4,446
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Damn, I'm stoked on this. I had no idea it existed either.
an Orange 15 watt, class A valve preamp for $500!?!?!
If I only had that.....then I could make a great record 
.........of course, that's what I tell myself about every purchase.
But damn do I want one! 
__________________
"Sorry man I played guitar instead of going to school." -- James Lugo
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22nd November 2006
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Nov 2005 Location: NYC
Posts: 1,335
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listen up amp makers! this is the future!! I'm VERY psyched - can't wait to get one!!!!thumbsup thumbsup thumbsup thumbsup
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22nd November 2006
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#8 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 785
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddhaman  should this be under new products? | Yeah, sorry...you're probably right. I recall some people asking about them a while back on this board, so I thought I'd drop it here.
Apparently, I am one of the first in the country to get one...my dealer sold the only two he received on the first day they came in and now he is backordered til January. I saw where Humbucker Music pre-sold their entire first shipment, but Musictoyz.com still has some.
As an addendum to my reivew, I am pretty experienced with the low wattage recording amps available on the market today. I have owned or currently own a Zvex Nano (1/2w), a Matamp MiniMat (2w), a Victoria 5112 (5w) that I picked over a Reeves Custom 6 head, and now the Orange. The Orange is the first product I've found that can pull double duty and hang with a drummer...and the cost is outrageously good.
-Chris
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22nd November 2006
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#9 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Feb 2004 Location: C-ville area VA
Posts: 1,618
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Hey Chris,
So the Reeves didn't float your boat? I'm wanting to check it out, but now I need to check out the Tiny Terror too!
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22nd November 2006
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#10 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 785
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by indie Hey Chris,
So the Reeves didn't float your boat? I'm wanting to check it out, but now I need to check out the Tiny Terror too! | No, it wasn't that...I traded some emails back and forth with the Reeves owner (can't remember his name) and ultimately decided that 6w was not going to be powerful enough to hang with a drummer. The next model up was out of my price range, so I went with the Victoria 5112 instead, mainly because I got a great deal on one.
He did say he was working on a prototype 12w model costing somewhere between the Custom 6 and the Custom 18 ($1k-ish), but that it would be months away before production began...not sure if he decided to build them or not, but I haven't seen anything on his website.
-Chris
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28th November 2006
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#11 | | Gear interested
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
| tiny terror vs AD series
Thanks for the detailed review! i love my AD30HTC and am eagerly awaiting to hear it compared to the Tiny Terror. Anybody?
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28th November 2006
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#12 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 204
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So it does have a useable clean? interesting.
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28th November 2006
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#13 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 785
Thread Starter |
Yeah, I was surprised by how much clean headroom it had with the volume cranked and the gain set low. According to Orange, it is 15w RMS clean which means it is quite a bit louder than most 15w rated amps. Having owned a number of low wattage recording amps, I have to say that the 15w power rating is the magic number. Only 3 db quiter than a 30w! Having the half power switch is a great feature as well, considering there is no appreciable change in tone with it engaged.
I've been out of town for the holidays, but am eager to try my Fulltone OCD through a clean setting to see how it takes pedals. Will report more later...
-Chris
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29th November 2006
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#14 | | Gear Head
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 67
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Yep, I got one too, and it flat-out smokes.
It's not my 1959 fire-damaged blonde VOXAC15...nothing beat that for tracking, but it'll do it all from Bluesey to Pete Townsend to Brian May pretty convincingly, at a reasonable volume, but don't get me wrong, it's the loudest 7 watts I've heard, and a very loud 15 watts as well.
Oh, and you can get the cleanest clean tones (even set to the most heavy Metal hi-gain) with a twist of the guitar's volume knob!
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5th December 2006
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#15 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 510
| Tiny Terror
Well I got it in yesterday. I couldnt wait to get home (10pm)!
Since it was late, I couldnt rip it up for long...(the GF is understanding, but there are limits.)
It does rawk! The crunch is _very_ nice and, as posted, it can stay reasonably clean.
This was thru a 1960 4X12 (which really did give it balls.)
(BTW, talk about a setup. It would look hilarious on stage to have a half stack and that little thing on top....snafus the portability aspect, but worth it for ships and giggles.)
I will have more time tonight and I will try it thru a 1X12 with a Weber alnico open back.
Regards,
David
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5th December 2006
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#16 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Oct 2002 Location: In a small box full of flashing lights - Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 275
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Hmmmm,
nice noises being made about this one. I notice no 'verb on boars, is there an fx loop? That might sell it for me. Pity I'm in Australia and the importer here is terrible. sigh.
heath.
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6th December 2006
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#17 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 510
| Quote:
Originally Posted by supaheef Hmmmm,
nice noises being made about this one. I notice no 'verb on boars, is there an fx loop? That might sell it for me. Pity I'm in Australia and the importer here is terrible. sigh.
heath. |
No FX loop....just pure Class A tone.
And it is really small.
Way cool.
Just try Humbucker....they might ship it Oz.
Regards,
David
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6th December 2006
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#18 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 785
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by Fulltone Yep, I got one too, and it flat-out smokes.
It's not my 1959 fire-damaged blonde VOXAC15...nothing beat that for tracking, but it'll do it all from Bluesey to Pete Townsend to Brian May pretty convincingly, at a reasonable volume, but don't get me wrong, it's the loudest 7 watts I've heard, and a very loud 15 watts as well.
Oh, and you can get the cleanest clean tones (even set to the most heavy Metal hi-gain) with a twist of the guitar's volume knob! | Last time I checked, this guy knew what he was talking about!
Awesome post.
-Chris
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6th December 2006
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#19 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 729
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I got my Tiny Terror last week - it's a great little amp! Definitely one of the best I have ever played (and Ihave been playing for over 20 years).
- Chris
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7th December 2006
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#20 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Ottawa
Posts: 1,615
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I gotta check one out. Exactly what I've been hoping they would do  | |
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7th December 2006
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#21 | | Gear Guru
Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 12,491
| Quote:
Originally Posted by indravayu I got my Tiny Terror last week - it's a great little amp! Definitely one of the best I have ever played (and Ihave been playing for over 20 years).
- Chris | "Best" is pretty vague ... can you describe your cabinet, guitar and the tone of this rig as compared to others you've used?
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7th December 2006
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#22 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2004 Location: mexico
Posts: 5,050
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anyone know who's got them in stock in the US? no matter where i look they're out.
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7th December 2006
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#23 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 510
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Humbuckermusic.com had 1 (they get more weekly) and Musictoyz.com is where I got mine....so those are some sources.
Good luck,
David Quote:
Originally Posted by raal anyone know who's got them in stock in the US? no matter where i look they're out. | | |
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7th December 2006
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#24 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2004 Location: mexico
Posts: 5,050
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called humbucker and they still had that last one left! thanks david! | |
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7th December 2006
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#25 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 510
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You must now pay homage to the gods and rawk for (at least) one hour straight when you get the amp.
Oh, and report your impressions back here too....
Regards,
David Quote:
Originally Posted by raal called humbucker and they still had that last one left! thanks david! | | |
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7th December 2006
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#26 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2004 Location: mexico
Posts: 5,050
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it's coming to mexico so it'll be awhile, but i'll report back. can't wait.
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7th December 2006
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#27 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 510
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Originally Posted by raal it's coming to mexico so it'll be awhile, but i'll report back. can't wait. |
Andale pues! Diganos quando....
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7th December 2006
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#28 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2004 Location: mexico
Posts: 5,050
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ok maguey!
BTW would you know who has the 1X12 cab in stock? sorry to bug again but i've had no luck with any dealer (humbucker doesn't have 'em). have marshall 4 X12s but don't know if those'll give me the full orange vibe. thanks bro.
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7th December 2006
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#29 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa
Posts: 287
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Heard one on Monday hooked up to an Orange 2 X 12 cab. Unreal at this price point. Dialed in everything from your typical Class A cleans to AC/DC tones to a really nice overdrive. An ear ringing experience......
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Measure it with a micrometer. Mark it with a grease pencil. Cut it with an ax.
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7th December 2006
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#30 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 729
| Quote:
Originally Posted by lucey "Best" is pretty vague ... can you describe your cabinet, guitar and the tone of this rig as compared to others you've used? |
Hehe...yeah, you're right - sorry!! Right now I either run my Tiny Terror through an 8ohm Avatar 2x12 (w/Celestion Vintage 30 and G12H Anniversay) or through my Orange Rocker 30 Combo's cab (celestion Vintage 30, 16ohm).
I have played through tons of different amps over the years - Fenders, Marshalls, Vox's, Mesa's, Randall's, Peavey's, Crates...you name it...and I own/have owned a 50w Peavey Classic 212 combo, Fender Stage 100 Head w/Fender 4x12 cab, Mesa Boogie Nomad 40 combo, Orange Rockerverb 50 head (for which I originally bought the Avatar cab), Bumbox Lead-1 head, Rocker 30 combo, Epiphone Valve Jr head & combo, Supro Trojan.
As for electric guitars, I currently play a Tokai Love Rock LS-70 (Les Paul replica) w/WCR Fillmore Set PUPs, a Gibson Les Paul Double Cutaway w/P-90's, a MIJ Fender Telecaster w/vintage 52 PUPs, and a 1971 Gibson ES-335.
If you go to the Orange Forum and check out the Sound Clip stick in the Community Discussion section, you can hear some sound clips that I recorded with the TT: http://www.orangeamps.com/forumtest/...28&whichpage=7
- Chris
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