Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (15)
$149.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (1)
$149.00
Amazon
4.6 (93)
$149.00 $135.00 $14.00 · All time low
Reverb
5.0 (22)
$149.00 New
$97.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (1)
$149.00
zZounds
5.0 (1)
$149.00
Thomann
4.9 (29)
$145.00
Gear4Music
£115.00

Average Price: $142

Standard/Professional

$60

$176+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Orange Amp Detonator". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Unleash the full potential of your dual-amp setup with the Orange Amp Detonator. This compact ABY switcher is a game-changer for guitarists seeking seamless transitions and pristine audio quality. Designed with two buffered outputs—one featuring a custom-designed isolating transformer—this switcher ensures your tone remains clear and vibrant over long cable runs, eliminating the dreaded ground loop hum. The Amp Detonator is not only a marvel of engineering; it's also the only active ABY switcher that can be powered by a 9V battery or a power supply, offering versatile power options for any gig.

Switching between amps has never been quieter, thanks to the Amp Detonator’s silent operation, which safeguards your performance from those unwanted pops and thumps. The pedal also features a push-button polarity switch to address phase issues, ensuring your tone stays robust and full-bodied, no matter your setup. For those dark stage moments, the tri-color LED provides a quick visual cue of your current setting.

With its internal charge pump circuit doubling the voltage to 18V, this pedal increases headroom and minimizes harmonic distortion, offering a professional-grade solution in a pedalboard-friendly size. Whether you're switching between amps for different tonal textures or harnessing them simultaneously for a powerful soundscape, the Orange Amp Detonator is your go-to pedal for precision and reliability.

Key Features:

  • Two buffered outputs with an isolating transformer for one output
  • Silent operation with no pops or thumps
  • Push-button polarity switch for phase correction
  • Internal charge pump circuit increases voltage to 18V
  • Powered by 9V battery or 9/12V DC adapter
  • Compact design for easy pedalboard integration

Product specs

Type Active ABY guitar pedal
Inputs 1 x 1/4"
Outputs 2 x 1/4"
Power Source 9V DC adapter
Batteries Optional 1 x 9V battery
Height 2.56"
Width 3.74"
Depth 5.12"

FAQs

What does the Orange Amp Detonator do?

The Orange Amp Detonator is an active ABY switcher pedal that allows you to route your guitar signal to two different amplifiers or switch between them. This provides flexibility for live performances and studio setups.

Can the Orange Amp Detonator be powered with a battery?

Yes, the Orange Amp Detonator can be powered using an optional 9V battery, in addition to a 9V DC adapter.

Is the Orange Amp Detonator suitable for both guitar and bass?

Yes, the Orange Amp Detonator is designed to work with both electric guitar and bass, offering seamless switching between amplifiers.

Does the Orange Amp Detonator require an external power supply?

The Orange Amp Detonator can be powered by a 9V DC adapter, but it also has the option to use a 9V battery for added convenience.

What are the output options on the Orange Amp Detonator?

The Orange Amp Detonator features two 1/4" outputs, allowing you to connect to two separate amplifiers for ABY switching functionality.

Orange Amps

Orange Amps

Orange Amp Detonator Pedal

Video thumbnail for Orange Amp Detonator Pedal by Orange Amps

Orange Amp Detonator Pedal

Orange Amps

Orange Amps

Video thumbnail for Orange Amp Detonator Pedal Review by Guitar Interactive Magazine

Orange Amp Detonator Pedal Review

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Video thumbnail for Orange Amp Detonator ABY by thejay (Big Battle Bear)

Orange Amp Detonator ABY

thejay (Big Battle Bear)

thejay (Big Battle Bear)

Video thumbnail for Orange Two Stroke (Boost) & Amp Detonator (Switch) - Review by EytschPi42

Orange Two Stroke (Boost) & Amp Detonator (Switch) - Review

EytschPi42

EytschPi42

Video thumbnail for Guitar Amp for Bass Distortion | Orange Amp Detonator by FrostByte

Guitar Amp for Bass Distortion | Orange Amp Detonator

FrostByte

FrostByte

Video thumbnail for Using 2 Amps at Once!?!  Orange- The Amp Detonator Pedal by Spectrum Sound

Using 2 Amps at Once!?! Orange- The Amp Detonator Pedal

Spectrum Sound

Spectrum Sound

Reviews

PROS

  • Phase switch improves tone, prevents phasing issues

  • Clean, pop-and-click-free switching between amps

  • Built solid, durable construction

  • No tone or signal loss, preserves original sound

  • Compatible with multiple power sources, including battery

  • Isolated outputs prevent hum and noise

  • Small footprint, efficient use of pedalboard space

  • Bright, multi-colored LEDs for easy mode identification

  • Can be used to create unique effects with amp combinations

  • Enhances setup with clean/distorted signal paths without volume or tone degradation

CONS

  • Construction quality slightly inconsistent in areas

  • Not the cheapest ABY switcher on the market

  • Not made in England, for those who prefer UK manufacturing

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Orange Amp Detonator.

Setup and maintenance

  • Moving the power supply away from the Orange Amp Detonator may resolve ground hum issues; proximity can cause unbearable noise.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Output B is a "Buffered transformer isolated output," but its isolation may not prevent ground loops when amps share the same AC circuit.

    Source
  • The Orange Amp Detonator requires power to maintain its buffered signal, potentially enhancing top-end sparkle depending on surrounding equipment.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Using separate 120 AC circuits for amps connected to the Detonator can eliminate hum, allowing seamless switching between different amp tones.

    Source
  • The Detonator can effectively switch between different tonal setups, like going from Friedman Marshall tones to Tonex mesa heavy metal tones with a single button push.

    Source
  • Positioning the Detonator at the start of the chain enables quick switching between amps with distinct tonal characteristics, like vintage tube versus modern solid state.

    Source
  • Placing the Detonator at the end of the pedal chain allows for personalized effect setups for each amp, catering to different sonic textures or musical styles.

    Source

User experience

  • Some owners experience bad clipping with the Amp Detonator, suggesting checking for warranty repair if within the return period.

    Source
  • An owner has used the Orange Amp Detonator for over three years without experiencing any issues, indicating long-term reliability.

    Source
  • Some users prioritize the Detonator's position at the beginning of their chain to ensure seamless transitions between backup and primary amps during live performances.

    Source

Comparisons

  • In the UK, the Orange Amp Detonator is more commonly available compared to the Radial Bigshot ABY, influencing purchasing decisions based on regional availability.

    Source
  • The Radial Bigshot ABY is noted for not requiring power to operate, except for its LEDs, making it potentially more versatile in power-limited setups.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Orange Amp Detonator and Two Stroke pedals

guitarinteractivemagazine.com

Orange's Amp Detonator might not explode your expectations, but it excels at its job as a compact, silent, and tone-preserving ABY switcher. While its price might deter some, it delivers excellent build quality and performance, making it a top contender for those seeking a reliable switcher.

positive
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 12 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
artifex_adrift

Best buffered ABY I've used

I've built several unbuffered ABY pedals and used a few different buffered ones in the past, but this is the best one yet. It's built with that typical Orange tank-like quality, and the buffered aspect doesn't deplete tone for pedals I have running in front of it. I ran some pretty rigorous tests to get measurements off of a Walrus Audio Deep Six v3 compressor pedal, and there was no remarkable change in signal quality. The phase button on this pedal is the perfect compliment, especially when you're splitting your signal between two larger, high-end amps and don't need any signal anomalies diminishing the quality of your sound. If i ever need to do another dual-amp setup, I'll be buying a second one of these for sure.

From Gear Setup
bradleydavis

Best ABY Ever!

I've tried several ABY switchers and this is by far the best. It is completely transparent, built like a tank, and the 9V battery lasts quite awhile. Another A+ piece of equipment from Orange!

E

Great splitter

I have a complex rig and already have Radial Tonebones Twin City which is a great pedal but pricey. This does the same job with similar build quality and about a third cheaper - thanks Orange

jimmarchi1

I have a radial switchbone, thing cost as much as an amp.... good to know the cheap orange is workable.

tervonen

When one amp is not enough

Easy to use and perfect to build your sound with your favorite amps and switch between them.

stu_bowden

Venerable AB/Y box

I wasn't sure if this box was going to be worth it, let me tell you it IS. Removed all the buzz issues I had in running a two-amp setup, now it's all clean and grit with no buzzy artifacts. You can select to run A, OR B, or A and B at the same time.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Orange Amp Detonator, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
artifex_adrift

artifex_adrift

Gear IQ 903

artifex_adrift

artifex_adrift

Gear IQ 903

hco_guitars

hco_guitars

Gear IQ 684

stephsheehy

stephsheehy

Gear IQ 265

purpsmalurps

purpsmalurps

Gear IQ 74

hco_guitars

hco_guitars

Gear IQ 684

1 alternative for Orange Amp Detonator, curated by the Equipboard community.

Morley ABY Footswitch

$68.00 - $99.00

cheaper alternative

While they are both ABYs, the Morley ABY pedal is a much cheaper, although lower quality alternative if you just need the simple capability it offers on a budget.

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