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Average Price: $1,549

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$300

$801+

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Description

The Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head is a tribute to the golden era of rock 'n' roll, offering both vintage charm and modern reliability. This powerhouse of tone is a nod to Orange's iconic "No Pics" design of 1972, delivering a three-stage gain circuit that exudes the rich, saturated sound that made Orange a household name among guitarists. With its straightforward single-channel layout, the OR50 is all about delivering pure, unadulterated tone with minimal fuss.

The amp head's HF Drive control is its secret weapon, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision, adding a layer of depth and character that truly stands out on stage. Complemented by a three-band EQ, this feature gives you the flexibility to dial in everything from warm, rounded cleans to gritty, overdriven tones that cut through the mix. Whether you're playing in a small club or a large venue, the OR50's robust build and timeless Orange aesthetic ensure it's a reliable companion for any gigging musician.

Key Features:

  • 50-watt power output with EL34 tubes
  • Single-channel design for straightforward operation
  • Three-band EQ (Bass, Middle, Treble) for customized tone shaping
  • HF Drive control for enhanced power and presence
  • Classic Orange "No Pics" design heritage
  • Rugged construction for durability on the road

Product specs

Brand Orange
Model OR50 Head
Finish Orange
Year 2010s
Made In United Kingdom
Categories Guitar Heads
Electronics Tube
Impedance 16 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels 1 Channel
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 50
Power Tube Type EL34
Powered Unpowered
Reverb None

FAQs

What kind of music is the Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head best suited for?

The Orange OR50 is renowned for its classic British rock tone, making it ideal for rock, hard rock, and blues genres. Its powerful 50W output and single-channel design deliver rich, vintage overdrive sounds.

Does the Orange OR50 Tube Amp Head have a footswitchable feature?

Yes, the Orange OR50 features a footswitchable Master Volume, allowing you to easily switch between volume levels during live performances.

What type of power tubes does the Orange OR50 use?

The Orange OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head uses EL34 power tubes, which contribute to its warm, punchy tone and are favored for their dynamic range and harmonic richness.

Can the Orange OR50 handle different speaker impedances?

Yes, the Orange OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head is compatible with 16 ohm and 8 ohm speaker cabinets, offering flexibility in pairing with different speaker setups.

Is the Orange OR50 suitable for gigging with a drummer?

Absolutely, the Orange OR50's 50-watt output provides ample power for live performances and can easily compete with a full band, including a drummer.

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Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptionally organic sound, enhancing the natural tone of the guitar

  • Provides apocalyptic, massive gain at high settings

  • Excellent warm clean tones at lower gain levels

  • Compatible and responsive with pedals

  • Unique HF control adds presence similar to a Marshall, retaining Orange's signature tone

  • Low noise output compared to other Orange models

  • Effective for both guitar and bass, showcasing versatility

  • Classic, fuzzy gain texture, appealing for vintage tone lovers

  • Encourages dynamic play through responsive volume knob interaction

  • Simple design with straightforward, raw tonal output

CONS

  • Lacks an FX loop, limiting integrated effects routing flexibility

  • Described as slightly dark sounding, potentially limiting for some styles

  • Picky with reverb pedals, requiring careful selection for optimal sound

  • Out of production, making it harder to find or replace

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head.

Features and functionality

  • The OR50 40th Anniversary lacks a wattage switch, contrary to some beliefs about its capabilities.

    Source
  • The amp is noted for its dark tone, likely due to its substantial internal components, requiring settings like high treble and low bass for balance.

    Source
  • The OR50 lacks the OR30's effect loop, bright switch, secondary volume knob footswitch, and wattage switching, but remains favored for its core tone.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The OR50 offers a traditional '70s Orange circuit, whereas the Rockerverb series is more akin to a hot-rodded Marshall-style circuit.

    Source
  • The OR50 is frequently highlighted as a quintessential "Orange sound" amp, contrasting with Rockerverb and AD30 models, which offer different tonal characteristics.

    Source
  • The OR50 is described as producing a vintage Orange sound reminiscent of Bon Scott-era AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, contrasting with the versatility of the Rockerverb 50 MK3.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners mention that the OR50 is particularly compatible with P90 pickups, creating a unique synergy.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the ability to transition from clean to high gain using just the guitar's volume knob, enhancing dynamics and expression without pedal reliance.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping the stock V30 speakers for UK Greenbacks significantly enhances tonal quality, according to some users.

    Source
  • One owner considered converting the OR30 to a solid-state rectifier, highlighting a potential area for tonal exploration and customization.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The OR50 achieves a variety of tones from clean at 9:30-10 o'clock on the gain knob to '70s crunch and full saturation beyond noon.

    Source
  • Users report the OR50 excels without relying on pedals, with a straight-to-amp setup preferred for achieving its iconic tones.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some owners mention quality control issues with the OR30, such as blowing fuses and microphonic tubes, attributed to external tube factory problems rather than Orange itself.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
andris_gabor

Vintage Orange tone

This amp is now out of production. The rockerverb models made it less famous as it is a single channel amp. However with the right setting it gives you a great 70's heay rock tones, from Peter Frampton to Electric Wizard it is good for everything. Being a slightly dark sounding amp, V30 speakers work geat with these. Pedals are a msut but it is picky on reverb pedals.

jimmarchi1

its essentially a jcm800 with a different voicing, in fact most of he modern orange designs have some roots in vox or marshall, even the high agin ones... I didn't know they stopped making it, I thought it was pretty popular, huh

jack_fairy

Legendary tone has returned.

I've been wanting one for a quite a while and now that wait is over. And I am more than impressed with its projection. A must-own.

jimmarchi1

they look like Marshall 800s with bigger coupling caps for that fatter, whoofy orange response.... can you confirm? Orange's stuff has been in the vox/marshall camp for a while now. I never see these in stores to try out.

Also, why won't Orange RI the OR/OD heads with the FAC control, baxandall tone stack and cathodyne phase-slitter that defined their brand? Old ones are getting thin on the ground, even the 90s Gibson/Matamp produced RIs (why the hell didn't I buy one of those as a kid? I was such a boob for Marshall and then Vox that I passed on an OD120 and a vintage Hiwatt back then when they were still affordable).

More review please. I am so curious about your impressions of this amp....

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Nameless Ghoul uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Nameless Ghoul

Singer, Guitarist

Ghost

...
Verified via YouTube

at the start of the video, the amp can be seen next to a ghoul on the left of the stage

See how Matt Pike uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Matt Pike

Guitarist

Sleep

...
Verified via Facebook

Welcome home, Matt Pike. High On Fire Sleep

#Rockerverb100 #OR50 #Thunderverb200

In this picture we see Matt pike is standing in front of an OR 50 head.

See how Rob Chapman uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Rob Chapman

Singer, Guitarist

Dorje

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Chapman is seen playing thorugh Orange OR50.

See how Scott Holiday uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Scott Holiday

Guitarist

Rival Sons

...
Verified via YouTube

Rigrundown video from MusicRadar at 9:48.

"Here are the amps I'm usin' in this tour... and I have been usin' it for a while, I mean not just in this tour... and I use the Orange OR50's as you can see."

See how Wata uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Wata

Singer, Guitarist

Boris

...
Verified via Mlkshk-cdn

In this photo, Orange OR50 is visible at the top of the photo.

See how Claudio Sanchez uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Claudio Sanchez

Singer, Guitarist

Coheed and Cambria

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

"I have Bogner Uberschall, Orange OR50H, and Fender Twin Reverb amps that I switch between."

See how Matt Freeman uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Matt Freeman

Bassist

Rancid

...
Verified via reverb.com

This Orange OR50 40th Anniversary Stack is Owned by Matt Freeman Of Rancid

See how Isaac Wood uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Isaac Wood

Singer, Guitarist

Black Country, new road

...
Verified via Photo

In the provided image, Isaac Wood can be seen using the Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head during the recording of "Good Will Hunting."

See how Jesse Hughes uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Jesse Hughes

Singer, Guitarist

The Desert Sessions

...
Verified via Orangeamps

“I’m a big fan of mini Oranges, er, the OR-15…epic, the OR-50. These are amps, in my opinion, that are the finest ever made, the benchmark, the NASA Apollo programme if you will of amplifiers."

See how Mike Scheidt uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Mike Scheidt

Guitarist

YOB

...
Verified via reddit

Orange lent him a Custom shop OR50

See how Jon Davis (Conan) uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Jon Davis (Conan)

Singer, Guitarist

Conan

...
Verified via Orangeamps

JON DAVIS OF CONAN “I’ve been using some excellent vintage amps for several years, including some old Orange heads. I wanted to buy some modern amps that give me the tone and warmth of the vintage heads I have become accustomed to. I’ve used several modern Orange heads at festivals and these have included the Thunderverb 200, the OR50 and OR100. I was initially curious about the sound and then became pretty much hooked on them. They have all the warmth of the older amps I like, but none of the reliability issues.”

See how Robert McDowell uses Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head

Robert McDowell

Guitarist

Manchester Orchestra

...
Verified via Photo

The Orange OR50 is used in this live performance picture of Robert.

Album Usage

The Orange Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head has been featured on the following albums:

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 Amplifiers OR50 Tube Guitar Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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davidmanzullo

davidmanzullo

Gear IQ 181

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