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Average Price: $1,536

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Step back in time with the Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head, a nostalgic nod to the golden age of rock. Designed for guitarists who crave the authentic sound and feel of vintage tube amps, this amplifier head delivers 50 watts of pure tube-driven power. The Retro 50 is equipped with a classic all-tube design, boasting an EL34 tube output section that churns out rich, harmonic tones, perfect for blues, rock, and everything in between.

This amp head stands out for its simplistic yet effective control layout, featuring just the essentials: volume, treble, bass, and a master control. This straightforward design allows musicians to focus on what truly matters—crafting their unique sound without unnecessary distractions. Whether you're playing in a studio or hitting the stage, the Retro 50 promises to deliver a dynamic and responsive performance every time.

Built with durability in mind, the Retro 50 is housed in a robust casing that reflects the classic Orange aesthetic. It pairs beautifully with any cabinet, offering the flexibility to adapt to different playing environments and styles.

Key Features:

  • 50 watts of power delivered by an all-tube design
  • EL34 tube output section for classic, rich tones
  • Straightforward control layout: Volume, Treble, Bass, Master
  • Iconic Orange design for a vintage look and feel
  • Compatible with various cabinet configurations for versatile soundscapes

Product specs

Brand Orange
Model Retro 50 Custom Shop 50-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Finish Black, Orange
Year 2002 - 2012
Made In United Kingdom
Categories Guitar Heads
Color Family Black
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 type of music is the Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 best suited for?

The Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 is ideal for rock and blues genres, offering a classic British tone that is warm and punchy. It delivers a vintage sound that complements both clean and overdriven styles.

Does the Orange Retro 50 amp head handle pedals well?

Yes, the Orange Retro 50 is known for taking pedals well, making it a versatile choice for guitarists who use effects pedals in their setup. Its single-channel design and tube circuitry provide a responsive platform for various effects.

What power tubes does the Orange Retro 50 use, and how do they affect the sound?

The Orange Retro 50 uses EL34 power tubes, which contribute to its distinctively warm, mid-focused British sound with a smooth overdrive. These tubes are known for their dynamic range and musical breakup.

Is the Orange Retro 50 amp head suitable for live performances?

With 50 watts of power, the Orange Retro 50 is suitable for live performances, providing ample volume for small to medium-sized venues. Its robust build and classic tone make it a reliable choice for gigging musicians.

What is the impedance of the Orange Retro 50, and why is it important?

The Orange Retro 50 has an impedance of 16 ohms and 8 ohms, allowing compatibility with various speaker cabinets. Matching the amp's impedance with the speaker ensures optimal performance and prevents damage to the equipment.

Joe Perkins

Joe Perkins

Orange Retro 50: Handwired British Crunch From The @Orange Amps Custom Shop! 🍊

Video thumbnail for Orange Retro 50: Handwired British Crunch From The @Orange Amps Custom Shop! 🍊 by Joe Perkins

Orange Retro 50: Handwired British Crunch From The @Orange Amps Custom Shop! 🍊

Joe Perkins

Joe Perkins

Video thumbnail for Orange Retro 50 and Partsmaster by Norway House

Orange Retro 50 and Partsmaster

Norway House

Norway House

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head.

Comparisons

  • The Retro 50 is praised for its retro vibe, outperforming the Rocker and Rockerverb series in this aspect.

    Source
  • The OR30 is praised over the Tiny Terror for its bright switch and presence knob, enhancing tonal flexibility.

    Source
  • The OR30 is preferred by some users over the OR15, which is seen as a cheaper alternative but with fewer features.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Retro 50's drive section offers a full and loose sound, contrasting with the tight, high mid-heavy nature of the Supercrush 100.

    Source
  • The OR15 lacks a bright switch and presence knob, but these can be compensated with an EQ pedal for tonal adjustments.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Retro 50 is favored for indoor gigs due to its power scaling options and ability to produce classic tube tones at lower volumes.

    Source
  • Several users recommend trying amps in-store with a personal fuzz pedal to evaluate how well heads handle fuzz tones.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners highlight the Retro 50 as the best amp they've played, citing its versatility and superior tone compared to other Orange models.

    Source
  • The Randall RD20h is noted for its great cleans and a good overdrive channel, performing well with a clean boost.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Employing an EQ in the effects loop is recommended to enhance the Retro 50's tonal range, especially to boost the low end.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
mettlegossett

Killer amp

This thing is impossible to make sound bad. I run it as the left side of my stereo rig and loved running it by itself. I like how the gain never gets too buzzy and just hits the sweetest overdrive.

E

I have the AD200 B MKIII, but was unable to find it on the inventory of this site. I use it with an 8X10 Ampeg SVT Classic Cabinet.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how PJ Harvey uses Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head

PJ Harvey

Keyboardist, Harpist

The Desert Sessions

...
Verified via Photo

In this image, PJ Harvey is playing through an Orange Retro 50 guitar amp.

See how Stephen Malkmus uses Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head

Stephen Malkmus

Guitarist, Singer

Pavement

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo wr can see malkmus playing his Orange Retro 50 with a Fender Jazzmaster.

Fun Fact: with the time, malkmus take out the "O" letter of the amp so fans can read "Range" besides "Orange" (a reference to the song "Range Life)

See how Mike Vennart uses Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head

Mike Vennart

Singer, Guitarist

Oceansize

...
Verified via Orangeamps

“I fell in love with the Retro 50 after seeing Pavement several times in 2010. It was the best tone I’d ever heard – great cleans, but nicely broken up and dirty. After that it was my dream amp, and it’s never been beaten. I use loads of pedals and they all sound great through the Retro. It just BARKS when you crank it. There’s a perverse satisfaction in never even looking at another amp, safe in the knowledge I’ve found my sound! I use the OR50 for back-up, cos I don’t think they make the Retros any more.”

See how Arturo Arredondo uses Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head

Arturo Arredondo

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

(Min 12:17) Used during the recording of Amantes Sunt Amentes. "We use it to record guitars that we want them to sound like the orange"

See how Jesse Garcia uses Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head

Jesse Garcia

Guitarist

Building 429

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "Guitar Tutorial Pt. 1" by B429, Jesse Garcia demonstrates his setup using the Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head, running it clean and in stereo.

See how Martyn Millard uses Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head

Martyn Millard

Bassist

Orange Goblin

...
Verified via Theobelisk

Martyn Millard uses the Orange Amplifiers Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head, as detailed in JJ Koczan's studio diary for Theobelisk, documenting Orange Goblin's recording sessions.

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 Retro 50 50-Watt Vintage Tube Guitar Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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