Pricing and availability
Average Price: $3,495
High-end/Boutique
$300
$801+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The Orange OR-120 is a legendary guitar amplifier head that has been revered by musicians for its powerful 120-watt output and distinctive British tone. Perfect for both studio sessions and live performances, this amp head delivers a robust sonic experience that is unmatched in its class. Originating in the 1970s, the OR-120 has become a favorite among rock and metal guitarists seeking a warm, full-bodied sound with plenty of headroom.
Its all-valve design ensures a pure analog signal path, allowing for organic distortion and harmonically rich tones. The OR-120 is equipped with a straightforward control panel, featuring master volume, presence, and three-band EQ controls, enabling precise tonal shaping. The amp's unique construction includes a high-quality transformer and rugged build, guaranteeing reliability and durability for road use.
This amp head is designed to pair seamlessly with a variety of speaker cabinets, making it a versatile choice for any guitarist looking to expand their rig. Whether you're aiming for classic rock grit or smooth, clean tones, the Orange OR-120 is a testament to superior engineering and timeless design.
Key Features:
- 120-watt all-valve design for powerful output
- Classic British tone with exceptional clarity
- Straightforward control layout with master volume, presence, and three-band EQ
- High-quality transformer for consistent performance
- Rugged construction for durability and reliability
- Versatile compatibility with various speaker cabinets
Product specs
| Brand | Orange |
| Model | OR-120 |
| Finish | Orange |
| Year | 1973 |
| Made In | United Kingdom |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 1 Channel |
| Number of Inputs | 2 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 120 |
| Power Tube Type | EL34 |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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What kind of music genres is the Orange OR-120 amplifier suitable for?
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The Orange OR-120 is renowned for its powerful, classic rock tones, making it ideal for genres like rock, hard rock, and metal. Its robust tube-driven sound can also suit blues and alternative rock, providing a versatile option for guitarists seeking a vintage tone.
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Is the Orange OR-120 amplifier head suitable for live performances?
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Yes, with its 120-watt output, the Orange OR-120 is powerful enough for live performances, even in larger venues. Its single-channel design delivers a consistent, high-quality sound that can cut through a band mix effectively.
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What type of power tubes does the Orange OR-120 use?
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The Orange OR-120 amplifier head uses EL34 power tubes, which are known for delivering a strong midrange punch and smooth high-end, contributing to the amp's signature sound.
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How many inputs does the Orange OR-120 have?
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The Orange OR-120 features two inputs, allowing for flexibility in connecting different instruments or configurations.
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Does the Orange OR-120 amplifier include built-in reverb?
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No, the Orange OR-120 does not have built-in reverb, focusing instead on delivering pure, unadulterated tube tone. Reverb can be added externally through effects pedals if desired.
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What are the impedance options available on the Orange OR-120?
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The Orange OR-120 offers multiple impedance options, including 16 ohms, 8 ohms, and 4 ohms, allowing it to match with a variety of speaker cabinets for optimal performance.
Videos
Does It Doom?
Matamp GT120 vs Orange OR120 Doom Metal Amp Shootout
Reviews
PROS
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Legendary rock sound associated with iconic bands
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Exceptionally loud with superior tone definition
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Versatile FAC control for customizable crunch tone
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Ideal for recording with its distinct sound profile
CONS
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May be too loud for small venues or home use
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Orange OR-120.
Comparisons
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Matamp GT120 is considered a close match to the early '70s OR120 circuits, especially in achieving the classic "prickly breakup" sound.
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Rockerverb 50 and an EQ pedal can approximate the OR120 sound, offering versatility in tone shaping.
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The OR120's tone stack uses a classic James EQ, contrasting with the Terror Bass's darker, scooped Fender-style tonestack, leading to distinct sound profiles.
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Features and functionality
User experience
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The OR120 offers clean tones unless cranked, aligning closer to a vintage Marshall with less gain.
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The amp was reportedly used as an acoustic guitar amp, maintaining its excellent condition despite its age, which surprised the new owner.
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Owners note the OR120's warm, slightly overdriven vintage tone aligns well with flatwound strings, especially on a '78 Mustang Bass.
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Mods and upgrades
Use cases and applications
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The OR120 requires external gain boosts like fuzz or treble boosters to achieve heavy distortion, as it inherently has low gain.
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The OR120's presence and distinct "fizz" tone are noted as an acquired taste, appreciated by those who favor a high-presence sound.
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The OR120 is not recommended for bass when paired with a vintage 4x12 guitar cab due to insufficient low-end handling at band volume.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings
275
Great Amp
I used an original OR120 from 1972 to record my band's debut album
Artist usage
Add artist
The Orange OR-120 amplifier can be clearly seen in the background behind Billie Joe Armstrong in the provided image.
In the video for D'You Know What I Mean? You can see Noel's rig throughout. It consists of 2 Orange OR-120s each with 2 Orange 4x12 cabs. Orange includes photos from the video on its History, Maintenance and Legacy of the OR-120 article https://orangeamps.com/articles/the-or120-from-1974-history-legacy-and-maintenance-part-1/
"This Orange OR120 is from the private collection of Billy Corgan.
This was purchased around the time of Siamese Dream, and was used on the Siamese Dream tour and Mellon Collie tours as a boost. Billy would run a fuzz pedal through this head so he could get an extra boost for volume. It was, by all accounts, hellaciously loud. That said, it wasn't used particularly for solos, but rather as an upper overtone. With the gain dimed on his Marshalls, this would be an extra harmonic overtone over the top. Again, that sounds deafeningly loud, and the stuff of most guitar players dreams.
Cosmetically, this cab is in pretty good shape. It has the tape residue (on the left side) and handful of small scuffs you'd expect from a touring amp. The input jacks have a bit of tape stuck above them, and the control plate has a few tiny nicks. There is dirt worn into the tolex, but nothing grotesque. Structurally, it is solid, with no cracks and perfect corners still. The tube complement seems to be all-original still.
Both inputs and all controls work as they should, with clean pots. This amp can be decliciously clean and articulate at low volumes - it doesn't have to be a face-melter. But slowly turning up the volume and hearing the saturation build will make you smile every time. This is a historic, road-tested, insane rock amp for the serious collector or large venue player. This is 120W with adjustable 4, 8, and 16 ohm settings.
The power cable is attached on this amp head."
In this Instagram post, Frank Iero has a photo of a custom built OR-120 pre amp.
hey frendz, just want to send a long overdue shout out and thank you’s to @jessupamps for sending me this OR-120 pre amp and @black35guitars & @solodallas for helping me out with their shaffer tower replica. I love using these two in combination on home recording/demoing especially. They’ve really helped with my recovery by bringing life to my guitar tones and they tend to get along really well with my digital recording setup. I’ve even included the @solodallas pedal onto my pedal board for these upcoming live shows.
From the website of Jessup Amps, the creator of the custom amp:
This is the exact circuit found in the Orange or-120 and retains the same tonal characteristics as the original Orange pre amp
In the provided image, an Orange OR-120 amplifier can be clearly seen positioned behind Daron Malakian.
Wata, from the band Boris, uses a vintage Orange OR-120 guitar amplifier head, as detailed in MusicRadar's rig tour feature.
In a photo taken by davidjcubberly during Hum's performance at the Double Door in Chicago on December 31, 2008, Matt Talbott's Orange OR-120 guitar amplifier head is visible in the background.
Mike Scheidt is confirmed to use a vintage Orange OR-120 amplifier, as seen in the article on YOB by Exclaim!.
Tim Sult used this head throughout Clutch's 1995 self titled album and 1998's The Elephant Riders and was used for live performances from the mid to late 90s (maybe early 2000s?) and two of these amp heads are found in this youtube music video for The Soapmakers from The Elephant Riders album at around the 1:13 mark. it is also listed as one of the amps he uses in the CD insert of Clutch's 1995 self titled album (the CD version of course)
Album Usage
The Orange OR-120 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 OR-120, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Similar
Add recommendation3 alternative and related items for Orange OR-120, curated by the Equipboard community.
An amplifier built around the same tonestack as the Orange OR-120, with different component values giving it a different character.
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An analog amp sim pedal, based off vintage Orange circuits such as the OR-120.
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