Orange OR80 vs OR50

[Matt]

I found a 90's reissue OR80 in rough cosmetic shape (to be expected with a 20 year old Orange).

My only hesitation is I can get a new OR50 for around the same price.

Anyone played both? How do they compare.

[KCTigerChief]

Didn't chuck nutz have the OR50? TU BE? One of those Texas guys did I think.

[Dave]

I currently have an OR50, but don't have any experience with the older OR80



I believe Billy and Dolf have played both, but not sure.


The OR50 I just got is pretty nice, especially for the price I got it. It has a lot of gain, yet very dry and articulate. Leads sound killer as do chords plus the master volume is defeatable via footswitch which works as a nice solo boost. It's not overbearingly loud, but it definitely needs to be pumping some volume before it hits it's sweetspot. With your amp collection I have a feeling it'd fit right in.

[KCTigerChief]

I currently have an OR50, but don't have any experience with the older OR80



I believe Billy and Dolf have played both, but not sure.


The OR50 I just got is pretty nice, especially for the price I got it. It has a lot of gain, yet very dry and articulate. Leads sound killer as do chords plus the master volume is defeatable via footswitch which works as a nice solo boost. It's not overbearingly loud, but it definitely needs to be pumping some volume before it hits it's sweetspot. With your amp collection I have a feeling it'd fit right in.

Dude needs another amp like he needs a hole in his head

[GAS KING]

I would go with the OR80.

[Matt]

I had a Orange Rockerverb 50 for quite a while and it was cool, but not quite what I was ultimately looking for. But I do love Orange amps.

The local GC has an OR15, how close is that to the OR50? Similar voicing?

[Matt]

Dude needs another amp like he needs a hole in his head

What? You mean I shouldn't get my ears pierced?

[Dickarms]

there is no fucking way an OR80, especially one in rough shape, should cost as much as a brand new OR50. look elsewhere. they come up for half that, in twice as good of shape.

[GAS KING]

The OR120 I had was very open sounding, organic and thick full low end (deep).......it had a grainy break up.....not very tight.

[Dave]

I had a Orange Rockerverb 50 for quite a while and it was cool, but not quite what I was ultimately looking for. But I do love Orange amps.

The local GC has an OR15, how close is that to the OR50? Similar voicing?

I never fell in love with the rockerverb. I actually went to buy one a couple years back and just couldn't pull the trigger. Less than a year ago I almost traded one of my Marshalls to TU BE for his and again got cold feet.

The OR50 is a different beast. It's not one of those 'Holy shit!! best evar!!' type amps, but it's a good solid single channel amp that can bring it. It responds like a Plexi but with the Orange midrange to it so it sits a bit lower in the mids.

[KCTigerChief]

I had a Orange Rockerverb 50 for quite a while and it was cool, but not quite what I was ultimately looking for. But I do love Orange amps.

The local GC has an OR15, how close is that to the OR50? Similar voicing?

I never fell in love with the rockerverb. I actually went to buy one a couple years back and just couldn't pull the trigger. Less than a year ago I almost traded one of my Marshalls to TU BE for his and again got cold feet.

The OR50 is a different beast. It's not one of those 'Holy shit!! best evar!!' type amps, but it's a good solid single channel amp that can bring it. It responds like a Plexi but with the Orange midrange to it so it sits a bit lower in the mids.

Sounds like the Orange and Bogner together would be crushing

[Matt]

there is no fucking way an OR80, especially one in rough shape, should cost as much as a brand new OR50. look elsewhere. they come up for half that, in twice as good of shape.

New OR50's are only $1259 (from Humbucker Music). All the OR80's I've found are $1200 on the low side and $2000 on the high side (usually a 70's era OR).

What have you been seeing?

[KCTigerChief]

there is no fucking way an OR80, especially one in rough shape, should cost as much as a brand new OR50. look elsewhere. they come up for half that, in twice as good of shape.

UK made versus Chinese made

[cibyl]

I've not played on the OR50, but have through an OR80. The OR80's are definitely not a high gain amp but it will crunch up really nicely. It's really fat sounding and you can dial in a great, deep clean tone on it. Very loud.

[Dave]

there is no fucking way an OR80, especially one in rough shape, should cost as much as a brand new OR50. look elsewhere. they come up for half that, in twice as good of shape.

UK made versus Chinese made

OR50 is English made.


I was shocked when it had the made in UK tag on it.

[Matt]

there is no fucking way an OR80, especially one in rough shape, should cost as much as a brand new OR50. look elsewhere. they come up for half that, in twice as good of shape.

UK made versus Chinese made

OR50 is English made.


I was shocked when it had the made in UK tag on it.

Very cool, I was also under that impression. In fact, I probably gave KCTC that idea, lol.

[cibyl]

there is no fucking way an OR80, especially one in rough shape, should cost as much as a brand new OR50. look elsewhere. they come up for half that, in twice as good of shape.

UK made versus Chinese made

Pretty sure both amps are UK made.

[KCTigerChief]

ATTENTION GAB!!!!


I'm retarded.

[Dave]

there is no fucking way an OR80, especially one in rough shape, should cost as much as a brand new OR50. look elsewhere. they come up for half that, in twice as good of shape.

UK made versus Chinese made

OR50 is English made.


I was shocked when it had the made in UK tag on it.

Very cool, I was also under that impression. In fact, I probably gave KCTC that idea, lol.

From what I can tell that rumor came about when they re-issued it in 2012 and the price was lower. Orange said the 2008 OR50 was limited edition with a plexiglass face, but the new 2012 model is the same circuit with a normal metal front. I guess the lower production costs combined with no R&D led to the price dropping a couple hundred.

However, I can assure you, it's made in Englang as noted on the chassis.

[Dickarms]

it appears prices for OR50s went down, as prices for older OR80s went up. i remember seeing some 3 or 4 years ago going for $800 or so. and the price in my head for the OR50 was the 2008 RI one. either way, would not pay that for a beat up OR80.

[Dickarms]

i love humbucker btw, thats where i got my TV50 and they were amazing about it. Big ups.
but.....














y u "add to cart to see price"? aint making me buy a $1k+ fucking amp on a whim, im still X-ing out the window

[Dave]

Because $1699 is the minimum advertised price. They obviously sell it for a whole lot less...

[Dickarms]

aha! fuck, learn something new every day! maybe thats why i thought they were way more expensive!

[macgaj3]

I tried a 90s reissue OR120 vs my old 73 OR120. No contest. The 73 was loud as all hell with no master and the 90s was just more sterile overall. Wasn't super impressed. Although I would likely still take one over the 40th anniversary OR50. The one I plus just had no gusto. I was very disappointed in it.

[Van_Muddlestein]

They're nothing alike, but honestly my preferences tend to be with the OR80. If it were an OR120 it wouldn't even be a question. If you get the OR80 and you don't like it I'd be very very interested in trying to get it off your hands.