If you’re wondering whether Orange AD30 HTC is worth it or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s review, we’re going to take a close look on this twin channel amp head. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the most popular amp heads of all time, but is it actually worth it?
The truth is that Orange AD30 HTC offers an absolutely unique tone. What’s important, it sounds awesome on both clean and dirty channels. So whether you’re looking for a crystal clear clean tone or a grungy distortion, this amp is the way to go. Although it’s quite expensive, it’s definitely worth the money.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what makes this amp so special. Firstly, let’s start with the specifications and the sound demo. In the next part, we’re also going to see if this amp has any disadvantages.
Specs & Pricing of Orange AD30 HTC
This twin-channel amplifier offers 30-Watt power and it’s actually one of the most popular amp heads offered by Orange. The classic design combined with a huge tone versatility makes it one of the most interesting amps available on the market right now.
What’s interesting, it’s a really legendary model – even Jimmy Page used it in 1999 on tour with Black Crowes! The fact that he used it proves that it’s a really iconic model.
When it comes to tubes, the AD30 is equipped with:
- four 12AX7 preamp tubes
- four EL84 power tubes
- one GZ34 rectifier tube
As you can imagine, nine tubes in that amp head offer a lot of versatility and punch. Undoubtedly, it will sound great in any studio and on any stage.
Having two channels in that amp is like having two different tube amps. The channel one is perfect for a slight overdrive and a classic, vintage rock tone. On the other hand, the second channel has even more punch and it behaves like a completely different amplifier.
In addition, there’s a three-band EQ for each of the channels. That being said, the versatility of this amp head is simply amazing!
Here’s the sound demo. Feel free to check it out. That gain sounds pretty good, right?
Who Is Orange AD30 For?
Orange AD30 HTC will be ideal for intermediate musicians who are looking for a high-quality and reliable amp head. This piece of gear works extremely well during live performances and studio recordings.
Since it’s a very versatile amp, it can be used in a wide variety of genres. Whether you’re into country, blues, rock or metal, this amp is capable of delivering a lot of amazing tones ranging from crystal clear sounds up to heavy and distorted tones.
What’s important, the amp is capable of delivering some really cool vintage tones. If you’re into that kind of tone, you will definitely enjoy that sound quality of that amp. However, it’s not for people on a tight budget.
Disadvantages of Orange AD30 HTC
Unfortunately, no amp is perfect – and Orange AD30 HTC has its own disadvantages too. The amp features a really high quality, so the price of it is quite expensive. Of course, the best gear always costs a lot, but that amount may discourage some people from actually buying it.
Another thing is the overdrive and distortion – although it’s really good, it may not be good enough for the most demanding metal guitarists. If you want it to chug, you’ll probably have to use additional distortion pedals.
Lastly, the footswitch is not included in that model. You’d think that adding a footswitch to a twin-channel amp is obvious, but for some reason Orange decided not to add it to this amp head. That being said, you’ll have to get your own footswitch if you want to use it with this amp.
My Experience With Orange AD30 HTC
I had the pleasure to use that amp on several occasions during live gigs and rehearsing and I always enjoyed its versatility. Honestly, using these two channels feels like using two different tube amps. The first channel works amazingly for indie rock and rock in general, but the second channel adds some extra punch.
Would I call it my number one amp head? Well, I prefer the Marshall tone rather than the Orange tone, but the truth is that this is a really good and reliable amp head. I highly recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a versatile piece of gear.
Here’s an another demo.
Who Plays On Orange AD30 HTC?
What’s important, a lot of professional musicians tend to use Orange AD30 HTC on a daily basis for their live performances and studio appearances. According to the official website of Orange, the artists who use that amp include:
- Robert Smith (The Cure)
- James Bowman (Against Me)
- Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (The Mars Volta)
- Earl Slick (New York Dolls)
- Matthrew Murphy (The Wombats)
Undoubtedly, these famous names prove that the AD30 HTC model is a reliable and reputable amp head!
FAQ
What is Orange AD30 HTC made of?
This amp head is made of birch plywood with Orange Tolex.
Where is Orange AD30 HTC made?
The amp is manufactured in the main Orange’s factory in the United Kingdom.
How heavy is Orange AD30 HTC?
The amps weighs around 40 lbs (18kgs).
Where can I find the manual to Orange AD30 HTC?
The manual can be found on the official website of Orange.
Summary
As you can see, Orange AD30 HTC is an absolutely amazing amp. It’s definitely one of the best amps manufactured by this brand. If you’re looking for a high-quality and reliable piece fo gear suitable for live performances and studio recordings, this is the way to go.
What do you think about this amp? Have you ever used it before? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think about it, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
