I've been interested to try an Orange amp since I tried them in the amp sims. I should have tried one when I was in the guitar store the other day. I was with my friend helping him try out small class A combo amps and pedals. I did get to play on the Vox 1x8 Lunchbox I think its called, with a Gretsch guitar. Instant Beatles, very suprised at how loud it could get, but it broke up too easily when the volume knob was up just a bit. Also tried Bugera's version of the Badcat/Matchless type combo, but was not too impressed (after playing on my friends Badcat, there was just no comparison really). My friend ended up buying the Damage Control Liquid Blues class A tube pedal, thinking he could use it for a direct signal for one of his signal chains in his church praise band. But he ended up returning it the next day after some tests at home.trimph1 wrote:That is quite the pairing to compare with each other.Peevy2000 wrote:I'm sorta stuck between:
Jet City JCA22H
And The Orange TH30H
I like the sound of both amps but I'm sorta leaning towards the Orange TH30 & matching 112 cab which would cost around £850, but the Jet City & cab would be over £200 cheaper.
Anyone tried these Amps, what would you go for?? Unfortunately, I can test these Amps out myself![]()
Myself, I'm more partial to the TH30H as it seems to have the tone that I'm after more than the Jet City does. But I certainly would not kick the Jet City out of any running..it is a darn good amp for the money.
Your next amp
- KVRAF
- 2707 posts since 23 Mar, 2005 from Detroit
- KVRist
- 492 posts since 2 Mar, 2008
Yeah I've my mind made up to go for the TH30H & a PPC112 cab. I'll probably get another PPC112 at some point. I was gonna just go for a Dark Terror but I knew I'd just end up regretting not saving a bit more for the TH30H.trimph1 wrote: That is quite the pairing to compare with each other.![]()
Myself, I'm more partial to the TH30H as it seems to have the tone that I'm after more than the Jet City does. But I certainly would not kick the Jet City out of any running..it is a darn good amp for the money.
Just have to make my mind up what colour to go for


I'm leaning towards the classic Orange colour...
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- KVRAF
- 16977 posts since 23 Jun, 2010 from north of London ON
I'm partial to the orange colour as well. 
Barry
If a billion people believe a stupid thing it is still a stupid thing
If a billion people believe a stupid thing it is still a stupid thing
- KVRAF
- 20714 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
The Jet City has an incredible SLO100-type overdrive, it's biting while at the same time smooth. It's an amazing and low cost way to get that sound if that is what you're going for. If you want vintage Fender clean or Marshall crunch, I don't recommend it.Peevy2000 wrote:I like the sound of both amps but I'm sorta leaning towards the Orange TH30 & matching 112 cab which would cost around £850, but the Jet City & cab would be over £200 cheaper.
- KVRAF
- 20714 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
Once again:chacka wrote:If I would buy an amp right now it would be the Kemper. Played it at the Musikmesse and have to say that I really like it. Plays and sounds like real amps.
- KVRAF
- 20714 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
FWIW, my used MAZ 18 combo cost me $900 and is pretty much everything I was looking for. Your Frenzel does sound like it must be an amazing amp, though.Hink wrote:Well, my newest amp is here....it was fun for a while to think about a Dr Z Maz 8 but that would mean being in debt and besides that's not my style (high end, boutique amps). Having an amp that is single ended was one of my main concerns, the Maz 8 is and that power tube would have been an EL84. FTR the Maz 8 head is 1,600 dollars.
- KVRAF
- 20714 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
I can't imagine it powering a 4x12 all that well. It's a cool amp for the money but it's a weak 5W. Anyway, I personally prefer the Fender Pro Jr. over it.metalifuxx wrote:Does anyone know anything or have first hand usage with the Bugera v5 class A 1x8 combo amp? My friend was thinking about getting one. Under $200. It has an additional speaker out jack with enough power to drive a 4x12 cab as well.
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- KVRAF
- 16977 posts since 23 Jun, 2010 from north of London ON
At 5W it has something of a capability of maybe powering a small cab but not a 4X12.
@Hink..
What kind of amp design you playing with on your DIY project?
@Hink..
What kind of amp design you playing with on your DIY project?
Barry
If a billion people believe a stupid thing it is still a stupid thing
If a billion people believe a stupid thing it is still a stupid thing
- Rad Grandad
- Topic Starter
- 38041 posts since 6 Sep, 2003 from Downeast Maine
yeah you and I talked about that, it kind of seems like in some ways you're paying for less with the Maz 8. The thing is I was hell bent on single ended, I have the AB thing covered quite well imo (for nowUncle E wrote:FWIW, my used MAZ 18 combo cost me $900 and is pretty much everything I was looking for. Your Frenzel does sound like it must be an amazing amp, though.Hink wrote:Well, my newest amp is here....it was fun for a while to think about a Dr Z Maz 8 but that would mean being in debt and besides that's not my style (high end, boutique amps). Having an amp that is single ended was one of my main concerns, the Maz 8 is and that power tube would have been an EL84. FTR the Maz 8 head is 1,600 dollars.
BTW I wont say a 5 watt tube amp will push a 4x12 to the point of playing in a metal band but I have no doubt if you put a 4x12 in closet and ran a 5 watt tube amp into it it would be awesome miked and surely more than enough to get you in trouble if live in an apartment building like I do.
Barry, first I want to build this simple little single ended EL84 with 1 12AX7 tube amp kit they sell at Antique Electronics, it's cheap and really a very simple build. Then I want to go all Frankenstein on it with Weber kits, somewhere in there I want to recap my Boogie and maybe replace some pots. At that time I want to add the tube buffered fx loop kit to my boogie as well or maybe just a line out I haven't really decided.
I keep my eyes on kits from Weber and Mojotone as well as Ceratone which Eric told me about, unfortunately Ceratone is in the UK and shipping is steep. If I ordered a kit from them I would get it without transformers and without the choke to save weight (again antique electronics comes to the rescue as they have good deals on OTs, PTs and chokes as does mojotone). I have been looking at Marshall clones both Plexis (which I would mod) and 800s but I got word of this in an email from mojotone and really does have my name written all over it (not literally)..A DIY Silvertone...you gotta love it
The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world. It requires profound, purpose‐larger‐than‐the‐self kind of understanding.
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- KVRAF
- 42529 posts since 21 Dec, 2005
I dunno man. When I get this ibby paid off, I'd like to start saving for a kemper. Oddly though, as many controls as there are on the back, it's hard for me to see how it's going to work in the daw world. I guess spdif.
- Rad Grandad
- Topic Starter
- 38041 posts since 6 Sep, 2003 from Downeast Maine
that SLO type OD going into the power amp on the Frenzel CSS works awesome but I love it with YJs and with the stock 6l6 tubes too. It's spring time and we have our balconies back (a month rebuild turned into 4 months) so the Jet City 50 watt is getting the same grill work I did to the boogie (I have plenty left) and somewhere down the line I want to put JJs in it (but not the gold ones)Uncle E wrote:The Jet City has an incredible SLO100-type overdrive, it's biting while at the same time smooth. It's an amazing and low cost way to get that sound if that is what you're going for. If you want vintage Fender clean or Marshall crunch, I don't recommend it.Peevy2000 wrote:I like the sound of both amps but I'm sorta leaning towards the Orange TH30 & matching 112 cab which would cost around £850, but the Jet City & cab would be over £200 cheaper.
The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world. It requires profound, purpose‐larger‐than‐the‐self kind of understanding.
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- KVRAF
- 7825 posts since 20 Jan, 2008
I wonder if anyone has tried to trick that thing. Say mic a synth for the mic input and then see how close the amp would simulate it from a guitar out.Uncle E wrote:Once again:chacka wrote:If I would buy an amp right now it would be the Kemper. Played it at the Musikmesse and have to say that I really like it. Plays and sounds like real amps.
Dell Vostro i9 64GB Ram Windows 11 Pro, Cubase, Bitwig, Mixcraft Guitar Pod Go, Linntrument Nektar P1, Novation Launchpad
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Peter - IK Multimedia Peter - IK Multimedia https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=217907
- KVRAF
- 8146 posts since 20 Oct, 2009
I've been looking at the JCA22H and Dark Terror (replace my Tiny Terror with a bit more flexibility in tone and effects loop). Now the TH30 does look interesting, and the OR15 is tempting since it seems like just my kind of amp. Yes, we model both of these companies but they are also both pretty kick ass regardless. A store I frequent around here just started getting a bunch of Divided by 13 amps so I'd like to try those there too.
- Rad Grandad
- Topic Starter
- 38041 posts since 6 Sep, 2003 from Downeast Maine
the kemper doesn't model it profiles and personally I take a hard stance against profiling...it's wrong I tell wronghibidy wrote:Ok, you've talked me into it Hink. If I can model all your amps then I'll buy a kemper.
The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world. It requires profound, purpose‐larger‐than‐the‐self kind of understanding.

