Open Box Orange Amplifiers Crush Pro CR60C 60W Guitar Combo Amp Level 2 Black 197881307189

Most Liked Positive Review

Exactly what I was looking for

To make a long story short, I was in a catch 22 situation. I wanted to get involved with a band, but I was currently using a Blackstar HT5 that didn't quite cut it with a drummer. But I didn't need a higher wattage amp if I wasn't in a band. So I didn't want to spend a ton, but I also didn't want to buy something cheap and lousy. I was looking for something that I could crank and play with a band, but would also sound good at lower volumes around the house (I live in a townhouse). I went into Guitar Center and ABY'ed a Marshall DSL40C, a Blackstar HT40 Club, and the CR60. After going back for 2, 3 hour sessions, and driving the guys at the store nuts, I chose the Orange. All three sounded great. I felt the Blackstar was too similar to the HT5. I wanted to try something else. I liked the Marshall, but even with the half power switch, it just needed to be pushed a bit too much to get "that sound." The Orange sounded good at a range of volumes and just had a different kind of sound that I liked. It has that "British Tone" but a bit a little more raw than the Marshall or the Blackstar. With the gain around noon, it's got a nice crunchy tone. A little past that, it's pretty rockin'. Past that, it gets a bit muddy, but is good for chuggy rhythm stuff. It loses a bit of definition at the highest gains, but you can tighten it up with an overdrive pedal for more defined parts. The amp takes pedals really well; modulation, drives. I played a few times with pretty hard hitting drummers and didn't have to turn the master past noon or 1 o'clock. I've had some high watt tube amps in the past (Mesa, Sovtek), plus the lower watt HT5. The CR60 obviously lacks the harmonics of a tube amp, it's not a tube amp. That said, it sounds great. When you crank it, it really pushes some air and gets a good thump. The standard speaker is nice and beefy. I AB'ed this with an Orange OR15. It didn't sound identical, but it had the same character, especially with a 1x12 extension cab. And don't dis solid state. Think about how many people have a tube amp, but use a Boss Metal Zone or BigMuff or other distortion pedal ... solid state drive. For my needs it's perfect. Plenty loud, sounds great, smallish footprint, good value, no maintenance. You can find other reviews and demos online for all the details of the frequency range, features, etc.