The Orange brand started back in 1968 has several models of guitar amplifiers suitable for different uses including home use, recording, practice, and more. In this article, I have reviewed the Orange Amps Crush12 model which is among the cheapest electronics amps going for less than $100.
Orange Amps Electric Guitar Power Amplifier, (Crush12) Review
Orange Crush12 has been in the market for over a decade now having been released in December 2009. Over 1000 guitarists have given it an average rating of 4.7/5 which is among the highest for amps that we have reviewed here at the Best Guitar Amps Review Center.
Features:
12-watt:
Crush12 is a 12-watt combo amplifier suitable for practice, small gigs, and home recording. It is one of the smallest combo amplifiers from Orange Amplification but don’t be deceived by its size as it produces a surprisingly big sound.
One channel:
Unlike other Orange Crush models such as the 20W or the 20RT models with dual channels, this Crush12 has only one channel and will have to switch from either Clean or Dirty.
Not foot-switchable:
This means you will have to manually switch from one channel to the other which can be quite a hassle if you are constantly changing your sound during a gig or recording session.
3-band EQ:
EQ controls include Treble, Middle, and Bass located on the top panel of the amplifier. These simple but effective EQ controls allow you to shape your sound to a great degree.
Orange logo:
The classic Orange ‘O’ logo is present on the grille giving the amplifier that vintage look.
Master volume:
A Master volume control is also included and is located on the top panel of the amplifier.
Headphone output:
There is also a Headphone output for silent practice.
Power supply options:
The amp can be powered using an AC adapter and runs on 120 volt AC.
Solid-state amp:
This is a solid-state combo amplifier meaning it uses transistors instead of tubes. This has several advantages over tube amps such as being more durable, cheaper to maintain, and more resistant to changes in temperature and humidity.
One user noted that he didn’t like the fact that it is solid-state as it distorts very early (i.e. at low volume) and if you want loud cleans, this amp may not deliver. Check out other top-rated solid-state amps here.
Pros:
- Great value for money: This is one of the cheapest guitar amplifiers going for less than $200 from Orange Amps but still gives you a great sound quality.
- Portable and compact: The small size of this amplifier makes it very portable and easy to carry around with you.
- Very versatile: Despite its small size, this amp can be used for a variety of purposes such as practice, home recording, and even small gigs.
Cons:
- Not foot-switchable: The lack of a footswitch means you will have to manually switch between the Clean and Dirty channels which can be quite a hassle.
- 3-band EQ: Some guitarists may find the 3-band EQ to be too limited in terms of shaping their sound.
- No effects: This amplifier does not come with any built-in effects which means you will have to buy them separately if you want to use them.
- Does not use batteries – only AC power. Check out battery-powered amps here.
Orange Crush12 Amp Settings
- Power: The power light will illuminate when the power switch is set on.
- Phones: You can connect headphones to the phones jack for private practice. The sound will be muted when headphones are plugged in.
- Gain: This control will increase or decrease the level of distortion.
- EQ: These controls will shape the tone of your sound.
- Volume: This is the master volume control and will adjust the overall volume of the amplifier.
- Treble: This control will adjust the treble frequency range.
- Middle: This control adjusts the middle-frequency range.
- Bass: This control adjusts the bass frequency range.
- Overdrive: The overdrive switch will turn the overdrive circuit on or off.
- Reverb: The reverb switch will turn the spring reverb on or off.
- Input: You will plug your guitar into this jack.
- AC In: This is where you will connect the AC power adapter.
- output: You can use this output to connect the amplifier to another amplifier or recording device.
Orange crush 12 vs 20
The Orange Crush12 is a lower wattage amplifier and is more affordable than the Orange Crush20. The Crush20 is a 20-watt amplifier and has more features than the Crush12 such as an effects loop and foot-switchable clean/dirty channel.
The bottom line is that the Orange Crush12 is a great sounding, versatile, and affordable amplifier that is perfect for practice, home recording, and even small gigs. However, it lacks some features that more expensive amplifiers have such as an effects loop and foot-switchable clean/dirty channel.
If you’re looking for a great-sounding amp on a budget, the Orange Crush12 is definitely worth considering. But if you’re looking for more features and power, you may want to upgrade to the Orange Crush20.
FAQs
Q: What is the power output of this Orange Crush12 amplifier?
A: The power output of this amplifier is 12 watts.
Q: What is the size of this amplifier?
A: The size of this amplifier is 7.87 x 11.81 x 12.6 inches.
Q: What is the weight of Crush12 amplifier?
A: The weight of this amplifier is 11.46 pounds.
Q: What is the price of Crush12 amplifier?
A: The price of this amplifier is less than $100.
Q: What is the warranty period of Orange Crush12 amplifier?
A: The warranty period of this amplifier is 2 years.
Conclusion:
The Orange Amps Crush12 is a great sounding, versatile, and portable amplifier that is suitable for a variety of uses. It is one of the most affordable amplifiers from Orange Amps and gives you a great value for your money. The only downside is that it is not foot-switchable which can be a hassle for some guitarists.
Hi there! I am Jack Musau, the founder of this Best Guitar Amp Review site. I am an avid musician with several years using both traditional and electric guitars and created this site to assist others looking to find the best guitar amplifiers in the market today. I also offer private coaching and training on how to use guitars and guitars amps of all kinds. You can reach out to me using my email, jack@soundspros.com.