My 3rd Orange Terror Bass Head 500 watt Replacement :-(

[punkypuncher]

Orange Amplification are in for bollocking tomorrow morning.
Yet again my 3rd replacement Orange Terror Bass head 500 watt has given up working.
Ampeg are now gonna get my business.

Get the feeling you been Tango'd

[Billy Apple]

What's happened to them?

[Roland Rock]

You don't say exactly head you'll be getting, but if it's the PF500, maybe do some research on BC as many have had problems with reliability.

For example: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/223947-pf500-died-yesterday/page__pid__2296875#entry2296875

Edited December 5, 2013 by Roland Rock

[bobbytodd]

genz stuff is still going for silly prices

[mart3442]

Not a great fan of the Terror bass amps tone wise, but I used one for years when I was the houseplayer in a local club. No issues with it at all...Orange in my experience have always been super reliable....

[paul_5]

I'd be going for the Benz stuff too. Amazing kit for silly prices now. Quite a few folks on here have had mixed results with the PF stuff.

[punkypuncher]

Been in touch with Orange today, now sending me my 4th replacement in 3 years.
1st terror head last just under 1 year,2nd under a year,the 3rd only 4 months.
I personally love the tone & drive if these amps,but I feel my love is dieting now.
Very oppologetic Orange were today, but I don't a sorry, I want a reliable amp that will last more than 60 gigs a year.
Ampeg SVT is calling me.

[UglyDog]

[quote name='punkypuncher' timestamp='1386251748' post='2297723']
Ampeg SVT is calling me.
[/quote]
And your chiropractor is on speed dial

[bobbytodd]

if you get a svt you wont need a gym membership.

[Lozz196]

[quote name='punkypuncher' timestamp='1386251748' post='2297723']
Been in touch with Orange today, now sending me my 4th replacement in 3 years.
1st terror head last just under 1 year,2nd under a year,the 3rd only 4 months.
I personally love the tone & drive if these amps,but I feel my love is dieting now.
Very oppologetic Orange were today, but I don't a sorry, I want a reliable amp that will last more than 60 gigs a year.
Ampeg SVT is calling me.
[/quote]

From having similar taste in amps as you, Aguilar may be worth a try. I tried one of the Tonehammers at the London Bass Show and thought it to be a more modern sounding Ampeg - was very impressed indeed. And probably weighs less than the handles on an SVT.

[0175westwood29]

[indent=1]the db750 kills an svt in my opinion, what actually happened to the oranges?[/indent]

[indent=1]andy[/indent]

[lojo]

I had a brand new mark bass who's fan stopped at first session and it nearly melted, it happens to a small percentage of every make, customer service response is the key here and separates the brands, you've been very unlucky, hope it works out

[Judo Chop]

The light on mine went out a few weeks after buying it in May, then last month it just completely died. I got a replacement within a week so fair play on that.

[2004gdavi]

As a terror bass user its a bit unnerving to hear stories like this. However so far I've had no problems with mine. Perhaps it would help to say what the problems are and the circumstances in which they arose. That way it would be possible to see if there is a common fault.

[JTUK]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1386266472' post='2298040']
From having similar taste in amps as you, Aguilar may be worth a try. I tried one of the Tonehammers at the London Bass Show and thought it to be a more modern sounding Ampeg - was very impressed indeed. And probably weighs less than the handles on an SVT.
[/quote]
[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1386266472' post='2298040']
From having similar taste in amps as you, Aguilar may be worth a try. I tried one of the Tonehammers at the London Bass Show and thought it to be a more modern sounding Ampeg - was very impressed indeed. And probably weighs less than the handles on an SVT.
[/quote]

Aguilar have stolen Ampegs ground IMO.. and do it better. Here is hoping that Aguilar don't get too big and corporate and go the same way.
Last time I heard, Aguilar still had a very very small team..despite seemingly a global brand...these days

[Damonjames]

If you want reliability, you may want to look elsewhere as ampeg svt aren't always super reliable.
On the other hand, orange generally are robust, I bought mine second hand and gave me no issues at all. I don't mean to be rude or suggest anything, but how hard are you driving your amp? Is it possible you are pushing it too hard? The fact you have had replacements over a number of years minimises the risk of a batch/manufacturing issue. If you like the sound and need more clout, try the 1000 watt version

[punkypuncher]

Had a call from the Managing Director today, very apologetic, offered me a AD200B.
Chuffed to nuts

[Billy Apple]

Can't say fairer than that. Good customer service I says. (I wonder if they read BC?)

[Damonjames]

Now THAT sounds more like the Orange customer service I've heard about! Thu stand behind their products 100%, congratulations!!!

[pierreganseman]

ordered ampeg on a friday.... crapped out on me on the sunday.....

i went back to tone hammer lol

[Damonjames]

Now THAT sounds more like ampeg! Haha

[6v6]

This is kinda what worries me about the whole class-D thing - the power amps are lighter, but they are way more complex, so there's way more to go wrong.

Do any of the micro-heads have a reputation for extremely good reliability, or do you run similar risks of failure with all of them?

[Musicman20]

[quote name='punkypuncher' timestamp='1386723662' post='2303833']
Had a call from the Managing Director today, very apologetic, offered me a AD200B.
Chuffed to nuts

[/quote]

WHAT!??!?! That is superb.

What I can say is that Orange, being based in the UK, are extremely easy to deal with. Getting replacement heads every time is actually good, but they shouldn't keep blowing...bad luck I guess.

See, if it were me, I'd see this as a good thread. Good service, replacements (assuming at no cost) and dealt with properly.

You will not get this with many other brands.

Ampeg? No way.

Aguilar are great, but you pay for the fact they are imported and NOW we have a dealer network they have shot up £100!

If you like the Orange, stick with it. Good folks and good products, and good prices as we are much closer to them!