Each side of the unit has inputs, outputs, selector switches, and controls, giving the player as much flexibility as possible. However, this is by no means a cluttered amp. What makes the best amp for you will depend on various things. To finish this piece, I will sum up the amps reviewed above to help narrow down your choice.

Taking elements from our flagship 4 Stroke and OB1 series bass amps, and with enough power for smaller venues, the Crush Bass 100 is a seriously versatile combo in both sound and application. Using high-end engineering techniques not usually found on combos of this type, the key to the Crush Bass 100’s immensely fat and detailed tone is the amplifier’s 100 Watt output section. The choice of discrete components (rather than common integrated circuits) gives the amp sensational levels of clarity across the entire spectrum, and the internal 15” speaker means that even the most subterranean frequencies come through loud and clear. The Crush Bass 50 compact combo, inspired by Orange’s flagship AD200 and OB1 bass amplifiers, perfectly blends some of the most defining elements of each. It has the essentials of a recording amp and delivers warm, clean bass tones, vintage growl with fat low end and blendable overdrive. I love the vintage aesthetics of the metal ‘lunchbox’ style, which, as well as looking classic, also makes this amp head one of the most robust out there. Encased in strong metal, with a hard-wearing carry case and durable handle, it is perfect for players on the road – its weight is just 9.9 lb / 4.4 kg, so transportation is not an issue. There isn’t a distortion circuit, but the boom is helped via the rear port, and it has the same replete with programmable midrange, EQ, and a chromatic tuner. Moreover, there isn’t an effects loop, but I presume this would be surplus to requirements given the size of the amp. Meet the Orange Crush Bass 25 - The most compact Crush combo amp in the bass series, but offers an uncompromising low end reinforcement for your rehearsal space or as a home practice amp. All-analogue signal path with punchy 8" woofer and active parametric EQThe last decade or so has been a pretty exciting time for the bass, and as such, the best bass amps reflect this. If you want a straight-up, simple bass amp that delivers a clear and clean tone, then there are plenty that do that. If you want to add some grit or even effects to your sound, then you’re catered for there too. What makes the Orange Amplifiers Crush Bass 100W 1×15 Bass Combo Amp stand out from many other combo amps is the active EQ circuit, which has been inspired by the EQ in Oranges Stroke Series bass amps. For a brand that focuses on the simple, there is a lot of technology within this amp. All Star Wars themed puns aside, the Orange OB1 is a really cool amp. It allows you to essentially get the tone of both a bass amp and a guitar amp, as inspired by the whole ‘bi-amp’ thing (i.e. running your bass through two amps). This aside, the clean sound on its own is really good; giving you plenty of warm, low-end punch and clarity. They also pioneered the lunchbox amp head with the Tiny Terror – putting a powerful tube amp in an easy-to-transport chassis and changing the way gigging guitarists thought about their rig. Series

The treble EQ provides up to 20dB of boost, while the middle and bass EQ controls offer 15dB. A parametric frequency sweep from 300Hz to 2.7kHz from the midrange EQ gives precise control of a remarkable range of valuable bass textures and tones. The Blend control lets you dial in bi-amped tones, with distorted grit omitted from the Gain control. Think about where and in what context you’ll be using it. If you need something that can put out enough power for gigs, then you’ll likely want something that’s at least 100W. It depends on the situation at the gig, but sometimes you might not be put through the PA system, in which case, the more power you’ve got, the better. You don’t necessarily need to use it all, but ideally, you don’t want to be running your amp at full volume all the time. I found that when using the Blend and Gain control simultaneously, there are two distinct layers of distorted and clean tones that sound pretty fantastic. Pros The active three-band EQ includes a midrange frequency control that sweeps a range from 300Hz to 2.7kHz to dial in an impressive variety of tones. The Blend and Gain control allow players to create “bi-amped” tones that combine a clean tone and a distorted tone simultaneously.Cliff had humble beginnings with his shop in London but was armed with the knowledge and hunger to succeed. But because it was such a small company, dealers wouldn't buy into the concept. This meant he had to bring production in-house which is what he did.

Orange Amps began in 1968 in a dingy basement shop in Old Compton Street in London, founded by Cliff Cooper who's still at the helm today.There are all sorts of different features that can be found on the best bass amps nowadays. Some might have blendable overdrive or a second channel that lets you dial in a grittier sound either for heavier styles of music or for just a different texture. Some might have effects built in – compression can be especially handy for so many different styles of music. First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best bass amps on the market right now. Like the rest of the amps in the series, the best quality materials and workmanship are evident with the Orange Amplifiers Crush Bass 25W Bass Combo Amp. Although this amp is the smallest in the range, its features are impressive, especially the sweepable, semi-parametric Middle and Bass EQ.