ORANGE ROCKER 15

Vintage style and vintage tone, without the vintage price.

RRP: $1,559

Type: All-Tube

Speakers: Ten-inch ‘Voice Of The World’ Gold Label Output: 15 watt (switchable)

No. of channels: Two

Tubes: Three 12AX7, one 12AT7, two EL84

Weight: 13.5 kilos

PROS

• Compact and portable

• Looks the part

• Headroom/Bedroom switch is a lifesaver

• ‘Natural’ channel sounds... Well, natural

CONS

• Ten-inch speaker can sound a little boxy

You can always spot an Orange amp from a mile off. They’re, well, bright orange for a start, but they also come accompanied by that signature tone. Orange amps always do things a little differently, and the Rocker 15 is no exception to that rule.

Behind the iconic basket-weave grill cloth lies a ten-inch ‘Voice of The World’ speaker, and 15 watts’ worth of assorted glass. Together, they create a harmonious racket that you’d be hard pressed to dislike. The ‘natural’ channel is exactly what it sounds like – completely natural. With just a volume control, it’s one for the purists in the building. Where the Rocker 15 really flexes its muscles though is the ‘dirty’ channel. Delivering swathes of traditional, old-school Orange mojo, this is the channel where we’ll be spending most of our time.

Thankfully, Orange has included many power switching options in the Rocker 15. With a cleverly named ‘Headroom/Bedroom’ switch to take the whole amp down to one watt, as well as a half power option, you can get those iconic driven tones at sensible volumes. The ten-inch speaker and small cabinet can combine to sound a little boxy at times, but for certain bluesy, vintage-inspired tones, that can work wonders.