2017 Orange Dual Dark 50

Overview

This is actually my second Dual Dark 50. After I sold my first one, I really regretted not having it anymore, so when I spotted this online for a fair price I went for it. It sounds just like the first one that I had (to my memory at least) and is definitely the highest gain Orange amp I have had.

This amp shares its basic platform with the Rockerverb and Thunderverb amps, with a deep headshell and very similar looking circuit boards and internal configuration. However this amp lacks reverb entirely, instead opting for an extra 12AX7 preamp tube to satisfy the need to additional gain stages. It’s most similar to the Thunderverb, with both channels seemingly offering similar amounts of gain and voiced in the same area, but with different controls. Channel A has a standard treble/middle/bass EQ section, but Channel B has the shape control, much like the Thunderverb’s Channel B or the TH series amplifiers. This shape control decreases mids above noon, and decreases treble and bass below that (giving the effect of more mids).

It’s a very cool high gain amp and the EQ flexibility means you can set up your rhythm and lead tones to your preference with no worry about one channel not having enough gain for your solos. It has a trademark Orange fuzziness to the mids, and actually can be made to sound pretty similar to my OR50H at certain settings, as long as you keep the gain down a bit. Unlike most other Oranges though, this amp struggles to do a passable clean tone - everything is sacrificed for all out metal or heavy fuzz tones here. It’s a very satisfying amp to play at volume and while it’s not the most versatile amp I own, I can see why these have carved out a special niche where they are respected and sought after.