Los Angeles, CA (January 14, 2019) -- Boutique guitar amp builder Orion Amplifiers is introducing five new and unique amplifiers at this year’s winter 2019 NAMM show. The Orion Rocket is a twist on the classic high-gain EL-34 tube-powered amps. This amp has Power Scaling, giving the user the option of having the amplifiers full-volume, high-gain tone at any volume level the player desires. You can dial down the sound pressure without losing any of the harmonic balance and dynamic response of the amp sound when it’s cranked, making this an ideal amp for any playing situation. You have more guitar in your hands when you play this amp.
Orion pays as much attention to the power amp as most builders do with the pre-amp, making these amps incredibly versatile tone machines. Plus, the back panel features a single-ended control enabling the player to dial out one EL-34 power tube for a spongey grit you won’t find in any other amp currently being made.
The Rocket is hand-wired on hand-built turret lug circuit boards. Classis Tone transformers, JJ Power amp and Preamp tubes, Orange Drop and SOZO capacitors, ceramic power tube sockets are standard in all Orion Amplifiers.
These amps feature a true studio quality FX loop standard with series/parallel operation, 0db /-20db quick flip level switch, send and return level controls and a true bypass that routes the signal completely around the loop. The FX loop can double as a pre-amp line out, a power amp for rack gear or as an extra gain stage by connecting a cord between the send and return jacks.
At first glance, the pre-amp front panel may seem intimidating with its array of tone shaping switches but at second glance it becomes very intuitive. The dual EQ Aphelion/Perihelion (Rock/Metal), Dual Bright, Boost, Mid-Shift, Deep, Heavy and the inviting Diode Clipping switch, which adds fuzz and distortion to your signal, sounds amazing when the Rocket is cranked and /or Power Scaled and are welcome additions to the standard tone stack controls. The Rocket features a switchable overdrive with a Level Control that adds another dimension of controllable gain that pushes this amp into the stratosphere. The Thrust control is a unique feature that controls the amps overall gain (think adjustable pressure settings on your shower head) entering the power amp. Used in conjunction with the Overdrive Level Control, the player has complete control over the Rockets preamp gain. The Rockets power amp features a unique After Burner Control which adds gain, body and resonance into the power amp for a thick and dynamic sonic push over the cliff of what you thought was possible in a high gain amplifier. Add foot-switchable Overdrive and Boost for total control over your audience. That’s the whole point, right? Right!
Features:
- 2 x EL-34 power tubes
- 2 x 12AX7 preamp tubes, 2 x 12AT7 preamp tubes
- Power Scaling, 50 watts to less than ¼ watt power output
- Classic Tone paper layer wound transformers
- Studio FX Loop featuring Send and Return Level Controls, Series/Parallel Operation, 0db/-20db signal level switch, True Bypass
- Single Ended Operation. Dial in and out one EL-34 power tube from 100% to 0% output
- Over Drive (adds ½ 12AX7 tube) with Level Control
- Preamp features include: Dual Bright, Dual EQ Aphelion/Perihelion (Rock and Metal), Boost, Mid-Shift, Heavy, Deep and Diode Clipping (Fuzz) switches.
- Power Amp features Thrust and After Burner (unique to Orion), Presence, Master Volume and Power Scaling controls
- Pentode / Triode Output Tube Operation
- Dual Input Jacks, Hi 0db, Low -6db
- Footswitch controls Over Drive and Boost
- Switchable Tube Rectifier or Solid State Rectifier
- Available in Head and 1x12 Combos
Head $2899.00, Combo $3299.00.
Orion pays as much attention to the power amp as most builders do with the pre-amp, making these amps incredibly versatile tone machines. Plus, the back panel features a single-ended control enabling the player to dial in and out one 6V6 and one EL-84 power tube for a spongey grit you won’t find in any other amp currently being made.
The HorseHead features an all-tube, three spring reverb with level and dwell controls. From light and splashy to rich and deep - welcome to the congregation reverb - can be dialed in. The HorseHead is hand-wired on hand-built turret lug circuit boards. Classis Tone transformers, JJ Power amp and Preamp tubes, Orange Drop and SOZO capacitors, ceramic power tube sockets are standard in all Orion Amplifiers.
These amps feature a true studio quality FX loop standard with series/parallel operation, 0db /-20db quick flip level switch, send and return level controls and a true bypass that routes the signal completely around the loop. The FX loop can double as a pre-amp line out, a power amp for rack gear or as an extra gain stage by connecting a cord between the send and return jacks.
At first glance, the pre-amp front panel may seem intimidating with its array of tone shaping switches but at second glance it becomes very intuitive. The dual EQ Aphelion/Perihelion (Clean/Rock), Dual Bright, Dual Boost, Mid-Shift, Deep, Heavy and the inviting Diode Clipping switch, which adds fuzz and distortion to your signal, sounds amazing when the HorseHead is cranked and /or Power Scaled and are a welcome addition to the standard, tone stack controls. The HorseHead features a switchable dual Boost with a Level Control that adds another dimension of controllable gain that pushes this amp into the Stratosphere. The Thrust control is a unique feature that controls the amps overall gain (think-adjustable pressure settings on your shower head) entering the power amp. Used in conjunction with the Boost Level Control, the player has complete control over the HorseHeads preamp gain. The HorseHead power amp features a unique After Burner Control which adds gain, body and resonance into the power amp for a thick and dynamic sonic push over the cliff of what you thought was possible in guitar amplifier. Add foot-switchable reverb and boost for total control over your audience. That’s the whole point, right? Right!
Features:
- 2 x 6V6 and 2 x EL-84 power tubes
- 2 x 12AX7 preamp tubes, 3 x 12AT7 preamp tubes
- Power Scaling, 40 watts to less than ¼ watt power output
- Classic Tone paper layer wound transformers
- Studio FX Loop featuring Send and Return Level Controls, Series/Parallel Operation, 0db/-20db signal level switch, True Bypass
- Single Ended Operation. Dial in and out 1 x 6V6 and 1 x EL-84 power tube or 1 xEL-84 power tube (when the 6V6 tubes are turned off) from 100% to 0% output
- Dual Boost (Light and Heavy) Quantum and Gravity labeled respectively with Level Control to set the boost level for guitar solos.
- Preamp features include: Dual Bright, Dual EQ Aphelion/Perihelion (Clean/Rock), Dual Boost (Quantum-Light/Gravity-Heavy), Mid-Shift, Heavy, Deep and Diode Clipping (Fuzz) switches.
- Power Amp features Thrust and After Burner (unique to Orion), Presence, Master Volume and Power Scaling controls
- Three Spring Reverb with Level and Dwell controls
- Dual Input Jacks, Hi 0db, Low -6db
- Footswitch controls Reverb and Boost
- Tube Rectifier
- Available in Head and 1x12 Combos
Head $3299.00 Combo $3499.00.
For more information:
Orion Amps
Hotone Wong Press
Cory Wong Signature Volume/Wah/Expression Pedal
Renowned international funk guitar maestro and 63rd Grammy nominee Cory Wong is celebrated for his unique playing style and unmistakable crisp tone. Known for his expressive technique, he’s been acclaimed across the globe by all audiences for his unique blend of energy and soul. In 2022, Cory discovered the multi-functional Soul Press II pedal from Hotone and instantly fell in love. Since then, it has become his go-to pedal for live performances.
Now, two years later, the Hotone team has meticulously crafted the Wong Press, a pedal tailored specifically for Cory Wong. Building on the multi-functional design philosophy of the Soul Press series, this new pedal includes Cory’s custom requests: a signature blue and white color scheme, a customized volume pedal curve, an adjustable wah Q value range, and travel lights that indicate both pedal position and working mode.
Cory’s near-perfect pursuit of tone and pedal feel presented a significant challenge for our development team. After countless adjustments to the Q value range, Hotone engineers achieved the precise WAH tone Cory desired while minimizing the risk of accidental Q value changes affecting the sound. Additionally, based on Cory’s feedback, the volume control was fine-tuned for a smoother, more musical transition, enhancing the overall feel of volume swells. The team also upgraded the iconic travel lights of the Soul Press II to dual-color travel lights—blue for Wah mode and green for Volume mode—making live performances more intuitive and visually striking!
In line with the Hotone Design Inspiration philosophy, the Wong Press represents the perfect blend of design and inspiration. Now, musicians can channel their inner Cory Wong and enjoy the freedom and joy of playing with the Wong Press!
Reverend Vernon Reid Totem Series Electric Guitar - Shaman
Silos features six presets, tap tempo, one full second of delay time, and three voices—two of which are styled after bucket-brigade and tape-delay sounds. In the $150 price category, it’s not unusual for a digital delay to leave some number of those functions out. And spending the same money on a true-analog alternative usually means warm, enveloping sounds but limited functionality and delay time. Silos, improbably perhaps, offers a very elegant solution to this can’t-have-it-all dilemma in a U.S.-made effect.
A More Complete Cobbling Together
Silos’ utility is bolstered by a very unintimidating control set, which is streamlined and approachable. Three of those controls are dedicated to the same mix, time, and repeats controls you see on any delay. But saving a preset to one of the six spots on the rotary preset dial is as easy as holding the green/red illuminated button just below the mix and preset knobs. And you certainly won’t get lost in the weeds if you move to the 3-position toggle, which switches between a clear “digital” voice, darker “analog” voice, and a “tape” voice which is darker still.
“The three voices offer discernibly different response to gain devices.”
One might suspect that a tone control for the repeats offers similar functionality as the voice toggle switch. But while it’s true that the most obvious audible differences between digital, BBD, and tape delays are apparent in the relative fidelity and darkness of their echoes, the Silos’ three voices behave differently in ways that are more complex than lighter or duskier tonality. For instance, the digital voice will never exhibit runaway oscillation, even at maximum mix and repeat settings. Instead, repeats fade out after about six seconds (at the fastest time settings) or create sleepy layers of slow-decaying repeats that enhance detail in complex, sprawling, loop-like melodic phrases. The analog voice and tape voice, on the other hand, will happily feed back to psychotic extremes. Both also offer satisfying sensitivity to real-time, on-the-fly adjustments. For example, I was tickled with how I could generate Apocalypse Now helicopter-chop effects and fade them in and out of prominence as if they were approaching or receding in proximity—an effect made easier still if you assign an expression pedal to the mix control. This kind of interactivity is what makes analog machines like the Echoplex, Space Echo, and Memory Man transcend mere delay status, and the sensitivity and just-right resistance make the process of manipulating repeats endlessly engaging.
Doesn't Flinch at Filth
EarthQuaker makes a point of highlighting the Silos’ affinity for dirty and distorted sounds. I did not notice that it behaved light-years better than other delays in this regard. But the three voices most definitely offer discernibly different responses to gain devices. The super-clear first repeat in the digital mode lends clarity and melodic focus, even to hectic, unpredictable, fractured fuzzes. The analog voice, which EQD says is inspired by the tone makeup of a 1980s-vintage, Japan-made KMD bucket brigade echo, handles fuzz forgivingly inasmuch as its repeats fade warmly and evenly, but the strong midrange also keeps many overtones present as the echoes fade. The tape voice, which uses aMaestro Echoplex as its sonic inspiration, is distinctly dirtier and creates more nebulous undercurrents in the repeats. If you want to retain clarity in more melodic settings, it will create a warm glow around repeats at conservative levels. Push it, and it will summon thick, sometimes droning haze that makes a great backdrop for slower, simpler, and hooky psychedelic riffs.
In clean applications, this decay and tone profile lend the tape setting a spooky, foggy aura that suggests the cold vastness of outer space. The analog voice often displays an authentic BBD clickiness in clean repeats that’s sweet for underscoring rhythmic patterns, while the digital voice’s pronounced regularity adds a clockwork quality that supports more up-tempo, driving, electronic rhythms.
The Verdict
Silos’ combination of features seems like a very obvious and appealing one. But bringing it all together at just less than 150 bucks represents a smart, adept threading of the cost/feature needle.
EarthQuaker Devices Silos Multi-generational Time Reflection Delay Pedal
