PhloridaMan
Active member
Last week I finally made a really tough decision to do a major downsize of my guitar rig after months of deliberation 
It definitely wasn't an easy choice, but it was one that became more and more logical over time. I'm no longer playing in bands as I just have no time to commit anymore. I haven't used my rig more than 3 or 4 times over the past 8-10 months mostly because it's too much for where I have available to play. So, I decided to sell out, and do a major downsize.
I have not really kept up on gear over the last 5 or 6 years like I use to, and with the influx of these lunchbox amps, I am way behind now. They have me intrigued, but I have not had the ability to really look into them too much other than YouTube videos. Since I am sure many here use them I figured I would ask some opinions here.
The 3 main ones I am between are the 5150III LBX, Orange #4 Jim Root Terror and Laney Ironheart IHT15.
First off, how loud do these things really get? Can they keep up in a good jam session with a full drum kit and a couple half stacks if the situation were to arise? That would be the biggest thing for me. I still do occasionally sit in on jams with my old man's blues/rock band, as well as with my brothers metal band if I am around when those are taking place. If these Lunchbox heads aren't going to be able to do that, I think I may end up with a Laney Ironheart IHT60H Head just due to it's ability to go down to 1W power with the turn of a knob. I've played the Ironheart's and think they sound pretty good when dialed in right but I love the tone of the Terror and 5153 so that's why I was interested in exploring those too. I had contemplated the 5153 mini, but I live in a Condo and having the ability to drop it down to 1w would be ideal for just jamming out in the spare room and not pissing off my neighbors. I'm sure many of you know that struggle.
My second question really comes down to how these lunchbox amps "feel"... Obviously they aren't going to sound or feel the same as a big 100w Mesa, Marshall or other. They definitely won't have the bottom end thump and fullness you can get out of a big amp. But how big do they really feel?
It's hard because my local GC doesn't usually have any of these in stock and when I try out gear, I like to try it out in my exact config which in this situation would end up being through a 2x12 cab.
My final question is aimed towards cabinets. I have used MESA 4x12 stuff for as long as I can remember, but have been intrigued by Orange for quite a while. To me, just looking at size and configuration. The Orange and Mesa 2x12s even though they have the same V30 speakers, would probably sound/respond much differently. Typically I would look at an Orange and Mesa 4x12 side by side and think the Orange would be punchier and tighter because it's a slightly smaller cab than the Mesa Oversized Standard Recto cabs. However looking at dimensions, the Orange PPC212 looks to be a bit bigger (taller and deeper) than the Mesa 212. I am curious if anyone has owned both and which one sounds like a bigger cab and has a fuller sound for its small size?
I'll continue doing my reading and searching, but thought these questions might fast track me a bit.
Thanks guys!
It definitely wasn't an easy choice, but it was one that became more and more logical over time. I'm no longer playing in bands as I just have no time to commit anymore. I haven't used my rig more than 3 or 4 times over the past 8-10 months mostly because it's too much for where I have available to play. So, I decided to sell out, and do a major downsize. I have not really kept up on gear over the last 5 or 6 years like I use to, and with the influx of these lunchbox amps, I am way behind now. They have me intrigued, but I have not had the ability to really look into them too much other than YouTube videos. Since I am sure many here use them I figured I would ask some opinions here.
The 3 main ones I am between are the 5150III LBX, Orange #4 Jim Root Terror and Laney Ironheart IHT15.
First off, how loud do these things really get? Can they keep up in a good jam session with a full drum kit and a couple half stacks if the situation were to arise? That would be the biggest thing for me. I still do occasionally sit in on jams with my old man's blues/rock band, as well as with my brothers metal band if I am around when those are taking place. If these Lunchbox heads aren't going to be able to do that, I think I may end up with a Laney Ironheart IHT60H Head just due to it's ability to go down to 1W power with the turn of a knob. I've played the Ironheart's and think they sound pretty good when dialed in right but I love the tone of the Terror and 5153 so that's why I was interested in exploring those too. I had contemplated the 5153 mini, but I live in a Condo and having the ability to drop it down to 1w would be ideal for just jamming out in the spare room and not pissing off my neighbors. I'm sure many of you know that struggle.
My second question really comes down to how these lunchbox amps "feel"... Obviously they aren't going to sound or feel the same as a big 100w Mesa, Marshall or other. They definitely won't have the bottom end thump and fullness you can get out of a big amp. But how big do they really feel?
It's hard because my local GC doesn't usually have any of these in stock and when I try out gear, I like to try it out in my exact config which in this situation would end up being through a 2x12 cab. My final question is aimed towards cabinets. I have used MESA 4x12 stuff for as long as I can remember, but have been intrigued by Orange for quite a while. To me, just looking at size and configuration. The Orange and Mesa 2x12s even though they have the same V30 speakers, would probably sound/respond much differently. Typically I would look at an Orange and Mesa 4x12 side by side and think the Orange would be punchier and tighter because it's a slightly smaller cab than the Mesa Oversized Standard Recto cabs. However looking at dimensions, the Orange PPC212 looks to be a bit bigger (taller and deeper) than the Mesa 212. I am curious if anyone has owned both and which one sounds like a bigger cab and has a fuller sound for its small size?
I'll continue doing my reading and searching, but thought these questions might fast track me a bit.
Thanks guys!
