Decades of Distinctive Sound -or- A Legacy of Loudness
Since 1968, Orange has been building equipment that doesn't just keep up with the pack, but stands out in it. From a single shop in London to global stages and studio racks around the world, we've built a reputation for bold design, unmistakable tone and relentless innovation.
in the beginning
The Man Behind the Brand
Cliff Cooper reflects on founding Orange, pioneering music retail, and building a bold brand that reshaped the sound of an era.
1966
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in the beginning
An early innovation in portable guitar amplification, the CTI Pixy Mk V pioneered silent practice amps, a forerunner to modern headphone amps.
1966
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working with joe meek
Cliff Cooper shares memories of Joe Meek, the legendary British producer behind Telstar and early experiments in pop recording innovation.
1967
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the rocking chairs with vox amplifiers
Cliff reflects on early amp experiments, love for Vox gear, and a key meeting with industry pioneer Tom Jennings.
1964
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painting the orange shop
Orange Amps began in 1968 with a bright Soho shop, second-hand gear, and the launch of original British-made amplifiers.
1968
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1968
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1969
1972
1973
2006
Creating the sound
Orange Ecosystem
Orange studios
Founded in 1968, Orange Studios hosted legends like Stevie Wonder and Robin Gibb, and launched careers in world-class sound engineering.
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The Launch of Orange Records
Founded to support unsigned talent, Orange Records released early singles from John Miles and others, with UK distribution via Pye Records.
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The Orange Agency
The Orange Agency booked top artists like Joe Cocker into iconic London venues and managed UK and European tours during the 1970s.
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Orange Management
Cliff Cooper managed artists including John Miles, Smokie and Eddie Kidd, guiding chart-topping hits, film roles, and major label signings.
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Launching Orange Hire
Orange Hire powered major festivals and even the 1972 Munich Olympics with custom vans and pro backline, leaving a serious European footprint.
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The Orange Shop Is a Runaway Success
Former EMI executive Dennis Sinnott shares memories of Orange’s psychedelic New Compton Street shop and its groundbreaking 100-watt amp.
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Orange Launches OMEC
Orange became OMEC with the launch of the first digitally programmable guitar amplifier in the 1970s, but lack of funding restricted its commercial breakthrough.
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Closing the Orange shop
A surprise demolition order led to legal drama, a £100K payout, and the end of the iconic Orange Shops era.
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The Orange Gibson Years
Orange reissues by Gibson in the 1990s revived classic models like the OR120 and Overdrive 120 before the brand returned to Cliff Cooper.
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The Second Coming
Noel Gallagher’s tone requests on the early Oasis albums gave rise to the crunchier, brighter-sounding OTR amplifier.
Read MoreGetting Noticed
1970
The Orange Beach Buggy
The Orange beach buggy turned heads across London as a mobile brand ambassador driven by rock stars, eccentrics, and the NME.
1970
Product Placement on German National TV
Orange amps featured on Germany’s Beat-Club TV show in the 1970s, driving sales and leading to the creation of Orange GMBH.
1970
The Orange Log Book
Orange amps came with their own log book: tracking service history, ownership, and authenticity, just like classic cars of the era.
1971
Getting Noticed
Orange’s giant 24×12” and 10×15” speaker cabinets debuted in 1971, delivering huge sound and headline-grabbing impact at major trade shows.
1972
If You Can‘t Join ’Em... Beat ’Em
After AMII repeatedly rejected Orange, Cliff Cooper launched the Orange Gold Seal and co-founded the London Music Show to champion innovation.
1972
Orange and the BBC
Orange’s partnership with BBC DJs Rosko and Johnnie Walker powered roadshows, races, and one unforgettable 50,000-Watt rock’n’roll night.
1974
Orange at Midem France
Orange supplied PA and amplification for MIDEM Cannes, where a Stevie Wonder demo session sparked the brand’s global “Voice of the World” legacy.
2006
Queen’s Award Winners
Orange won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise three times, rightly recognised as a world-class British export leading the global music industry.
2009
Limited-Edition White
The white finish limited-edition amps launched in 2009 after artist demand, specifically from Madonna’s guitarist Monte Pittmann
1968
1969
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1971
Art and Design Fun
Product Innovation
Orange Archive
The Pics-Only Graphics
The Pics Only amp introduced Orange’s now-iconic graphic panel and crunchier sound, marking the true birth of the classic Orange tone.
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Orange Launches Amity Schroeder Professional Audio Equipment
Orange’s Amity Schroeder developed world-first 16- and 24-track tape machines used by the BBC, later sold to Trident Audio.
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Extending the Range
Orange’s 1970s updates included the Pics & Text amp, Custom Reverb Twin with tremolo, and the first Overdrive with master volume.
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The Jimmy Bean
Orange launched the denim-clad Jimmy Bean stack and hugely popular Voice Box, famously used by Stevie Wonder and Peter Frampton.
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Introducing OMEC Digital
In 1975, Orange launched the pioneering OMEC Digital, the first digitally programmable amplifier, built with early logic chips and big ambition.
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OMEC Amplifiers and Cabinets
OMEC’s 150-Watt solid-state range brought pro features, effects, and smart design to budget amps, bridging the gap to valve models.
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The New-Look Series Two
Orange Series Two amps launched in 1978 with new styling, updated components, and the brand’s first dedicated bass amp, the Super Bass 120.
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Custom Shop Early Days
From the hand-wired AD5 to the AD200B Mk3, Orange’s AD series redefined valve bass tone with increasing power and production efficiency.
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The Crush Guitar Pack
The Crush range introduced beginners to Orange with quality sound and value, aiming to build long-term brand loyalty from the start.
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The Thunderverb 200
A high-powered, versatile beast, the Thunderverb delivers huge tone for heavy players, great for guitar, bass, or both together.
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New Arrivals
Orange launched the Tiny Terror, AD5, and PPC212OB to deliver pro sound in portable combos with Celestion speakers and vintage tone.
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Smart Power
Orange’s 2009 Smart Power bass cabs used isobaric speaker tech for huge sound in compact enclosures, redefining modern bass tone.
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The Orange OPC
The Orange OPC combined pro audio performance, built-in software, and studio-ready hardware in a compact amp-style PC built for musicians.
Read MoreStories
1970
Eric Clapton and the Orange Shop Lefty Strat
Eric Clapton visited Orange Music hours before Jimi Hendrix’s death, buying a left-handed Stratocaster he’d planned to give him that night.
Read More1974
Rivals’ Dirty Tricks
At Stevie Wonder’s Rainbow Theatre show in London, a sabotaged Orange amp blew, but Cliff Cooper intervened in a flash, avoiding disaster and earning Stevie’s respect.
Read More2008
The 40th Anniversary
Limited to 40 hand-wired heads, Orange’s 40th Anniversary amps featured unique voicings, vintage tone, and collectible custom-shop certification.
Read More2018
Reflecting on 50 years
Orange thrived by innovating, not imitating, staying future-focused from Pics Only to OPC while maintaining a proudly psychedelic identity.
Read More2010
Orange Global
Orange’s global growth includes UK innovation, Chinese and Korean manufacturing, and USA expansion, all delivering worldwide quality and cutting-edge amp design.
Read MoreUNLOCK YOUR FREE GUIDE TO TONE, TECH & ROCK HISTORY
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