Marshall vs Orange Amps: Which are the Best?

Marshall and Orange are two huge British amplifier brands, but what’s the difference between them, and which is the best? In this article, I’ll compare the clean tone and distorted tone of both amp brands, as well as the controls and the specifications of some popular models.

The Quick Answer

Orange amps sound more fuzzy when distorted compared to Marshall amps which sound more saturated and crunchy. Marshall amps are considered more versatile whereas Orange amps more suitable for heavier genres of music like metal. Marshall also has a larger range of amplifiers.

Clean Tone

Here are some common differences between the clean tones on Marshall and Orange Amps:

• Marshall amps have more compression
• Marshall valve amps distort at lower volumes than Orange amps
• Orange amps sound fuller whilst Marshall amps sound sharper

Of course, this is hard to discuss without actually hearing them back to back. So check out this video comparing the clean tones on each amp in the video below. It’s time stamped to start at the relevant point in the video.

Distorted Tone

Here are the main differences between Marshall and Orange amps when using gain:

• Marshall amps have a grittier and crunchier tone
• Orange amps have a fuzzy and boomy tone when the gain is set high

Again, this is hard to talk about without hearing the differences. Here is a video comparing Marshall and Orange, I’ve time stamped it to start with the distorted Marshall tone, and it then moves onto the Orange distortion tone.

Music Styles

Often guitarists wonder which amp will be best for them if they play specific music styles.

Both Orange and Marshall amps are capable of playing a wide range of music styles. However, Marshall amps often have a crunchier tone, making them most suitable for rock and roll, whilst Orange amps sound more fuzzy and boomy, making them great for heavy metal.

If you’re looking to play heavier styles of music such as metal, then you might prefer an Orange amp, although it will depend on the exact tone you’re going for and the guitar you’re using. If you’re looking for something very versatile, then the Marshall might be the better choice. That’s not to say that you can’t play rock and indie on an Orange amp though.

The Controls

As well as discussing the classic tone of each brand of amplifier, it’s also useful to look at the controls that they come with. If you are not into using pedal effects, then having versatility in terms of the amp settings can be really important, whilst others prefer to keep this really simple.

As a general rule, Marshall amps have more built-in controls than Orange amps. Marshall amps often have more EQ controls, allowing you to adjust the shape and balance more freely, whilst Orange amps usually keep things quite simple and straightforward.

I have some in-depth guides to the controls and settings of both amplifier brands so check them out if you’re looking for some more detail:

• Guide to Marshall Amp Settings
• Guide to Orange Amp Settings

Comparing Specific Amps

I also wanted to look at the features and specifications of Marshall and Orange amplifiers at different price points so you can compare the options most suitable for you. Here are some tables to outline the key differences. The list goes in ascending order of price for each amp type. Prices are based on the Guitar Center prices at the time of writing. The tables include pretty much every model currently available from each brand.

Guitar Center are always the first place I look at when I’m interested in a new amp because have a huge range of amplifiers for sale and always have some excellent deals on. Here’s a link to take you directly to Guitar Center’s amp range so you can see all the offers available at the moment. 

Contents:

• Entry level solid state combo amps ($100-$260)
• Mid level solid state combo amps ($270-$500)
• Tube (valve) combo amps ($550-$2600)
• Head unit amps ($200-$2850)

Entry-Level Solid State Combo Amps

Amplifier	Wattage	Price	Settings
Orange Crush12	12W	$100	1 channel, 3 band EQ, overdrive, gain
Marshall MG10G	10W	$100	2 channels, gain, contour
Marshall MG15	15W	$120	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ
Orange Crush20	20W	$140	2 channels, dirty, 3 band EQ, gain
Marshall MG15DFX	15W	$180	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger
Orange Crush 20RT	20W	$190	2 channels (dual-voice), dirty, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, tuner
Marshall MG30GFX	30W	$240	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger, octave
Orange Crush 35RT	35W	$260	2 channels, dirty, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, tuner

Key Points:

• Both entry-level solid state combo amps from Marshall and Orange start at around $100
• Marshall amps usually offer more effects on the more expensive entry-level MG series than the Orange Crush range

Mid-Level Solid State Combo Amps

Amplifier	Wattage	Price	Settings
Marshall CODE 25W	25W	$270	14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Marshall CODE 50W	50W	$320	14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Marshall MG50GFX	50W	$420	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, flanger, octave
Marshall CODE100W	100W	$450	14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Orange Crush Pro CR60C	60W	$500	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb

Key Points:

• Marshall offer the cheapest 100W and 50W solid state combo amps compared to Orange
• Marshall amps offer more effects than Orange amps

Tube Combo Amps

Amplifier	Wattage	Price	Settings
Marshall Origin20C	20W	$550	Gain, 3 band EQ, boost, tilt, presence
Marshall DSL5CR	5W	$550	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb
Marshall DSL20CR	20W	$650	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance
Marshall Origin50C	50W	$700	Gain, 3 band EQ, boost, tilt, presence
Orange Rocker15	15w	$800	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ
Marshall DSL40CR	40W	$800	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance
Orange TremLord-30	30W	$1300	Bass, treble, tremolo, reverb
Marshall Studio Classic 20W	20W	$1700	3 band EQ, presence
Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee	20W	$1600	Gain, 3 band EQ
Marshall Studio Vintage 20W	20W	$1700	Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb
Orange AD30TC	30W	$2300	2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain
Orange Rockerverb 50	50W	$2350	2 channels, 3 band EQ, reverb
Marshall JMV215C	50W	$2600	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance

Key Points:

• Marshall offer the cheapest route to entry if you’re looking for a tube combo amp
• Marshall offers the cheapest high wattage tube combo amps

Head Units

Amplifier	Wattage	Type	Price	Settings
Orange Terror Stamp	20W	Hybrid	$200	Shape, gain
Orange Crush Pro CR120H	120W	Solid State	$450	2 channels, gain  3 band EQ, reverb
Marshall CODE 100W	100W	Solid State	$400	14 pre-amp models, gain, 3 band EQ, 24 effects
Marshall Origin20H	20W	Tube	$450	Gain, 3 band EQ, tilt, boost, presence
Marshall Origin50H	50W	Tube	$550	Gain, 3 band EQ, tilt, boost, presence
Marshall DSL20HR	20W	Tube	$550	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb
Orange Dark Terror 15	15W	Tube	$650	2 channels, shape, gain
Orange Rocker 15 Terror	15W	Tube	$650	2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain
Orange OR15H	15W	Tube	$700	2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain
Orange Dual Terror	30W	Tube	$900	2 channels, tone
Marshall DSL100HR	100W	Tube	$950	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, resonance
Orange TH30H	30W	Tube	$1200	2 channels, gain, shape
Orange Rockerverb 50	50W	Tube	$1200	2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb
Marshall Studio Classic	20W	Tube	$1400	Presence, 3 band EQ
Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee	20W	Tube	$1400	Gain, presence, 3 band EQ
Marshall Vintage Studio	20W	Tube	$1500	Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb
Marshall Studio Classic	20W	Tube	$1500	Presence, 3 band EQ
Marshall JMV205H	50W	Tube	$2000	2 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb
Orange Rockerverb 100	100W	Tube	£2150	2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb
Marshall JMV210H	100W	Tube	$2200	2 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb
Marshall JMT45	45W	Tube	$2600	Presence, 3 band EQ, high treb
Marshall JMV410H	100W	Tube	$2850	2 channels, 3 band EQ, resonance, presence, reverb

Key Points:

• Orange offers the highest wattage solid state head unit for the lowest price
• Marshall offers the cheapest route to entry for tube head units

In the market for a new amplifier? Check out my complete amplifier buyer’s guide to help narrow down your selection and find the perfect amp for you.

Here are some more articles you might find useful:

• Complete Guide to Marshall Amp Settings
• Orange Amplifier Settings Explained