Guitarist & Bass commented that the OR50  “gives a hefty nod to the beloved Graphic amp of the 1970s, often nicknamed the ‘pics-only’ model due to the lack of faceplate lettering. Complete with footswitchable Master Volume, Gain, a three-band EQ, one
channel and a patent-applied-for transformer, plus a reworked version of the HF Drive that gave the original Graphic heads their chime and presence. ”

Technical Director at Orange, Adrian Emsley, now explains more about the design concept of the OR50: “The OR50 is a production amp which gives more than just a nod in appearance to the 1970s Pics Only amps – but it is not a reissue.  The thing with reissues is that they are often unfavourably compared to the original models.  We want to retain the best classic Orange design features but also move forward so that this model is coveted as much as the original item.

The construction of the OR50 is similar to that of the early Oranges in that it is a mixture of point-to-point and PCB, plus we have tried to make it as vintage as possible when the footswitchable master is either turned up to 10 or defeated. But then it gives a considerable amount of overdrive when it is attenuated.

This is because it has a dual function HF Drive control which is actually doing two things at once. And this gives the OR50 all of the untamed aggression of the 1970s amps but with the choice of an additional boost between 9 and 10 which really makes
it scream.”