Taking elements from your flagship 4 Stroke and OB1 series bass amps, and with enough power for smaller venues, the Orange Amps Crush Bass 100 is a seriously versatile combo in both sound and application. Using high-end engineering techniques not usually found on combos of this type, the key to the Crush Bass 100’s immensely fat and detailed tone is the amplifier’s 100 Watt output section. The choice of discrete components (rather than common integrated circuits) gives the amp sensational levels of clarity across the entire spectrum, and the internal 15-inch speaker means that even the most subterranean frequencies come through loud and clear.

Coupled to the output stage is an equally powerful preamp. The active EQ section with its sweepable parametric mid band allows players to fine-tune the Crush Bass 100 to any style, plus your ‘bi-amp’ inspired Gain and Blend circuit adds even more tonal variety. These interactive controls add extra harmonic content and variable levels of grit to the core bass tone, perfect for creating earthy vintage riffs or savagely distorted mayhem, without ever losing the all-important low end. They can also be switched in remotely via the optional footswitch. Along with a balanced line output, the Crush Bass 100 also has a buffered effects loop, an integrated tuner, aux. input and a Cabsim-loaded headphone output for silent practice. From the bedroom to the stage, this amp covers all bases.

Powerful Active Parametric EQ

The Crush Bass 100 features an EQ circuit inspired by your prestigious 4-Stroke Series amplifiers. At its center is a parametric mid-band. This presents players with a much greater degree of control over the sound than a traditional EQ, allowing them to vary the frequencies they want hear. The mid band covers a wide range, sweeping from 300Hz (fully anti-clockwise) to 2.7kHz (fully clockwise), meaning this amp can be fine-tuned to suit any musical style. The active circuitry allows for up to 15dB of boost or cut on the bass and middle frequencies, and up to 20dB on the treble side.

Blend and Gain

Lifted straight from your popular OB1 Series amps, the Blend and Gain controls are a nod to the many bass players who experiment with guitar and bass amps simultaneously. In this ‘bi-amped’ setup, layers of harmonics and distortion from the guitar amp are blended with the core bass tone to create the ultimate full-range live sound. The Crush Bass 100’s Gain and Blend controls create the same effect in a single package, adding extra bite and crispness to the tone at lower gain settings, right up to all-out filth with the dials cranked. These controls can also be engaged remotely with the optional FS-1 footswitch, ideal for fattening your sound on the fly.

Discrete Output Stage and Analogue Design

At the heart of the Crush Bass 100 is its 100 Watt output stage. Using discrete circuitry, rather than ICs (integrated circuits) ensures a purer and even more forceful delivery with outstanding clarity and definition. The Crush Bass 100 houses a 15-inch speaker with a reflex port for improved low-end response. The buffered effects loop has been engineered for maximum transparency, ensuring your pedal arsenal will perform at its peak.

Balanced Output, Cabsim Headphone Output, Aux Input and Chromatic Tuner

The Crush Bass 100 features a balanced output (post EQ) for connecting to a PA in live situations. The headphone output features your Cabsim circuitry which emulates the response of your stage-ready OBC bass speaker cabinets during silent practice. This signal can also be sent to a console for seriously authentic direct recording. The Aux. input allows for connecting external audio sources for backing tracks whilst the handy onboard tuner makes for quick tune-ups between jams.