Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000 Amplifier Head with Gig Bag (1000 Watts)

Sporting a twin 12AX7 preamp and a 1000W RMS Class D solid-state power section, the BT1000H proves that terrifyingly loud tone can come from a tiny package.

Overall User Ratings (based on 8 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    3 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(8) (see rating details)
Submitted September 14, 2011 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Big Sound in a small, reliable package!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I hope to never have to replace this amp!
Sound
I bought this amp two weeks ago so I'm still getting used to it, but from what I've learned so far, it should be the last amp I buy for a long time. The sound of this amp is perfect for someone who wants a classic rock tube sound of the 70s, but doesn't want to worry about as many tubes as those amps and can't afford the $2000 Orange head. The sound I'm getting is perfect for what I play, alternative rock with a hint of Zep, Cream, Rush, and Sabbath. I combine it with Tech21's Leeds pedal, but I don't know if I need that pedal as much as I did when I was playing through a solid state GK amp. I also own a Mesa Boogie 400+, but it has just become too cumbersome and heavy, and when 12 tubes get worn out on it can get expensive! As for loudness, obviously at 1000 watts this thing is really loud! I play a Fender Precision Deluxe with active pickups through a 8x10 Ampeg cabinet and have only needed to turn the volume and gain up to the "9 o'clock" area for practice, and for the stage, not much more than that. We are recording an album now, and the engineer is looking forward to adding the Orange's sound in with his old Ampeg Portaflex. Finally, what I really love is the sustain and slight feedback I get when I hold the Fender up to the cab. I was getting that with the Leeds pedal and GK, but not so much with just the GK. The GK had a great bassy 80s solid state sound, but I (and my band) favor the sound I'm getting out of the Terror.
Features
The gain knob and tube pre-amp really makes this amp. It's a simple feature, but it makes the amp. The mic-output on the side is perfect for clubs. The only thing I wish it had was regular (non-speakon) outputs in addition to the speakon. Not a big deal though.
Ease of Use
Plug in and tweak to get your perfect sound. There's nothing to it. The only issue is getting the gain and volume mixed appropriately without getting so loud you overpower the rest of your band.
Quality
This is the other kicker with this amp. It's lightweight and I don't have to struggle to get it from point A to point B. It's in a rugged little lunchbox too. I don't feel like I'll have any problems. It comes in a soft case though. I think I will buy a hard case for it because I can be clumsy.
Value
At $1 a watt, it's hard to not say this is the best value for an amp. It's got tubes, but it's also solid state so you can really rely on it.
Manufacturer Support
I haven't had to deal with Orange, but I do want to add that I did overnight with Zzounds and it did indeed arrive the next day, just in time for a gig! So props to Zzounds for their overnight delivery. Also, the 4 payment plan is what prompted me to buy it here instead of somewhere else.
The Wow Factor
So far everyone is asking about it. All my bass playing friends want to take it for a spin.

Musical Background:

Rocker for many years

Musical Style:

Alternative/Classic Rock
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Submitted February 18, 2014 by David K in Harding, PA

"Best amp I've ever owned"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I bought this almost a month ago, along with a 1600watt 4x10 Peavy headliner cab. This amp packs such a punch, I mean it should, being that its 1000 watts. Has a full EQ so you can adjust it just right to get your sound out of it. The gain control is amazing, this amp gets real dirty, with an epic sound. Did I mention the sound?! I'm not sure if its just me, but its crystal clear and can be used for almost any genre of music. sounds excellent with the cheap cabinet I bought on here as well. I play rock and roll and it fits the bill perfectly. Worth every penny in my book. Zzounds was very helpful when I called them, talked to "someone" and not a computer, in less than 20 seconds. Shipped almost the next day and got it the day after. Its smaller than I expected, but I like that it is because when people see it, they don't expect the epic sound it puts out! Overall, if you're looking for an amazing solid state amp, (also has 2 tubes in the preamp section) Orange is the way to go. sounds even better coming through an orange cabinet, but i plan to buy the orange cabinet speakers and put them in my cab. Plus my guitar player uses an Orange guitar amp, it blends fantastic with each other.

Musical Background:

I've been playing bass for 5 years, I've been in a band for about 3

Musical Style:

rock and roll
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Submitted January 11, 2013 by Kevin C in Hamburg, PA

"Old School Bass Player"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I've been playing bass for 35 years. I've owned SVT's, a circa 1970 West tube amp, a solid state Sunn colesium, Sansamp RBI, David Eden World tour, and my first amp...a marlboro (from Montgomery Ward catalog). I have never heard any of my rigs come close to the growl this lil amp has! The volume is unreal also. I had my doubts when i saw the size of this thing but i knew Orange amps were sweet. Do yourself a favor and try one. you'll be amazed at the sound. features got 4 1/2 stars because of the simplicity of the controls. Manufacturer support I have not experienced yet and hopefully never have to.

Musical Background:

Bass player for 35 years

Musical Style:

Rock, Blues
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Submitted August 1, 2012 by John P in Palatka, FL

"1000 watts of warm tubey goodness..."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Great amp in a small package. Simple design and controls. The gain, bass, mid, treble and volume controls are all you need to dial it in. Very warm and bassy tone easy to dial in some sweet tube distortion with the gain control. Suitable for a variety of styles. Very solid build quality, well built, should last a long time. More than enough power, I haven't needed to turn the volume up past 9 o'clock in a band setting. BTW, I'm required to rate the manufacturers support which I have not used/ needed.

Musical Background:

15 years. Proffessional.

Musical Style:

Rock
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Submitted April 9, 2014 by Damon Deluca in Peoria, AZ

"orange terror bass 1000 megatons"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
the lunchbox that explodes like an atomic warhead !!! orange fireball !
Sound
it has the orange tone, vintage. don't expect jazzy cleans or super good low b out of this, it's not made for that. it's made to travel back in time and shake the walls.
Features
simple tone stack, VERY sensitive. you can dial in a ton of top end for your rickenbackers and j basses. the gain and volume allow you to dirty it up, or run it clean (er) it pushes cabs so hard, there's distortion if you lean on it, even at volume 1 or 2.
Ease of Use
you get great sound no matter where the knobs are. its also allows YOUR bass to shine through. i've got 5, and they all sound really different from each other through this amp.
Quality
its light, its class d, its all sealed. it's in a metal housing, all the knobs adn connectors are solid, orange quality stuff.
Value
if you find the right amp for you, as i did, it becomes worth way more than it's price. this bugger will kock spiderwebs off the wall playing on the D string.
Manufacturer Support
i don't use manufacturer support for amps.
The Wow Factor
i used it at a gig saturday night, and it was the talk of all the bands and the sound guys. everyone had something to say about the little orange that was so loud and punchy.

Musical Background:

25+ years

Musical Style:

70s/ 80's hard guitar rock
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Submitted May 4, 2012 by Retep S in Aptos, CA

"Killer tone, crushing volume, light as a feather."

Overall: 0.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This thing slays, seriously it kills! Light weight, easy to work with and killer tone. I play this thru a Hartke 8x10 and have headroom and volume for days. I just cant adequately put into words how great this head is. It is a rock bass head though, not good for slapping in my opinion. Tube pre amp, simple but sensitive controls and sooooo easy to carry around. It really is not much bigger than a lunchbox. Everyone ,in the different bands I play in, comment on it. Have owned it for about 6 months now and zero issues so far. Expensive but totally worth it.

Musical Background:

Bass, been playing for many moons.

Musical Style:

Rock and cover band fare.
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Submitted December 15, 2011

"Awesome sound in a small package."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sound
This amp is thick and warm, every note is completely full. I play In a cover band and I wouldn't be scared to play any genre with this amp. I own a Ampeg Svt 4-pro and the sound is totally different. I play through a basson 2x10 and its awesome with this amp.
Features
Simple and sweet its got what you need 3 band EQ, gain, and volume. It does have speakon out-puts for the speakers, has lo-z for DI and1/4's for effects loop. Me personally I'm not big on effects on bass unless it helps it fill every note better.
Ease of Use
Pulled it out of the box hooked it up put all the knobs at quarter turn and its all I need.
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