Orange Crush 20RT 20W Guitar Combo Amplifier

 

The Orange Crush 20RT Guitar Combo Amplifier is a compact 20-watt practice amp that combines Orange's responsive analogue circuitry with the features guitarists genuinely use every day.

Its twin-channel Clean and Dirty design covers everything from clear practice tones and pedal-friendly cleans through crunchy rhythm sounds to saturated rock distortion. A three-band Bass, Middle and Treble EQ gives you straightforward control over the overall character, while the custom 8-inch Orange Voice of the World speaker delivers a focused guitar response from a manageable home-friendly cabinet.

The RT specification adds two particularly useful features: built-in digital reverb and an integrated chromatic tuner. You also get an Aux input for backing tracks and a CabSim-equipped headphone/line output for silent practice or convenient direct recording.

For beginners, home players and experienced guitarists looking for a compact second amp, the Crush 20RT delivers plenty of useful Orange character without menus, presets or unnecessary complexity.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Orange
Model	Crush 20RT
Product Type	Guitar combo amplifier
Output Power	20W
Signal Path	Analogue
Channels	Clean and Dirty
Speaker	1 x 8" Orange Voice of the World
EQ	Bass, Middle, Treble
Reverb	Digital
Tuner	Integrated chromatic tuner
Aux Input	Yes
Headphone / Line Output	CabSim equipped
Channel Switching	Front panel or compatible footswitch
Main Appeal	Analogue Orange tone with excellent practice features
Best For	Home practice, lessons, recording, beginners and portable guitar setups

What's Included?

• Orange Crush 20RT 20W Guitar Combo Amplifier

✘ Footswitch not included
✘ No Additional Accessories Confirmed

Why Choose The Orange Crush 20RT?

Twin-Channel Orange Tone

The Crush 20RT gives you separate Clean and Dirty channels, allowing you to move from clearer rhythm and practice sounds into considerably more saturated overdrive without relying on an external distortion pedal.

The Dirty channel offers enough gain to cover classic rock, alternative and harder styles, while the Clean channel provides a straightforward foundation for cleaner playing.

Responsive Analogue Signal Path

Rather than building the amplifier around digital amp models and presets, Orange uses an analogue guitar signal path designed to respond naturally to picking dynamics and guitar volume changes.

For players who prefer traditional amplifier controls, the Crush 20RT is refreshingly immediate: plug in, set the EQ and start playing.

Built-In Digital Reverb

The onboard reverb adds space and depth without requiring a separate pedal.

Keep the setting conservative for a subtle room-like ambience, or increase it when you want cleaner arpeggios and lead sounds to feel more expansive.

Integrated Chromatic Tuner

A tuner is built directly into the amplifier, making everyday practice considerably easier.

You can plug in, check your tuning and start playing without finding a clip-on tuner or connecting a pedalboard first.

CabSim Headphone And Line Output

Orange's CabSim output is designed to approximate the tonal response of a miked Orange 4x12 rather than sending an untreated direct guitar signal to your headphones.

That makes it especially useful for quiet practice and convenient direct recording.

Orange Crush 20RT Compared With Popular Alternatives

Orange Crush 20RT vs Crush 20

The standard Crush 20 shares the core 20-watt twin-channel analogue design but does not include the RT model's built-in reverb and tuner. Choose the 20RT if you want the more complete practice package without adding separate accessories.

Orange Crush 20RT vs Crush 12

The Crush 12 is smaller, simpler and lower powered. It is a good straightforward home amp, while the Crush 20RT provides greater output, a larger feature set and separate Clean and Dirty operation for players wanting more versatility.

Orange Crush 20RT vs Crush 35RT

The Crush 35RT provides more output, a larger 10-inch speaker and a buffered effects loop. Choose the 20RT if compact home practice is the priority; choose the 35RT if rehearsals, larger pedalboards and greater projection are becoming more important.

Orange Crush 20RT vs Crush Mini

The Crush Mini is designed around maximum portability and battery-powered convenience. The 20RT is the better choice as a permanent home practice amplifier thanks to its larger speaker, higher output and more comprehensive tone controls.

Who Is The Orange Crush 20RT For?

The Crush 20RT is particularly well suited to:

• Beginners buying their first serious guitar amplifier

• Home players wanting a compact analogue combo

• Students taking guitar lessons

• Rock and blues guitarists

• Alternative and indie players

• Guitarists who practise with headphones

• Musicians using backing tracks

• Players wanting built-in reverb

• Experienced guitarists looking for a convenient second amp

• Home-recording musicians

Looking for advice on choosing the right guitar amplifier, effects pedals or complete first electric-guitar setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

Blues: Lower Dirty Gain settings provide useful edge-of-breakup and crunchy sounds while the Clean channel gives you a clear starting point for expressive playing.

Classic rock: Increase the Dirty Gain for thicker rhythm sounds and singing lead tones.

Hard rock: The high-gain preamp provides enough saturation for heavier practice tones without requiring a separate distortion pedal.

Indie and alternative: Clean and driven channels combined with reverb provide a useful foundation for atmospheric and texture-based guitar parts.

Pop: The Clean channel and three-band EQ make it easy to create straightforward rhythm and lead sounds.

Practice and tuition: The tuner, Aux input and headphone facility make the Crush 20RT especially convenient for regular learning and structured practice.

Is A 20-Watt Guitar Amp Enough For Home Practice?

For home playing, 20 watts of solid-state guitar amplification is more than enough for most players.

The Crush 20RT provides useful volume range without requiring the space or output of a large stage amplifier. The 8-inch speaker keeps the cabinet compact while still providing a proper amplified guitar sound for everyday practice.

If your needs later move towards regular band rehearsals or live performances, the Crush 35RT or a larger Orange amplifier can provide additional speaker size and headroom.

Why Choose An Analogue Practice Amp?

Digital modelling amps can be extremely versatile, but not every guitarist wants to browse through amplifier models, effects chains and stored presets whenever they practise.

The Crush 20RT takes a more traditional approach. Its straightforward analogue architecture gives you familiar amplifier controls and encourages you to shape sounds using Gain, EQ, guitar controls and playing dynamics.

For beginners, this can also be a useful way to learn how a conventional guitar amplifier actually behaves before moving into more complex rigs.

Story & Context

Orange introduced the Crush amplifier family around the turn of the millennium, creating a more accessible route into the company's distinctive approach to guitar amplification.

Over time, the Crush range evolved from straightforward practice amps into a broader family offering increasingly useful features while retaining simple analogue operation.

The Crush 20RT builds on the standard Crush 20 by adding reverb and an onboard tuner. That combination positions it as one of the range's most complete compact practice amplifiers, offering the everyday features most guitarists need without turning the amp into a complicated modelling workstation.

Compatibility & Recommended Pairings

Electric Guitars

The Crush 20RT works with conventional electric guitars fitted with single-coil, humbucker or P-90 style pickups.

Effects Pedals

Overdrive, distortion, fuzz, wah, modulation, delay and reverb pedals can all be connected through the amplifier's main input.

For players building a larger pedalboard and wanting a dedicated effects loop, the Crush 35RT is the natural step up within the range.

Channel Footswitch

A compatible Orange footswitch can be used to change between the Clean and Dirty channels remotely, which is useful when practising complete songs or using the amplifier in performance situations.

Headphones

Compatible headphones can be connected to the CabSim-equipped headphone output for quieter playing.

Backing Tracks

The Aux input allows a compatible external audio source to be connected for playing along with songs, lessons and backing tracks.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Orange Crush 20RT
Product Type	Solid-state guitar combo amplifier
Signal Path	Analogue
Output Power	20W
Channels	Clean and Dirty
Speaker	1 x 8" Orange Voice of the World
Clean Controls	Volume
Dirty Controls	Gain, Volume
EQ	Bass, Middle, Treble
Reverb	Digital
Tuner	Integrated chromatic tuner
Auxiliary Input	Yes
Headphone / Line Output	CabSim equipped
Channel Switching	Front panel or compatible footswitch
Footswitch Connection	Yes
Dimensions	37.5 x 32.5 x 19.7cm
Weight	7.2kg
Orange Finish UPC	5060299174894

Power Requirements

The Orange Crush 20RT is a mains-powered solid-state guitar combo amplifier.

Its amplifier and internal 8-inch speaker form a complete self-contained system, so no external speaker cabinet or separate power amplifier is required for normal use.

As a solid-state design, there are no power valves requiring warm-up, bias adjustment or routine valve replacement, making it particularly convenient for regular home practice.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Orange Crush 20RT is one of the easiest Orange practice amps to recommend because it gets the important fundamentals right without becoming unnecessarily complicated.

You have separate Clean and Dirty channels, a proper three-band EQ and enough gain to explore a wide range of guitar sounds. The addition of reverb, tuner, Aux input and CabSim headphone output then covers most of the everyday features a home guitarist actually needs.

Best suited for: Beginners, students and home guitarists wanting a versatile analogue practice amplifier.

Main benefit: Straightforward Orange tone with the key practice features already built in.

Value proposition: A substantial step above a basic starter amp without requiring the cost or complexity of a large modelling system.

Standout feature: The combination of twin analogue channels, built-in reverb and integrated chromatic tuner.

Customers usually upgrade from: Very small starter amps or headphone-only practice solutions when they want better tone shaping and more flexibility.

Most commonly paired with: Electric guitar, instrument cable, headphones and a compatible channel footswitch.

Our tip: Don't automatically turn the Dirty Gain all the way up. Lower gain settings often produce clearer rhythm sounds and respond better to your guitar's volume control, especially for blues and classic rock.

Showroom feedback: The Crush 20RT sits in a particularly useful place in the range. It is compact enough for a bedroom but gives developing players enough control and tonal variety to keep learning rather than quickly outgrowing the amplifier.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Our Birmingham showroom has helped generations of musicians find the right guitars, amplifiers and equipment, backed by a knowledgeable musician-led team who understand the products we sell.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Decades of experience with both new and pre-owned musical equipment

Whether you're choosing your first proper guitar amplifier, upgrading a basic starter amp or looking for a compact practice setup with genuine Orange character, we're happy to help you make the right choice.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Orange Crush 20RT good for beginners?

Yes. The controls are easy to understand, but the twin channels, full three-band EQ and built-in features give you enough flexibility to keep using the amplifier as your playing develops.

What does RT mean on the Orange Crush 20RT?

The RT designation refers to the additional reverb and tuner features that distinguish the Crush 20RT from the standard Crush 20.

Does the Crush 20RT have separate Clean and Dirty channels?

Yes. It has dedicated Clean and Dirty channels, allowing you to move between cleaner sounds and higher-gain tones.

Can I change channels with a footswitch?

Yes. A compatible footswitch can be connected for remote channel switching.

Can I practise silently with headphones?

Yes. The headphone output includes Orange CabSim processing, designed to provide a more cabinet-like direct sound.

Can I use the headphone output for recording?

The CabSim-equipped output can also provide a convenient direct signal for compatible recording equipment.

Can I play backing tracks through the Crush 20RT?

Yes. The Aux input allows a compatible external audio source to be connected for songs, backing tracks or lesson material.

Does the Crush 20RT have an effects loop?

No. If you specifically need an effects loop for a larger pedalboard setup, the Crush 35RT is the more suitable model in the standard Crush range.

Is the Crush 20RT suitable for high-gain guitar?

Yes. The Dirty channel provides substantial gain for rock and heavier practice tones while remaining simple to control.

Should I choose the Crush 20 or Crush 20RT?

Choose the Crush 20 if you want the core twin-channel amplifier and do not need onboard reverb or a tuner. Choose the Crush 20RT if you want those useful practice features built into the amplifier.

Final Buying Advice

The Orange Crush 20RT Guitar Combo Amplifier is an excellent choice for players who want a compact practice amp that feels like a traditional guitar amplifier rather than a miniature computer.

Its 20-watt analogue design, twin Clean and Dirty channels, custom 8-inch Voice of the World speaker, three-band EQ, digital reverb, integrated tuner, Aux input and CabSim headphone output provide everything required for productive everyday playing.

For beginners looking for a first serious amplifier or experienced guitarists wanting a convenient home practice combo, the Crush 20RT offers a particularly strong combination of simplicity, versatility and unmistakable Orange character.