Ampeg B-15 and PF350/PF115he recordings

[JimmyM]

I posted this in the PF350/PF500 thread, but I know a lot of you don't read it, so I'm starting a new thread about it, too. I went and took my 1964 B-15N and my 2011 solid state Portaflex rig and did a direct comparison, and recorded the results. Please do me a favor, though...download the clips and don't play them through your web browser. I have a limit on my download bytes, and sometimes opening them up more than once results in downloading them again.

Here's what I used:

1964 Ampeg B-15N set with tone controls at noon, moderate volume

2011 Ampeg PF350 set to emulate a sound close to the B-15N at noon, moderate volume

2008 Vintage Blue double baffle B-15 cab with Eminence Delta 15a (tried to use my original cab with the 1966 Ampeg CTS, but it rattled too much...they sound the same anyway)

2011 PF115he cab

1976 Fender Precision with 62 Reissue P and Dimarzio Ultrajazz J, and lightly dead roundwounds

Signal path was always bass > amp > Heil PR40 mic > Art Tube MP pre > M-Audio 2496 soundcard

The first two clips are the B-15N with each cab, P pickup only, tweeter off:

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/4/...15-B15-76P.mp3

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/4/...-PF115-76P.mp3

The next two are the PF350 with each cab, P pickup only, tweeter off:

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/4/...50-B15-76P.mp3

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/4/...-PF115-76P.mp3

The last clip is to demonstrate the compression driver in the PF115he. I did a short slap riff using both pickups 4 times, first with the B-15 cab, then the PF115he with tweeter off, then the tweeter at -6db, then full on. Head was the PF350.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/4/...-full-76PJ.mp3

And many of you wonder why I only mic and never DI if I can help it! Seriously, now...get real!

Quite honestly, the results scared me! I knew the PF rig was good, but I never knew it sounded THIS good and THIS close to the real thing. I'll leave it to you guys to nitpick the details, but as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't get any closer to the 60's B-15 sound without having tubes and a double baffle cab.

Now bear in mind that I don't have the highest quality signal path, so when you hear and play through these rigs, it will become more apparent to you as to why I'm still keeping the B-15N. Tubes add a dimension to the sound that just can't be duplicated 100% with solid state, and some might pick up on that with these recordings, though some does get lost in translation. But solid state tube emulation is quantum leaps from what it was 10 years ago, or even 5, and it's certainly of a very high quality. So I'll be rocking the PF rig onstage quite often.

Take a listen and leave comments if you wish.

[PunkRocker33133]

Would you reccomend the PF115HE as a good match for a tube head? Especially 2 of them? (the cab that is)

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by PunkRocker33133

Would you reccomend the PF115HE as a good match for a tube head? Especially 2 of them? (the cab that is)

Yes I would, without hesitation. Take a listen to the clip of the B-15 into the PF115he, bro.

[JimmyM]

Sheesh! Only reply so far? Come on...I know I'm not the only loser at home on Saturday night!

[grendle]

Can't get the links to work

[JimmyM]

Are you sure, grendle? They should work. I just tried them and they're working for me.

[will33]

Don't work on this end. Would like to hear them though. I'm not computer techy enough to be of any hep.

[B-string]

I might give a listen later just to hear you play again As far as the comparison not really that interested, but thanks for all that will be?!

[coreyfyfe]

I just right clicked and was able to download them. I only tried the new 350 samples though since I'm assuming the others are the ones you upped yesterday

Either way, sounds good. I'm really impressed with what they've done with these heads.

[beans-on-toast]

They work fine for me.

Tried downloading and then listening as well as listening as they download. No problems.

I'm playing them with Quicktime Player 7.

[JimmyM]

I just tried repasting the URL's, and I've tried it on two computers, and they work for me. Hopefully they'll work for you now. If not, let me know, and I'll have to think of a plan B.

[beans-on-toast]

If you have a slow connection, the download can time out.

Maybe this is why some people can't download the files.

[PunkRocker33133]

Would two be good with a Bassman 100 for an aggressive pickstlye tone?

[fuzzy beard]

They both sound great! But i like that little bit of breakup on the b15. The pf rig had great tone but that little breakup of the b15 just does somthing for me!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by PunkRocker33133

Would two be good with a Bassman 100 for an aggressive pickstlye tone?

I don't see why not. They're pretty aggressive and tight.

Fuzzy, I could have probably dialed in a little more grind with the PF350. It won't do full-on stank like the B-15 but it does a light grind quite nicely. But yeah, that light B-15 edge sure is pretty, isn't it?

[fuzzy beard]

Sounds like you had it in a sweet spot to me! I love when it just starts to break up! Not a big fan of a full distortion sound just a little break up here and there melts my heart. With that being said to get that close with that kind of avalible power is amazing!

pf350 and 2 pf115 = Great b15 tone no P.A required !

[JimmyM]

Well now, I thought for sure I'd get more response than this! Maybe I just posted it at a bad time. Or maybe everyone hates me Oh well, bumping for the Sunday crowd.

[ButtUglyJeff]

I'm glad you did it, but I don't need to be sold on these.....

[ButtUglyJeff]

Originally Posted by fuzzy beard

pf350 and 2 pf115 = Great b15 tone no P.A required !

+1

I can't recommend a pair of these cabs enough...

[hennessybass]

Thanks for sharing, Jimmy. Color me intrigued.

You say you have the PF350 set to emulate a sound close to the B-15N at noon... how much tweaking did you have to do to the PF? Care to share you settings?