Ampeg B-15 Portaflex...maybe the most perfect amp ever?

**TRichardsbass** · #1 07-17-2010, 07:02 AM

Just did several days in the studio. Everything through the B-15. I have owned and played dozens of amps and brands over the years. Nothing, and I mean nothing, comes close to the B-15.

Could it be the most perfect bass amp ever? I'll ask that we exclude the B-18 from the conversation, since its basically the same just larger speaker.

So opinions please!

thumpbass1 · #2 07-17-2010, 08:11 AM

I won't call it perfect, but the B-15 is damn close to perfect from a tone perspective.

BassmanPaul · #3 07-17-2010, 08:13 AM

Not by a long shot! I do like my B15 but very few good looking, talented, witty and knowledgeable bass players would be able to gig with one!

Paul

Robert Spencer · #4 07-17-2010, 10:21 AM

Tom this sounds interesting ( I`m a beginner ) so I tried to find info about it. What I did find is the Ampeg BA 115:
http://www.music123.com/Ampeg-BA115-...45715.Music123
Is that the same. If not can you give me a link? Thanks & take care. Bob

rbonner · #5 07-17-2010, 10:24 AM

Hardly Bob,

http://www.ampeg.com/products/diamon...b15/index.html

Here's what the reissue looked like when they still made them. The originals pop up every so often.

BOB

Robert Spencer · #6 07-17-2010, 11:00 AM

Thanks Bob. It didn`t seem right to me so I had to ask. Take care. Bob

BassmanPaul · #7 07-17-2010, 11:09 AM

Before they got Paul to pick up the bass, the Beatles had Stuart Sutcliffe playing bass for them and Paul played guitar and piano. Stuart passed away. The only reason Sir Paul bought the Hofner was that he found a left handed one. It surely shaped his bass playing style and did have great tone for what it was and the price, then, that it cost. The one I own is basically falling apart and needs a lot of TLC.

Sorry for the OT post but I had to reply to Mr. Spencer.

Paul

Jefenator · #8 07-17-2010, 11:34 AM

Certainly for recording and certain gigs. For what I do, it sounds like the size / weight / headroom wouldn't work so well.

That's where the V-4B comes in.

JimmyM · #9 07-17-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Not by a long shot! I do like my B15 but very few good looking, talented, witty and knowledgeable bass players would be able to gig with one!

Paul

you rang?

yes, i and about 3 other people on here seem to be the only ones who can gig with a b-15n. mine's a 64 with the double baffle cab, and i usually use two cabs (had a couple extension cabs made). definitely my sound, and when i use my svt, i always try to cop that tone with it.

uglyrumor · #10 07-17-2010, 12:49 PM

When I came to the point of downsizing, the B-15 was the first to go. I liked My 1973 Fender bassman with 2X15s much better for tone, and my 1980 L-2 Labseries with 2X15 sounded better, although I used the Ampeg a lot because it was more portable. Actually, the Genz-Benz 1X18 and 4X10 went first, because of weight/size, along with the Carvin PB-500 used to power them. Sound=incredibly good, fun transporting=not-so-much.

tony_clifton · #11 07-17-2010, 12:54 PM

I don't know the amp, but I do know the Ampeg sound, which is too perfect for my liking. I'm more of an Orange guy for blues/rock 'n roll stuff. I think because of the slightly dark/'ugly' low mids Orange amps have.
And Ampegs barely compress unless cranked!

So I'd say it's not the most perfect amp ever (especially because of the weight/size more than its tone), but thats highly subjective off course

.
Anyway, I hope I'll be able to do some high-volume gigs with a full tube someday. But I don't want to lug around with one

.

metalmariachi · #12 07-17-2010, 01:34 PM

Thank you Jimmy.

In short yes.

MM

johnk_10 · #13 07-17-2010, 01:47 PM

IMO, the vintage B15 is the most perfect bass amp ever made. there certainly are alot of other great bass amps (like the V4B and SVT), but when it comes to flat out great tone, i've yet to play thru anything better (and i've played thru everything).

**B-string** · #14 07-17-2010, 01:53 PM

IMHO the old B-15 is the soul melting sound of electric bass. Not equaled yet for recording.

TimB 619 · #15 07-17-2010, 02:01 PM

If you guys listen to the original Jesus Christ Superstar recordings, that was Alan Spenner playing a P bass with flats thru a B15. IMHO one of the best bass tones I've ever heard-still knocks me out whenever I hear it.

edbass · #16 07-17-2010, 02:44 PM

The B15 is certainly the icon of bass tone. The standard bearer of what bass guitar sounds like. Unlike Jimmy, I can't find a practical way of gigging mine though, it doesn't make nearly the SPL levels I'm comfortable with on stage. Too many decades of having that thump behind me I suppose.
It lives in my office at home, where it can fill my ears with wonderfulness as loud as I can stand it.

I'd have to go along with "most perfect" tonally, but for my applications it loses points for practicality.
This very old 40 watt Sunn through a K140 loaded 115 cab sounds pretty good also, more hi-fi than my B15, but lacking the thick, creamy bass goodness of the little Ampeg. It records more Reeves/Hiwattish, very dynamic and clean.

Mike M. · #17 07-17-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRichardsbass

Just did several days in the studio. Everything through the B-15. I have owned and played dozens of amps and brands over the years. Nothing, and I mean nothing, comes close to the B-15.

Could it be the most perfect bass amp ever? I'll ask that we exclude the B-18 from the conversation, since its basically the same just larger speaker.

So opinions please!

A looong time ago a friend of mine had (and may still have) a B15 from the early 1960's. Not a real loud amp of what I recall, but I remember how smooth and and great it sounded. It could barely keep up with the band he was in, but at reasonable volumes yeah, what a sound!

A few years later back then I met the now late Greg Arama who use to play bass for the Amboy Dukes. Great player and such a cool, humble guy. Asked him what he used on the "Journey To The Center Of The Mind" and "Migration" albums and he told me he use a Fender Precision thru an Ampeg B15...."just like Jamerson does" he said!!

Yeah, a bass with flatwounds thru a B15 was a great combination.

lowend1 · #18 07-17-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRichardsbass

Just did several days in the studio. Everything through the B-15. I have owned and played dozens of amps and brands over the years. Nothing, and I mean nothing, comes close to the B-15.

Could it be the most perfect bass amp ever? I'll ask that we exclude the B-18 from the conversation, since its basically the same just larger speaker.

So opinions please!

Since I don't own a B15, I've never done a side-by-side comparison, but I think the B100R does a pretty good job at copping the vibe. Anybody have both, and how close are they? What, if any, are the B100R's shortcomings?

BassmanPaul · #19 07-17-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

you rang?

I thought I described you very well!!

P.S. I didn't mention the tan!

Paul

JimmyM · #20 07-17-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowend1

Since I don't own a B15, I've never done a side-by-side comparison, but I think the B100R does a pretty good job at copping the vibe. Anybody have both, and how close are they? What, if any, are the B100R's shortcomings?

b100r is about as close as you're ever going to get with a modern production amp. i was stunned the first time i plugged into one. the head in it is solid state and kind of sounds like it so it loses a few points for that, but the cab sounds a lot like a 60's b-15 cab. b200r cops that vibe, too. don't know why they got discontinued unless the ba115 (which is good for the money but not as good as the blue checker combos) competed too hard for the same market. i don't get it, but there you go.