Ampeg B15 or Tube head?

[scowboy]

Hi TB folks!

For the past six months I have been happily playing my TC Electronic RH450 with one or two RS210 cabinets. I have a normal Wednesday night acoustic gig literally in a coffee house that seats about 100 people. Attendance is about 75. For that I use my RH450 and one RS210. I have always thought a B15 might be a very cool option for that gig and of course something I'd generally like to have. For reference it's me, two acoustic guitars and 3 singers. Singers and guitars come through monitors.

Never had a tube bass amp. I do have a single ended triode stereo tube amp though so I know I like tubes in that way at least!!

With all that said I been considering looking for a B15 or perhaps a tube head like a Peavey VB-2, Hiwatt, Reeves, or a clone and then just using it with one of my TC cabs. Anybody have any input? I'd like to spend no more than about $1200 which seems like more than enough to buy a B15 or B15R or two VB-2's! I should also mention there is B18 available locally for under $1K. Never seen many of them and I'd probably prefer something that is more generally accepted as a standard in case I decide to do something different.

[groovaholic]

I have a VB-2 and absolutely love it.

It would fit your tube jones and give you another flavor for playing bigger rooms too (it gets LOUD).

Then again, a B-15 is a beautiful amp and they sound amazing.

But personally, I feel like a VB-2 is a better deal...

[scowboy]

The other amp that seems pretty available is an Eden 300T.

[cripula]

If you're looking for an excuse to buy a B15, sounds like you have the perfect gig to "justify" it
It'd be lovely for a quiet, acoustic-type gig like that.

$1200 isn't likely going to get you a Hiwatt or Reeves. But it could get you a nice V4-B, Sunn 200 or 2000S(!), old Traynor, Showman, etc that could be used on bigger gigs than the B15. Tough call, but if you have a Portaflex itch you might as well scratch it

[scowboy]

Anybody used a B15R?

[stiles72]

I've played through a B15R, and I own and gig both B100R a '63 B15N. I use them in conjucture for my oldies band, and for acoustic gigs I use the B15 by itself. All of those are great amps - but if you have the cash, an original B15 is not only a viable gigging amp, it's a classic and it will hold it's value. With the economy being down, you can probably score one for well under $1K.

[beans-on-toast]

If you go for a vintage amp, it is important to leave some money in your budget to cover any repairs that may need to be done to put the amp into gigging shape.

Any B15 that's 30-45 years old will require a thorough going over by a good tech. It could possibly need tubes, re-doing solder joints, a three prong power cord, replacement of some capacitors, resistors, pots as well as some of the internal wires. Some amps need more work than others depending on what kind of shape they're in.

I'm not trying to dissuade you. On the contrary, my 63' B15 is a fantastic sounding amp. With some work, it's now better than new.

[pgk]

you'd need a head that can do 2 ohms (two 2-10's in parallel) or 8ohms (two 2-10's in series). a bf bassman head (4ohm) with just one of your 2-10's would work very nicely in that particular band situation

[coreyfyfe]

According to the manual on the TC site, The RS210s are 8 ohms, which if you got a B15 would mean one of them would work as an extension cab. Or you would need a tube head that can do 4 or 8 ohms for the 2 cabs.

[Johnius]

I have a B15 reissue and the tone is great. However, it weighs 117 pounds and is only 100 watts. Carting that thing around is why I'm currently shopping for a new rig.

[scowboy]

That is a cool option for me.

I was just talking to somebody with B15R and I am bit scared off by the weight right at this moment. But who knows. I'd have to get a really nice cover for what ever B15 variety I got. I want to use this thing and not have it be furniture in house.

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

According to the manual on the TC site, The RS210s are 8 ohms, which if you got a B15 would mean one of them would work as an extension cab. Or you would need a tube head that can do 4 or 8 ohms for the 2 cabs.

[scowboy]

Another interesting option I came across is the EBS T90. They are about 1125 new.

[Tommygunn]

B15 now. Shutup and get it. PA it, no other amps will due. Now! lol

[scowboy]

Not sure I follow you :-)

Originally Posted by Tommygunn

B15 now. Shutup and get it. PA it, no other amps will due. Now! lol

[Tommygunn]

Get it. Best friggin amp ever!

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by scowboy

I was just talking to somebody with B15R and I am bit scared off by the weight right at this moment. But who knows. I'd have to get a really nice cover for what ever B15 variety I got. I want to use this thing and not have it be furniture in house.

I have a 65 B15, it's definitely seen better days cosmetically. It was recovered in black in the 70s, and has a replacement speaker, but the sound is to die for. I paid $500 for the amp, a little under $100 for a cap job, replacement parts, clean up, etc, and I bought new tubes. I wouldn't worry too much about keeping it neat and tidy (ie don't worry about a cover). If you want a cover, fliptops.net has one for like $50 or $60. The only thing I'd really suggest is a replacement dolly if the one you find doesn't come with one. Makes moving them a ton easier. Just roll in and out. Attaches directly to the bottom.

[JimmyM]

do i love the b-15? yes i do. but in your situation i might recommend a v4b over it. you get the same basic sound but with 100w, and it's not as heavy as an svt.