B15 sound with higher volume amp?

casterbro · #1 08-13-2011, 07:55 AM

Hi,

Just buy my first Ampeg B15N here on TB. It's from the 60' and sounds damn good! really the sound I was lookin' for! Perfect for what I need it: playin' at home and recording!

Now, I'd like to get that sound when I'm giggin' or playin' with my band!

Any advise on a good configuration to get that sound?

thanks

rodl2005 · #2 08-13-2011, 08:00 AM

Ampeg PF500,1x15 cab & VT Bass pedal???
That's a $4k question!

RickenBoogie · #3 08-13-2011, 08:07 AM

There's lots of gear that will get close, but imo, the real magic with the B15's is in the speaker cab design.

Ric Vice · #4 08-13-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

There's lots of gear that will get close, but imo, the real magic with the B15's is in the speaker cab design.

RickenBoogie,
+10 When I was experimenting with cabinets that sounded good with my first Walter Woods MI-100-8 I tried a lot of different cabinets, including the first Bag End's. The best match was a pair of blue check B-15's cabs without the heads. Of course you can also mic the B-15. I've moved to other cabinets that I think sound great, but they don't sound like anything like the Portaflex. Is the cabinet they build for the PF500 and 350 a Portaflex? It doesn't look the same in the pictures I've seen.

Ric

OldFenderPlayer · #5 08-13-2011, 09:03 AM

If that is the sound you want then take your amp to the gig. These Ampeg amps are well built, which is why so many have lasted for 40 to 50 years. I've gigged with my 1970s B15N lots of times and have never had any problems related to moving it. You might start out by miking it with something your band already has such as a Shure SM57 or even a PZM (which are flat and hang on the speaker grill).

When I move my amp I always use the vinyl cover and wrap a nylon strap around it to keep the head tight on the cabinet.

The guy I bought my amp from had it for 30 years and it was stored year-round in a cargo van, without a cover and was secured only by other amps, drums etc packed in with it. The tolex is beat up but mechanically its in fine condition.

casterbro · #6 08-13-2011, 09:24 AM

thanks to all of you!

Maybe I should use my B15N as some of you suggest!

Any opinion of the B15R?

ButtUglyJeff · #7 08-13-2011, 09:29 AM

You could also add a cab to it. Fliptops and Vintage Blue make those...

I have a PF500 and 2 PF115s, and with the tweeters turned off, the sound is close. It's not quite as warm, but it can get quite loud.

prd004 · #8 08-13-2011, 09:31 AM

Bassists have been looking for an amp with the B15N tone only with more power for about thirty five-forty years.
There may be options that come close but nothing has nailed it

casterbro · #9 08-13-2011, 09:51 AM

I was thinking of buyin' one at Vintage Blue but it seems that it won't be possible to get one before 2012... really sad, I really want that one!

Guess I should buy one at fliptops!

I'll try to get as closed as possible!

thx

BassmanPaul · #10 08-13-2011, 11:28 AM

It's a simple thing to mic the cabinet through the PA. Mind you I'd not subject a vintage amp to the rigours of the gig circuit!

tekdiver500ft · #11 08-13-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

It's a simple thing to mic the cabinet through the PA. Mind you I'd not subject a vintage amp to the rigours of the gig circuit!

This^^

casterbro · #12 08-13-2011, 12:16 PM

it seems to everyone agree for that solution, will try it with my band (even if I don't really the idea of giggin' with it!)

RickenBoogie · #13 08-13-2011, 12:23 PM

re: the B15R, it's not the same at all. Awesome in it's own way, but much more like the V4BH, (also a re-issue), than a B15N. And, as far as I know, the new PF210 and PF15 cabs are nothing at all like the original Portaflex cabs. They only "look" the part, and again, fine cabs in their own right, but still no cigar.

casterbro · #14 08-13-2011, 12:25 PM

so not the best solution to get the 60' tone! thanks!

dannybuoy · #15 08-13-2011, 12:25 PM

Ampeg B100R or B200R is another option.

Or a couple of B15 extension cabs with an Ampeg PF350 head?

KramerBassFan · #16 08-13-2011, 12:26 PM

Just get more than one of them.

BassmanPaul · #17 08-13-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

Just get more than one of them.

I might have known YOU'D come up with this solution!!! LOL

ButtUglyJeff · #18 08-13-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

And, as far as I know, the new PF210 and PF15 cabs are nothing at all like the original Portaflex cabs. They only "look" the part, and again, fine cabs in their own right, but still no cigar.

You are correct. The PF210 and PF115 are sealed cabs with tweeters, where old B15s were ported cabs minus tweeters. Ampeg toyed with ported, but settled on sealed as it tonally had more Portaflexatude (borrowed). Don't judge these cabs untill you try them. If 90% B15 is good enough, then you should try them....

JimmyM · #19 08-13-2011, 04:27 PM

I gotta tell you, I've only heard the PF210, but it sounded pretty darn Portaflex-like at the store. Matched with a PF350 or 500, it could get you well within the road to Loud B-15 Land, minus the toobz, of course, which are extremely important as well.

And listen, B-15's are tanks and I use mine on gigs all the time. If you can handle the lower wattage, it will perform and handle the rigors of road use. Honestly, having the opportunity to play my B-15 in my band is about the only thing that keeps me going with this band that I used to love and now hate. Well, actually I only hate one guy...THE GUY I RECOMMENDED TO PLAY GUITAR WITH US LAST YEAR!!! Never again will I recommend anyone.

ButtUglyJeff · #20 08-13-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Honestly, having the opportunity to play my B-15 in my band is about the only thing that keeps me going with this band that I used to love and now hate. Well, actually I only hate one guy...THE GUY I RECOMMENDED TO PLAY GUITAR WITH US LAST YEAR!!! Never again will I recommend anyone.