Buying a B-15 head only, good idea?

[micahturner]

How much of the B-15 "sound" will I be missing by not having the B-15 cab? I have a 1975 Ampeg 810 I could use that is wired for 4 ohm as well as 8 ohm with just the top 4 speakers engaged. Will I still get the B-15 sound, or should I pass on this one?

[coreyfyfe]

Could be interesting. I ran my B-15 with a 4x10 extension at one point when my V4 was in the shop, gave it a nice punch. I think there are a few people in the portaflex thread with orphaned B-15 heads, might want to snoop around in there a bit.

[derridiandrift]

I think you should buy it because you can always get someone like fliptops to build you cabinet if you some day choose to have a complete B-15

[micahturner]

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

I think you should buy it because you can always get someone like fliptops to build you cabinet if you some day choose to have a complete B-15

I agree. I wish the fliptop cabs weren't so pricey. I understand you are getting a quality product, but I(my wife) couldn't justify buying another cab. I have a vintage Ampeg 810 and a modern Ampeg 810...... I have to pick my battles wisely when it comes to equipment purchases.

I'll look around the Portaflex club thread and see what I can dig up. If anyone has any experience, please share.

[Jonyak]

hmm, maybe I will try hooking my b15 up to my 810 tonight and will let you know tommorow.

if the price is right I don't see why you wouldn't.

I wouldn't pay over $600 for just the head though. personaly.

[John D]

Originally Posted by micahturner

How much of the B-15 "sound" will I be missing by not having the B-15 cab? I have a 1975 Ampeg 810 I could use that is wired for 4 ohm as well as 8 ohm with just the top 4 speakers engaged. Will I still get the B-15 sound, or should I pass on this one?

Go for it, and if you do decide to buy an authentic cab, don't forget TB's own Mark Gandenberger Vintage Blue Home. I don't know Mark personally, but from his posts in the Portaflex Club, he seems to be a heck of a nice guy, as I am sure many others will attest. IIRC Mark worked as a consultant on the B-15 Heritage project. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[micahturner]

Originally Posted by John D

Go for it, and if you do decide to buy an authentic cab, don't forget TB's own Mark Gandenberger Vintage Blue Home. I don't know Mark personally, but from his posts in the Portaflex Club, he seems to be a heck of a nice guy, as I am sure many others will attest. IIRC Mark worked as a consultant on the B-15 Heritage project. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I heard that he helped with the cabinet design and I've seen his work on his homepage. Truly inspiring. I think I might pull the trigger. The price is right, so now I must talk to the budget coordinator(wife).

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by John D

Go for it, and if you do decide to buy an authentic cab, don't forget TB's own Mark Gandenberger Vintage Blue Home. I don't know Mark personally, but from his posts in the Portaflex Club, he seems to be a heck of a nice guy, as I am sure many others will attest. IIRC Mark worked as a consultant on the B-15 Heritage project. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

correct on all counts. i like bruce at fliptops too and i have one of his double baffle cabs and it's perfectly functional, but mark's cabs are a few steps above. he made some cool updates to it that make it much easier to do roadwork with it and did a slight redesign of the inner baffle so it's less prone to rattles from loose tolex. plus he is a very good guy. his cabs are worth every penny.

otoh, a b-15n sounds absolutely fantastic through an 810.

[micahturner]

I want to make sure, can a B-15N run at 4 ohms? My cab in wired to run at either 4 or 8, but I want to be sure I'm not putting any unneeded stress on the amp. Thanks again.

[ducknturtle]

any good ported 15 inch cabinet will sound fine with that head.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by micahturner

I want to make sure, can a B-15N run at 4 ohms? My cab in wired to run at either 4 or 8, but I want to be sure I'm not putting any unneeded stress on the amp. Thanks again.

it's easier on tube amps to use a lower impedance than a higher. and jess oliver often installed 4 ohm speakers in b-15's because it tightens up the response. he says as long as it sees a load on it and not infinite ohms (no cab at all), it will be fine.

[micahturner]

Right on. Thanks Gents. I'll let you know how I fare.

[TN WOODMAN]

I saw a B15 cab on Nashville Craigslist today. It has no speaker and is accepting offers. Might be worth looking into if you want to keep everything authenic. Shipping shouldn't be too expensive without the weight of the speaker.

I don't know the seller or have any other interest in this except to help a fellow bass player.

[micahturner]

Originally Posted by TN WOODMAN

I saw a B15 cab on Nashville Craigslist today. It has no speaker and is accepting offers. Might be worth looking into if you want to keep everything authenic. Shipping shouldn't be too expensive without the weight of the speaker.

I don't know the seller or have any other interest in this except to help a fellow bass player.

Right on!

[aborgman]

Originally Posted by micahturner

How much of the B-15 "sound" will I be missing by not having the B-15 cab? I have a 1975 Ampeg 810 I could use that is wired for 4 ohm as well as 8 ohm with just the top 4 speakers engaged. Will I still get the B-15 sound, or should I pass on this one?

I run an orphaned B-18 head (basically 50W B-15) on a fEarful 15/6.

[stiles72]

Originally Posted by micahturner

I want to make sure, can a B-15N run at 4 ohms? My cab in wired to run at either 4 or 8, but I want to be sure I'm not putting any unneeded stress on the amp. Thanks again.

+1 to what Jimmy said. Jess reconed the speaker in my B15 to a 4 ohm load and I havent ever had any issues. Additionaly, I've used just the head paired with either an SVT-215E or a 4x12 cab and it really sounded good. The B15 cab does have its own voice, so down the road you may want to pick one up as well.