First B-15 Experience

mordechai · #1 12-22-2011, 11:36 AM

My band did a record this past weekend, and I got to play through an old B-15 for the first time in my 15 years of playing. Was primarily using a Hofner Icon Club bass, the tone was DANGEROUS. I couldn't believe how deliciously saggy, throaty, warm, huge, and pretty much everything I need bass to be it was.

I play a Genz-Benz now, which is almost laughable. I've played plenty and owned a few amps in my life, including tube amps. Mesa 400+, Peavey Roadmaster Festival Series, Ampeg V4-B, plenty of solid state Sunns, and old Acoustics. But now I don't even see why other amps exist.

So I know the answer is "nothing", but what comes close to this sound? Any common mods to other tube amps to get closer to the B-15 sound?

JimmyM · #2 12-22-2011, 12:08 PM

Honestly, if I turn the knobs on an SVT, I can cop that B-15 sound no problem. And I used to have a V4B and I remember being able to get a pretty similar sound as well, though it's been over 20 years. Also, while it's not quite the same, there's a lot to be said for Ampeg's SS Portaflex series of heads and cabs. You can get very close. But yeah, there really is nothing like a B-15.

ldervish · #3 12-22-2011, 12:11 PM

This is currently in the classifieds in case you missed it. I have no personal experience with these but I understand it has a similar circuit. There are several versions of both the B-15 & B-25 so it might not just be a more powerful version of what you played. On the other hand...

FS: Vintage 1969 Ampeg B-25 bass amp

BassmanPaul · #4 12-22-2011, 03:36 PM

Maybe I'm getting old but was there a specific reason to use such a crude term in the thread title? I own a B15 and it really is a good amp but it has no sexual innuendos attached to it!

babsobass · #5 12-22-2011, 03:48 PM

That's funny, I assumed he was talking about opening a can of cherry Coke. Someone's mind is in the gutter

.

Lighten up and enjoy life. And Merry Christmas!

mordechai · #6 12-22-2011, 07:31 PM

Sorry to be crass, I'd edit the topic but it seems I can't!

Jimmy I'm gonna mess around with my friends V4B. I always found them way aggressive though.

pfschim · #7 12-22-2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mordechai

"But now I don't even see why other amps exist"

hyperbole much ?

the answer is that not everyone finds overweight 27 watt amps with limited tonal range to be the be all, and end all of bass amplification.

but if it works for you then ... enjoy!

JimmyM · #8 12-22-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfschim

hyperbole much ?

Didn't sound like hyperbole to me

stingray56funk · #9 12-22-2011, 10:40 PM

Once you go B-15, you can't go back!

RobJ · #10 12-22-2011, 11:14 PM

A good well maintained B-15 is definetly hard to beat for recording and in my experience nothing sounds just like one. My SB-12 needs a big brother.. maybe next year son... maybe next year....

pbassnut · #11 12-22-2011, 11:29 PM

I don't claim this to sound _exactly_ the same as a B-15, but ... the B-15 emulation on the Tech 21 VT Bass Pedal sounds pretty damn good. I use mine through the line-in jack on an Ashdown ABM 500 EVO Series II head and into a Schroeder 1515L and it sounds remarkably good with a flatwound strung P-Bass.

Farfetched · #12 12-23-2011, 12:17 AM

If you haven't already done so, get some flats

**JxBass** · #13 12-23-2011, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Maybe I'm getting old but was there a specific reason to use such a crude term in the thread title?

+1

dbase · #14 12-23-2011, 05:00 AM

Since we're on the subject... I owned a B15 in the 60's. I can say this now since its only just us here right? I used to love the smell of the cab when I would remove the amp from the cabinet. The smell of the amp, wood, speaker and insulation. Reminds me of an old 1952 Pontiac I once owned, That smell of the interior... Whooo Ahhhhh!!

mordechai · #15 12-23-2011, 07:21 AM

Ok so I edited the subject line, sorry all.

I play a Genz-Benz now, because we do a lot of coffee house gigs and sometimes I even go on foot. So I can't really get rid of it anytime soon. It sounds good with my bass, Hofner Icon Club with TI Jazz Rounds. I'll probably get some flats when my wife gets a job or I find some used for under $20.

Ted Weber says there are some new kits coming out in 2012, keepin' it crossed for a you know what...

NecroticImbecil · #16 12-23-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfschim

the answer is that not everyone finds overweight 27 watt amps with limited tonal range to be the be all, and end all of bass amplification.

I agree that the B15 has limited tonal range, in that it is only good at reproducing sounds from 20-20,000 Hz. Heavy and low powered by today's standards, I get.

pgullo64 · #17 12-23-2011, 09:44 AM

IMHO the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 can get close to the b-15 - the drive circut rounds out the tone prety well so if you turn up the drive knob it gets closer to the b-15 tone. People say that the Aguilar is not as bright compared to the GB, but it does give that gritty tubey sound pretty easily. You can pair that with a 1-12 cab and you have a good gigging rig.

JimmyM · #18 12-23-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NecroticImbecil

I agree that the B15 has limited tonal range, in that it is only good at reproducing sounds from 20-20,000 Hz. Heavy and low powered by today's standards, I get.

It's not THAT heavy. We're just spoiled by 2 lb. 3000w micro heads.

main_sale · #19 12-23-2011, 10:23 AM

.....but I like the lights!!

Rob Martinez · #20 12-23-2011, 10:33 AM

I have never played a B-15, but the Ampet B100R, which I own, and the B50R, which I also own, supposedly do a great SS imitation of the B-15 amp. I love mine with my Hofner Icon basses with LaBella flatwounds!