How can I get the Ampeg B15 tone in a louder package?

Lichtaffen · #1 04-13-2010, 06:03 AM

I've always loved the soul players from the '60s who used the Ampeg B15. That tone is to die for. I usually play out of a 4x10 cab, but recently I've been playing out of a 15" cab at rehearsals and I love the tone I'm getting. I'm playing a Markbass LM2 out of an EV 15" cab. I'd love to own a B15, but it's just not practical for the bands I play in as far as power output and collectibility. I'm wondering if it's possible to put together a rig that comes close to that tone, but at a much much louder volume. I'm thinking of buying an Aguilar DB115 (only because I love the Chocolate Thunder finish) and using my Markbass LM2 with some sort of preamp pedal to warm it up. I'm sure others have tried this experiment before, I can't be the first to think of it. What are some of your solutions? Also, is there a preamp pedal that can come close to that B15 sound? My budget isn't unlimited, but I'm willing to put down some cash for the right sound. Thanks in advance for your advice.

KJung · #2 04-13-2010, 06:08 AM

Many are having great luck with the VT pedal in front of the Markbass LMII/III to 'tube it up' a little.

If you want to go for a complete make-over, the Mesa Walkabout (while not voiced identically to the B15 of course) is about as tubey as you can get in a small hybrid format... beautiful warm tube tone with even that bit of 'give' to the feel of the amp when you crank the gain. Wonderful.

Another head to consider is the TC RH450, which is very warm and old school, and does a pretty good job of emulating an all tube head.

The Walkabout is the only one of the above options that gives you that 'low end tube bloom' sort of sound and feel... that big (to me, tubby), wide, pillowy low end.

Florox · #3 04-13-2010, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lichtaffen

I've always loved the soul players from the '60s who used the Ampeg B15. That tone is to die for. I usually play out of a 4x10 cab, but recently I've been playing out of a 15" cab at rehearsals and I love the tone I'm getting. I'm playing a Markbass LM2 out of an EV 15" cab. I'd love to own a B15, but it's just not practical for the bands I play in as far as power output and collectibility. I'm wondering if it's possible to put together a rig that comes close to that tone, but at a much much louder volume. I'm thinking of buying an Aguilar DB115 (only because I love the Chocolate Thunder finish) and using my Markbass LM2 with some sort of preamp pedal to warm it up. I'm sure others have tried this experiment before, I can't be the first to think of it. What are some of your solutions? Also, is there a preamp pedal that can come close to that B15 sound? My budget isn't unlimited, but I'm willing to put down some cash for the right sound. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Line 6 LD300. Many people have criticized some of their emulated models but many agree that the B-15 one is nearly perfect in replicating the original sound. Matter of fact, you should check the Line 6 forum here.

gbarchus · #4 04-13-2010, 06:22 AM

When I had a B-15N, back in the good ol' days, I put a JBL speaker in the cabinet and loved the sound. I'm now using a Sadowsky SA200 with a 1X15 cabinet with a JBL speaker. If I close my eyes, I can believe I'm playing through a B-15 and it'll "growl" at a louder volume.

Gale

PJSShearer · #5 04-13-2010, 06:23 AM

I have the Line 6 Bass Floor POD and the B15 emulation sounds pretty good (through my 2 x 10 Ashdown combo) to my ears anyway (I may get shot down in flames though!!).

It also emulates other amps (plus a synth), and has an Octave Divider, Compressor, Envelope Follower, Wah/Vol pedal, muting tuner and 64 programmable presets, so it might be worth a look anyway!!.

Manhatten Transfer were playing a club I was working at once and the Bass Player had the same issue. He got around it by setting the B15 on a table at about waist level and it was miked through the PA and the monitors.

meRTKendrew · #6 04-13-2010, 06:36 AM

The Tech 21 VT Bass pedal seems to be the current most popular method of getting vintage Ampeg tones to the audience. It's had rave reviews, and our resident Ampeg guru JimmyM loves it, FWIW.
That will be my choice, when i get the money.

-RTK

billfitzmaurice · #7 04-13-2010, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lichtaffen

I'm wondering if it's possible to put together a rig that comes close to that tone, but at a much much louder volume. .

Use two.

Lichtaffen · #8 04-13-2010, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Use two.

Haha. Problem solved, right?

coreyfyfe · #9 04-13-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbarchus

When I had a B-15N, back in the good ol' days, I put a JBL speaker in the cabinet and loved the sound. I'm now using a Sadowsky SA200 with a 1X15 cabinet with a JBL speaker. If I close my eyes, I can believe I'm playing through a B-15 and it'll "growl" at a louder volume.

Gale

I have a 65 B15 now with a JBL K140. This thing rocks pretty loud. I used it the other night with my cover band and was surprised by the volume I was getting. It was a bit tough for me standing right to the side of the amp, but across the room it was sounding good. As good as it sounded, I doubt I'd be able to use it for gigs, because if I needed more volume, it probably wouldn't be there. But, that practice has got me thinking more and more about going the JimmyM route and picking up a 1x15 extension cab for nights when I don't want to bring the V4/8x10.

animal52 · #10 04-13-2010, 07:10 AM

VT bass pedal

fliptop bass pedal

Repro cabinet from fliptops.net

B15S (60W)

Use an extension cabinet with a real B15

Mix and match these options according to taste and/or budget. Nothing is going to sound quite like the real McCoy. I've wondered many times about how much volume would be possible by running two fliptops, each with a 210 extension cabinet. Hauling all of that gear would suck, but it's fun to think about...

Lichtaffen · #11 04-13-2010, 07:13 AM

I need to make it clear that I don't intend to get an exact replication of the B15 sound. Just as close as possible within my budget and trunk space. Thanks to everyone who responded so far. I'm looking at the VT pedal right now.

waleross · #12 04-13-2010, 07:16 AM

Ampetg does not make a 215 cab any longer. I do have the Fender 215 Pro (4 Ohms) and it can stand alone. The Fender-Pro line is more money but the quality IMO is worth it.
Worth checking out...............................

morebass! · #13 04-13-2010, 07:30 AM

I have a '64 B-15N and started a thread like this years ago and still haven't found an answer. I tried the fliptop stompbox and it didn't do it for me. I tried a JBL K140 in it and didn't like it. It wasn't as responsive as the original and had too much treble. A big part of it seems to be about the speaker - a low-wattage (very responsive), lo-fi driver in a small, heavy box. I'm guessing the b-15 doesn't do much outside of the 80-800hz range. Knowing where the peaks in frequency response are would be useful. The EV 15L in a TL606 is nice but not for duplicating the b-15, its really a different thing. I've owned svts, mesa busters, Mesa 400, and just having tubes doesn't do it either. The B-15 is so dang smoooth. I knew a guy who ran two of them on-stage and that worked for him but that's a lot of weight to cart around for not much volume. And the sound is emanating from more than one point...I wonder if there is something about the physics of sound that makes tone non-linear with increased volume i.e. you just can't get that tone at high volume. As you can see this thread hits close to home, sorry for the ramble.

Currently I have a couple of 3015 (non-LFs) in a dual TL606 cab but I'm going for something more versatile. Maybe I've given up on the B-15 on steroids sound. Always listening though.

nysbob · #14 04-13-2010, 07:35 AM

I play a V4B through one or two 15"s (depending on the gig). It comes close enough for me, and has plenty of volume.

Lichtaffen · #15 04-13-2010, 07:56 AM

I could definitely afford a B15 in good condition but the problem is weight related: if I can't lift it on my own and put it in the trunk of my VW Golf, I can't use it. I think 115 lbs is beyond my comfort zone. That's one of the reasons I'm thinking separate components.

Who makes the Fliptop stompbox?

Quote:

Originally Posted by morebass!

I have a '64 B-15N and started a thread like this years ago and still haven't found an answer. I tried the fliptop stompbox and it didn't do it for me. I tried a JBL K140 in it and didn't like it. It wasn't as responsive as the original and had too much treble. A big part of it seems to be about the speaker - a low-wattage (very responsive), lo-fi driver in a small, heavy box. I'm guessing the b-15 doesn't do much outside of the 80-800hz range. Knowing where the peaks in frequency response are would be useful. The EV 15L in a TL606 is nice but not for duplicating the b-15, its really a different thing. I've owned svts, mesa busters, Mesa 400, and just having tubes doesn't do it either. The B-15 is so dang smoooth. I knew a guy who ran two of them on-stage and that worked for him but that's a lot of weight to cart around for not much volume. And the sound is emanating from more than one point...I wonder if there is something about the physics of sound that makes tone non-linear with increased volume i.e. you just can't get that tone at high volume. As you can see this thread hits close to home, sorry for the ramble.

Currently I have a couple of 3015 (non-LFs) in a dual TL606 cab but I'm going for something more versatile. Maybe I've given up on the B-15 on steroids sound. Always listening though.

JimmyM · #16 04-13-2010, 08:01 AM

throw eminence delta 15a's in the tl606, and use any amp with a vt in front of it.

Lichtaffen · #17 04-13-2010, 08:18 AM

JimmyM,
Are you fond of the VT pedal? If so, how fond?

stiles72 · #18 04-13-2010, 08:26 AM

I use my B15 in a stereo set up alongside a B-100R for bigger gigs. Works like a charm!

Jim C · #19 04-13-2010, 08:32 AM

It's been a while since I've owned a B-15 but when you consider the low power output I think that tube compression is the one aspect that sometimes is forgotten.

Get close enough with a TL606 with an EV driver, LMII, and a dbx compressor for me;
Am also assuming that distortion is not a part of the sound that you are looking for

To the OP; can you borrow a compressor to try with your current rig and don't forget to roll off some highs as the B-15 didn't have as much treble as many Ampeg heads IMO (and in my memory)

johnp352 · #20 04-13-2010, 08:44 AM

Do you put the amp /your bass through a PA? Are you cursed with loud guitar players and/or drummers? That amp was made for different times and the only way you'd hear it in a "modern" setting is if it goes through a good PA, with a mixer who knows how to do the job. or you are playing in a small place where nothing goes through the PA.