NAD: Acoustic B15

Spinal Tapper · #1 01-02-2013, 03:15 PM

Got one of these from my girlfriend for Xmas. I didn't really need a new practice amp, but my Fender Rumble 25 is about 10 years old, and was starting to buzz real bad. And the rat fur is looking pretty messed up. She took notice and surprised me on Xmas with this new little bad boy. I have to say I absolutely love the tone coming out of it. My first thought was, "this will be a PERFECT recording amp for bass".

Anyways, didn't find much info, so I figured I'd write a quick review to anyone interested in this affordable practice amp.

I gotta say, I've never played one of these, even in the store, but it sounds REALLY good for a little 15 watt amp. Can have a very round Jamerson tone, or you can get real gnarly with it with some treble cranked up and a pick.

The best features are the built in compressor and overdrive switches. The OD sounds pretty damn good for a built-in OD on the face of an amp...way more analog sounding than my Boss OD-2 Pedal. And the mix is adjustable! The compressor (shape) switch is awesome for recording, and flip it off to really let the tone go balls-out if you're jamming live w/ buddies. I haven't jammed with a band "live" yet, but I've played with my friends who use a small Marshall combo for guitar, and my other buddy on Roland V-drums through a 25 watt bass amp. Definitely loud enough to keep up and I didn't even crank it. The drums weren't super-loud though, and that's how I rock it in my studio room.

Anyways, if someone is looking for an affordable, clean sounding bedroom amp, the Acoustic B15 is a GREAT option IMO.

Lavrans · #2 01-14-2013, 03:21 PM

I too just got one of these babies, and I love it! What's missing from all the Acoustic amps is any indication as to whether these work better with active or passive PUPS. Can I assume that it doesn't make any difference? Obviously, one gets more amplitude with an active bass, but will run out of headroom and distort, or cause any kind of burnout?

JimmyM · #3 01-14-2013, 03:36 PM

You should be fine. Might run out of headroom and distort, but that won't hurt any amp unless you're running it balls out all the time.

Lavrans · #4 02-13-2013, 08:05 PM

After playing around with the B-15, I've made the most delightful discovery. The amp comes with an overdrive feature, that, if you fine-tune it just right, can create some of that elusive "Jaco Growl" I've been looking for. From what I've seen, most of the Acoustic amps have the OD feature; which means you can closer to that sound with having to blow 5 grand on the 360/361 re-issue.