Vintage bass amp for rehearsal and project-recording studio?

[pace of bass]

Dear experienced bass amp users,

I'm mostly an upright player and usually play out miced or just acoustic, which is to say I'm just clueless on amps beyond the usual upright choices like polytones, Acoustic Image or Phil Jones. So I need your advice in purchasing a bass amp to be used mostly for elec. bass at a jazz-based project-recording and rehearsal studio I'm involved with.

I'm leaning towards something vintage but not necessarily museum quality. But it needs to be suitable for everyday rehearsals and recording, and the occasional outside gig.

The elec. basses would usually be a P or J bass, or similar, and as stated above the primary application is for rehearsals for small to large jazz ensembles, and to mic the amp on funk/groove/retro-rock recordings.

Right, wrong or indiferent, I've been considering three choices so far: a MusicMan HD150, a 70's Fender Bassman, or a 60's Ampeg B15N, all of which are all available locally right now.

The MusicMan HD 150 is priced at $400, the 70's Fender Bassman also at $400, and the 60's Ampeg B15N is at $800. (the B15N has just been repaired by a competent tech and works, but with a replaced transformer and is missing the plexi name plate and other minor cosmetic problems, but the original speaker is in good condition.)

Would a B15N be reliable enough for everyday use? Would it be loud enough for elec. bass use in a big band rehearsal?

What about the MusicMan or Bassman? Would these be a good fit for jazz-based music? and what cabinet would you get with 'em?

Any other choices I should be considering for our application?

Many thanks. POB

[JimmyM]

any of them would be cool. but the b-15n is king imho. and dont worry about reliability...they're built like tanks. they all have their merit, though. any of them would be a great addition to a studio.

[pace of bass]

Thanks, Jimmy. I love your pic BTW. Apopka!! I grew up in FLA and went to UMiami! (but didn't learn about amps)

[pace of bass]

If I get a portaflex, I hope you'll let me join your club

[Mark Olson]

This is a little pricier, but if you'd perhaps like to go new this might interest you:

http://store.marshamps.com/product_i...lql9nioh9kvuu6

Quality handwired Bassman head. I'm currently eyeing that one up for myself.

But any of those amps you mentioned would probably be cool. As far as a cab if you'd need one I've been using a single hornless 15" cab for a vintage tone. For me that's all I need to record or gig.

[cassanova]

I don't know much about the MusicMan, but the Bassman or Ampeg would fit the bill quite well. Both are also very reliable. I know people that are still lugging around original models from way back in the hay-day.

IMO, Ampeg and Bassman are synonymous with vintage bass tone.

[mellowgerman]

I personally would go with the bassman. $400 is a pretty good price and the tone of 70's fender tube amps is my favorite. Just pair it up with a nice modern 1x15 bass cab and you're in business.

[coreyfyfe]

I've owned all three of those (two of the B15s actually) and would say the B15 would be my choice. The Music Man HD150 (I had an earlier HD130) is a decent head, would work fine, and has a half power switch if you want to keep things at a lower volume. The bassman has a better tone (IMO, these things are very personal) than the HD150, but will be lower in wattage than the HD150 (either 50, 70, 100, or 135 watts depending on the model). In terms of tone, the bassman amps, at least to me, didn't have enough mid-push. The B15 was always the sound of bass for me. Articulate and warm. Great sound. Definitely going to be the lowest wattage of the three though.

[stiles72]

I bought my B15 with the intention of using it primarily as a home studio recording amp, but since getting it cosmetically restored- I gig with it every chance I get.
+1 to Jimmy's comment they are built like tanks. Even if it looks a little rough, they do clean up nicely with a just a little TLC and they sound awesome. If you are going for a vintage vibe - you can't go wrong with the real deal.

[ducknturtle]

The B-15 is the way to go. It should be plenty loud enough for any band situation using an upright. It really is the "gold standard" for bass sound.

[sammyfallen]

Fender Bassman Ten, play a Gibson hollow body through it and be in tone heaven. That's what i did...