'64 B15N with 2011 PF-115HE cab

[billybrix]

I've had a 64 B-15-N for a while but no Portaflex cab to go with. When I used the amp I played thru a GenzBenz ported 15. Lovely tubby sound, but aesthetically unsatisfactory.

Recently Musician's Friend had a new Ampeg fliptop PF-115HE cab in their Clearance section for $150: blown drivers. I bought it, replaced the Eminence PF-15 with an Eminence Beta, replaced the horn with a 5" sono tube as a port, mounted the old B-15 to the lid and viola! Instant retro-modern-vintage rig.

I played a gig with it last night for the first time. R&B/Classic rock band, medium sized club, small PA, so the bass was not miked or DI-ed. I brought an SWR 15 and stacked the portaflex on top -- meaning the rig was running at 4 ohms.

I HAVE to say that 30 watts never sounded so good. Our drummer is... forceful... and the two guitar players run 50-watt boutique amps. I started the night with the volume (ch 1) set at 1-o'clock. Two songs into the show a musician I know came up and told me I should turn down. LMAO!! I ran all night with the volume at 11-o'clock and the bass and treble controls each set about 2-o'clock.

JimmyM (and others) has been talking about B15s as viable gigging amps for years but I had my doubts. Not any more.

 

[JimmyM]

Right on. I'm also a huge fan of the PF115he as well, but I left mine stock

 

[billybrix]

Jimmy, I would have, but with both drivers blown (wonder what the previous owner did to it?) I figured a port would fatten it up a bit AND make it a little more like the original.

 

[BassmanPaul]

If you used the external speaker jack you were running at 16Ω. Using that jack places the speaker cabinets in series and changes the tap on the OPT.

 

[billybrix]

BP: Speakers were daisy-chained. I know about the Ext jack.

 

[JimmyM]

Jimmy, I would have, but with both drivers blown (wonder what the previous owner did to it?) I figured a port would fatten it up a bit AND make it a little more like the original.

Ya, I'll bet that between the Beta and the port that it really does sound like a 64 cab. It already sounds really close to the 64 cab stock, except it actually goes lower...sort of a cross between the 70's cabs and the 64 double baffle.

 

[stiles72]

I've been using my '63 B15 with a PF115 stacked under it and am digging it so far. +1 to Jimmy's observation that it sits sonically between a double baffle and a Thiel.

One thing to know also, is that even when the horn is defeated (or removed), the 15" is still affected by the internal crossover. If you ran a speaker wire directly to the driver to bypass the electronics - you'll get any frequncies your missing, and it will sound even more like an old double baffle cab. It's very subtle - but noticeable.

 

[cableguy]

You guys are all jazzed about the new cabs and I just wish someday I could get/afford an old B15. You guys know how lucky you are to have both. On my bucket list.

 

[billybrix]

@cableguy: I was very, very lucky! The head cost me next to nothing (buddy found it at a yard sale) and the cab was a clearance item.

@stiles: Ah! I didn't bypass the crossover. With the horn switch set to the off position it sounded like it was running full range so I left it without investigating further. Easy enough to do tho. Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[shoot-r]

replaced the horn with a 5" sono tube as a port, mounted the old B-15 to the lid and viola! Instant retro-modern-vintage rig.

I may have to try the 5" tube as a port idea.