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Ampeg b15 live tone

#41
I'm using 1" thick Nu-Foam in one of my B-15 cabs. The fiberglass got torn up when I thought it would be a good idea to use velcro ties on the cables to keep them from flopping around. It would have been if velcro didn't also stick to fiberglass. But the Nu-Foam works quite well.
 
#42
beans-on-toast said:
The NOS 7027A is about the same as a 6L6GC in your B-15N. Depending on the make, the two types are either identical or the 7027 is built a bit better. There are some 7027's that are taller and may not fit under the tube cage so check that out.

If your tech is modifying your amp in a way that raises the B+, that would be a reason to go with the 7027. If you are pushing your amp, you might want to try a solid-state rectifier module in place of the 5AR4 tube and see how you like it. It might give you the clarity that you are looking for.

Bottom line, if you like the result with the 7027 installed, go for it. He can install the 7027's and you can try it, then try a set of 6L6GC's and see. In terms of wiring for each tube type, you never know what was done to the amp. Someone might have wired the amp to use the unused pins on the tube socket. So despite what the schematic says, check the amp wiring to be sure.

Did he tell you why he feels that the 7027 is the way to go in your amp?
Click to expand...

He said he thought the 7027 would give me more clean head room and clarity. They are both JJ's and he liked the 7027's better.

Apparently someone in the past had done some "home-made" work on it and the wiring was a bit of a mess--which he cleaned up. The bias had already been running too hot. He said some of the work he was doing would bring it down and he added an internal trim pot for the bias so we could keep things under control in the future.
 
#44
DavidEdenAria said:
Have you tried a Peavey Black Widow, which is a JBL copy of sorts with the huge voice coil?

Some studios prefer these with B15N's.
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I've not tried the BW in this cab. I had a BW in a peavey cab and found it to be like most peavey gear: bomb proof and decent sounding. Peavey gear nearly always gets the job done...and is nearly always a good value for the price...but I wasn't moved by the sound.

Have you tried the BW in with a b15? Thoughts?
 
#45
I had a Thiele B-15 with a CTS speaker which looked like a recone with aftermarket parts. I replaced it with an EV-DLX I had on hand. Big, big difference in usable (clean) volume and tone for days. This was just luck, as I had the EV hanging around and tried it on a whim.
 
#46
bluehevy75 said:
He said he thought the 7027 would give me more clean head room and clarity. They are both JJ's and he liked the 7027's better.
Click to expand...

Different tubes have subtle differences in the way that they sound. NOS 7027A is a different tube than the NOS 6L6GC. But take a look at the data sheets for the JJ 7027A and 6L6GC. The specs are the same. It looks like they are selling the same tube under two names. The 6L6GC data sheet lists the 7027 as the same (top left).

JJ 7027A data sheet.

Invalid Link Removed.
 
#47
I used a 70's B15 through an EV-TL606 for a lotta years until I had to let it go during the post 9-11 work drought. It was a great sounding rig but once it hit its volume limit that was it. You sure you're not asking it do go beyond its capabilities?

I'd recommend whatever cab you go for be at least 24" wide to accommodate a V4B RI. ;)
 
#48
bluehevy75 said:
I've not tried the BW in this cab. I had a BW in a peavey cab and found it to be like most peavey gear: bomb proof and decent sounding. Peavey gear nearly always gets the job done...and is nearly always a good value for the price...but I wasn't moved by the sound.

Have you tried the BW in with a b15? Thoughts?
Click to expand...

No I have not tried a BW in a B15N......there are several variations on BW speakers,i happen to have a 15" BW that I use in my 1967 Ampeg Gemini II though and it sounds very good for guitar.

I think the EV15L is a very tight speaker overall and clean but a bit cool and sterile perhaps in my 1967 Gemini II.
 
#49
beans-on-toast said:
Different tubes have subtle differences in the way that they sound. NOS 7027A is a different tube than the NOS 6L6GC. But take a look at the data sheets for the JJ 7027A and 6L6GC. The specs are the same. It looks like they are selling the same tube under two names. The 6L6GC data sheet lists the 7027 as the same (top left).

JJ 7027A data sheet.

Invalid Link Removed.
Click to expand...

The NOS 7027 is exactly as intended, an industrial tube that is overbuilt....I may have NOS 1 Sylvania 7027 in my stash...very robust tubes that will way outlast the JJ 7027 that is nothing more than a repinned 6L6GC FWIK.
 
#50
jeffbonny said:
I used a 70's B15 through an EV-TL606 for a lotta years until I had to let it go during the post 9-11 work drought. It was a great sounding rig but once it hit its volume limit that was it. You sure you're not asking it do go beyond its capabilities?

I'd recommend whatever cab you go for be at least 24" wide to accommodate a V4B RI. ;)
Click to expand...

I hear you. I just want to do the work to know where that volume limit is. I really want to use it in as many contexts as possible.

I do have a an old v4 that I run through an old ampeg 2x15 cab loaded with jbl 2225's. Not 24" so I do have a little over-hang but that has been getting the job done when the b-15 hasn't.

Once I get the b-15 back from the shop it should be a different beast--though I will continue to look into speaker options.
 
#52
Cool!

Anxious to hear how it sounds!

I actually have a pair of 60's Altec alnico 15" hi-fi woofers that have the weird 2 piece cone, sort of a mid/tweeter built in....not good hi-fi speakers LOL!

I was going to have them reconed eventually but couldn't decide whether to recone as a bass or guitar speaker.
 
#53
Shop had a hard time getting some of the tubes. But finally got it back last night.

Wow...that bottom end was a lot tighter. And as you all thought, with an increase in volume (and as the tubes warmed) I did need to boost the bottom end significantly. It really is a different amp.

Way better. And I didn't have to work has hard--it was really much easier to play. Plus it is waaaaay louder. I'm super happy.

Will drop in the Altec this weekend and let you know how it sounds.

KH
 
#58
Link Removed

Great Plains Audio seems to be the place for Altec ... I have a set of 418's in need of some attention. Been thinking about these guys for a while. Seeing as they are part of my guitar rig, there is less urgency...
 

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