How does the Ampeg Classic compare to the Barber Linden and Flip Top in seeking a B-15 sound ?
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Ampeg Classic vs Barber Linden vs Broughton Flip Top
- Thread starter ezra1
- Start date
To add to your confusion I use a Sushi Box FX Slampegg Bee preamp, delicious tones.
Barber Linden sounds nice but it is just the James style tone stack and does not include the drive function.
Barber Linden sounds nice but it is just the James style tone stack and does not include the drive function.
Fliptop would be the most "complete" solution, as it includes a cab sim
Have had all three, still have the Linden. The Classic is very noisy, I wouldn't recommend it. The Slampegg is the best all in one solution of the three because it has drive.
Linden is the best preamp to my ears, but it does not have a drive. I combined it with the ROG Ginger overdrive in one enclosure, each with separate footswitches, and it's perfect for me.
Linden is the best preamp to my ears, but it does not have a drive. I combined it with the ROG Ginger overdrive in one enclosure, each with separate footswitches, and it's perfect for me.
The Fliptop is A+ if you can find it too, especially bc it has cab sim. I'd take that over the Slampegg, fwiw.
Exactly. JohnK helped me out with a 2-in-1 enclosure. Smokin' Amp (no affiliation) sells them with proceeds going to the original DIY designer.
It's really great, not gonna lie. Having a switching drive is clutch for me, since the drive sounds so good on its own. If I'm going for the full B-15ish experience, both are always on. Four string bass, flats, this pedal is beautiful to my ears.
I'm using a PORK and PICKLE with MINE...but ooh man..that looks amazing..
Pork Loin is great with the Linden. If you haven't tried the Wren & Cuff Phat Phuk B, I liked that even more.
Yep, it was a one-off. I'd been frustrated with not being able to nail all elements of a B-15(ish, since the Ginger isn't based on it), and having footswitchable drive was very important to me. The Fliptop is great and if it had drive on a separate footswitch it would be perfect to me. For others, having the drive dialed in is what seals the deal, since the preamp + drive is what gives the full experience.
I am down to the Slampegg or the Linden.
I guess I could stack the Linden with an OD.
But the Slampegg has it all.
I guess I could stack the Linden with an OD.
But the Slampegg has it all.
Thoughts on the B15-esque devices I have owned in order of my preference.
Ampeg PF-50T - Being a full tube head, this one does the best job of getting to B15 of the options I have owned. Admittedly it is the most expensive of the list and is also the least portable.
Broughton Fliptop - Excellent pedal; Cab sim is where the magic is at on this one. Broughton is reportedly doing another batch of these in the near future.
Broughton Fliptop Boost - Baked in EQ is very Fliptop; least versatile of the bunch, but the baked in tone is solid. Small form factor is a plus (I have this one on a smaller board).
Linden - Does the 2 band EQ thing well; extremely clean option which keeps it from getting all the way to B15. Likely does better paired with some mild overdrive, which I did not try when I had it.
Sushibox Bee Pre HW - I liked the Bee Pre, but it was ultimately my least favorite of the bunch. Sushibox pedals were noisy for me (a design issue that has reportedly been fixed, but I stopped buying Sushis before trying a pedal with the fix). This one gets the dirtiest of the bunch. It can be clean at lower gain settings or with a lower gain tube swap. I swapped to a lower gain tube to get rid of some of the dirt and preferred it to the stock tube. Worth noting I would put the Bee Pre above the Linden if I had not had noise issues.
The only two from the list above I still own are the Fliptop Boost and the Ampeg PF-50T. Ultimately if you really want B15, the simpler solutions do not get you all the way there. A mains preamp or all tube head that is after the B15 tone will get you all the way there. These are of course more expensive and bulkier, so will not be a suitable solution for everyone.
I recognize OP is not looking for a main preamp or new head. I mention it because I was also not looking for one. I then bought and sold a bunch of pedals, only to ultimately end up buying the PF-50T. Wish I had started there and saved some time/pedal flipping.
Ampeg PF-50T - Being a full tube head, this one does the best job of getting to B15 of the options I have owned. Admittedly it is the most expensive of the list and is also the least portable.
Broughton Fliptop - Excellent pedal; Cab sim is where the magic is at on this one. Broughton is reportedly doing another batch of these in the near future.
Broughton Fliptop Boost - Baked in EQ is very Fliptop; least versatile of the bunch, but the baked in tone is solid. Small form factor is a plus (I have this one on a smaller board).
Linden - Does the 2 band EQ thing well; extremely clean option which keeps it from getting all the way to B15. Likely does better paired with some mild overdrive, which I did not try when I had it.
Sushibox Bee Pre HW - I liked the Bee Pre, but it was ultimately my least favorite of the bunch. Sushibox pedals were noisy for me (a design issue that has reportedly been fixed, but I stopped buying Sushis before trying a pedal with the fix). This one gets the dirtiest of the bunch. It can be clean at lower gain settings or with a lower gain tube swap. I swapped to a lower gain tube to get rid of some of the dirt and preferred it to the stock tube. Worth noting I would put the Bee Pre above the Linden if I had not had noise issues.
The only two from the list above I still own are the Fliptop Boost and the Ampeg PF-50T. Ultimately if you really want B15, the simpler solutions do not get you all the way there. A mains preamp or all tube head that is after the B15 tone will get you all the way there. These are of course more expensive and bulkier, so will not be a suitable solution for everyone.
I recognize OP is not looking for a main preamp or new head. I mention it because I was also not looking for one. I then bought and sold a bunch of pedals, only to ultimately end up buying the PF-50T. Wish I had started there and saved some time/pedal flipping.
