Double Bass Ampeg Portaflex All Tube

[Jeff Kissell]

My new Clarus SL has 10Mohm.

 

[Ric Vice]

My new Clarus SL has 10Mohm.

Jeff,

I’ll defer to you because you have one in hand. I do know that you could get one from AI with the 10 Meg input. The Current AI manual says it’s set to 1 Meg Ohm. Just my take however.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

The basic SL actually has both hi and low Z inputs but no phantom.
I believe/agree you are correct that everything else only has 1Mohm 1/4" and some form of phantom power (either 1/4" TRS or XLR.)

What they all have is a HPF and I have to say that a shelving bass control plus a HPF is awesome for controlling the low end... way more useful than input impedence with most piezo pickups.
-J

 

[Zbysek]

I use Ampeg PF-20T with my EUB. I always insert preamp with high impedance input and HPF in between. I pleased with the results.

 

[Matthijs]

I’m happy with my pf20t too. If I need more volume I add my BAM200 after the pf20. If I’m lazy I’ll just bring the BAM. I do use a Headway to add some extra control, especially if things are getting loud.

 

[Zbysek]

I’m happy with my pf20t too. If I need more volume I add my BAM200 after the pf20. If I’m lazy I’ll just bring the BAM. I do use a Headway to add some extra control, especially if things are getting loud.

How do you connect PF-20T and BAM?

 

[Matthijs]

How do you connect PF-20T and BAM?

“Transformer out” to the BAM instrument input, with a XLR to jack cable. I also tried a xlr to jack converting plug that matches the impedances, but I did not hear any difference in soundquality.

 

[Zbysek]

“Transformer out” to the BAM instrument input, with a XLR to jack cable. I also tried a xlr to jack converting plug that matches the impedances, but I did not hear any difference in soundquality.

I, too, am using instrument input (though XLR) on my MB LM III...

 

[Selim]

I have a '66 B15-N. As I understand, this amp and its predecessor(s) were designed for use with the double bass or the Ampeg Baby Bass. It's great for bass guitar, but for double bass it's WAY eclipsed by newer stuff. Plus I'd bust my hernia repair getting it up the basement stairs.

+1. Probably 90% of the studio sessions I’ve done on bass guitar where a mic’ed amp was used, it was an old B15. But the important aspect of that is that the amp was already there!

The B15 was probably the amp of choice when I used mine back in the mid 70s. Until Charles Mingus totaled it by playing thru it unmic’ed in a small hall at my college. I believe that was around the same time that the Polytones started coming on the scene…

We have many more and better choices now.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

I’ve used an all tube b15n fliptop since ‘78 for thousands of gigs. Only replaced a couple tubes, and been through maybe 4 sets of wheels. Great amp. There was a time when every studio in North America had one.

I used it with many pickups and never needed a pre amp or pedal.