Fender Studio Bass Club!

[Pontiac Thrasher]

Hi all,

I've had my Fender Studio Bass since August 2024 and I'm in love with the sound it can produce.
The previous owner bought if from a sound engineer which had already separated the amp from the original cab to create a head and cab solution.
The cabinet has 2x12 speakers but I haven't check which speaker brand it is yet, unfortunately.
I got a 1x15 DIY Musicman style cab with Eminence Kappa 15lfa 8 ohm speaker and I must admit that it's the sound of a 15" speaker that does it for me.

Everything is all great with the amp, the looks, the feel and the sound but I'm struggling with the 2x12 sound and volume wise and the 1x15 cab volume wise.
12" is not the type of sound I want so let's leave this cab and speaker size out of the discussion.

15" speakers are my preferred speakers size due the the sound it creates. I'm a real 15" speakers size type of person, I love that sound. But I'm struggling to get loud enough with my bands guitarist. It's a challenge with both of the cabs played separate. I have not tried the 2 cabs together.

The guitarist plays though an old Gretsch bass amp with 2x12 speakers and a VOXAC30 with 2x12 speakers. Recently the guitarist added a Selmer amp with 2x12 speakers. All amps are combos and from the 60's and there is no more than 2 amps "live" at the same time.

How do I proceed if I want to keep the sound off 15" speaker(s) and still be loud enough to match the guitarist with my Fender Studio bass head?
I'm thinking that a 2x15 cabinet might do it but I have no clue on which cabinet that might be? I've seen recommendations on 151566 fEarful, does anyone of you have experience of this cabinet?

What are your thoughts on this? I'm sure the Fender Studio bass should be loud enough.

Fender Studio Bass
View attachment 7232931

DIY Eminence Kappa 15lfa 8 ohm
View attachment 7232934

Thanks in advance and thank you for this club!

 

[murphy]

Hi all,

I've had my Fender Studio Bass since August 2024 and I'm in love with the sound it can produce.
The previous owner bought if from a sound engineer which had already separated the amp from the original cab to create a head and cab solution.
The cabinet has 2x12 speakers but I haven't check which speaker brand it is yet, unfortunately.
I got a 1x15 DIY Musicman style cab with Eminence Kappa 15lfa 8 ohm speaker and I must admit that it's the sound of a 15" speaker that does it for me.

Everything is all great with the amp, the looks, the feel and the sound but I'm struggling with the 2x12 sound and volume wise and the 1x15 cab volume wise.
12" is not the type of sound I want so let's leave this cab and speaker size out of the discussion.

15" speakers are my preferred speakers size due the the sound it creates. I'm a real 15" speakers size type of person, I love that sound. But I'm struggling to get loud enough with my bands guitarist. It's a challenge with both of the cabs played separate. I have not tried the 2 cabs together.

The guitarist plays though an old Gretsch bass amp with 2x12 speakers and a VOXAC30 with 2x12 speakers. Recently the guitarist added a Selmer amp with 2x12 speakers. All amps are combos and from the 60's and there is no more than 2 amps "live" at the same time.

How do I proceed if I want to keep the sound off 15" speaker(s) and still be loud enough to match the guitarist with my Fender Studio bass head?
I'm thinking that a 2x15 cabinet might do it but I have no clue on which cabinet that might be? I've seen recommendations on 151566 fEarful, does anyone of you have experience of this cabinet?

What are your thoughts on this? I'm sure the Fender Studio bass should be loud enough.

Fender Studio Bass
View attachment 7232931

DIY Eminence Kappa 15lfa 8 ohm
View attachment 7232934

Thanks in advance and thank you for this club!

I have only used that amp in the studio with the built in 15inch.
It was with a reggae artist and the sound was glorious.
Broughton HPF is a speaker saving and volume increasing solution
I wonder how the Mesa Subway 215 would sound with that head.
It is a fantastic Cab as is the single 15 ..almost 3d sound and huge.
Jim Bergantino made some great sealed cabs for tube heads....I loved his NV215 ...but too heavy for me these days

More speakers is always the best solution to get more volume out of your amp.
Good luck
I'm sure more experienced gigging Studio Bass head users will chime in.

But props to @Pontiac Thrasher to insisting you get an HPF...Great call!!

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

I have only used that amp in the studio with the built in 15inch.
It was with a reggae artist and the sound was glorious.
Broughton HPF is a speaker saving and volume increasing solution
I wonder how the Mesa Subway 215 would sound with that head.
It is a fantastic Cab as is the single 15 ..almost 3d sound and huge.
Jim Bergantino made some great sealed cabs for tube heads....I loved his NV215 ...but too heavy for me these days

More speakers is always the best solution to get more volume out of your amp.
Good luck
I'm sure more experienced gigging Studio Bass head users will chime in.

But props to @Pontiac Thrasher to insisting you get an HPF...Great call!!

The Broughton is small and hides easily:

 

[Charley Umbria]

I used my head with a Fender 215 Pro bass cab and it was surprisingly loud. The tone was great and the cab matched the head’s width nicely.

 

[Rsword]

Thank you for your feedback!
I’ve never seen any mention about a HPF/LPF and only own a Compression pedal, which I never use.

I forgot to mention that both caba sounds perfectly fine when used with volume/gain set on 8> but distorts/buzzes when pushing the overall output to the cabs.

Would a HPF/LPF help me? Please, educate me!

 

[jdjk7]

I don't have a Studio Bass, but I do have a Yamaha B100-II. I've heard Yamaha brought on Paul Rivera to design this model and a couple of their guitar amps, and the B100-II is definitely a budget, solid state successor to the Studio Bass. Same control scheme– treble/mid/bass Fender tone stack into a 5 band boost/cut EQ.

I think if I were to get a Studio Bass, I'd get myself one of those amp head conversions.

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

Thank you for your feedback!
I’ve never seen any mention about a HPF/LPF and only own a Compression pedal, which I never use.

I forgot to mention that both caba sounds perfectly fine when used with volume/gain set on 8> but distorts/buzzes when pushing the overall output to the cabs.

Would a HPF/LPF help me? Please, educate me!

The HPF will allow you to remove the lowest frequencies that seem to be limiting you in this situanion. Since it does this before the signal enters your amp the amp will give all it has to the frequencies that you can use, vs wasting it's power producing frequencies that in your situation you cannot use.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Hi all,

I've had my Fender Studio Bass since August 2024 and I'm in love with the sound it can produce.
The previous owner bought if from a sound engineer which had already separated the amp from the original cab to create a head and cab solution.
The cabinet has 2x12 speakers but I haven't check which speaker brand it is yet, unfortunately.
I got a 1x15 DIY Musicman style cab with Eminence Kappa 15lfa 8 ohm speaker and I must admit that it's the sound of a 15" speaker that does it for me.

Everything is all great with the amp, the looks, the feel and the sound but I'm struggling with the 2x12 sound and volume wise and the 1x15 cab volume wise.
12" is not the type of sound I want so let's leave this cab and speaker size out of the discussion.

15" speakers are my preferred speakers size due the the sound it creates. I'm a real 15" speakers size type of person, I love that sound. But I'm struggling to get loud enough with my bands guitarist. It's a challenge with both of the cabs played separate. I have not tried the 2 cabs together.

The guitarist plays though an old Gretsch bass amp with 2x12 speakers and a VOXAC30 with 2x12 speakers. Recently the guitarist added a Selmer amp with 2x12 speakers. All amps are combos and from the 60's and there is no more than 2 amps "live" at the same time.

How do I proceed if I want to keep the sound off 15" speaker(s) and still be loud enough to match the guitarist with my Fender Studio bass head?
I'm thinking that a 2x15 cabinet might do it but I have no clue on which cabinet that might be? I've seen recommendations on 151566 fEarful, does anyone of you have experience of this cabinet?

What are your thoughts on this? I'm sure the Fender Studio bass should be loud enough.

Fender Studio Bass
View attachment 7232931

DIY Eminence Kappa 15lfa 8 ohm
View attachment 7232934

Thanks in advance and thank you for this club!

To hear yourself better:
1. Move further away from guitarist. Have guitarist point his speakers directly at his ears and away from you.

2. Adjust your EQ.
- Boost mids = hear yourself better in the mix. Might sound nasally soloed but you’ll hear it better in the band.
- HPF really helps too.

3. Try a 4 Ohm speaker cab for more volume. Esp one with higher sensitivity (higher SPL)

Loudspeaker Sensitivity & Impedance Explained

The focus of this article is on loudspeaker sensitivity and impedance. Loudspeaker manufacturers sometimes exaggerate the specifications of their products to make them look better than reality.

www.audioholics.com

 

[Patrice B]

Thank you for your feedback!
I’ve never seen any mention about a HPF/LPF and only own a Compression pedal, which I never use.

I forgot to mention that both caba sounds perfectly fine when used with volume/gain set on 8> but distorts/buzzes when pushing the overall output to the cabs.

Would a HPF/LPF help me? Please, educate me!

Gain and master at 8 are probably pushing the amp at its 180 or 200 watts (some schematics says 180 and others, 200) limit so you are probably out of headroom, thus the distorsion! I guess it’s pretty loud at this point?

 

[Rsword]

The HPF will allow you to remove the lowest frequencies that seem to be limiting you in this situanion. Since it does this before the signal enters your amp the amp will give all it has to the frequencies that you can use, vs wasting it's power producing frequencies that in your situation you cannot use.

Thank you.
I’ve read up on HPF for bass and I find it to be a hidden technique to boost your audible sound. At least for me .
Is there any drawback when using a HPF/LPF pedal?

To hear yourself better:
1. Move further away from guitarist. Have guitarist point his speakers directly at his ears and away from you.

2. Adjust your EQ.
- Boost mids = hear yourself better in the mix. Might sound nasally soloed but you’ll hear it better in the band.
- HPF really helps too.

3. Try a 4 Ohm speaker cab for more volume. Esp one with higher sensitivity (higher SPL)

Loudspeaker Sensitivity & Impedance Explained

The focus of this article is on loudspeaker sensitivity and impedance. Loudspeaker manufacturers sometimes exaggerate the specifications of their products to make them look better than reality.

www.audioholics.com

Awesome input.
I ‘ve read that I shouldn’t be to worried about the 8-4 Ohm difference with my SB head. Some states that 4 Ohm is the better choice?

Why is it like this for the SB amp?
Is it the same for other Tube heads?

 

[Rsword]

Gain and master at 8 are probably pushing the amp at its 180 or 200 watts (some schematics says 180 and others, 200) limit so you are probably out of headroom, thus the distorsion! I guess it’s pretty loud at this point?

Yes, we are loud!
I think it’s related to the cabs but good point and input.

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

Thank you.
I’ve read up on HPF for bass and I find it to be a hidden technique to boost your audible sound. At least for me .
Is there any drawback when using a HPF/LPF ?

If Leo Fender had included an HPF knob on his bass amps from day one, I doubt you would find many other brands of bass amps without them. It is absolutely intuitive in use, and so helps make your bass life better.

The main problem with HPF's so far is that they are usually non-existant.

Keep in mind they are not always needed, pic is of rig with HPF going to JBL 15" loaded upper cabs, but no HPF to JBL 18" loaded lower cabs.

Absolutely THUNDEROUS POUNDING BASS, with added twist from the little 15s. Was running about 900 watts into the lower cabs. Very addictive : )

If I had used an HPF with the Studio Bass into just the pair of JBL15" loaded cabs, we probably could have stopped there.

 

[Rsword]

If Leo Fender had included an HPF knob on his bass amps from day one, I doubt you would find many other brands of bass amps without them. It is absolutely intuitive in use, and so helps make your bass life better.

The main problem with HPF's so far is that they are usually non-existant.

Keep in mind they are not always needed, pic is of rig with HPF going to JBL 15" loaded upper cabs, but no HPF to JBL 18" loaded lower cabs.

Absolutely THUNDEROUS POUNDING BASS, with added twist from the little 15s. Was running about 900 watts into the lower cabs. Very addictive : )

If I had used an HPF with the Studio Bass into just the pair of JBL15" loaded cabs, we probably could have stopped there.
View attachment 7240958

Where do you hide your SB?

I will definitely give the HPF/LPF a go. Thank you!

I’m moving to a new rehearsal space as we speak and the need for loudness will not be as important. We will have a smaller space all together.
This will not postpone the HPF/LPF purchase though!

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

Where do you hide your SB?

One at each end on the bottom : )

 

[pfschim]

Keep in mind that the original Studio Bass amp combo was loaded with an EV 15B (usually Fender labeled as Fender 15B). The original Studio Bass combo cabinet was probably pretty undersized for the best use of the driver. But in the right sized cab, basically an EV T606 design with 3.2 cubic feet of volume), this combo will sound outstanding. Another thing to keep in mind is the Studio Bass amp impedance is 8ohms, so if you want to drive more speakers just make sure they roll up to a combined impedance of 8ohms. The amp will handle 4ohm loads pretty well, but it's not rated to do so on it's stock output transformer.

Now the official power rating for the EV15B is 400w RMS, but I suspect real world power handling would probably be more in the 150-200w range.

I had one of these beasts for many years but sold it to a fellow TBer last year. I still have a '78 Fender Fullerton 15 cab loaded with one of those EV 15B's.

 

[jdjk7]

Where do you hide your SB?

I will definitely give the HPF/LPF a go. Thank you!

I’m moving to a new rehearsal space as we speak and the need for loudness will not be as important. We will have a smaller space all together.
This will not postpone the HPF/LPF purchase though!

HPF is a bit of a controversy among bassists, but I am pretty biased toward "HPF is a bonus in most context" and that most bass players use more sub frequency content than actually sounds good. A good technique is to use an HPF to cut lows with a pass filter and then use a bass boost to boost a specific bass range. This is similar but not identical to the "Pultec" trick. I find the combination of two different filters (i.e. a cut from the pass filter and a boost from the shelving EQ) yields interesting results.

 

[Rsword]

One at each end on the bottom : )View attachment 7242576

Christ!

AMP’d up to the teeth!

 

[Rsword]

Keep in mind that the original Studio Bass amp combo was loaded with an EV 15B (usually Fender labeled as Fender 15B). The original Studio Bass combo cabinet was probably pretty undersized for the best use of the driver. But in the right sized cab, basically an EV T606 design with 3.2 cubic feet of volume), this combo will sound outstanding. Another thing to keep in mind is the Studio Bass amp impedance is 8ohms, so if you want to drive more speakers just make sure they roll up to a combined impedance of 8ohms. The amp will handle 4ohm loads pretty well, but it's not rated to do so on it's stock output transformer.

Now the official power rating for the EV15B is 400w RMS, but I suspect real world power handling would probably be more in the 150-200w range.

I had one of these beasts for many years but sold it to a fellow TBer last year. I still have a '78 Fender Fullerton 15 cab loaded with one of those EV 15B's.

I'm checking in 2 cabinets which both have 2x15 speakers with 4 ohms.
If I use the SB head with a cab with a load of 4 ohms, what will happen?

 

[Wasnex]

I'm checking in 2 cabinets which both have 2x15 speakers with 4 ohms.
If I use the SB head with a cab with a load of 4 ohms, what will happen?

It's not really clear what you are asking, so I will answer multiple ways.

AFAIK the Studio Bass factory OT was 8 ohms only. Also I believe the amp only has one speaker out. This means to run two cabs, you connect them with a daisy chain (parallel connection).

Two 4 ohm cabs in parallel results in a 2 ohm load. This is a pretty significant impedance mismatch. The amp expects 8 ohms and you want to show it 2 ohms? IMHO don't do it.

Worst case scenario the amp will be damaged. Best case scenario the amp operates but the impedance mismatch will negatively impact tone, feel, and available power. Also the impedance mismatch will cause accelerated tube wear.

Although it's a hassle, it would be better to rig up an adapter to run the cabs in series. 4 ohms + 4 ohms in series = 8 ohms. Which is exactly what the amp expects.

If the OT has been replaced with 4 ohm option. Then you still get the impedance mismatch running two 4 ohm cabs in parallel, but it's less severe. AFAIK most vintage Fenders are safer if the load is one order low, rather than one order high.

 

[Michedelic]

It's not really clear what you are asking, so I will answer multiple ways.

AFAIK the Studio Bass factory OT was 8 ohms only. Also I believe the amp only has one speaker out. This means to run two cabs, you connect them with a daisy chain (parallel connection).

Two 4 ohm cabs in parallel results in a 2 ohm load. This is a pretty significant impedance mismatch. The amp expects 8 ohms and you want to show it 2 ohms? IMHO don't do it.

Worst case scenario the amp will be damaged. Best case scenario the amp operates but the impedance mismatch negatively impacts tone, feel, and available power. Also the impedance mismatch will cause accelerated tube wear.

Although it's a hassle, it would be better to rig up an adapter to run the cabs in series. 4 ohms + 4 ohms in series = 8 ohms. Which is exactly what the amp expects.

If the OT has been replaced with 4 ohm option. Then you still get the impedance mismatch running two 4 ohm cabs in parallel, but it's less severe. AFAIK most vintage Fenders are safer if the load is one order low, rather than one order high.

Just my interpretation…
I think what he meant was, he has been considering purchasing one of two available cabs, and both happen to be wired for 4 ohms(I would guess that, in each case, the two 15’s in either cab are 8 ohm, then wired in parallel). So…if a single 4 ohm cab is paired with a SB in head form, what, if any, damage or stress might occur to that amp/stock transformer? What wattage would it actually be putting out against that load?