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First B-15 Experience

shrimpchowmein

shrimpchowmein

Dec 8, 2007
647
76
42
Blaine, WA
#1
My band did a record this past weekend, and I got to play through an old B-15 for the first time in my 15 years of playing. Was primarily using a Hofner Icon Club bass, the tone was DANGEROUS. I couldn't believe how deliciously saggy, throaty, warm, huge, and pretty much everything I need bass to be it was.

I play a Genz-Benz now, which is almost laughable. I've played plenty and owned a few amps in my life, including tube amps. Mesa 400+, Peavey Roadmaster Festival Series, Ampeg V4-B, plenty of solid state Sunns, and old Acoustics. But now I don't even see why other amps exist.

So I know the answer is "nothing", but what comes close to this sound? Any common mods to other tube amps to get closer to the B-15 sound?
 
#2
Honestly, if I turn the knobs on an SVT, I can cop that B-15 sound no problem. And I used to have a V4B and I remember being able to get a pretty similar sound as well, though it's been over 20 years. Also, while it's not quite the same, there's a lot to be said for Ampeg's SS Portaflex series of heads and cabs. You can get very close. But yeah, there really is nothing like a B-15.
 
#11
I don't claim this to sound _exactly_ the same as a B-15, but ... the B-15 emulation on the Tech 21 VT Bass Pedal sounds pretty damn good. I use mine through the line-in jack on an Ashdown ABM 500 EVO Series II head and into a Schroeder 1515L and it sounds remarkably good with a flatwound strung P-Bass.
 
#14
Since we're on the subject... I owned a B15 in the 60's. I can say this now since its only just us here right? I used to love the smell of the cab when I would remove the amp from the cabinet. The smell of the amp, wood, speaker and insulation. Reminds me of an old 1952 Pontiac I once owned, That smell of the interior... Whooo Ahhhhh!!
 
#15
Ok so I edited the subject line, sorry all.

I play a Genz-Benz now, because we do a lot of coffee house gigs and sometimes I even go on foot. So I can't really get rid of it anytime soon. It sounds good with my bass, Hofner Icon Club with TI Jazz Rounds. I'll probably get some flats when my wife gets a job or I find some used for under $20.

Ted Weber says there are some new kits coming out in 2012, keepin' it crossed for a you know what...
 
#17
IMHO the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 can get close to the b-15 - the drive circut rounds out the tone prety well so if you turn up the drive knob it gets closer to the b-15 tone. People say that the Aguilar is not as bright compared to the GB, but it does give that gritty tubey sound pretty easily. You can pair that with a 1-12 cab and you have a good gigging rig.
 
#19
.....but I like the lights!!
102410_4131_edited-1.jpg
 
#20
I have never played a B-15, but the Ampet B100R, which I own, and the B50R, which I also own, supposedly do a great SS imitation of the B-15 amp. I love mine with my Hofner Icon basses with LaBella flatwounds!
 

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