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Fliptop gurus -> advice please...

Vin_MM_Sabre_79

Vin_MM_Sabre_79

Apr 14, 2007
1,116
12
Ballaarat Australia
#1
I'm looking at buying a '65 B15N -
Q1: the seller says that he thinks its a bit on the quiet side. Now I know these are not known for their face melting volume- but he also owns a 12" version- so it's probably a credible assessment.

He's purchased a capacitor kit from Fliptops.net as he thinks old caps is the reason. Anyone got any experience with this?

Q2: I'm trying to think of ways to gig with this at reasonable volume. One plan I've had is to sit it on top of my 250Watt 2x10 Labsystems combo (quite a decent, transperent/warm mosfett headless unit) and possibly mic the B15 into the combo. There will be feedback risks here, but given the volume of the B15 and proximity to speaker, I'm wondering if it would work.

vin.. :cool:
 
#2
Vin-
I've purchased two FlipTops in the last year...a '67 and a '73. Both of them work well enough in the bands I play in, but we travel light and keep things pretty small. I think both amps are in the 50-60 watt range. Haven't had to do any work on them so I can't offer an opinion on the cap upgrade. I used the external speaker channel on the '67 to run another cabinet at one of our larger venues and it worked very well. I certainly have no regrets about owning them!
Good Luck To You!!
 
#5
They have a nice sound, yes. Good in the studio, yes. Good in a very low volume situation, possibly. Would I ever use one live again. No.

I know I will irritate flip-top fans, but I never ever found one useful in a live application if ANY other instruments were amplfied with a modest amp, and/or if the drummer wasn't a seasoned Jazz player.

Not to "dis" anyone else's choices--I just need more meat on the bone.
 
#7
Vin_MM_Sabre_79 said:
cool. The external cab is 8Ohm too yeah.
I understand that Jess Oliver has a mod that will change it to 4 Ohm (giving 60-70wtt). Has anyone tried this?
Click to expand...


Check this thread out:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181011&highlight=b15n

TONS of good info. Do an advanced search on my stringbass69 ID to find my own question about that mod (among other things). Psycho_Bass_Guy gave us some awesome info there. He does not recommend the mod you're talking about.

I have used my B15N live in three different bands. It worked well in those situations--only moderately loud groups, no big guitar amps, no animal drummers. Had to mic it to fill the room, but that's to be expected.

Matt
 
#9
How about this for a kerazy idea......

What about attaching a piezo pickup to the baffle- then running the line into a combo/other amp?
This should transfer the original cabinet's juicy goodness without introducing the possibility of feedback, no?

It looks like I'm going to be buying this B15 after all so I'll probably try a few different things..
 
#10
I have one that I use primarily as a practice amp in the living room. It sounds beautiful but It's just not loud enough to play with drums in a rock band. Might work well in a low key jazz or acoustic coffee shop setting. If you need more power look for a v4b or just go all the way and pick up an svt. That's what i have.
 
#12
I would back up what several have said here already. I used a B15N as a rehearsal amp in a small jazz quartet in the early 70's. Could not really be used in a live situation without miking to FOH. Heavy and awkward to move as all get-out too I seem to recall.

The unofficial Ampeg website [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

says 25 watts for the early 60's models, going all the way up to 30 watts for the 70's versions. Also, my memory says that these puppies did not sound very good pushed to their upper limits either. But I'm old and my memory is somewhat faulty ;)

Like Jim Carr, I also don't want to tick off any of the fliptop fans here either, but even back then, a Bassman 50 or 100 with an efficient cab (1x15 or 2x15) was louder and more practical for live work than a Portaflex. Of course, they are totally cool looking, have a great old-school vibe, and this is IMHO and YMMV :cool:

good luck
 
#13
I agree. I've got a '64 B15 sittin around doing nothing, used it in the studio a couple of times, but mostly doing nothing, thinking of selling it, Just not sure how to box it up for shipping.
 
#15
I know I'll be able to gig with it in at least one of my bands- Goodbye Stereo- and probably The Relevant advice Club as well (links below). I'm doing a lot of recording - and enjoy nothing more than sitting on the couch playing away- so a B15N will certainly get a lot of use.

If not....I'll sell it. I really don't think I'll lose any money. I mean- how many of these things are there in the southern hemisphere anyway?
 

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