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Help me build an Ampeg B-15 clone

Jason Schulhz

Jason Schulhz

May 1, 2020
146
318
#1
Alright guys, I’ve got the P bass with all vintage specs, the flatwounds, the Sansamp VT Bass pedal, and an Ampeg Portaflex 15 inch cabinet. I have an Aguilar Tonehammer 350, which I plan to run a Broughton P 15 straight through, (as soon as I order one), but I just noticed there is no effects return on this model. Can I run the P 15 into the input of this amp, or is there another better way to get closer to a 1960 B-15 without spending thousands of dollars?
 
#2
Personally I would set the Sansamp VT to the recommended 'fliptop' setting in the manual. Then I would take the money I would have spent on the P15, and save that up toward buying a real tube amp someday. (For example an Ampeg PF20T or PF50T.)

But to specifically answer your question: If the SansAmp sounds good into your Tonehammer, then the P15 would also sound good into your Tonehammer. In many ways the VT Bass and P15 are similar devices, which is why it would be a lateral move in my opinion. (Six of one, half dozen of another.)

(edit) spelling
 
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#3
I would take the money I would have spent on the P15, and save that up toward buying a real tube amp someday. (For example an Ampeg PF20T or PF50T.)

The PF20t and PF50t have the “Ampeg tube” thing going for them, but not the “vintage” thing going on. Whereas the Broughton is an exact recreation of the B15 preamp section and it’s original gain stages.
 
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#4
Have you ever tried the P15? As a former P15 owner, I think you may be over-hyping it. No question it's a nice DI, but so too is the SansAmp (or dozens of other options). YMMV but the P15 wasn't a "keeper" for me.

B15's actually didn't have DI's, so if your goal is to "clone" a B15, logically you don't need an expensive DI.

Another preamp option you might look into (if the Sansamp isn't doing it for you) is the Broughton Fliptop.
 
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#6
I haven't used the newer PF series of amps, so I can't comment on them being modern vs vintage sounding. BUT I will tell you that there is something to a tube power amp, which is what I think CatOnTheBass is getting at.

If getting an amp with a tube power section isn't in the cards, I'd consider at least spending the extra $250 to get the Tonehammer 500, which includes an effects return to bypass the internal preamp.

BUT you will probably be able to get a great sound going through the front of the 350 as well. Some TBers have done excellent sleuthing to figure out what EQ settings can be used to help "flatten" colorful preamp sections (such as the Fender Rumble series), and maybe someone has done that for the TH amps.
 
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#7
Jason Schulhz said:
I would take the money I would have spent on the P15, and save that up toward buying a real tube amp someday. (For example an Ampeg PF20T or PF50T.)

The PF20t and PF50t have the “Ampeg tube” thing going for them, but not the “vintage” thing going on. Whereas the Broughton is an exact recreation of the B15 preamp section and it’s original gain stages.
Click to expand...
I disagree. My PF50t totally has the vintage vibe going on tonally if not lookswise.
 
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#13
Jason Schulhz said:
I would take the money I would have spent on the P15, and save that up toward buying a real tube amp someday. (For example an Ampeg PF20T or PF50T.)

The PF20t and PF50t have the “Ampeg tube” thing going for them, but not the “vintage” thing going on. Whereas the Broughton is an exact recreation of the B15 preamp section and it’s original gain stages.
Click to expand...

The one time I had the opportunity to use a B15 was that it wasn’t as vintage as I expected. It had a lot of modern sounds in it and the vintage thing was mainly in the cab. And even that sound might differ from the dark warm thing most think of as vintage. It made me want one even more, but I’m happy with my pf-20t for now.
 
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#15
This is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I'm going to say it anyway. I have a Fender Rumble Studio 40 and my favorite sounds out of it are the flip-top + fridge, so naturally when I was at a shop with a B-12 with the original cab I plugged in. It was obviously awesome, with hair and vibe you could feel in your soul, but I wanted so bad for it to have some cajones, but they just weren't there.

Went home and plugged in and jammed so hard, getting a decent chunk of the vibe though obviously missing out on some magic, but having a full powerful low end.

Point is, sometimes the emulation can be a better all around experience, though I still wouldn't mind to have a flip top for low volume recording, given the choice between the two and stripping away the magical feeling about the real thing, I'd pick the Rumble Studio.

I realize this doesn't answer your question in any way, just saw an opportunity to share my controversial anecdote and went for it ;)
 
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#17
The Ampeg B-15R is a great amp for recording and live use (if one doesn't mind the weight). Can do 100/60/40 watts. With the B-15E extension cab, it is a very capable amp.
20230324_225847.jpg
 
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#18
Jason Schulhz said:
Alright guys, I’ve got the P bass with all vintage specs, the flatwounds, the Sansamp VT Bass pedal, and an Ampeg Portaflex 15 inch cabinet. I have an Aguilar Tonehammer 350, which I plan to run a Broughton P 15 straight through, (as soon as I order one), but I just noticed there is no effects return on this model. Can I run the P 15 into the input of this amp, or is there another better way to get closer to a 1960 B-15 without spending thousands of dollars?
Click to expand...

The Sushi Box Slampegg Bee Pre X does a nice B-15 emulation and works fine driving a poweramp, or a regular amp through the effects return or through the front end of the preamp section. They're very cost effective, too.
 
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#19
Matthijs said:
The one time I had the opportunity to use a B15 was that it wasn’t as vintage as I expected. It had a lot of modern sounds in it and the vintage thing was mainly in the cab. And even that sound might differ from the dark warm thing most think of as vintage. It made me want one even more, but I’m happy with my pf-20t for now.
Click to expand...

I’m also surprised that my 66 SB-12 can cop a modern sound with the treble boosted up and the bass played with a light and articulate style
 
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