• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Jad Freer Sisma Mega Thread.

#801
Danny C said:
Haaa....I didn't notice there was a handle missing. In my scene it's working without one and would probably get in my way.
Click to expand...
Of course it would require a total packaging redesign but a handle on the side and a fan in the same area has previously been done.

TC Electronic RH 750.png


Actually, I'm not sure if it is a fan or just ventilation, but this gets the idea across.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wicked G, rstephens, DJ Bebop and 1 other person
#802
Jeff Scott said:
Of course it would require a total packaging redesign but a handle on the side and a fan in the same area has previously been done.

View attachment 5489569

Actually, I'm not sure if it is a fan or just ventilation, but this gets the idea across.
Click to expand...
The TC does have an internal fan, but that is a vent underneath the handle. Although as you mentioned, it does get the idea across.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop and Jeff Scott
#804
I just received mine about a week ago from a new batch that came to the U.S. dealer Fat Bass Tone.

It’s an awesome amp with a great sound for P and Jazz basses. Certainly has that heft others mention but with clarity. I don’t own any active basses at the moment so I can’t comment on that.

It’s not quite like my B-15R which I was trying to replace in a smaller package and I guess I’m still looking for my ultimate amp for my Tbird.

I may be listing mine as my search continues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop, Danny C and gtirard
#805
AlexMG said:
I just received mine about a week ago from a new batch that came to the U.S. dealer Fat Bass Tone.

It’s an awesome amp with a great sound for P and Jazz basses. Certainly has that heft others mention but with clarity. I don’t own any active basses at the moment so I can’t comment on that.

It’s not quite like my B-15R which I was trying to replace in a smaller package and I guess I’m still looking for my ultimate amp for my Tbird.

I may be listing mine as my search continues.
Click to expand...
What did you feel that you were wanting and not getting?
 
  • Love
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#806
carsonchilders said:
What did you feel that you were wanting and not getting?
Click to expand...

It's more about wanting a portable version of my B15R and how it sounds with my Thunderbird. There's actually not a bad sound in the SISMA as all settings are very musical, which is a statement they make; even the Deep switch adds the perfect amount of low end unlike many other amps with Deep switches.

I guess my B15R has a baked in tone that I'm searching for. I gave the SISMA a go because of the B15 connections made with the amp. I still feel it has the 'weight' of such an amp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Danny C and DJ Bebop
#807
AlexMG said:
It's more about wanting a portable version of my B15R and how it sounds with my Thunderbird. There's actually not a bad sound in the SISMA as all settings are very musical, which is a statement they make; even the Deep switch adds the perfect amount of low end unlike many other amps with Deep switches.

I guess my B15R has a baked in tone that I'm searching for. I gave the SISMA a go because of the B15 connections made with the amp. I still feel it has the 'weight' of such an amp.
Click to expand...
I'm not surprised. Sisma is a modern amp. It's warm and hefty thanks to the tube preamp, but it's also very detailed and articulate, and quite neutral/transparent IMO. Even Jad Freer says it's "based" on the B15, it doesn't mean it sounds excatly like a B15.

I'm not sure it's possible to find a "portable version of the B15R" that would sound exactly like the original.
  • Maybe the Ampeg PF50T can get close?
  • Trinity Trip Top Amp is a B15 clone, but it's mostly a DIY kit (maybe you can buy it pre-built?), and I don't know if it's much more portable than the original.
  • Maybe Arkham Sound can build something?
  • Maybe you can ask to Pure Tone Amps if he's got an amp that sounds close to the B15?
    I've got one of his tube amps, the Mini Tone. It sounds fantastic and it's incredibly portable: 4.2 kg if you can believe this! (it's a 50W tube amp). I don't think my particular model sounds like a B15, but maybe some other model get closer?
Good luck in your search, please report if you find the grail…
 
  • Like
Reactions: Danny C, DJ Bebop and AlexMG
#808
gtirard said:
I'm not surprised. Sisma is a modern amp. It's warm and hefty thanks to the tube preamp, but it's also very detailed and articulate, and quite neutral/transparent IMO. Even Jad Freer says it's "based" on the B15, it doesn't mean it sounds excatly like a B15.

I'm not sure it's possible to find a "portable version of the B15R" that would sound exactly like the original.
  • Maybe the Ampeg PF50T can get close?
  • Trinity Trip Top Amp is a B15 clone, but it's mostly a DIY kit (maybe you can buy it pre-built?), and I don't know if it's much more portable than the original.
  • Maybe Arkham Sound can build something?
  • Maybe you can ask to Pure Tone Amps if he's got an amp that sounds close to the B15?
    I've got one of his tube amps, the Mini Tone. It sounds fantastic and it's incredibly portable: 4.2 kg if you can believe this! (it's a 50W tube amp). I don't think my particular model sounds like a B15, but maybe some other model get closer?
Good luck in your search, please report if you find the grail…
Click to expand...
I find that WD 800 I keep harping about 🤣 Gets a convincing B-15 sound by means of its tube front end, the HPF, the Baxandall tone controls, and the damping control. Those together gives me the ability to cop a reasonably close copy of an old B-15. I can tweak it to my liking to resemble my old B-15. I like the HPF to get more of a vintage cabinet sound. The damping to get the old tube amp feel.

😊
 
  • Like
Reactions: Danny C, gtirard and Jazzdogg
#809
DJ Bebop said:
I find that WD 800 I keep harping about 🤣 Gets a convincing B-15 sound by means of its tube front end, the HPF, the Baxandall tone controls, and the damping control. Those together gives me the ability to cop a reasonably close copy of an old B-15. I can tweak it to my liking to resemble my old B-15. I like the HPF to get more of a vintage cabinet sound. The damping to get the old tube amp feel.

😊
Click to expand...
How does it sound with a Tbird please?
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#811
AlexMG said:
It's more about wanting a portable version of my B15R and how it sounds with my Thunderbird. There's actually not a bad sound in the SISMA as all settings are very musical, which is a statement they make; even the Deep switch adds the perfect amount of low end unlike many other amps with Deep switches.

I guess my B15R has a baked in tone that I'm searching for. I gave the SISMA a go because of the B15 connections made with the amp. I still feel it has the 'weight' of such an amp.
Click to expand...
Some years ago I wanted to see how close I could get my Eden WT-500 to sound like my Ampeg SVP-PRO preamp. I made a simple A/B box to switch between the two preamps and spent a some time playing with EQ until I got them pretty close. This might be something worth trying with the Sisma and B15R, as I suspect the Sisma's EQ can probably get close with a bit of tweaking. One aspect of the SVP that I wasn't able to replicate was the tube breakup when pushed, but that was expected (the Eden WT's tube does not distort). Another way is running both preamps through RTA software and comparing the frequency plots, then adjusting until they match.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#812
AlexMG said:
It's more about wanting a portable version of my B15R and how it sounds with my Thunderbird. There's actually not a bad sound in the SISMA as all settings are very musical, which is a statement they make; even the Deep switch adds the perfect amount of low end unlike many other amps with Deep switches.

I guess my B15R has a baked in tone that I'm searching for. I gave the SISMA a go because of the B15 connections made with the amp. I still feel it has the 'weight' of such an amp.
Click to expand...
In another thread @KenD speaks about the Ceriatone Aunt Peg as a good B15 clone:
KenD said:
In my case I wanted the tone of the iconic Ampeg B15. How to acquire that without tracking down an original in good condition and spending $$$thousands? In any case, I didn't want the speaker cabinet, only the head.

I bought a Ceriatone Aunt Peg which is a direct clone of one channel of a B15, from a custom builder. It has impeccable craftsmanship and cost far less than an original.
Click to expand...
I will let you ask him if he has tried a Thunderbird with the Ceriatone Aunt Peg :roflmao:
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop and AlexMG
#817
Parzival said:
Is the DI out of the Sisma affected by the tube?
Click to expand...
Yes.

From the documentation:

D.I. OUT
This XLR output is fully balanced and routed after the GAIN and EQ, pre MASTER.It’s fully protected from phantom power. You can use the SISMA for silent recording,without connecting any speaker. DI volume is not affected by the MASTER control.
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop, Parzival and Danny C
#820
Parzival said:
The conundrum is the amp or the pedal. Amp has a great tube and DI but the pedal has multiple preamps and dirt. Anyone had both?
Click to expand...
I have both, and use both (sometimes).
I prefer Sisma for a warm clean tone and Capo for dirt, but Capo saturation into Sisma set clean is even better because it smoothes the sounds.

For info, Jad Freer team told me twice that they are working on a tube preamp. No idea when it will be ready, and if it will look like the preamp section of Sisma or Volta or something else. But I'm sure it will be a killer product.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: John D Harris, Jazzdogg, DJ Bebop and 2 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back