Let's talk about the Peavey VB-215

[Rumblefishxl]

I'm looking for a one-cabinet solution for my GK MB-800. I keep coming back this cabinet for some reason. There are few mass-produced, affordable 215's out there.
Ampeg? Nope
Fender? Stopped making them
Carvin? Sorry, no
GK? Never
Hartke? I wish

There are quasi-boutique brands like Schroeder, Bergantino, Mesa and others, that will sell you one for about $1500.00. I just want to put one on my MF credit card and have it shipped to my door.

Specific question: Who is using this cab? Give me some good news and reviews!

 

[iualum]

Have no experience with it. Pretty sure it's nice enough, but it sure is heavy at 116 lbs. If you want it, why not go used? A lot more bang-for-the-buck. Also why not also consider two 115s?

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Have no experience with it. Pretty sure it's nice enough, but it sure is heavy at 116 lbs. If you want it, why not go used? A lot more bang-for-the-buck. Also why not also consider two 115s?

Yes x2000000


You will have vastly more options and can dial it down if the gig isn't that big. Believe me, I was a 2x15'er but the lug in/out and such is pretty brutal sometimes.

 

[will33]

Haven't played the newest ones, but plenty familiar with BW 15's. Still some of the best out there. It's only been in recent years that some neo stuff has come along that can perform any better than they do. Just wish they would offer 1505 models as an option in bass cabs.

 

[hdracer]

Great cab for the price.

Don't fall for the 2-115's BS like I did. Even my 2 40 pound neo cabs are a pain to move around compared to tilt and roll 215.

 

[iualum]

Strongly consider this LDS 15/6. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/fso-lds-15-6-ct-ny-mass-p-u-possible-ship.1067126/ It'll outperform the VB-215 in both displacement & SPL. He says...make him an offer.

Or how about a 410 (roughly equal to a 215)? Here's an Avatar in the classifieds... http://www.talkbass.com/threads/gallien-krueger-mb-fusion-500-avatar-b410-neo-line-x.1099426/

 

[will33]

Strongly consider this LDS 15/6. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/fso-lds-15-6-ct-ny-mass-p-u-possible-ship.1067126/ It'll outperform the VB-215 in both displacement & SPL. He says...make him an offer.

Umm...no it won't.

Good cab?, sure.

101-103db?....no.


Fairly, it's a completely different design approach/concept than a regular 215.

 

[iualum]

Umm...no it won't.

Good cab?, sure.

101-103db?....no.

Fairly, it's a completely different design approach/concept than a regular 215.

Eminence 3015LF... http://www.usspeaker.com/Kappa Lite-3015lf-1.htm Xmax: 9.6mm
Peavey Black Widow 1502... http://www.usspeaker.com/peavey 15028bw-1.htm Xmax: 2.6mm x2 (for a 215) = 5.2 Xmax

The LDS 15/6 has almost twice the displacement of the VB-215 and it also employs the 18Sound 6ND410 mid which is l-o-u-d. http://www.usspeaker.com/eighteensound-6ND410-1.htm

 

[iualum]

Or, if you'd rather do just one big box, look at this Aguilar GS412 in the classifieds... http://www.talkbass.com/threads/aguilar-gs412-bass-cabinet.1099103/

 

[will33]

Eminence 3015LF... http://www.usspeaker.com/Kappa Lite-3015lf-1.htm Xmax: 9.6mm
Peavey Black Widow 1502... http://www.usspeaker.com/peavey 15028bw-1.htm Xmax: 2.6mm x2 (for a 215) = 5.2Xmax

The LDS 15/6 has almost twice the displacement of the VB-215 and it also employs the 18Sound 6ND410 mid which is l-o-u-d. http://www.usspeaker.com/eighteensound-6ND410-1.htm

Yes, I get that, but that's not the whole story.

 

[socialleper]

Mesa Boogie?

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Bass_Cabs/PowerhouseCABS/PHbass2x15-LG.htm

 

[iualum]

Yes, I get that, but that's not the whole story.

I certainly think it's the vast majority of the story, though. Oh yes, it's also smaller, lighter, & less bucks.

 

[hdracer]

I certainly think it's the vast majority of the story, though. Oh yes, it's also smaller, lighter, & less bucks.

Yeah but it isn't a 215 like the OP wants.

 

[iualum]

Yeah but it isn't a 215 like the OP wants.

No, you're right. It's better in every respect .

 

[Rumblefishxl]

OP HERE,

thanks for all the suggestions. The 2-cab solution was offered as a compromise. I have 2 Avatar cabs, a 212 and 115. They sound great but they are both 4 Ohm. The MB-800, as great as it is, was designed to avoid 2 Ohm loads. I've tried using just the 212, it sounds strained at the volumes I need.
I actually did gigs with both cabs, but I slaved a PF350 to power the 115. That was cumbersome to set up and dial in.

So back to my one-cab solution for the MB-800. I know the GK 412 NEO is the logical choice. I know this.
Why do I keep looking at the Peavey 215? I wish I knew. Maybe because in the 70's I gigged with two 215s and the sound was glorious.

I will spend about $50 at Pro Cables n' Sound to buy a cable that allows my 2 cabs to be ran in series, thereby showing an 8 Ohm load to my amp. I believe the MB-800, at 500 watts, should move enough air to satisfy me.

But still, no PV-215 users out there to supply a mini review of that cab?

 

[klejst]

Decent tone and will last through a fall down the stairs to a nuclear explosion.

 

[jeff7bass]

If you're man enough....


http://hardtruckers.com/HT215B.html

 

[bebass]

OP HERE,
... Maybe because in the 70's I gigged with two 215s and the sound was glorious.

...

I did two 215 cabs in the 70's also! THUNDER!!
I considered that Peavey but just too heavy for me. Another option is two of the Traynor neo 115's. http://traynoramps.com/bass/cabinets/product/tc115neo/

woops - just saw the "single" requirement.
If you can handle the weight that Peavey looks like an awesome cab. Makes me want to go back to a dual 15 cab.