Modern B-15N options?

[GLEN18INCHSPICA]

I dont think the Fender Bassman 100t sounds quite like the b15 sound i've heard from what I can tell having not owned a b15. Out of all of the "new" amp offerings I've heard in the past 20 years or so that fender 100t sounds as close to a perfect match for me than anything else. Granted I'm basing this on youtube videos & the like not real world experience.

 

[pickles]

Definitely different from b15, but great, fat, loud.

 

[stiles72]

How much more volume will a B100r produce?

Compared to the B15, quite a bit more. To my ears the output seems more comparable to other amps rated at 200 watts. It does have a 4 ohm driver, so that helps you get the most out of the amp, and the way the driver is voiced coupled with the cabinet porting really makes it project.

 

[spacebassed]

There are ways to get more out of your B15... the first thing to do is make sure your circuit is in good working order to begin with, have the power supply caps been replaced? Then, the most obvious thing is to use a more efficient speaker, others include bumping up the capacitance of the first power supply cap, replacing the 6l6's with 6550/KT88's (and adjusting the bias), and using a Weber WS1 copper cap rectifier in place of the 5ar4 tube. Doing those things will get you much more usable volume out of the amp, but will change the character of the amp somewhat - whether that's a good or bad thing is totally a matter of taste. This was being discussed in the Portaflex Club thread not long ago, start reading here if you're interested: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/j...g-portaflex-club-part-9-a-919772/index39.html

Aside from all this are you looking for more volume through one 15" speaker or are you OK with carrying another cab? Adding another cab will get you more volume than adding more watts generally. A B18n will get you more (I own both a B18 and B15), but it's not that much more. If I were you I'd either run the B15 alongside an Ampeg B100r or, if you only want to run one cab, get something like a V4b or even an SVT. While the V4 and SVT are great amps, NOTHING sounds like a B15, IMO - I'd opt for adding a B100r and running it alongside the B15.

 

[Korladis]

I would just get a second cab. It will be louder due to more speaker area, and also it will get a speaker closer to your ear level if you stack one on top of the other, also enabling you to hear it better.

 

[Rob Martinez]

Ampeg B100R all the way.

Also, I like the Fender Bassman TV series, I have the TV Ten and it is a LOUD 150 watts.

 

[tombowlus]

Some great suggestions already, so I'll tack in a slightly different direction.

Yes, the newer Portaflex heads and cabs can get you sorta, kinda in that tone range, and they can move more air (particularly if you get two cabs). I Link Removed, and I did spend some time comparing them to my '66 B-15N. No, it's not the same, but I was surprised how close I was able to get them. I think that a PF-500 or PF-800 with one or two PF-115HE or PH-210HE's would probably serve you pretty well. Though admittedly, it's not going to sound exactly like a B-15N. An Link Removed into one or two of the Portaflex cabs might be nice, too.

Another option would be to get a Jules Amps Monique pre (also Link Removed) and run it into about anything (powered cab, power amp then cab, input jack on more powerful combo, etc). Jule also makes a powered version of Monique (800w class-D power section by Jim Demeter), though I have not heard it yet. This head into one or two of the Portaflex cabs would be nice, as well.

If you want more cabs and you want them to be faithful to the B-15 tone, check out Vintage-Blue. Mark's cabs are to die for! He made the cabs for the Heritage B-15N.

 

[SherwoodGreen]

I had a B15N back in the day, and recently sold (BIG buyer remorse!) a B15R which I believe to be a ridiculously cool rig!!

However, there are limitation outside the studio to the PortaFlex, even the massive 100-watts from the Re-issue!

I think "B15" tone is of course distinct to that incredible design, but along with a players instrument and approach, it can be recreated with a number of rigs, many mentioned here- LMII,
7-PRO, etc.

I have a MB Fusion, and I use it with a Schroeder 212PL- Light, compact, Loud-
Bob Gallien did some wonderful things with the Fusion Micro, it has a lot of features and 3 pre-amp tubes!
The drivers in Jorge's cabs sound superb.

Yes- I know- I've owned (2)- This isn't a B-15, but I can eq this rig, and with my Passive P Bass or more modern sound Bee-

A blindfolded listener could be easily fooled!

Good luck with your search!

 

[DjangoKid]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm now looking into the practicability of having a 80-100w head made. I'm sure it's been done before, but there seems to very little information. I've had a local builder quote me $1600 for a head. I work with some very gifted people who may be able to help a diy project.

as for now, I'm looking for a B100/200r to try, and will try out the PF500 this weekend.

 

[bherman]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm now looking into the practicability of having a 80-100w head made. I'm sure it's been done before, but there seems to very little information. I've had a local builder quote me $1600 for a head. I work with some very gifted people who may be able to help a diy project.

as for now, I'm looking for a B100/200r to try, and will try out the PF500 this weekend.

Cool idea, but that's a ton of coin to drop, and if you need to sell it or want to try something else you'd have a hard time recouping it. There are so many hybrid tube amps on the market now (some described in the above thread) that I hope you'll check some out before going that route (unless unlike me, money is no object!)

 

[JimmyM]

Cool idea, but that's a ton of coin to drop, and if you need to sell it or want to try something else you'd have a hard time recouping it. There are so many hybrid tube amps on the market now (some described in the above thread) that I hope you'll check some out before going that route (unless unlike me, money is no object!)

Plus Ampeg has a new V4B in the works that should be ready to go later this year, and old V4B's are excellent and can be found for around $600.

 

[GLEN18INCHSPICA]

I had a PF500, great sounding head, my only critique would be that it's eq was almost too polite, It seemed the eq covered a really wide range of the selected frequencys. I readilly admit I'm just nitpicking as it performed flawlessly & it's DI sounded great as well. Try out the pf350 or even the Micro VR while your at it. I hear the Micro VR is a little rougher sounding & the PF350 apparently has a similiar if not the same preamp.

 

[JimmyM]

I had a PF500, great sounding head, my only critique would be that it's eq was almost too polite, It seemed the eq covered a really wide range of the selected frequencys. I readilly admit I'm just nitpicking as it performed flawlessly & it's DI sounded great as well. Try out the pf350 or even the Micro VR while your at it. I hear the Micro VR is a little rougher sounding & the PF350 apparently has a similiar if not the same preamp.

Exact same preamp in the Micro VR and PF350, just a little more wattage and headroom in the PF350 and the Micro VR looks slightly cooler but they sound the same to me.

 

[DjangoKid]

So what are the differences between the PF350/500/800? what will be closer to the B-15?

I've tracked down a B100R and will try to audition it this weekend also.

 

[tombowlus]

I'm now looking into the practicability of having a 80-100w head made. I'm sure it's been done before, but there seems to very little information. I've had a local builder quote me $1600 for a head. I work with some very gifted people who may be able to help a diy project.

The guys at Ark Amps build custom tube heads. I did a Link Removed. The head puts out 70 watts, and despite the wild looks, it can definitely cop some vintage tones. They make a less extreme looking version, too.

 

[JimmyM]

So what are the differences between the PF350/500/800? what will be closer to the B-15?

I've tracked down a B100R and will try to audition it this weekend also.

You should be able to get all of them pretty close to your favorite B-15 sounds. The PF210he and 115he cabs are voiced lower than your typical B-15 cabs but have many similarities in tone.

 

[dhsierra1]

I'm now looking into the practicability of having a 80-100w head made. I'm sure it's been done before, but there seems to very little information. I've had a local builder quote me $1600 for a head. I work with some very gifted people who may be able to help a diy project.

I'm investigating something along the lines of what you're trying to do as well. I wonder if you score a used Peavey Classic 60 or even Classic 120 tube power amp and change out the power tubes (with whatever appropriate mods and biases changes) from 6L6GCs to 7027 you'd get close to at least the power section, albeit at 60 or 120 watts

AFAIK to convert from the 6L6 to 7027 isn't that big of a deal and would certainly cost less than those prices you were quoted for a custom amp. And the Peavey's can be had from 200 to 400 dollars on eBay etc.

For a preamp I'd look at something like a Jule Monique since that has the 6SL7 (or is it the 6SN7?) tube.

Just thinking out loud......

 

[JimmyM]

6SL7's in the Monique.

 

[dhsierra1]

6SL7's in the Monique.

grazie, signore

 

[Tom Howland]

Ampeg B100R gets very close.

Also, Ampeg B252 head, with a fliptops 1x15 cab.
They will do the cab 16 ohm to match head.

Both sound great.