I am using some tax refund to buy another amp. I have a starter SWR LA 15 USA practice amp now. I would like to stay in the $700-$850 range total. We are starting to get a little more serious at doing some gigs, so I would like to step up on my amp. Honestly, I don't have a "sound" that is my own. I've played through many amps and am generally pleased with all of them. We play mostly blues and classic rock with a few country songs thrown in. I would really like a B-15 as I love how they sound. I also played a Mesa Walkabout Scout that I really liked. I have to keep up with loud drums and a 100 watt Marshall tube 1/2 stack. We do have a pretty decent PA, but the rythem guitarists plugs his Line 6 direct into it, plus the mics. Would the B-15 compete with this? Should I look into the Scout more? Or go a completely different route? I would like to stay with a smaller combo type, but am not oppossed to head and cab if thats what I need. My only requirement is that it MUST be made in USA (I know I leave a lot of good imported amps out with that one, but it's the one I'm most passionate about!) Sorry this was so long, but I look forward to all suggestions. Thanks, Casey
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Need advice- 2nd amp... B-15, Mesa or ?
- Thread starter csm672
- Start date
Here's the low down- if you want volume, you need multiple speakers. Period. I love the Walkabout, but in the 12" Scout package, it doesn't keep up (for me, in my band). However, put that Walkabout head on top of 2 12" spkrs, and magically, it's cutting right through. Whatever you decide, DON'T skimp on the speakers.
I own a B15N, and I love it. It truly is "the sound that launched a thousand hits".
But, IMO keeping up in a gig setting isn't really it's forte (although JimmyM may disagree!
).
Your combination of budget and MIA is going to make for an interesting challenge. I prefer tubes for my tones personally, and I have no experience with the Walkabout, but it seems like it would fit your needs in both respects.
But, IMO keeping up in a gig setting isn't really it's forte (although JimmyM may disagree!
).Your combination of budget and MIA is going to make for an interesting challenge. I prefer tubes for my tones personally, and I have no experience with the Walkabout, but it seems like it would fit your needs in both respects.
A B15, if paired up with an extension cab to get down to a 4ohm load, is capable of keeping up in a live situation. I used mine as a second head last year in my hard rock cover band, and it kept up with a Marshall. Granted, my guitar player knows when enuff is enuff on the volume - and we work pretty well together to strike a good balance. If you like the B15 tone and can't get a Portaflex - maybe a pair of B100R's or a V4BH through a 1x15 or 2x15 might be to your liking.
While a B15 is a classic bass amp and can provide great recorded tone, without FOH support a 27watt amp is just not going to work in a situation with ANY kind of serious volume, even with an extension.
OTOH, the Walkabout is very capable of producing a "supercharged B-15" kind of tone, and much more too. So, it is quite a bit more flexible than the venerable B-15. As Rickenboogie said, pull the Walkabout head and use it to drive a 2x12 or 2x15 cab and you will be a very happy bass player. You can then use the combo for quieter/smaller gigs or rehearsal (or on the studio .. where it also really shines).
Having used many different amps in my checkered bass playing career (including several vintages of the B-15), I would confidently say that the B-15 makes a great second, or recording amp, but not a primary amp for a rock player (unless you have killer PA support all the time).
good luck
OTOH, the Walkabout is very capable of producing a "supercharged B-15" kind of tone, and much more too. So, it is quite a bit more flexible than the venerable B-15. As Rickenboogie said, pull the Walkabout head and use it to drive a 2x12 or 2x15 cab and you will be a very happy bass player. You can then use the combo for quieter/smaller gigs or rehearsal (or on the studio .. where it also really shines).
Having used many different amps in my checkered bass playing career (including several vintages of the B-15), I would confidently say that the B-15 makes a great second, or recording amp, but not a primary amp for a rock player (unless you have killer PA support all the time).
good luck
Thanks for the responses. The SWR I use now keeps up with our volume pretty well, but gets lost on a couple songs where our lead is just wailing. It's a 100 watt amp (the SWR) so I was afraid the B-15 wouldn't keep up (although I thought they were around 50-60 watts, not 27!) I am not familiar with the VB4H. I assume this is a head unit. Is it a tube amp? (need to figure an amp tech into a tube purchase) Do I need to broaden my budget? I thought I could come in used for under $850, but maybe not? Thanks everyone! Casey
IMO I didn't feel the 15" Walkabout had that Portaflex sound. I had one and sold it quickly. In a loud rock setting, a B-15 won't cut it.
For under $100, you'd arguably do better getting something like a B-100R or B-200R which have that Ampeg sound as well as the vibe - much better than the Walkabout Scout in my opinion.
You may also be able to pick up a used Polytone cheap. They're also good.
The V-4B is a head only, you'd need to get a speaker.
If you want something a bit more powerful, get something like an IP112 (I have one for sale). It's a bit out of your price range, but you could put a nice tube pre in front of it.
You've definitely got options, that's for sure.
For under $100, you'd arguably do better getting something like a B-100R or B-200R which have that Ampeg sound as well as the vibe - much better than the Walkabout Scout in my opinion.
You may also be able to pick up a used Polytone cheap. They're also good.
The V-4B is a head only, you'd need to get a speaker.
If you want something a bit more powerful, get something like an IP112 (I have one for sale). It's a bit out of your price range, but you could put a nice tube pre in front of it.
You've definitely got options, that's for sure.
v4b and v4bh are heads, yes. and though i do gig a b-15n quite often, i play in a band that isn't a bunch of volume freaks and i almost always have pa. i wouldn't recommend a b-15n to someone looking to upgrade from an la12. but once you've gotten a big rig squared away, then i absolutely would recommend it.
Well, I thought about getting a Tech 21 VT pedal and running it into an amp, but I'm not really sure about that. A guy gave me a Digitech multi pedal and I really don't care for it. It adds alot of noise into my signal (it is a cheap multi, but I think I may not have that problem with the Tech 21 stuff.) I think I will look further into the VB4H. I'll do a search. Would this and a decent cab come in under $850 or should I plan for more? Thanks again, everybody! Casey
yes, it could easily come in under $850.
but as the owner of both ampeg tube amps and a vt pedal, the vt's not a bad way to go at all. i use it a lot as an "amp saver" on the road, when the svt on my rider is turned into a hartke combo that belongs to the promoter's son
but as the owner of both ampeg tube amps and a vt pedal, the vt's not a bad way to go at all. i use it a lot as an "amp saver" on the road, when the svt on my rider is turned into a hartke combo that belongs to the promoter's son
Thanks Jimmy. Do you think the Vt pedal would go through our PA? I have played through the multi direct to the PA but didn't like the sound. Don't know if that was the lousey sounding pedal or just going straight in to the PA. We have pretty decent speakers, but with all that has to run through them, maybe that wouldn't be the way to go. I will shop around for a used V4 or V4B head and see what I can find. Thanks, Casey
the vt doesn't have an xlr out for going to the pa direct, but it can be modded. and tech 21 has a deluxe vt coming out that does have an xlr out.
The only real choice is to BOOGIE!
Check out the M3. or spluge and get the M6 2x12 combo.
Small package that will cut thru that marshall with no problem.
Add a matching 1x15 or 4x10 box later on and thats all you will need.
Go play one, you will love it.
Check out the M3. or spluge and get the M6 2x12 combo.
Small package that will cut thru that marshall with no problem.
Add a matching 1x15 or 4x10 box later on and thats all you will need.
Go play one, you will love it.
I liked the SFT better than the VT overall ... I never warmed up to it. Too sterile IMO. Both would work as front ends to a powered cab like the IP.
sft is a killer sounding pedal judging by the clips i've heard. but i don't get the sterility thing about the vt. oh well...different strokes.
Having used quite a few of the "Ampeg emulators", the VT always sounded more solid state and sterile to me; I could never find my sound exactly. Having said that, it was also in some ways the most versatile. The SFT was definitely warmer, and the Linden EQ + some preamp (in my case, the LowEnd True Voice) also was warm as well (as it should be in that case).
I think it all depends on what you were going for.
Now that I'm selling or have sold them all, it doesn't really matter.
fair enough. i'm sticking rigidly to the vt, but i have a lot of respect for all those products, especially the true voice.
It's not like the VT is a piece of garbage. Far from it. The good thing about all of these little pedals now is that there's a choice for people who want a "classic" Ampeg-like tone on a budget. I'm pretty impressed with most of them on some level. The VT Deluxe looks pretty intriguing and well made.
I may regret selling all of that stuff as I am right now at some later date, but most of it is easily replaced if I ever want it again.
