New toy! (vintage ampeg content)

[Baird6869]

A Portaflex sure would look nice between my SVT-CL and Markbass F1!

 

[Psycho Bass Guy]

I'm coming into this a bit late but was wondering if the 5691 tube has the same quality of sound as the old 6SL7?

A 5691 IS a 6SL7, 5691 is just the industrial designation.

 

[joplin]

A 5691 IS a 6SL7, 5691 is just the industrial designation.

I picked up some 5691 JAN tubes that were military old stock - cheap. Not sure if these are the right kind. They have a round plate structure, not square or boxy. Have you tried these? I don't really have the means to do a comparison since they're the only tubes I have. Would I be better off buying the "red base" RCAs that cost a fortune?

 

[Loudthud]

The "Ext Amp" (I think that what is says) can be an input or an output. It's at a high impedance point in the circuit so you really don't want to drive a long cable. The best use of it is to connect two B15's together. You can plug your bass into either one and drive both. If you plug a DI in there it may knock the volume way down, just crank the volume control up to compensate.

 

[JimmyM]

I picked up some 5691 JAN tubes that were military old stock - cheap. Not sure if these are the right kind. They have a round plate structure, not square or boxy. Have you tried these? I don't really have the means to do a comparison since they're the only tubes I have. Would I be better off buying the "red base" RCAs that cost a fortune?

I wouldn't unless you're really into ABing tiny differences in tubes. I'd say throw in the 5691's and see what happens.

 

[shakerattleroll]

MMM...B-15's

(dam it, where is that drooling smilie when you need one)

 

[Psycho Bass Guy]

I picked up some 5691 JAN tubes that were military old stock - cheap. Not sure if these are the right kind. They have a round plate structure, not square or boxy. Have you tried these? I don't really have the means to do a comparison since they're the only tubes I have. Would I be better off buying the "red base" RCAs that cost a fortune?

Those sound like the 6SL7WGT's I use. They're great.

 

[joplin]

I wouldn't unless you're really into ABing tiny differences in tubes. I'd say throw in the 5691's and see what happens.

I'll stick with them then.


I need some good 6L6GC tubes for it now - any recommendations? Brand, supplier, etc.?

Seems like there are lots of opinions about 7581A and STR387 tubes... I want the amp to sound like they all did when guys were making albums with these amps. If I need to find Sylvania 6L6GC tubes for the original sound then I will.

I'm not sure if the "microphonics" problems with the old Sylvania type are really that big of a deal?

 

[Vin_MM_Sabre_79]

<insert obligatory "Jamerson didn't record through his B15" comment here>

 

[pedro]

<insert obligatory "Jamerson didn't record with his B15" comment here>

BAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!

 

[Psycho Bass Guy]

<insert obligatory "Jamerson didn't record through his B15" comment here>

I didn't realize seamonkey was posting in this thread.

Jamerson DID use a B15N in the studio. Hitsville didn't have the monitoring or multi-track capability to play back tracks for each player and as such, arrangements were usually recorded live with the band. That means an amp was necessary. Besides, how else is it that the B15N just happens to get the same tone on all those old Motown records?

 

[JimmyM]

I didn't realize seamonkey was posting in this thread.

Jamerson DID use a B15N in the studio. Hitsville didn't have the monitoring or multi-track capability to play back tracks for each player and as such, arrangements were usually recorded live with the band. That means an amp was necessary. Besides, how else is it that the B15N just happens to get the same tone on all those old Motown records?

I thought the same thing myself, but then I saw pics of the setup they had...DI's for the bass and guitars, and a 15" monitor about the size of a B-15N for a monitor. However, they most definitely based his sound on the B-15N.

 

[joplin]

<insert obligatory "Jamerson didn't record through his B15" comment here>

I thought he used a Kustom 2x15 for most things. There's one of those at a local guitar shop I go to.

I grew up near Chanute, KS - I remember seeing tons of Kustom stuff used by the guitar and bass players in the bands my dad played in 30 years ago. Some of it was "upholstered" with weird sparkle fabric, not just black vinyl.

Seeing the big 2x15 at the guitar shop brings back memories.

 

[JimmyM]

I thought he used a Kustom 2x15 for most things. There's one of those at a local guitar shop I go to.

I grew up near Chanute, KS - I remember seeing tons of Kustom stuff used by the guitar and bass players in the bands my dad played in 30 years ago. Some of it was "upholstered" with weird sparkle fabric, not just black vinyl.

Seeing the big 2x15 at the guitar shop brings back memories.

Bob Babbitt was the one into the Kustom. Jamerson was a B-15 guy. I don't even think his was an N. I think his was one of the first.

 

[pedro]

Bob Babbitt was the one into the Kustom. Jamerson was a B-15 guy. I don't even think his was an N. I think his was one of the first.

No Jimmy. Jamerson did have a B15 but used a Kustom 200 for bigger club gigs.

 

[JimmyM]

No Jimmy. Jamerson did have a B15 but used a Kustom 200 for bigger club gigs.

Really? I did not know that. Very good, then.

 

[pedro]

Really? I did not know that. Very good, then.

Yea its in the 'Standing in the Shadows Of Motown' book but here ya go.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Jamerson#Jamerson.27s_equipment

Jamerson's amplifier of choice at club performances was an Ampeg B-15; in larger venues, he used a blue Naugahyde Kustom with twin 15" speakers. On both, the bass was typically turned up full and the treble turned halfway up. On most of his studio recordings, his bass was plugged directly into the mixing console.

 

[Psycho Bass Guy]

I thought the same thing myself, but then I saw pics of the setup they had...DI's for the bass and guitars, and a 15" monitor about the size of a B-15N for a monitor. However, they most definitely based his sound on the B-15N.

That monitor, which was homemade cab with a JBL D130 speaker, was for general playback only. There is no question that Hitsville used DI's, HOWEVER, most of Jamerson's sound was his B15N, which he used for tracking. The DI's were optional as both he and Bob Babbit have related in interviews several times.

Bob Babbitt was the one into the Kustom. Jamerson was a B-15 guy. I don't even think his was an N. I think his was one of the first.

No. Jamerson used a Kustom 200 live, though some Youtube videos show him with Showmans on huge shows, probably rentals. His personal B15N was an early 70's model Magnavox made amp with a Theile cab and can be seen onstage in Standing in the Shadows of Motown next to Bob Babbit, who actually used a Carvin combo to play through. Jamerson's B15N didn't work and was there only for show.

 

[JimmyM]

That monitor, which was homemade cab with a JBL D130 speaker, was for general playback only. There is no question that Hitsville used DI's, HOWEVER, most of Jamerson's sound was his B15N, which he used for tracking. The DI's were optional as both he and Bob Babbit have related in interviews several times.



No. Jamerson used a Kustom 200 live, though some Youtube videos show him with Showmans on huge shows, probably rentals. His personal B15N was an early 70's model Magnavox made amp with a Theile cab and can be seen onstage in Standing in the Shadows of Motown next to Bob Babbit, who actually used a Carvin combo to play through. Jamerson's B15N didn't work and was there only for show.

Dang nab it! This whole Motown thing is almost impossible to figure out. When I first got on here, everyone told me I was nuts because I thought Jamerson cut tracks with a B-15. Now you're saying I was right all along. I think rather than try to figure out what equipment everyone used, I think I'll just enjoy the music

 

[pedro]

That monitor, which was homemade cab with a JBL D130 speaker, was for general playback only. There is no question that Hitsville used DI's, HOWEVER, most of Jamerson's sound was his B15N, which he used for tracking. The DI's were optional as both he and Bob Babbit have related in interviews several times.



No. Jamerson used a Kustom 200 live, though some Youtube videos show him with Showmans on huge shows, probably rentals. His personal B15N was an early 70's model Magnavox made amp with a Theile cab and can be seen onstage in Standing in the Shadows of Motown next to Bob Babbit, who actually used a Carvin combo to play through. Jamerson's B15N didn't work and was there only for show.

I'm probably misunderstanding you but I don't think the B15 was used at all in the studio.