NPAD: Taking my Vitamin B15

When I moved my family into a cool old house in Dayton TN a few months ago, being a history buff, I soon discovered that William Jennings Bryan, the 3-time presidential candidate, secretary of state to Woodrow Wilson, and chief prosecutor in the Scopes Monkey Trial, died on the property diagonally across the street from our new address a few days after concluding his famous courtroom battle with Clarence Darrow. Cool stuff.

However, it took a bit longer to find out who lives directly across from me, and once I did, “The Great Commoner’s” final point of departure from this world took a backseat to next door. One day in late spring while trimming my hedges, I met this neighbor, Chris Shibley, who was also trimming his hedges. Chris and I had a chat and shared our respective interests in music, and I learned he is also a professional amp builder and technician. His business is Deluxe Amplification: Deluxe Amplification - Handwired Guitar Amplifiers Made in the USA

Chris and I have since struck up a friendship, jamming together with my drummer buddy, and in the process, I asked him if he could build me an all-tube head. Considering my current gear and anticipated applications, he suggested a tube preamp instead. And so was born the Deluxe “Vitamin B15.” He tells me it is the exact B-15 circuit found in the old Ampeg flip top, and it’s got an old USA Ampeg tube. I requested the inclusion of a DI, and he granted my wish.

He finished it over the weekend, and I had a chance just before retiring this evening to put it through the paces. Holy crappola…it’s THICK. With my Magellan 800, I find it best to go through the instrument input rather than the effects return and with the -15db pad button engaged. It’s pure thumpy, juicy fun with a P bass and La Bella flats. Lots of tonal adjustment in the simple bass and treble knobs, and it feels like it is of the highest build quality.

Chris has built mostly guitar amps, but he told me he is considering building a few more Vitamins, and with his permission, I wanted to share with TB my new preamp. More pics and sound clips to come after I get through the next few busy days of work. I know of similar preamps discussed and sold here in our forum, but it’s special to have my friend build me one.

 

I do owe TB a clip. Time got away from me. I’ve messaged my neighbor to see if he has time in the next week or two to record something at his shop. He has a much better environment for sound.

 

It’s more about “hair” on the tone rather than all-out distortion, though it blends very nicely with the OD channel on my Genzler Magellan 800. Let’s just say I’m now very spoiled and use it for practice and live shows. Let me put together that sound clip for you soon: the best descriptive word I can summon is “juicy.”

And I also acknowledge this is a product from my friend and neighbor, so anyone reading this should account for my inherent bias. But because I know him, I can say he is truly a tech whiz who takes pride in everything he builds.

 

I’ve messaged my neighbor to schedule a time to record something for you at his studio. I think he must be really busy right now (he usually cranks up late summer). I’ve got to go on a week long business trip from today into Labor Day weekend, but I haven’t forgotten you.