Who here rocks a single 15?

[BadExample]

Why would you want to do that?

Reduced power out should help reduce the boom, and you will run at a higher output voltage (for a given volume) and get into the controlled breakup design of the class D section. Explained much better by the @agedhorse here: Ran my Streamliner at 16 ohms tonight -- a revelation

 

[4001]

The first amp I owned was and still is, a 1981 Peavey Mark III series BW115 combo. GREAT amp.
It's my amp for learning new stuff.

 

[rafitoprtx]

I played 1x15 for years. They sound great specially when you crank them or use distortion. I recently switch to 10 inch speakers but i still love the 1x15 tone.

 

[Jason Hollar]

At the risk of hijacking the thread let me just say that these two objectives tend to be mutually exclusive in the typical live gig setting. The reality is the bass is always in competition with the drums, guitars, keys and other instruments for frequency bands. If you have your bass putting out sound that is taking up all the frequency bands from the ultra low through the mids and into the high end, then there isn't much room for anybody else. Unless your name is Les Claypool, this isn't going to sit well with your bandmates.

The way to get every instrument to "cut through the mix" and be heard clearly and cleanly as individual voices compromises need to be made. Usually this means that the kick drum get the lowest frequencies (40-60 Hz) while the electric bass gets the space just above it (70-140 Hz). This means the bass doesn't get the "huge boom" you might want but the overall band sound is a higher priority.

There are exceptions, depending on the music genre. Some types of jazz or reggae and even country in some cases, might give the electric bass a lot more low end and tone down the low end of the drums.

But the overall rule is: you can't get something for nothing. If you try to make every instrument sound as huge as possible, all by itself, then when they're all put together in the mix, the entire sound will turn to garbage.

I appreciate this reply. I am a conscientious player - and often get asked to turn up!

I’m covered with my upright rig which is a Markbass CMDp 1x12 combo plus add’l NY121 cab for outdoor gigs. The Twelves seem to be a good match for my instrument and the rear-firing ports seem to help control feedback.

But for electric bass, I’ve moved back to passive Fenders from the modern active 5, and I feel something is lacking ... hence the idea of a 15 (or two!)

My blues & cover gigs are loud and often without PA support so I need to carry the dance floor indoors/outdoors wherever.

I also play in a Calypso / Reggae jazz type combo and here’s where I try to rattle eyeballs.

I bet a single modern 15 would work great in the smaller indoor dates and adding a second matching cab for the outdoor events would be just the ticket.

However, please keep sending your single 15 rigs - I love em!

 

[Riff Ranger]

View attachment 3265063

Creamy vintage buttery goodness....

That's a gorgeous rig. I bet it sounds as good as it looks.

 

[Element Zero]

One of these thingies. It’s very nice.

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Like Campbell’s soup... Mmm mmm good

 

[Riff Ranger]

Mesa Buster! 200 1x15. I'm interested in picking up the 2x10 version, and I'm interested in a 2x12 cab of some sort; either of those might make more sense for what I usually do (low and dirty, sometimes fast, so prone to "farting out" [for lack of a better term {I would really like a better term!}]), but I had an offer I couldn't refuse and 15s are big and fun, haha. This rig does pair particularly well with the old Magnabass pickups in my Westone Spectrum GT, though ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[ColonelZulu]

 

[nostatic]

As a few others have noted, the Mesa Subway 1-15 gets a lot of love, and by all accounts is one of a few "magic cabs" that just works. I never owned/gigged one (did have the 1-12) but have demo'd them. It doesn't sound like the 1-15 cabs of old - the mids present quite well and it will sit in a live mix really well.

 

[Bassmike62]

Played with a rental Traynor DNB115 a few years ago and it handles stage sound fine. Just bought one 2 weeks ago to complete my live rig, but I would gladly use only this amp again for smaller stages if needed. Tons'o balls. Tons.

 

[Lovep]

Single SW15 with Darkglass MT900.

One passive Lakland Jazz 5

 

[Jason Hollar]

Do you gig with that 15 on that stand?

 

[pbass74]

My Fender Rumble 200 showing off it's 15.

 

[DirtDog]

One of these thingies. It’s very nice.

View attachment 3264985

Not even a shade close to this sweet rig, but I’m rocking a Pf-500 with a PF-115HE cab. As close as I’ll get to a vintage B15!

 

[Scarey Larry]

Fearless 15/6/1. Loveit.

 

[Lovep]

Do you gig with that 15 on that stand?

No, I usually have a small 12 cab on that stand. I usually put the SW15 on a larger stand. It’s pretty rock steady.

 

[Two-Spirit]

I uses 1x15 because I only jam and practice. I'd love to rock an SVT410HLF, and an SVT.

 

[Kro]

Fearless 15/6/1. Loveit.

Does that really count though? You know, given it's a single 15... and a mid and a horn?

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

fEARful 15/6/1.

I played some single 15 before that.
EVM series for general mid range punch.
Altec 421 8H series II for all around smooth, warm clarity.
JBLs for clarity and a nice mid bump.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I’ve always been a 10’s guy - but have fond memories of massive sounding single 15 backlines (Hartke xl, Trace, Ampeg, Peavey)


I’m considering the new Mesa Subway 15 for its light weight & compact size, front ports and decided lack of rat fur.


Any classic or contemporary single 15’ers in the house? Photos please!