Ooh ooh. How do you like your NS fretless? When and if my Pedulla sells that’s one I wanna check out.
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Who here rocks a single 15?
- Thread starter Jason Hollar
- Start date
Can't go wrong with the SW115... I got two of them.
I've been gigging my old MESA RR115 (TL606) cab a lot lately. the original EV was long gone when I got it so i installed an Eminence 3015 in it. Really sounds good. It especially likes my old Musicman HD150 head.
Only single 15 I've ever gigged is this TC Electronic BG500. Actual watts notwithstanding, this thing sounded wonderful, lots of practical features, and got as loud as you wanted it to be. 
![BG500-115_HE021_Right_B[1].png](https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/bg500-115_he021_right_b-1-png.3265802/ "BG500-115_HE021_Right_B[1].png")
not to derail the thread too much but---
It is nothing short of amazing in my opinion. I'll say this though - my two CR5s (fretted and fretless) are my first foray into the boutique bass world, so my impressions may not be like yours if you are used to Pedullas and Foderas and Alembic etc...
That said, I find them both to be thunderous yet imminently playable. Ned Steinberger went all out with the ergonomics- the configuration absorbs the 35" scale very well (in fact my Geddly Jazz feels like more of a stretch than the CR5s do). The magnetic pickups are outstanding. The piezo is very usable with it's high cut and boost switch (I don't use it much in a live setting, but others might). The ebony fretboard and fingerboard are really nice (IMO-it's my first time with ebony). I love the bump out at the end of neck to simulate where a headstock would be- unlike other headless designs, the CR5 gives a nice sense of where the end of the neck is. The bridge design is probably the best stroke of genius on Ned's part- you can use any normal long-scale strings- no more double balls. AND as you tighten the strings to pitch, the diameter of the string actually helps intonate it at the same time. I wouldn't say it's COMPLETELY self-intonating (and there are adjustments on the bridge saddle for that), but it's NEARLY self-intonating. Once you've changed strings on one, you'll see what I mean.
Negatives? You can't use coated strings - they slip through the bridge (I wanted to try coated rounds on the fretless- it didn't work, I just use regular nickle rounds). I wish there was a glossy poly finish available (the satin is not the most durable [but I take very good care of my instruments, so this hasn't really been an issue so far]).
In my opinion, you can buy with confidence.
Now, I've derailed this thread enough, feel free to PM me if you want to know more.
I dig the “stealth mode” on those cabs.
It’s embarrassing. I like all this old crap and use it weekly! All my modern gear has disappeared...
What's up with the P-bass? You didn't get around to unwrapping it?
I was going to use one 15. Then it rained. Happy nearly NY!
There is NO reason to be embarrassed by all of that classic stuff!
Got an old Randall Basso refitted w/ an Eminence 15 that holds up pretty good with my RBX775 if I don't get greedy.
That's not one of those folded horn cabs w/ an 18 on the right, is it?! A shattered dream. . . Unfortunately, I'd have no use for it these days, except to call the cops.
I gig this more than my subway gear.
Because the BL likes the tone much better than the Mesa gear. He thinks the Mesa gear is rock and rollish and the fender is just thumpy and round like a 50s country band should be. I don't mind, I tend to agree with him. So I guess I'll never get away from this damn Fender TV 15.
Because the BL likes the tone much better than the Mesa gear. He thinks the Mesa gear is rock and rollish and the fender is just thumpy and round like a 50s country band should be. I don't mind, I tend to agree with him. So I guess I'll never get away from this damn Fender TV 15.
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I think the combination of cone materials with the aluminum and paper combination is much better sounding than the older style all aluminum cones. A lot of people considered them brittle or harsh sounding. The new ones in the Hydrive cabinets aren’t that way at all. They are also neodymium light weight speakers and aren’t near as heavy as the older ones. I also like the tolex covering over the old carpet which seemed to pick up all kinds of stuff. The biggest thing for me is they sound great and are reasonably priced. They do exactly what I need them to. If they are to be gigged a lot I advise you to buy some slip covers so the cabinet tolex will stay in nice shape. Last is I’ve heard people talk about their speakers farting out with low frequencies and high volume. These are 500 watts rms and I’ve never heard even a hint of that. With 2 HD115’s and a LH1000 the volume can crank pretty loud even with a 5 string bass low B. No problem.
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DIY 15, emi BP1525 with a modified dust cover: View attachment 3265005
Calipers on top vibrated and add a bit of HF reverb
Is this from their cabinet design sheet, or did you already have an enclosure? Sealed? This looks like a very versatile driver.
Otto
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,771
- 40,450
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
I played one of those Edens for years and it was a very sweet sounding cab for the acoustic/folk/bluegrass/50's and 60's rock music I was doing at the time. I mostly used mine with an Ampeg B-2 which was more than powerful enough for the lower power rating of those earlier cabs.
My single 15 solution these days is a Mesa Subway 115...easily one of the best single 15's I've ever heard or played.
