Supercharged and hosting a plethora of powerful, flexible features, the Bassbreaker 15 Combo is the newest evolution of the classic Fender Bassman® sound. The redesigned circuitry breaks the mold, adding three different flavors of breakup—the satisfying sound of pushed tubes that heralded the dawn of hard rock.
That was the first thing that really wowed me. It sounded good no matter how it was set.
Different, but all good tones.I was used to (cheap SS) amps with terrible pots that were horrible to dial in to their one 'sweet spot', if you could even call it that. More like one 'usable' spot.The Bassbreaker'a pots are like nirvana for me! Great tones everywhere on the dials and easy to dial in as well? I mean, what's NOT to like about that!?The only negatives I have come across are the noise in the effects loop. Though it's not too bad in mine, it might start bugging me over time.Some people find it a bit dark, but I'm fine with it and have an extension speaker that's brighter I can use instead, or in combination to brighten it up if desired.It also doesn't really do the pristine 'fender' BF/SF type cleans, but then it isn't 'designed' to, so.I have an Ibanez TSA15H that covers those really well (good enough for me anyway), so I have that covered as well.I also wonder about their long term dependability, since they are fairly new.
OK, so I've used a gorgeous (sincerely) HotRod Deville 410 for over twenty years. Then last Christmas I bought a used BB15 head. I had no cab so I tried it through my HRDv speakers - HUGE - but not convenient. I've generally used it through a 1990s Crate SS 2x12 combo with 'custom' Eminence speakers in it, but they're not great. On the other hand, I've spent months A/B-ing it with the HRDv and honestly I can recreate almost identical sounds while using the low structure, so IMHO the BB15 can do a very convincing Fender clean as most people know it.But given that I can make almost identical sounds through my HRDv (volume is tamed with a pot or compressor in the effects loop, so I can crank the preamp - excellent results btw), I have begun to wonder if the BB15 gives me anything additional. I figure the only way I can know is to play it through a better speaker and, hopefully, eventually, crank it (not easy to do in a British house). Searching Google and YT, there are just not enough revealing reviews of different speakers/cabs, so that is my question.In order to stay within a reasonable investment until I'm absolutely sure of the amp, I have considered WGS alternatives to install in my Crate combo cab.
It seems the most viable options are the Reaper series, the Green Beret, the ET65, the Liberator, or, if I stay with an American voiced speaker, either the low-wattage G12Q or the high-wattage G12C (different flavours of Jensen). I've read that some players have had good experience with Cannibis Rex and Maverick speakers as well as GBs.Guitars: tele, vintage SG, ES-335. Musical taste: Gilmour (I know, no strat), classic rock and blues, generally at edge of breakup pushed by overdrive when needed.The Crate combo will be converted into a semi-open cab, well oversized with one speaker, but ordinary if I install two. I really dislike shrill sounds, preferring them very warm but with nice shimmer, Thing is that I've only played with American-voiced sounds for so long, and can't even really remember my early days playing through Marshall stacks! So any thoughts will be very welcomeIt seems that for this formidable amp, there would be a massive involved community (just look at the Katana movement ), but I'm hoping that this Club might have some ideas! OK, so I've used a gorgeous (sincerely) HotRod Deville 410 for over twenty years. Then last Christmas I bought a used BB15 head.
I had no cab so I tried it through my HRDv speakers - HUGE - but not convenient. I've generally used it through a 1990s Crate SS 2x12 combo with 'custom' Eminence speakers in it, but they're not great. On the other hand, I've spent months A/B-ing it with the HRDv and honestly I can recreate almost identical sounds while using the low structure, so IMHO the BB15 can do a very convincing Fender clean as most people know it.But given that I can make almost identical sounds through my HRDv (volume is tamed with a pot or compressor in the effects loop, so I can crank the preamp - excellent results btw), I have begun to wonder if the BB15 gives me anything additional.
I figure the only way I can know is to play it through a better speaker and, hopefully, eventually, crank it (not easy to do in a British house). Searching Google and YT, there are just not enough revealing reviews of different speakers/cabs, so that is my question.In order to stay within a reasonable investment until I'm absolutely sure of the amp, I have considered WGS alternatives to install in my Crate combo cab. It seems the most viable options are the Reaper series, the Green Beret, the ET65, the Liberator, or, if I stay with an American voiced speaker, either the low-wattage G12Q or the high-wattage G12C (different flavours of Jensen). I've read that some players have had good experience with Cannibis Rex and Maverick speakers as well as GBs.Guitars: tele, vintage SG, ES-335.
Musical taste: Gilmour (I know, no strat), classic rock and blues, generally at edge of breakup pushed by overdrive when needed.The Crate combo will be converted into a semi-open cab, well oversized with one speaker, but ordinary if I install two. I really dislike shrill sounds, preferring them very warm but with nice shimmer, Thing is that I've only played with American-voiced sounds for so long, and can't even really remember my early days playing through Marshall stacks!
So any thoughts will be very welcomeIt seems that for this formidable amp, there would be a massive involved community (just look at the Katana movement ), but I'm hoping that this Club might have some ideas! Click to expand.I have the 15 combo with the Celestion V Type and it sounds great. It sounds great with all the cabs I have hooked up to.I've also used it with2x1x12 with V Types1x12 Maverick1x12 '73 CTS alNiCo2x10 90's Emi ALP1028 alNiCos2x10 '73 CTS ceramics as well as 2x2x10.It sounded different, but very good with all of these speakers and combinations thereof.I'm not sure why there isn't more discussion about the Bassbreaker.
It seems there is always more discussion about newer products. The Katana is the 'New kid on the block' and is also very inexpensive, so more people can afford to own them.Congrats on the amp and good luck with the speakers! A recent “like” reminded me that I had posted on this thread back in March when I bought my Bassbreaker. Now that I’m 8 months in with the BB15 Club, I thought I’d offer an update.I am still absolutely, unreservedly happy with this amp. With most guitars, amps and pedals, you go through a honeymoon period and then it becomes just another piece of gear.
This has not been the case with the BB15; this is true love, LOL. I have enthusiastically recommended it numerous times on the forum.First, I continue to be amazed at how good this thing sounds at reasonably polite household volumes that only mildly annoy the wife and slightly frighten the cats.Second, I initially thought that the fact that the three drive profiles were only accessible by the rotary switch would limit the amp in some way but I haven’t found this to be the case. I’ve pretty much lived on the highest of the three gain settings, but it’s great to know that there are other sounds readily on tap.I find that the amp’s lively interaction between my guitar’s volume control and switch give me amazing tonal flexibility before I even add pedals to the equation, the more so as I’m a one-pickup guitar guy. I can keep my guitar volume to 50% and everything cleans up with just a pleasing touch of grittiness. My guitar is a hot-rodded parts Esquire wired so that the “bridge” position of the selector switch bypasses the tone and volume so I can run wide open with a flick of the toggle. This gives me a beautifully clear, cutting but full grind.Third, and finally, this amp nails a combination of general tonal characteristics I loved — sort of a “greatest hits” — and the feel of other, older tube amps I’ve owned or borrowed long-term without any of the finickieness of those amps.
My Ampeg Rocket had to be at a specific volume to reach the sweet spot and if it was running over an hour, that sweet spot changed as the tubes heated up. Even my Marshall was fussy.
This amp is stable, consistent and it’s all sweet spot, everywhere on the dial. Just different kinds of sweet.The chief, perhaps only, complaint I’ve seen here has been a noisy effects loop. I have nothing to offer on the subject, I haven’t used it. Years ago, when I was running a Marshall JMC900, I used the amp’s FX loop for all my modulation and time-based effects with just a wah in front of the amp. I’ve been using amps without an FX loop for years, though, so I’m out of the habit. I loop the noisier pedals in my chain in a Zvex Loop Gate (which replaced a Boss PSM-5) with only my volume pedal, DD7 delay and Ditto looper in the regular chain.
This serves pretty much the same purpose of the FX loop and any advantages the amp’s loop might provide I think are outweighed by the inconvenience of two more cables and the additional time to plug all that in.I love amp.
Welcome to!!Guitar, bass; tube, solid state.Whatever. We love amplification.Amplifier type overview.Solid-state: These amps are called solid-state because they use transistors for their preamp and power sections They are very reliable and seldom need repairs.
They often have a very clean tone, although many come with a “distortion” also. These amps are popular with players looking for a sturdy, reliable touring amp. Most lower cost practice amps are solid state.Tube: Tube amps preferred by many guitarists for their warm, fat tone and “organic” distortion. Tube amps usually sound louder than solid-state amps of the same wattage and have a definite “feel” that you don’t get from solid-state amps. Most tube amps have separate channels that can switch from clean to distorted tones instantly. Tube performance can deteriorate over time, so tubes need changing occasionally.Modeling: Modeling amps use digital processors to simulate the sound of old-fashioned tube technology. Using software that “models” the sound of tube amplifiers (and cabinets), these amps put the sound of numerous amps in one box.
Modeling amps are programmable, and often have built-in digital effects such as delay, chorus, etc. Some include digital or analog outputs with speaker simulation for going direct into a recording interface or PA system.Hybrid: Combining the best of each type of amp into one package, these amps use an actual tube in conjunction with the solid state power section of their amps. Many hybrid amps use a tube in the preamp section and solid state circuitry in the power section to create a tube tone without requiring the use of power tubes. Related subreddits:.
I've been looking to upgrade my amp for a while and have narrowed my selection down to these 3. At the moment I have a Vox Valvetronix and while it does the job well enough I'm looking to find my sound and I think I know what I like in general. I use my strat most of the time and live on the neck pickup, and would listen to and try to emulate (badly) artists such as Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, a lot of John Mayer, Mark Knopfler, SRV, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Clapton etc.I'm having a hard time deciding between these 3 as they're all kinda similar ( Maybe not the Vox as much) and from what I've heard of the amps they all sound pretty good and are in and around the same price range. I have an origin 20, and while I think you can get all the tones you're looking for, I will say I highly recommend you get the head version as the 10in speaker in the 20 combo really takes out the oomph and bottom end. I have the head and play through a 4x12 cab and while it's still bright, it isn't over the top bright. The cleans are great though, and once you crank the volume and start pushing the gain up, you'll really start to hear that amp come alive and sing. Also I changed out the stock pi preamp tube for a tung sol and it warmed it up quite a bit as well.
I’ll preface this by saying I haven’t played the origin 20, only the 50, but own an AC15 and have spent a lot of time with the bass breaker 15.If you’re looking for versatility, the bassbreaker is a no brainer. Each of the three gain settings are their own beast, and sound very good. Its the only one of the three that can comfortably do high gain tones so keep that in mind.The Origin 50 I didn’t love.
It sounds like a classic Marshall but a little more anaemic. Still a good rock sound but kind of a one trick ponyThe AC15 has the best clean and crunch sounds of the bunch, which is why I own it. Nothing is more perfect for classic rock in my opinion. Only thing is it sounds kind of weird with a tube screamer in front. Not necessarily bad just very midrangey. I use a clone of the mad professor sweet honey OD and it sounds perfect. Sorry to disagree, but I believe the reason some people don’t like a TS through a AC15 is because it ends up pushing too much mids for some people’s taste.
Fender black face amps are a bit mid scooped, so a TS kind of compensates for that and that’s why they so many people like them with Fender amps. An AC15 have more mids than a blackface Fender. With that said, I rather like the mids heaven of a TS through an AC15. Allows me to cut through the band mix with very comfortable volume levels.
I've played all three (the bassbreaker least).The BassBreaker and Origin 20H are similar - they're both closely based off of the JTM/Bassman design, and so they both sound kind of classic-rock-but-with-some-tweaks. I got quite a good range of tones out of the Origin, but it was the head version and through a good 2x12. There were some nice cleans and some good distorted tones. I don't recommend the combo.The Origin gives you the most flexibility because of the power cut, the BassBreaker is probably the most popular at the moment (though, it's been around a lot longer than the Origin) and the entry-level AC15 is probably the closest thing to it's original design, but also the least flexible - you want to drive it, you're going to have to drive it. No 1/2W mode for you.Your Valvetronix amp will have something like 'UK Rock' or 'UK Classic' - that's the Origin and the Bassbreaker. 'US Blues' is the Origin with the first tube swapped out for the Bassman's 12ay7, and the AC15 is. See which one you like best.I spent most of my time going between 'AC15 and Blackface (now 'US 2x12'), so I got an amp that was kind of a hybrid of the two.
I have a Fender BB 15 head, and it's really great but I wish it had the power selector feature of the Origin series. I've never played the Origin, but I'm going to try it out when they come to stores near me.
They LOOK awesome, and I'm daydreaming how it would look next to my strat, but for now, the SOUND of my Bassbreaker is very very good. I'm not going to lie, I'm a sucker for aesthetics, I don't care if it's shallow.I rarely ever go into high gain stage on the BB, the mid can get pretty gnarly. Sorry if that's not helpful, I wish I could have all 3 amps, lol.
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