Fender Bassbreaker 007 combo vs 15 Combo

[teleman78]

Hey gang,

Long time no talk.

I'm reaching out because I need some advice. I currently own a Mesa Boogie Mark V:25 head with a 2x10 cab that takes care of all my jamming with a band and gigging needs, but I want a smaller lower wattage tube "grab and go" combo to just jam/practice around the house and perhaps small jam sessions. I really like the idea of the Fender Bluesbreaker 007, under 30 lbs and 7 watts, but I keep wondering about the 15 watts version, it does weight 10 lbs more and costs $200 more as well...

Based on my needs and what I already own should I even consider it, or should I stick to the original plan of the 007?

 

[JustABluesGuy]

I have a BB15 and a 2W Greta I can use the Greta when playing lead with an acoustic guitar and cajon. I hook up a 2x10 cab and it's pretty loud.

The BB15 sounds great at low volumes as well, so... I haven't tried the 007, but it should work well for you for practice, jams, and even quieter gigs.

 

[E5RSY]

I've played a 15 and it is a lot of amp. A lot of awesome amp, at that. It feels more like something that's 20+ watts. Also, I think it's "Structure" switch is worth the price of admission, alone. Plus, it has reverb. I could see it being my main amp, actually. Can you tell I liked this amp?

That said, it sounds like the 007 is more along the lines of what you're looking for.

Best,
Scott

 

[horseman308]

I've done lots of jams and a few gigs with a 6 watt VHT amp and 1x12. Depending on the room, instrumentation, and the players' abilities to control their dynamics, 7 watts is plenty of power. But it all depends. For example, mine works great to cut through a mix of multiple instruments if I'm in the right group, but it actually sounds a bit thin and over worked if I need to be the only instrument besides bass and drums. Then having the "bigger" sound of more wattage - even if the actual volume is the same - is preferrable.

I really liked the bassbreaker 15, so that would be my choice in your position.

 

[TMMC]

I currently have the 1x12 and it's pretty dang solid. Awfully pretty too. I run an Orange Tiny Terror through it will mucho success.

 

[teleman78]

Decisions, decisions, decisions... I honestly don't know what to do... but like E5RSY said: "That said, it sounds like the 007 is more along the lines of what you're looking for."

But then again, the itch for the 15w after pulling the trigger on the 007 might become unbearable, if the difference in price was only $100 I'd do it but $200 is a bit much considering I already have a killer 25 watt beast.

I'm just more confused now than before...

Thanks for your replies guys,

 

[JD0x0]

To me, the main difference would be push-pull in the 15 vs Single Ended class A in the 007. These differing power stages generate slightly different harmonics when overdriven. Class A/B push-pull will cancel out 2nd order harmonics in those stages.

The difference between 7 and 15 watts is about 3dB. Quite small.

 

[TeleAndSG]

Hey gang,

Long time no talk.

I'm reaching out because I need some advice. I currently own a Mesa Boogie Mark V:25 head with a 2x10 cab that takes care of all my jamming with a band and gigging needs, but I want a smaller lower wattage tube "grab and go" combo to just jam/practice around the house and perhaps small jam sessions. I really like the idea of the Fender Bluesbreaker 007, under 30 lbs and 7 watts, but I keep wondering about the 15 watts version, it does weight 10 lbs more and costs $200 more as well...

Based on my needs and what I already own should I even consider it, or should I stick to the original plan of the 007?

What kind of music do you play?. How loud is your drummer?. Are there other guitar players in the band you jam with?.

 

[uriah1]

For tone I would lean toward the 007. But that is me.

 

[JustABluesGuy]

If you want to play screaming leads at home or quiet jams go with the 007. It sounds like you already have a gig worthy amp and don't need the BB15.

I own the 15 and love it, but if I were in your situation I would go with the 007. I like to have a variety of amps.

Good luck with your decision, and remember that whatever you choose between these two you are going to have a really nice sounding amp.

Keep us posted!

 

[E5RSY]

It sounds like you already have a gig worthy amp and don't need the BB15.

My thinking, too. Now, if it was going to be his only amp, 15 all the way.

Something else to consider with the 007, though: If I, personally, was going to buy that amp I'd also have to buy a good reverb pedal and a boost pedal. By that point, adding those to the cost of the amp we're bumping up against the price of the 15, anyway. This is assuming those pedals aren't already on-hand, obviously.

 

[Minimalist518]

I have the 15. I love it; it's my main amp and it's plenty loud with a drummer. Honestly, I couldn't be happier with it. I've never tried the 7 so I really can't comment on it, but if the quality of the 15 is indicative of the whole Bassbreaker line, I don't see how you could go wrong with either.

 

[Scaper2014]

Having owned the 007, head and 1x12 matching cab, my advice would be go with the BB15 As the lack of 007 reverb leaves it very dry and the 007 runs out of headroom very quickly. The power tube hits the dreaded dead wall sound very early on IMO. If you dont mind me throwing a spanner in the works the vox ac10c1 is fantastic, and give u a lot more power if needed as the 7w bassbreaker in my experience sounded and felt more like a 4/5watter.

If not how about a VHT special 6?

 

[E5RSY]

If you dont mind me throwing a spanner in the works the vox ac10c1 is fantastic...

I was trying out a Baja Tele through one of those yesterday. After the first chord I instantly went from guitar shopping to amp shopping. Love those amps.

 

[teleman78]

To answer all your questions:

I play blues, funk and rock. I did consider the Vox AC10 before but I read that is very loud and doesn't sound good at low volumes, that it can be very loud for a bedroom/living room amp, also, I've read horror stories about the build quality of the AC10C1 so I decided against it. Maybe I should reconsider it?

The Vox AC10C1 was my first choice when I started looking.

The amp I'm looking for will be used for home practice in bedroom/living room levels and as a grab and go for open mic jams and stuff, could be a very loud drummer or not, I wouldn't know, different people always show up to play.

I do already own a nice Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb pedal so I can always use this if needed.

I guess this has now shifted between the 007 and the AC10C1...

 

[TeleAndSG]

To answer all your questions:

I play blues, funk and rock. I did consider the Vox AC10 before but I read that is very loud and doesn't sound good at low volumes, that it can be very loud for a bedroom/living room amp, also, I've read horror stories about the build quality of the AC10C1 so I decided against it. Maybe I should reconsider it?

The Vox AC10C1 was my first choice when I started looking.

The amp I'm looking for will be used for home practice in bedroom/living room levels and as a grab and go for open mic jams and stuff, could be a very loud drummer or not, I wouldn't know, different people always show up to play.

I do already own a nice Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb pedal so I can always use this if needed.

I guess this has now shifted between the 007 and the AC10C1...

Either the 007 combo or the AC10 will be very loud if cranked. I own the 007, and it doesn't sound bad at bedroom volumes, but it really shines when cranked. It doesn't have much clean headroom, but I'm afraid it wasn't designed for that. It would be great for Blues and classic rock. And I like the build quality (the grey tweed is nice). After all, it's a Fender.

 

[E5RSY]

Don't forget the Pro Junior as a possibility.

 

[Scaper2014]

Ive no problems with my vox ac10 at bedroom levels i think its fab throughout the whole MV sweep.

 

[teleman78]

If you want to play screaming leads at home or quiet jams go with the 007. It sounds like you already have a gig worthy amp and don't need the BB15.

I own the 15 and love it, but if I were in your situation I would go with the 007. I like to have a variety of amps.

Good luck with your decision, and remember that whatever you choose between these two you are going to have a really nice sounding amp.

Keep us posted!

Mr. JuatABluesGuy has nailed it. I think for me this is what makes sense.

Thank you all for your worthy comments

 

[JustABluesGuy]

Mr. JuatABluesGuy has nailed it. I think for me this is what makes sense.

Thank you all for your worthy comments

Glad to be of help. Enjoy your new amp and be sure and post pics!