Is This Amp Underrated?! Fender Bassbreaker 15!

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL

I recently plugged into a Fender Bassbreaker Amp for the first time and was really surprised! I wanted to show how this amp sounds and explore why my expectations were low, why these amps don't seem as popular as others on the market, and what went wrong! Thanks for watching!

Instagram;
@thebenmneal

0:00 - Intro Track
2:36 - Prologue
4:19 - Low Gain Stratocaster
5:02 - What Is The Bassbreaker?
6:06 - Medium Gain Telecaster
6:49 - Specs & Features
8:21 - High Gain Les Paul
8:47 - Verdict! Pros & Cons

[brianjamescountry]

I just picked one up in a pawn shop. Saw it on the shelf and gave it a go. Was blown away by the tone.

[Bcananzey]

I had my gain knob fail and repaired it myself. It's not really that bad. Guys that complain want simple. For what this amp offers you can't expect simple guts. You pull out the board you need to repair and put it on the bench. It's actually modular. Now I think it was probably the easiest part to replace but I didn't see huge issues to fix other components. Yes lots of screws and plugs but that's why they make labels.

[cliveshalice]

Thanks Ben for taking the time to review the amp, definitely food for thought. Just wanted to say what a killer opening track and performance - absolutely loved it!

[jollygoodtime]

How the actual fuck do you only have 2k subscribers? I’m not new to music but new to guitars, and just got this amp on the cheap locally. It’s amazing. I can just use a delay and tremolo pedal, and man that’s basically done. Finished. It’s all I need. Period.

This video is well made, it’s concise, and you’re choice of chord structure and melodic playing is amazing for this amp review.

You’re gonna kill it, man, and you need WAY more subscribers.

[SteveSkillings]

I saw the title and had to react. This amp is my “if you could only have one amp” choice and I am lucky to have vintage amps (I’m old) and originals or reissues of all the classics. Brian May, EVH, 80’s Rock, AC15, and other sounds can all be found in this beauty. It’s my “I don’t know what mood I’m in right now” amp, because it can do it all IMO. It is SO versatile. And I use it without effects too for all gain sounds. Straight in, and it does it all. I hope that helps those who are just figuring out that this amp is insanely good. It’s a keeper for me. Oh, I play blues to metal, I’m not a jazzer. Give it a try is my recommendation. But be prepared to keep it.

[jacobthomas]

I’m right there with you man. Just picked one of these up, and I much prefer it to any blues jr ive ever owned. I think this is the shining star of Fender’s current amp lineup outside of the vintage RI series. Tonally it’s much sweeter/refined and more versatile than any of the hot rods. Outside of large outdoor gigs, I foresee this becoming my #1 gig amp. The verb sounds absolutely awesome (and I’m a spring reverb purist). It’s sounds equally great at home and band volumes, which is a rarity. Also because of the gain structure switch, you can get it set to edge of breakup for pedals at literally any volume. And the price/build quality is absolutely killer too. Just an absolute knock out winner of an amp.

[ajofadams]

I have one of these and I’ve got to say, i love it. It’s the perfect plug in and play amp, so easy to find a tone and I’m with you, the mid-gain is home. No pedals. Gain just past 12 for single coils, just below for humbuckers.

I just play at home, and it’s perfect for that too. Can get the master high enough to get the speaker moving without rattling the windows. I’ve the sc20 jcm800 too and it’s almost useless to me, even on the 5 watt mode can’t get the master past 2 on dial. 3 makes room rattle. All the tones are thin.

[brandonmessmer]

Amazing playing and thorough review, I really like the tones on this amp, but would be ecstatic if the gain stages could be switched via footswitch. It does clean up well, but his would make this amp so much more useful when gigging.

[dylanli]

Spot on! Thanks for sharing! Great review! I own this amp for almost a year now and still loving it! Even at low volume for home use it still sounds great! It’s versatile and suitable for wide range of music genre.

[johnladdsmusic]

I started with the BB-15 and added a BB-30. Both amps have become my mainstay for live playing. They are both fabulous amps for different reasons. A fender amp with a killer drive sound…who knew?

[mdrake]

The BB15 has been my main amp for several years now. Have a FSR Midnight Oil with the Greenback. Live in the medium gain stage, gives me the tones from my favorite classic rock/blues records at home volumes, best master volume taper of any Fender amp I've tried, and great guitar volume knob clean up. It has beaten out both a Friedman Dirty Shirley Mini and Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee.

[Dave-nmxc]

Great demo bro. You are a phenomenal player!

[Nightwinflyer]

When the Boss Katana amps hit the market, I almost bought one online from my local music store sight unseen. I ended up going in and trying it to be sure. I am glad I did. They also had a Bassbreaker 15 in the limited edition Midnight Oil with a Celestion Greenback. Worlds of difference in tone and feel in favor of the Bassbreaker 15. I am a big fan of solid state amps and have recorded a lot of songs with the Marshall MG100CFX head. The Bassbreaker 15 is what came home with me that day, and I also picked up a Bassbreaker 007 combo. Great amps. Using them in my home studio, there isn't a tone I can't dial in. 100% reliable. Awesome intro track too, by the way!

[nekkon]

It just sounds warm... I don't know what people don't like about the clean channel. I have a Bassbreaker 30r and I hear criticism like "it sounds too British", or "those EL84s have that top-end sparkle" and other generic stuff that I simply do not understand! Bassbreakers sound great, and for the price they are a no brainer. Would I like to own a Pro reverb? Sure. Is it worth double the money? I highly doubt it.

[stevespayde]

Great honest review, tones, and playing---bravo!

[sunson]

Yes, we stay at mid gain level all the time which has really great tone and even better with OD pedals! One of the best in-depth reviews for BB15~ Thanks a lot!

[btecww]

Fantastic composition in the introduction. I own the Bassbreaker 15. The amp sound great. Some say it’s unreliable. I have had mine for 0ver 6 years. Not issues

[vincentdesautels]

I have 15 watt head with the BB 112 Cab and I really like it. You are right about the mid gain it’s the sweet spot. Thanks for the tip about pushing the mids and high instead of the bright switch

[maxpeck]

Seems like a killer affordable amp. I hadn't considered one of these when I was shopping for an amp but I really dig it. Nicely done

[triclone]

Delicious performance, video and sound. Thank you!