Fender Bassbreaker 15

[@GraysonKade]

This amp is incredible. Such a thick and meaty tone. You can get that killer fender clean tone (but thick and full) and also a nasty searing rock tone. That versatility on a fender amp is so awesome. Anddddd built in reverb? Too good! This is a great main amp to use. It can do it all and do it all so well.

[@Deathgiagar]

Love that bluesy sounds. Really versatile!

[@moonstation8585]

Based on the Marshal Bluesbreaker which was based on the Fender Basmann. Want one!!

[@blackie75]

I'd like to have a heard a Les Paul through it.

[@ArielsSmartyPants]

This is the one that will sell, lovely sound and features :)

[@marcoalexanderwinthermikke9132]

Intro is like Jimi Hendrix meets Iron Maiden... ^^

[@TheDiamondsions]

Exactly what i thought

[@GuillermoZS]

Why is this the only amp in the series that features an FX loop? Great sound btw. Probably the most versatile amp in the series. Is it loud enough for live performances?

[@Deathgiagar]

+Guillermo Zulueta Sánchez sure it would be enough for small gigs :)

[@GuillermoZS]

+CanOfPeas Not really. I'll try it on a store as soon as I see one. Thanks!

[@slimkickens]

this one also has the dedicated xlr out.

[@Jacksonade]

+Guillermo Zulueta Sánchez People who say you can't gig with anything that's 15 watts or more are lying 15 watts dimed is shit loud. Why fender and marshall made those high watt amps back in the days was cus they didn't mic em up anyways. Look at guys like Dan Auerbach who plays prinston reverbs live. Just saw bonamassa som months ago with only twins and bassmans and that was shit loud man!

[@slimkickens]

Mike Hudson you're so right. I'm using an AC15 in a trio, and I've never had to dime the master. I do like a lot of headroom for cleans, but for crunch, never needed anything bigger than 20w max

[@jasonwilliamshuck]

I bought the 112 combo and am using it with my DV Mark 212 cab. Sounds absolutely fantastic and one of the most pleasant sounding/feeling amps I've ever owned. I posted a simple iPhone demo with a nice analog delay in the loop just to show how clean the fx loop is.

[@Aint1S]

so far, I'm sold on this amp series... smitten. About to pick up the BB-45 combo, but this 15 has some great tone on tap. Just a shame that some audio was not processed very good when mastering the video... and we can't forget KZbin issues as well.

[@ldz4630]

Honestly the bassbreaker is the best amplifier there is, i have a 7 watt combo at home and i gig with a 15 watt head + Marshall 1960AV cab. i wish there was a 100 watt version with power attenuation. (10, 25, 50, 100 watts)

[@bradleyshuppert3393]

The muted pick attack in high gain mode really amplifies that “whirring” sound of a compressed EL 84, which some people identify as a dominate sound of this amp... seems like all the comments blame the EQ section as being very limited, I think it is purely the tube type... and could be because of cathode biasing running them at full power and not having a push pull type tube compliment.... very interesting either way and a Fender NON Fender offender... use your hands and play what feels good and sounds like what you hear in your head.... fabulous amp for many!!

[@GBHickz]

question for other bassbreaker 15 owners: does it seem like the 1st stage on the gain is unusually quiet? I loaned my amp out several weeks ago, and ever since then it seems like i have to turn the volume up past halfway to get anything like useable volume out of that setting. Has anyone else had that issue?

[@mattgilbert7347]

Yes. I swapped out for JJ's 12AX7s and my tech also did something else to the initial gain stage (I can't recall) and now it has a bit more clean headroom. However I prefer the second gain stage with the gain set low and the master high.

[@GBHickz]

thanks! @@mattgilbert7347

[@patiogreen9738]

Any foot switching between the different structures, or does it have to be done on the amp? Didn't look like it from what I saw. Would be interesting to see it run with some different pedals as well to see how it interacts...

[@nemanjaslavic7860]

This or Blues Junior ?

[@budgetguitarist]

Hmm. The head version sells for $599 and the combo version sells for $649. Only $50 more for a 12 inch speaker and cab. Hard to tell with poopie KZbin audio, but this sounds fuller than the 7 watt version to my ears. It's got competition in its price range for sure, but I really like the sound of this line.

[@gigthurmond2187]

I'm not just picking on Guitar World with this comment-they all do it to some extent. But shilling for Fender with the company rep sitting next to you and gushing over the amp doesn't help the consumer one bit. What's wrong with this amp, Paul? Nothing? What don't you like about it? Again, nothing. I've read several reviews from people who've actually purchased Bassbreaker 15 combo that mentioned problems with the effects loop, which made that feature unusable. Has Fender fixed that problem yet? If so, who's paying the shipping costs if I have to send it back. And why is digital reverb better than springs? It's definitely a lot cheaper, but I have amps with digital and others (including 3 Fenders, by the way) with springs, and I don't find problems with springs at high gain. If springs are a problem, why has fender continued to put them in their most expensive amps all these years? Have they been conning us? And what kind of tubes are in the pre-amp? Aren't they what are responsible for the high gain sound we all love? And if you're going direct, the EL-84's are not doing much of anything, right? The Bassbreaker 15 may be the greatest amp since Leo's first Esquires twanged across the dance floors of southern California 1950, but a puff piece like this that appeals to the gear acquisition syndrome of the drooling masses (and yes, I too am of that drooling heard) is worse than useless.

[@Tull1996]

I agree completely.....I've always looked at any magazine's reviews as more of a "Hey, look....they make this amp/guitar/pre-amp/whatever, now." I rarely see magazines really trash a product, unless there is a GLARING problem with it...and then they usually powder puff punch it....figure, most of these publications are getting some serious advertising money from these companies...and you don't want to offend them. I like these videos, as I get to see the product and hear it....but then I check out the comments to see if anyone complains about a certain function...lol

[@Jeepjones85]

Would be cool if one of you guys played a tele

[@clintwhite3021]

Why did they still mic it up?

[@michaelm7934]

Next time you guys do a review, please hit the light switch.

[@facetono]

Anyone have an idea on the tab fr the beginning? I slowed it down and still can't figure it out. Yes I'm new to playing. Any help is appreciated.

[@jonathonp.3071]

This amp is perfect for me! Why did it have to come out after I spent all my money on a Vox AC15? Dammit!

[@popoaggie]

+StratoZep18 Trying to make the same decision. Heading out tomorrow to buy one or the other.

[@ChrisJimenez2010]

What did you guys end up liking better? I have an AC15 now and looking for a more Marshally sound. Does this one sound "bigger"?

[@jonathonp.3071]

Chris Jimenez Sorry mate, haven't played it. However, if you're looking for a Marshally sound, I suggest maybe looking at the Marshall DSL range or something instead. Fender amps are not known for their driven sounds, so I suspect this one sounds very mediocre at best when driven.

[@popoaggie]

+Chris Jimenez I went with the AC15. The Fender didn't impress me. I couldn't get the legendary Fender cleans, and the crunch tone wasn't to my liking. I liked the chime of the Vox and it gets over driven sounds that I like. Some one else might love the Fender tones. Depends on what you play.

[@ChrisJimenez2010]

popoaggie The bassbreaker is supposed to be a replication of the Marshall JTM45, the first marshall ever created. If you read the description of the Fender Bassbreaker it says that it is a "hot rodded bassman with a British sound". Now if you look at the history of Marshall, you'll learn that Jim Marshall created the JTM45 to sound like a Fender bassman with more gain. Jim Marshall lived in the UK so he could not get the same American components that Leo Fender used so you made due with British ones. Basically Fender is getting back at Marshall for using much of their ideas in the first place. You dont like to clean sound or crunch because its not meant to be a Fender clean. Its basically a Marshall amp.

[@katherineseiss102]

Ordered the head version in November. Still waiting for shipment.

[@tapiokarusto8176]

Bill Seiss Dude. It's october.

[@katherineseiss102]

+Tapio Karusto Dude - that post was 9 months ago.

[@Rawbinater]

should I get this or a blues Jr now with a drive pedal

[@69madcow69]

I was thinking the same thing for a while. Went and tried both pretty extensively and the Jr with a good Drive really is better. The clean of the Jr an spring reverb sold me. got one the other day!

[@atticinhabited8657]

i have a blues jr and i like it alot but when u mic it it has this very noticeable boxyness to it. its really hard to explain tho

[@kellyjackson7889]

Get the BB and put a reverb in the EFFECTS LOOP its 4x the amp the jr is

[@mattgilbert7347]

I got both. Blues jnr takes all drives ok. Not so wirh the Bassbreaker!

[@mattgilbert7347]

Great sounding, versatile amp (I have the 15 watt combo) but a tech's nightmare.

[@michaelm7934]

Paul always reminds me of Derek from Step Brothers. But can he sing high like this?....

[@janeanderson363]

This 15 watter vs marshall dsl 15 let's hear it

[@keza123123123]

Can i use the xlr out when not on standby ?

[@olivierarnold_]

Kieran Hill dont think so

[@leandroperroni]

Can i use a footswitch?

[@jasonstl636]

No and the gain structure switch drastically increases volume as you switch it. Make sure if one it has he black plastic input jack in the send on the fx loop if it was made before a certain date. Great little amp but is more Marshally than Fendery. Takes all my pedals good. Run a TS or great bedroom level sound.

[@cupolove1]

for sure get some lighting!! this is a great review and great playing as well, but the quality of video is not good. even the sound is a bit off. i still love GW though.

[@arissp4950]

fender amps were built for endless slow and heavy DOOM

[@smitty31560]

How is it with metal?

[@docgerbil1956]

Check out some of the andertons/rob chapman videos on the amp series. It screams pretty nicely depending on what youre looking for.

[@GunsnRosesfan2012]

Can this thing play metal?

[@mattgilbert7347]

Yep

[@GunsnRosesfan2012]

Matt Gilbert awesome now to save up and get it.

[@evanparker]

dude says the BB 15 has EL34's and it totally does not.

[@Smart-Alex]

I think he probably meant the two EL84's

[@Hulkhoagie1]

1:56 he clearly says "el84". I own this amp. It's a cool and versatile amp.

[@biffelliotforpresident]

Dude on the left looks like they found him living under a bridge. Good grief, brother, get yourself together.

[@thingumbob4628]

LA "metal"