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Fly Guitars Interview: Justin Meldal-Johnsen - part 3: Amps and effects

Introduction | Gibson basses | Other equipment | Trivia


Other Equipment

Late 90s Gibson Thunderbird, late 70s Gibson Ripper and Ampeg amp/cabs
Late 90s Gibson Thunderbird, late 70s Gibson Ripper and Ampeg amp/cabs

FlyGuitars What kind of set up do you use live?

JMJ SVP-CL preamps, SVT-1600 and QSC PowerAmps, two Ampeg 8x10 cabs,

FlyGuitars Any Effects?

JMJ Piles and piles of them. I have three custom boards - two for the studio and one for live.

FlyGuitars And in the studio?

JMJ Basses and effects going into a B-15 or an SVT. Along with that is an amazing Divided By 13 bass rig I use as well, 200 watt, all tube with a 4 x 12 cabinet fitted with Celestions. Face melting.

Two of Justins Ampeg B-15s. Left a 1969, right a 1974.
Two of Justins Ampeg B-15s. Left a 1969, right a 1974. - "they're as important to me as a great bass"

FlyGuitars One classic Gibson bass you don't use is an EB2, but you regularly use other hollow-bodies, like the Guild Starfire. What do you like about the Starfire over the EB2?

JMJ Starfires are balanced sounding and have room for more "finesse" playing, I feel. EB2's are too heavy in the low end for me in terms of what I use the Starfires for, though I should probably own one. The Starfire has become my sound on a lot of records, most notably on Sea Change..."Paper Tiger", "End of the Day", "Lonesome Tears", songs like that....that bass sound is Starfire >> Ampeg B-15R >> Neumann FET 47, no DI.














Thanks to John (Redbird) Fertig and Justin Meldal-Johnsen for another great interview

Why not check out some of these links
Justin Meldal-Johnsen homepage
Ima Robot homepage
Beck homepage
and don't forget the other FlyGuitar interviews

Gibson bass guitars for sale

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Vintage 1967 Ampeg B-15-N Portaflex guitar bass amp - excellent, original tubes

Vintage 1967 Ampeg B-15-N Portaflex guitar bass amp - excellent, original tubes

Madison, Wisconsin, 537**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6000

Experience the classic tone and robust construction of the Ampeg B-15-N Portaflex, a vintage amplifier that's stood the test of time. Ideal for both electric and bass guitarists, this combo amp delivers rich, warm sound with its single speaker and two distinct channels, catering to a variety of musical styles and preferences Crafted with vacuum tube technology, the B-15-N Portaflex is a testament to enduring quality and performance. Its streamlined design is both visually and audibly ... more
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1970s Ampeg B-15S Extension Cabinet 8 Ohm Original Excellent Condition RARE

1970s Ampeg B-15S Extension Cabinet 8 Ohm Original Excellent Condition RARE

Milford, New Jersey, 088**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

Here's a VERY rare opportunity to own a B-15S 15" extension cabinet. Most of the time you see cabinets that were stripped of the amplifier. This was manufactured as an extension cabinet. This is not an orphan cabinet from a complete amplifier. You can see its fitted with the original cups on top that the steel feet would sit in rather than having the shock mounts for the amp chassis. The cabinet is in original cosmetic condition however I am doubting the speaker is original. Its not very ... more
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1970 Ampeg BT-15 Portaflex - 50 Watts - 1x15 Bass Combo - With Trolly

1970 Ampeg BT-15 Portaflex - 50 Watts - 1x15 Bass Combo - With Trolly

Dayton, Ohio, 454**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1100

Amps are local pickup only at our Dayton, Ohio store!
We will NOT ship any amp, No Exceptions! Do Not Ask!
Please contact us before buying to arrange pickup details!
A 10% Re-Stocking fee on ALL canceled orders and non pickups after 5 days
1970 Ampeg BT-15 Portaflex. This is a 50 Watts solid state bass combo with a 15" speakers. This one works great and is loud and clear. Includes the hard to find trolly! (10)
... more
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1975 Ampeg B-15N Portaflex 25-Watt 1x15" Bass Combo Vintage Tubes Serviced Nice!

1975 Ampeg B-15N Portaflex 25-Watt 1x15" Bass Combo Vintage Tubes Serviced Nice!

Milford, New Jersey, 088**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2600

1975 Ampeg B-15N. Magnavox era. This is the last major revision to the B-15N features. Some of the pots date to 75 so this could have been completed in 75 or 76. Chassis serial number and cabinet serial numbers are a match. The sound of these B15 combos is on just about every Motown and Soul record recorded during the 60s and 70s and have continued to be the choice of MANY artists across all genres to this day. This is possibly the most recorded amplifier model in history. Its on way more ... more
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1970 Oliver B150 Bass Guitar Serviced Amplifier Amp Ampeg B15 7027 Tubes

1970 Oliver B150 Bass Guitar Serviced Amplifier Amp Ampeg B15 7027 Tubes

Buffalo, New York, 142**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$980

Very rare Oliver B150 amplifier. The same Jess Oliver who designed and worked at Ampeg designing the B 15 and other legendary amplifiers. This amplifier is a one owner untouched until it was recently serviced by our tech with new caps bringing it up to 100% working condition. All original except for one replaced 7027 power tube with an original ampeg item. 3 prong cord added. Original parts included. Very rare Mullard GZ 34. Sounds like a tube rectified Bassman and great for guitar or ... more
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Vintage Ampeg PortaFlex B-15s  Bass Cabinet ONLY No Amp As Is Read Description.

Vintage Ampeg PortaFlex B-15s Bass Cabinet ONLY No Amp As Is Read Description.

Saint Louis, Missouri, 631**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

Vintage 1970s Ampeg Portaflex B-15s 8 ohm Cabinet Only No Amp Just Cab And Speaker This Has Been In My Family Since It Was Bought New I Was Told It Works But I Dunno Anything About It Selling As Is Local Pick up In St louis Missouri
I do my best to provide A honest and accurate description of the item for sale a happy buyer is top priority! There are No returns for this listing please see pictures and ask any and all necessary questions before purchase Thanks for looking! 
About ... more
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1964 Ampeg B-18N Portaflex 2-Channel 50-Watt 1x18" Fliptop Bass Combo Serviced

1964 Ampeg B-18N Portaflex 2-Channel 50-Watt 1x18" Fliptop Bass Combo Serviced

Milford, New Jersey, 088**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000


1963-64 Ampeg B-18N Portaflex Fliptop combo amp, made in Linden NJ. I personally love every Ampeg Fliptop I've ever owned. (I have a decent collection) This is one has been gigged and used regularly. Serviced and suitable for a someone intending to continue to use it regularly. Features a newer 18" speaker. I am unsure of the manufacturer. Its nothing premium but does the job nicely. Its been fully inspected and is in great shape. No coil rub or issues operationally. This amp has mostly ... more
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AMPEG B15N BASS AMP SERVICED - SOUNDS EXCELLENT!!! 1960s PORTIFLEX TUBE AMP

AMPEG B15N BASS AMP SERVICED - SOUNDS EXCELLENT!!! 1960s PORTIFLEX TUBE AMP

Saint Cloud, Minnesota, 563**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5000

SOUNDS PERFECT, WORKS PERFECT!!THREE PRONG UPDATED NEW FILTER CAPS. (COUPLING CAPS ARE ORIGINAL)DEATH CAP REMOVED THERE IS COSMETIC WEAR, PLEASE SEE PHOTOS
THIS AMP SOUNDS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR A READY TO USE VINTAGE AMP, THIS IS YOUR BEST BET
FAST SHIPPING!MORE ELECTRONICS - HERE!... more
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1977 Ampeg B-25B Bass Guitar 1-15" modified Speaker cabinet  /  No Amp included

1977 Ampeg B-25B Bass Guitar 1-15" modified Speaker cabinet / No Amp included

A Great Lake State, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$399

VINTAGE 1977 AMPEG B-25B SPEAKER CABINET WITH A 15 " SPEAKER IN GOOD USED CONDITION !! POSSIBLY MODIFIED FROM A 2 15" CABINET.
This is a Ampeg B-25B Cabinet . This SALE is for the speaker cabinet only , No amp head is included in the sale . The amp head has been sold. Feel free to ask any questions you wish. The cabinet is a B25B with impedance switch from 4 -16 ohms If this has been cut down I do not think the impedance switch will work I would not think the impedance switch ... more
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1965 Ampeg SB-12 Portaflex 2-Channel 25-Watt 1x12" Fliptop Combo Blue Diamond

1965 Ampeg SB-12 Portaflex 2-Channel 25-Watt 1x12" Fliptop Combo Blue Diamond

Milford, New Jersey, 088**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000


Here's a good looking a recently serviced Ampeg SB-12 Portaflex Fliptop. I LOOOVE the fliptop amplifiers. I've really been enjoying putting this through its paces. An absolute studio staple since their inception over 60 years ago. The B-15's get most of the hype but their smaller cousin the SB-12 is equally capable of that classic bass tone. "SB" was short for string bass. This was marketed as the amplifier for the string bass Ampegs. It turned out to be a fantastic choice for just about ... more
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Ampeg B18X 1965-1966

Ampeg B18X 1965-1966

Toulouse, 31***, FRANCE

€1700

Les amplificateurs de la série Portaflex d'Ampeg étaient extrêmement populaires. Ils étaient relativement compacts et la tête rabattable permettait un transport facile et sûr. De plus, les conceptions à évents des enceintes Portaflex étaient acoustiquement efficaces et avaient un son remarquable. Le suffixe « X » indiquait que l'ampli était destiné à un usage « universel », c'est-à-dire guitare, basse, claviers ou accordéon. À 50 watts, les plus grands modèles de la série X ... more
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