Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

[Xandeeno]

I'm set on a bassbreaker 15 head. Sounds incredible. However, would it play metal? I play classic rock, sometimes blues, hard rock, metal and heavy metal. With some pedals would this work? I am getting a stereo cab, so if the bassbreaker is hopeless for a solid metal tone, which similarly priced amp would I want to get?
Basically, will it play metal with pedals, or should I aby it with another head (if so please specify)
Thanks so much.

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

The Bassbreaker 15 can do metal, especially on its high gain setting.

That isn't its forte, though, IMO. I believe its best setting is medium gain, which would get you up to hard rock. The Bassbreaker 15 medium gain setting has some of the best old Marshall-flavored tones out there today. I'm pretty sure you could get up to metal by hitting the medium gain setting with overdrive, and especially if you have high output pickups.

In my experience, the high gain setting, while sounding good, can get noisy. A noise gate in the effects loop might solve that, though the effects loop in the 15 has had noise issues of its own (known issue shortly after introduction, maybe solved in later production runs).

I would try it in a store, since it's a commonly available amp. IMO, the Bassbreaker amp was conceived as a rock/hard rock amp. The Fender Super Sonic is more of a high gain amp.

At similar price points, I would also consider these heads: Blackstar HT 20, Marshall DSL15, and Peavey ValveKing MH or 6505 MH. The 6505 MH might fit your bill, especially if you need a ton of gain. Its Rhythm channel is basically hard rock, and its Lead channel is basically Cannibal Corpse

 

[Demanic]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

You'd be better off hitting the clean sound with a good distortion pedal if you want to do metal.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

You'd be better off hitting the clean sound with a good distortion pedal if you want to do metal.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

I can hit the front of my Roland Cube with a Joyo Ultimate Drive
And get fierce metal grind

 

[Demanic]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

I either run a modded MT-2 or an old Duncan Twin Tube Mayhem.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[Demanic]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

Of course you can always stack an overdrive in front of either of those for when you want to take it further.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

I have the bassbreaker 15 combo. While it is a nice amp I would either look into a different amp for metal or use a good distortion pedal with the amp set clean. I have tried multiple OD and boost pedals. The highest gain setting is noisey but when you hit it with a pedal it gets a lot worse. i am still trying to find something that works the best for my needs.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

After having many amps of various wattages, to convincingly do metal you need big power tubes such as EL34s, 6550, or similar. The lower wattage amps with EL84's are a bit spongy in the low end for Metal...

Unless you want Sabbath or Judas Priest, then an Orange Tine Terror or probably the Bassbreaker may do

 

[Xandeeno]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

Thanks guys! Really helpful replys. I will probably get it and a boss ds2 distortion and go from there

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

I believe the Bassbreaker 15 can do Metal, but you'd still want a pedal to help it out.

I really wanted to love the Fender Bassbreaker 15 (might get another one someday) but the cleans were not the traditional "Fender" style...so I returned my BB15 and went with the Blues Deluxe.

The Bassbreaker is one of the most "Marshall" sounding Fenders I've ever played–which should work well for a Metal platform.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

You'd be better off hitting the clean sound with a good distortion pedal if you want to do metal.

That's what I'd advice too. A good pedal (or pedals) will take you a long way!!

The lower wattage amps with EL84's are a bit spongy in the low end for Metal...

I also agree with that, but if you don't want to go to the higher wattage 6L6 or EL34 type amps, a good pedal will give you good enough metal tone out of EL84 equipped amps.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

I believe the Bassbreaker 15 can do Metal, but you'd still want a pedal to help it out.

I really wanted to love the Fender Bassbreaker 15 (might get another one someday) but the cleans were not the traditional "Fender" style...so I returned my BB15 and went with the Blues Deluxe.

The Bassbreaker is one of the most "Marshall" sounding Fenders I've ever played–which should work well for a Metal platform.

Marshall "borrowed" from Fender so Fender is returning the favor.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

Skip the DS-2. Get a Tubescreamer or an OCD.

 

[Securb]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

I have said it here over and over again. Playing metal has nothing to do with your gear it is all about attitude. If you are in the right mindset and have the balls you can play metal with a Tele, Peavey Bandit and the right stomp. Focus on the music, not the gear.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

If you are in the right mindset and have the balls you can play metal with a Tele, Peavey Bandit and the right stomp.

This.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Fender bassbreaker 15 for Metal?

To be fair, the Peavey Bandit is a pretty metal amp. *cough*Left Hand Path*cough*