Posted on Sep 14 2014 10:42 AM
The problem with the old smaller (36 x 24 x 11.5) Bassman and Showman 2x15 cabinets and especially the later larger ones is that their depth is way too shallow for good bass reproduction. The smaller ones do sound pretty good with good speakers, E-V 15B or 15L in particular. The larger late '60's-'70's ones...ummm, not so good. There is a lot of science involved in modern bass cabinet construction regarding internal volume and porting that wasn't the factor then that it is today.
The 1960's Ampeg B-15N and the single Showman 1x15 cabinets had double front baffles which were state of the art at the time. But the Ampeg was only 25-30 watts while the single Showman was 85W which was a lot in those days. But cone area matters for bass and a 2x15 or a pair of 1x15's will work pretty much anywhere if there is enough power pushing them. Larger venues generally have FOH (front of house) PA support, so a 300+ watt bass amp really isn't necessary except for stage volume. Rowland Salley, Chris Isaak's bass player uses a pair of blackface single Showmans (tone ring cabs) on stage and his bass sound/tone is as good as it gets.
A well-designed modern 2x15 cabinet can work well on stage if the depth is sufficient and is properly ported. Peavey built some really good ones in the '70's and '80's and they can be bought dirt cheap these days. Pictured here is a '70's Peavey 215 center slot port cabinet that my pal and fellow SG101-er Eddie Katcher "Fenderized" 13 years ago. It has a pair of E-V 15BX 400 watt speakers and it has "that" sound with plenty of headroom, even with an 85 watt Dual Showman head powering it.
The Ampeg SVT with a 8x10 cabinet seems to be the big stage standard rig but I've never cared for their compressed sound. After 40+ years of playing bass with several different bands - rock, country, surf, bluegrass, jazz - a pair of 15's is usually my "go to" setup.
Bass players, just like guitar players, have strong opinions about what is "the best". One big difference is that they seem to embrace modern technology regarding amplification somewhat more than guitarists do.
Here's the Peavey cab. I paid $40 for it (without speakers) before Eddie K made it pretty...
—
Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)
The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)
Last edited: Sep 14, 2014 13:02:10
November Birthdays 
