Introduced probably in late-1962, these two combo/packaway bass amplifiers formed part of a range of guitar amps (also including the Black Star and the Auditorium 21 and 30 guitar amps), all of which featured bizarre white, metal-studded coverings - rather suggestive of a 1950's ladies' boudoir. A space for the amplifier unit during transportation and storage was provided inside the speaker cabinet, a system pioneered previously by the Ampeg B15 Portaflex. Having the amplifier separate to the loudspeaker when playing a bass guitar has the advantage of reducing stress on the valves caused by heavy bass vibration, as well as providing for better heat disipation. Fenton-Weill were therefore in the forefront of the move towards separating amplifier units from their speaker cabinets, an idea which was soon to be followed by the major manufacturers.
The 15watt "Bass 15" was supplied with two channels, each with two inputs and volume and tone controls feeding, a Goodmans 12" ceramic-magnet speaker to handle 15 watts. Valves: 3 x ECC83; 2 x 6BW6 (EL84/6V6); 1 x EZ81 Rectifier.
The 30 watt "Contra-Bass 30" was of the same physical dimensions and had the same two channel / four input format as the "Bass 15", but was fitted with a 15" Goodmans Audium 80 speaker and used twin EL34 valves to provide a 30 watt output.
It is believed that an earlier version of the Bass 15 was produced during 1961-62 which had a much plainer cabinet appearance, but was otherwise of similar construction to the 1962-63 version. Examples of this rare version have not yet been found.