I'm selling my custom B15 N/S hybrid, as I'm getting out of the gear-collecting habit. Asking $1400, OBO. Here are the details, to the best of my knowledge:
-1962 Ampeg B15N cabinet w/ original speaker (square magnet), has a B15S dolly to sit on. Cabinet is in VERY GOOD condition w/ original tolex, insulation material inside, and good handles/clamps.
-1971-ish Ampeg B15S head in EXCELLENT condition that has been mated to the B15 fliptop cover using original rubber shockmounts and does fit inside the older cabinet, no problem. This head is in perfect operating condition, having been worked-on by Terry Slemmons at Slemmons Music Service in Dallas (best in DFW, maybe anywhere). The head is basically all-original. It had a bad CAP, which was replaced, and the original 2-prong cord was replaced w/ a grounded cable. (I still have the original)
Even better, most of the tubes are original, particularly the 7027's, which Slemmons tested and said are in excellent condition, biased, and are still matched. He mentioned that they are probably worth in excess of $400. One of the preamp tubes was replaced with a NOS tube. I'll have to look to see which one it was. He believes the others are original too, or at least early-70's installs.
The head sounds unbelievable, and is much stronger than a B15N head, while maintaining the tone and amp architecture. It has been cleaned/tested/biased to make it a totally reliable and quiet recording/gigging head, in addition to being quite collectible. Like most fliptop lovers, i find the smaller, original Portaflex cabinet design to be much better sounding than the larger "S" cabinets. The "S" cabinets did not use the double-baffle porting, were not designed by Jess Oliver, and simply didn't have the signature sound. This hybrid really is the best of both worlds, as the "S" head IS the same design as the "N" head, with more power.
If you wanted to store the original speaker and install a modern 15 with more power handling, this combo really could hold its own on many stages and small-medium clubs. If you're miking or running a DI off the bass, you could play most stages easily, unless you are in a REALLY loud band.
Still, this is truly built as the ultimate studio amp, where you can take advantage of all the different tones the tubes can give you.
I'd prefer to sell it in the DFW area, where I will deliver, but shipping can be arranged (2 boxes) if you are willing to accept that it will be EXPENSIVE, with the combo weighing in at 95 lbs w/ the dolly.
