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12-08-2010, 02:02 PM
| | | | 1966 ampeg B18n portaflex
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post edited.
here's some pics of mine. i don't know much about this amp; but i will say, it sounds great with a bass, and is dead quiet.   
it appears to have seen some better days.
any other b18n users out there?
Last edited by gnatshel : 12-09-2010 at 11:35 AM.
Reason: broken rules
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12-08-2010, 02:07 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tampa, Florida | | | Sweet amp.
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Last edited by danomite64 : 12-09-2010 at 02:07 PM.
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12-09-2010, 11:36 AM
| | | | op edited, and pics added! |
12-09-2010, 11:43 AM
| | | | Nice! Looks like it's seen some good days, with lots left in it! |
12-09-2010, 11:59 AM
| | | | yeah, it could use a new tolex job for sure. i think it still has the original tubes, rca; a new set would probably do wonders for it. the power cord is still the deadly two pronger; i'm hesitant to change out anything though because the amp is so quiet, save for the occasional crackle of tubes warming up. |
12-09-2010, 12:06 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada | | Quote:
Originally Posted by gnatshel  the power cord is still the deadly two pronger; i'm hesitant to change out anything though because the amp is so quiet, save for the occasional crackle of tubes warming up. | I can't say this strongly enough:
GET THE POWER CORD CHANGED TO THREE WIRE ASAP!!!!!!!!
Also remove the cap from the polarity switch to ground. It's no longer needed and is a potential danger!
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Paul
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12-09-2010, 12:16 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Olivette, Missouri | | | B15 N
Quote:
Originally Posted by gnatshel
any other b18n users out there?
| Gnatshel,
The B-18's had a higher wattage head than a B-15. I believe it was 55 watts. They used this same head on the B-15 ND. If you're going to keep it I'd highly reccommend that you have it serviced. Most of these old amps need a cap job to keep them from blowing the power transformer. You can do the upgrades a little at time.
Ric |
12-09-2010, 12:40 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BassmanPaul I can't say this strongly enough:
GET THE POWER CORD CHANGED TO THREE WIRE ASAP!!!!!!!!
Also remove the cap from the polarity switch to ground. It's no longer needed and is a potential danger! | i'm completely in the dark when it comes to electronics. what was the polarity switch used for; what is the danger? |
12-09-2010, 12:41 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric Vice Gnatshel,
The B-18's had a higher wattage head than a B-15. I believe it was 55 watts. They used this same head on the B-15 ND. If you're going to keep it I'd highly reccommend that you have it serviced. Most of these old amps need a cap job to keep them from blowing the power transformer. You can do the upgrades a little at time.
Ric | how much does a cap job usually run? |
12-09-2010, 12:42 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NY | | | Is that a Klipschorn in the corner? Serious bass, there. |
12-09-2010, 01:10 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben Clarke Is that a Klipschorn in the corner? Serious bass, there. | good eye; it's an extension cab for a hammond. |
12-09-2010, 01:13 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: boston, ma | | | The polarity switch changes the polarity of the plug. In this case, if you have it set properly you shouldn't have any problems as the amp should be grounded to the chasis through the "death cap." The problem is that if you don't have it on the proper polarity with the two prong cord you can get a nasty shock.
As far as a cap job, on that amp it shouldn't run you more than $100. When I had my B-15 done it was a little over $100 with other work being done at the same time, and my V4 which is bigger/more work than the B-18 was only $130.
Last edited by coreyfyfe : 12-09-2010 at 01:15 PM.
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12-09-2010, 01:21 PM
| | | | ^ thanks, i will definitely put that on my list of priorities.
i think the amp's going to be sitting for awhile; i'm considering going direct with a tech 21 gt2 for the time being. |
12-09-2010, 01:23 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baltimore | | You should sell it to me 
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Official Ampeg Portaflex Club #141
Official Ampeg Club #765
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12-09-2010, 01:35 PM
| | | | what's this portaflex club in your sig? ^ |
12-09-2010, 02:10 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tampa, Florida | | Quote:
Originally Posted by gnatshel what's this portaflex club in your sig? ^ | The thread is here. They won't let me in because I only have a Portabass rig. 
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12-09-2010, 02:22 PM
| | | | off to google portabass. ^ thanks for the link! |
12-09-2010, 02:49 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing: Ampeg | | Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Apopka, FL | | Quote:
Originally Posted by danomite64 The thread is here. They won't let me in because I only have a Portabass rig. | you're welcome to visit and post in it anytime, bro 
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Ampeg Portaflex Club #1
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12-09-2010, 02:51 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tampa, Florida | | The Portabass was one of the last things Ampeg made while still an American company. 
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"But I didn't. I only knew that you'd know that I knew. Did you know that?" - Casanova Frankenstein |
12-09-2010, 03:41 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada | | Quote:
Originally Posted by coreyfyfe The polarity switch changes the polarity of the plug. In this case, if you have it set properly you shouldn't have any problems as the amp should be grounded to the chasis through the "death cap." The problem is that if you don't have it on the proper polarity with the two prong cord you can get a nasty shock. | To add a little to Corey's post, when the switch is incorrectly set and the cap becomes leaky, as old caps do, it essentially connects all the metalwork of your bass to live AC mains. That is not too healthy for the player. Please make the power cord change your highest priority.
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Paul
Last edited by BassmanPaul : 01-05-2011 at 01:48 PM.
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