70's Ampeg SB-12

[Volume4]

I went at looked at a 70's Ampeg SB-12 yesterday and I'm going to pick it up on Friday.

It says Made In Linden and looks just like this one

http://www.ggjaguar.com/sb-12.htm

Its in mint condition with original cover, original owner, %100 stock and rarely used. I didn't play through it but it fired up.

I'm wondering if it should be bench checked after I get it. I mean its pretty close to being NOS..... but the caps might have aged anyway?.....I imagine the speaker and tubes should still have plenty of life.

I'm pretty excited

[cazksbass]

Lucky dog! I can't believe someone else (you) posted about an SB-12. I bought one from a buddy for a hunnerd bucks but it barely works. It needs a thorough going through. I found a tech I want to have go through it, but there's logistical problems...it's in Arizona and I'm in Kansas. I'm attaching a couple pics of mine.
Anyway, keep us posted about it! Are you going to use it for practice or for actual gigs?

[Volume4]

Nice!!

Yup, the one I'm getting looks like that. I can't wait to take pics of it.....it's a time capsule piece.

It will be practice only.... I'm not in a band.

I also have a B-100R, and I'll take that out if I ever get to jam again.

I think there is a vintage Ampeg expert in a NJ shop somewhere. I don't know if he is doing bench work anymore, but Jess Oliver still lives 20 minutes from me.

[cazksbass]

Damn dude, I got the same thing. I use a B-50R for practice and a B-100R for gigging. That B-100R is one killer amp for sure, it's voiced so it gets pleasing tone no matter what. Anyway, once I get my SB-12 up & running it will become my practice amp. I have been told it sounds terrific and it's also great for recording. BTW, supposedly mine is a 1969 according to the serial number but I can't remember where I determined that.

[Volume4]

According to the Ampeg book...

080000-092000 = 1969

So from your pic it is indeed a 1969.

I didn't jot down the serial # while I was checking out the amp.... the owner said he bought it new in the early 70's but doesn't remember what year.

Yeah, I love my B-100R.......been running either an SFT or Linden EQ in front of it with great results. Decided I wanted to have some Vintage Ampeg real tube fun also.....but the B-100R is going to stay with me for a long time,

[cazksbass]

Thanks dude. Much obliged. Hey, post some pix when you get 'er in the house!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Volume4

I went at looked at a 70's Ampeg SB-12 yesterday and I'm going to pick it up on Friday.

It says Made In Linden and looks just like this one

http://www.ggjaguar.com/sb-12.htm

Its in mint condition with original cover, original owner, %100 stock and rarely used. I didn't play through it but it fired up.

I'm wondering if it should be bench checked after I get it. I mean its pretty close to being NOS..... but the caps might have aged anyway?.....I imagine the speaker and tubes should still have plenty of life.

here's the way i look at it...if it ain't broke, don't fix it. if it sounds good to you, leave it. if you think it could be improved, take it in.

[Volume4]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

here's the way i look at it...if it ain't broke, don't fix it. if it sounds good to you, leave it. if you think it could be improved, take it in.

Thanks Jimmy! Good advice

So when I pick this up and take pictures.....I can be in the Portaflex club?

[Bluesbob]

Hey Volume4, if you find that you need some work done on your "new" amp, take it to Vinny at Electro-Tech. He's the best around and does work for most of the big stores, so if you were to bring it to one of them, chances are he'd work on it anyway. Lots of players from upstate and Jersey travel out to his shop in Wading River so he can work on their amp. He brought my '67 SB-12 back to life. PM me if you need his phone #.
Here's mine:

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Volume4

Thanks Jimmy! Good advice

So when I pick this up and take pictures.....I can be in the Portaflex club?

of course!

[Volume4]

Originally Posted by Bluesbob

Hey Volume4, if you find that you need some work done on your "new" amp, take it to Vinny at Electro-Tech. He's the best around and does work for most of the big stores, so if you were to bring it to one of them, chances are he'd work on it anyway. Lots of players from upstate and Jersey travel out to his shop in Wading River so he can work on their amp. He brought my '67 SB-12 back to life. PM me if you need his phone #.
Here's mine:

Awesome, thats only 1 hours drive from me if I need him. Thank you!!

This is it, right?

http://electrotechlabs.com/

Jimmy,
Thanks!!
I'll have pics up by Friday night, I'll post a couple in the Portaflex thread too

[cazksbass]

Originally Posted by Bluesbob

Hey Volume4, if you find that you need some work done on your "new" amp, take it to Vinny at Electro-Tech. He's the best around and does work for most of the big stores, so if you were to bring it to one of them, chances are he'd work on it anyway. Lots of players from upstate and Jersey travel out to his shop in Wading River so he can work on their amp. He brought my '67 SB-12 back to life. PM me if you need his phone #.
Here's mine:

Bluesbob; dang, man...that's an awesome looking rig. I way prefer the look of yours to mine. Yours has that B-15N look to it...

[Volume4]

Yeah, thats really nice. I couldn't see that pic when I was at work.

I like the look of the 60's ones better also....and thats what I was looking for. But this one was so clean and original for the right price.

I think the 69-70's version looks cool also though and I imagine they didn't change much, although I know they went to 6L6 tubes by the time they changed looks.

The 60's SB-12 would look cooler next to my B-100R.....but I decided to be practical.....for a change.... and put tone and sense first. I'm going to end up putting them in seperate rooms anyway.

I'm just going to have to save that for the day I get a blue checker B-15.

[JimmyM]

it's all good no matter what model you get.

[Bluesbob]

Originally Posted by Volume4

Awesome, thats only 1 hours drive from me if I need him. Thank you!!
This is it, right?

http://electrotechlabs.com/

Yes that's it, hopefully everything will be OK and you don't need him, but it's nice to know he's there if you do.

Like JimmyM said - "it's all good!" Check out the Official Ampeg Portaflex Club Parts I and II for some really mouth-watering pics. I think it's the best thread on TB right now.

[GeneralElectric]

I'd get it checked out. Its a cheap investment. If your amp hasn't been played really (i.e. just been sitting in a basement) than the caps will have aged and deteriorated, and it might need to be rebiased, etc.

I bought an early Ampeg SVT Blueline for cheap that had been sitting in a friend's house unused since 1972 or so. Its currently getting a tune up before I even use it.

[Volume4]

Thanks very much guys. I'm very excited about this amp.

Yeah, I'm usually the bring it in for a checkup right away type.... but I'm going to give it a chance as is first. I'm really grateful for the Long Island tech tip though, I'm out that way a lot.....as my friends who are more mature than me have all moved their families out east. I'll actually be only 15 minutes away this Saturday for my Goddaughters birthday party. I hope they have saturday hours.


How does everybody feel about the stock speakers? It almost seems like from some comments around the net and from Fliptops that a Eminence Delta or Beta is a nice improvement.


I know I know, I haven't even brought it home yet and I'm thinking of mods already. I have a sickness

[JimmyM]

ya, really! could have a great speaker in it.

[Volume4]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

ya, really! could have a great speaker in it.

Well thats very good to hear from you Jimmy. I wasn't sure what the case was with these.....when you read the Fliptops product page...it can make you wonder a little.

"EMINENCE DELTA 12A, 12" , 8 OHM SPEAKER. RATED AT 400 WATTS PEAK. OUR PICK FOR YOU B12, SB12. IT MAY SEEM LIKE OVERKILL ON THE WATTAGE BUT THESE NEWER SPEAKERS ARE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT THAN THEIR NO LONGER MADE CTS COUNTERPARTS. BEST TONE AND RELIABILITY."

[JimmyM]

they are more efficient. but i have 3 b-15 cabs, two with delta 15a's and one with a cts from 1966, and they all sound identical to me.