Ampeg B-15 used re-issued (how much?)

jetsetlamf · #1 05-27-2010, 07:24 PM

Guitar Center wants $1,400 for an used Ampe B-15 (reissue)…what do you guys think?

Anyone knows the average price on those? – or someone that has one up for sale?
I’d like to buy one asap

JimmyM · #2 05-27-2010, 07:30 PM

the b-15r was $2000 when it first came out. i think i'd probably not want to pay much more than a grand for one, but i think that price is just a little out of line, although in the real world where people would actually pay that for it, i may be living in a dream world.

how's that for a total non-answer?

MR PC · #3 05-28-2010, 03:01 AM

I owned and used one. In all honesty, the amp sounds better in the "half power" mode. The second set of 6l6's are not needed, they don't give the amp any noticeable/usable amount of volume/headroom increase. Excess circuit baggage. Yet the amp weighs much more than the Classic '60's B-15.

I sold mine for 600 bucks a coupla years ago. Keep looking for a vintage model, that's my take.

Caca de Kick · #4 05-28-2010, 03:04 AM

I paid 1299 for mine used, back in 2004.
If you really want it grind them down, nothing more fun than haggling with a GC employee. I think 1200 is what the recent ones have sold for.

chiplexic · #5 05-28-2010, 07:17 AM

So this question has raised my curiousity...What does a decent condition original mid 60's B15 sell for then, if the reissues are in and around a grand? I did an ebay "completed listing" search but got nutin'.

JimmyM · #6 05-28-2010, 10:23 AM

depends on condition, but usually around $1500-2000.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #7 05-28-2010, 12:16 PM

Here's one in Seattle for $875, which is the best price I've seen, but after freight, you'd probably be close to $1200.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/1763059332.html

A week ago, a clean '64 or earlier B-15N popped up on Boston craigslist for $600. It actually took a few days to sell.

JimmyM · #8 05-28-2010, 12:26 PM

that's crazy good prices, no doubt! but it's a bit rare.

pfschim · #9 05-28-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

that's crazy good prices, no doubt! but it's a bit rare.

I don't know about rare Mr J, I have seen a few around here in the past year in the 900-1200 range (list). All in clean to very clean condition. B15N's are not really rarities, very clean ones maybe, but even then, not too hard to find at all. Of course once you get one, then you will have to deal with the difficult power to weight ratio that these truly iconic, great sounding, but somewhat underpowered amps deliver.

JimmyM · #10 05-28-2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfschim

I don't know about rare Mr J, I have seen a few around here in the past year in the 900-1200 range (list). All in clean to very clean condition. B15N's are not really rarities, very clean ones maybe, but even then, not too hard to find at all. Of course once you get one, then you will have to deal with the difficult power to weight ratio that these truly iconic, great sounding, but somewhat underpowered amps deliver.

don't be such a girl, pf

well they probably have gone down in this economy. been a while since i priced them on ebay.

Jim Carr · #11 05-28-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

don't be such a girl, pf

well they probably have gone down in this economy. been a while since i priced them on ebay.

In any case, my experience with the B-12: My friend Lloyd had one in the mid-60's. It looked cool and sounded great---in his bedroom. When his band played at the High School, you could not hear a single note he played. Admittedly, his tone was probably outstanding...

Nice amps, very soft, IMHO.

RickenBoogie · #12 05-28-2010, 05:10 PM

Those B15r's are great little amps. Very similar to the re-issue V4BH tonally. If GC can work the price closer to 1200, I'd snag it in a heartbeat.

weary hobo · #13 05-29-2010, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

I paid 1299 for mine used, back in 2004.
If you really want it grind them down, nothing more fun than haggling with a GC employee. I think 1200 is what the recent ones have sold for.

They can certainly be had for that amount. I bought mine from another TBer a year ago for $1250; a few weeks ago Brian at The Low End had a very clean one listed for $1199. And there's one in the TB classifieds for the very reasonable price of $1100.

OTOH, there's one at Bass Emporium for $1499. Don't know how fast it's going to move at that price, though.

Slightly OT: I really like my B-15R; unfortunately, it spent about 12 hours under 2 feet of running river water when the floods hit Nashville earlier this month. At one point when I get more pressing matters settled, I need to assess the damage and pick the brains of some of the Portaflex mavens (Jimmy, John, Vintage-Blue, etc.) to figure out how to restore it.

JimmyM · #14 05-29-2010, 11:40 AM

holy crap, dude! sorry to hear that. hope you didn't get hit too hard otherwise.

johnk_10 · #15 05-29-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weary hobo

Slightly OT: I really like my B-15R; unfortunately, it spent about 12 hours under 2 feet of running river water when the floods hit Nashville earlier this month. At one point when I get more pressing matters settled, I need to assess the damage and pick the brains of some of the Portaflex mavens (Jimmy, John, Vintage-Blue, etc.) to figure out how to restore it.

sorry to hear that, but when you get it completely dried out, take some good clear pics of it, and we'll start from there.

geezerjpj · #16 05-29-2010, 11:59 AM

That sucks. I heard similar stories of damaged gear from folks who were in New Orleans for Katrina. Ouch!

Does anybody know how much a B-18 should go for?

weary hobo · #17 05-29-2010, 04:14 PM

Thanks, guys, I don't want to derail this thread, so I replied in the Portaflex Club thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...02#post9195402

Best of luck to the OP in finding the B-15 of his dreams.

wallybill · #18 05-29-2010, 05:31 PM

I paid $800 with shipping for mine a couple of years ago from ebay. I got lucky, not many people bid on it and it had a bad tube (no mention of that in the listing) so he had a low reserve on it. I had to replace a resistor and the power tubes. I like mine, but I'd have to agree - it sounds more like the V4B than the old B15N's.

pfschim · #19 05-29-2010, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

don't be such a girl, pf

dude, you say the weirdest things some times, but I guess I have come to expect it. You probably need to watch the drinking and posting.

rodl2005 · #20 05-29-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfschim

dude, you say the weirdest things some times, but I guess I have come to expect it. You probably need to watch the drinking and posting.

Oh dont be such a girl!!

Totally agree.... the B15R is basically a V4BH with a 1/2 pwr switch, a 15" cab & a B15 styling. Different to the Orig. Still good tho.

Sorry to derail.... pfschim- I see U have a Mesa WA 12"... I've had one now for a cuppla weeks. DAMN they're great things. GREAT vintage tone outta this combo.