Ampeg B-15T

Tom Domino · #1 09-24-2008, 11:50 AM

Just picked one of these rascals up, after trying/buying too many other downsized amps for small combo use. Darn nice amp, but Ampeg/SLM/LOUD doesn't have squat for documentation.

I have the original User Guide (no schematics/service info, but moderately informative) scanned and saved as high-res .pdf files, if anyone needs a copy. May have a copy of the service manual/schematic shortly, as a LOUD Tech Support rep has shown unusual interest in making this happen for me. They'll probably lay her off later today. :-0

PM me if you need any of this.

*Additional info*
I'm impressed. Just got schematics from the LOUD rep, and they're available as .pdfs in case anyone can use them.

cdmawolf · #2 10-07-2008, 01:26 PM

I could use the schematic .pdf file something awful. Thought I was gonna fix this one quick to get to my son, but I going around in circles.

Tom Domino · #3 10-08-2008, 11:30 AM

See your PMs - I couldn't find any e-mail address in your profile.

JimmyM · #4 10-08-2008, 11:42 AM

This looks like one of the sweetest deals in the Fliptop world. Never heard one, though. Hell, the cab would be worth what you paid for the whole deal, I would think (you did say $200, right?).

Tom Domino · #5 10-08-2008, 12:21 PM

200 smackers, and worth every penny. I'd been admiring it for years while working with the original owner and he finally gave it up - something about not wanting to drag it downstairs anymore. (If he thought that was bad, he should have tried hauling my blackface Bassman combo with the 2 100w 15" SROs. Talk about a workout...)

I need to replace the rubber insulation where the head sits in the cab in playing position, as there's a bit of buzz audible in quiet rooms, but other than that, it's in great shape. Nicest quilted drop cover I've ever seen, too. If it was a bit larger I'd be using it for a blanket. :-0

It's had the heck played out of it for a couple of weeks now, and is surprisingly beefy. My EB2D still shakes the house when plugged into it, and my fretless J Bass sounds wonderful. Nice clean feed for the house system and the push/pull options on the tone controls allow lots of flexibility.

BrentSimons · #6 10-08-2008, 01:35 PM

Hey Guys,
I have one of these amps! Bought it new in 87 or 88. Mine has blue and white outlines on the amp face but looks identical otherwise. Great sounding amp. I'll take a copy of that file if you don't mind.
Brent

Tom Domino · #7 10-08-2008, 09:58 PM

See your PMs.

Jim Carr · #8 10-08-2008, 11:14 PM

Tom-

Can you post a bit more info about this amp (power, basic architecture) or suggest a link? Thanks!

JimmyM · #9 10-08-2008, 11:41 PM

SS, 100w, came with Ampeg Custom 15" or EVM 15L as an upgrade, two triangular ducted ports, level control for balanced line out, defeatable limiter, and my favorite feature, a tilt-back rod.

Tom Domino · #10 10-09-2008, 12:09 AM

And from the manual:

bonosurf · #11 10-09-2008, 02:02 AM

I would really appreciate the schematics since the one I have has several toasty resistors and dead output BJTs. THX

gbonosurf@yahoo.com

Tom Domino · #12 10-09-2008, 09:51 AM

bonosurf: You win the prize for being the first request with an e-mail address. Schematics are en route. :-)

69limeRev · #13 10-09-2008, 11:24 AM

Mines a little older...and taken alot more abuse. Still sounds good, though!

JimmyM · #14 10-09-2008, 01:17 PM

Rev, that's actually a BT-15, not a B-15T. Never heard one, but Mingus used to endorse it so I'd think it has to be good. Still looks pretty decent for its age, though.

gdthomas · #15 10-09-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Domino

bonosurf: You win the prize for being the first request with an e-mail address. Schematics are en route. :-)

PM for schematics...

Jonesy · #16 10-18-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Rev, that's actually a BT-15, not a B-15T.

Umm, it says B-15T right on the front of the amp. Why is it not what it says it is? I owned one of these for a decade and it was a fine rig for smaller gigs and rehearsal. Definitly lacking on the low end, but it is the amps fault, not the cab. When these were new, you had the option of an Ampeg stamped frame 15, or a EVM15. The EVM sounded considerably better than the Ampeg 15 IMHO. I ran a Sans-amp Bass DI in front of mine and it helped the low end (and tone) quite a bit I think. I sold the amp a few years ago when I decided to thin the herd. I wish I hadn't!

JimmyM · #17 10-18-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesy

Umm, it says B-15T right on the front of the amp. Why is it not what it says it is?

Because maybe you have dyslexia and don't know it

I just did a Google search to make sure, and without a doubt, the 60's solid state B-15 is called the BT-15, and the 90's SS B-15 is the B-15T.

Jonesy · #18 10-19-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Because maybe you have dyslexia and don't know it

I just did a Google search to make sure, and without a doubt, the 60's solid state B-15 is called the BT-15, and the 90's SS B-15 is the B-15T.

While I appreciate your efforts on attempting to identify the amp, you should take a closer look at the photo of the amp in the 1st post of this thread. The amp is clearly marked B-15T on the upper right corner of the amp. This IS the 90's amp. Not the 60's amp. Why do you think otherwise?

JimmyM · #19 10-19-2008, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesy

While I appreciate your efforts on attempting to identify the amp, you should take a closer look at the photo of the amp in the 1st post of this thread. The amp is clearly marked B-15T on the upper right corner of the amp. This IS the 90's amp. Not the 60's amp. Why do you think otherwise?

I don't. Take a look at post 13 by 69limeRev. Looks nothing like Tom's pic in post 1, right? That's because that amp is a 60's era BT-15 and not the 90's B-15T that Tom has.

Don't worry...I wont goof on you for cursory reading the thread...I do it a lot my own self.

Jonesy · #20 10-19-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I don't. Take a look at post 13 by 69limeRev. Looks nothing like Tom's pic in post 1, right? That's because that amp is a 60's era BT-15 and not the 90's B-15T that Tom has.

Don't worry...I wont goof on you for cursory reading the thread...I do it a lot my own self.

Thanks!