Ampeg B15 need help : )

casterbro · #1 07-31-2011, 03:44 AM

Hi,
need some help for a B15:

I'd like to buy an Ampeg B15, I've spend hours and hours readin' about it and I'm a bit lost... just too much informations.
Never get the opportunity to try one and I was wondering which model should I try to find?

I can buy this model and I'd like to get some opinions about this B15N:

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Thanks!

Alex1984 · #2 07-31-2011, 04:22 AM

This is a mid 70s model. What kind of speaker does it have?

casterbro · #3 07-31-2011, 04:27 AM

thanks! I don't know about speaker, I'm gonna try it tomorrow and I'll check that. What speaker should be in it to be good? any idea of the value of the amp (in others words, how much should I pay for it?)

casterbro · #4 07-31-2011, 05:55 AM

need help quickly as I'll be tryin' one tomorrow

coreyfyfe · #5 07-31-2011, 06:41 AM

That is the thiele design cab, it has a shelf port in the bottom and slightly larger box than earlier B-15s. The speaker should either be a CTS or Altec if it's factory stock. The altec was sold as an upgrade. I believe these cabs are supposed to be bassier than the double/single baffle style but at the expense of some of the mid-range, though the altec upgrade helps even out the response some versus the stock CTS. As far as the head, other than the graphics I don't think they changed much after 65/66 when they went to the fixed bias design.

As far as price, I'd say check ebay completed listings for a good idea of current going prices but they're usually around the $800-1000 range depending on condition and the year/desirability. The 60s amps definitely go for more than the later 70s amps, but it all depends on condition.

casterbro · #6 07-31-2011, 06:45 AM

thanks a lot! that really helps

Ken R · #7 07-31-2011, 07:19 AM

The 70's B-15n also came as a B-15S.
I unknowingly bought my B-15 as a hybrid, a B-15n head in a B-15s cabinet. It has the Altec speaker. It cost me $450 at the local pawn shop.

The head shown in your picture is a B-15n, Look at the back of the cab and make sure it matches.

Hope this helps.

Ken R

casterbro · #8 07-31-2011, 07:29 AM

thanks Ken! that really helps, as I'm new in the B15 world, I really don't know how to make the good choice... so, your advise is useful (if you wouldn't tell me, I wouldn't think about it...)

Ric Vice · #9 07-31-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casterbro

Hi,
need some help for a B15:

I'd like to buy an Ampeg B15, I've spend hours and hours readin' about it and I'm a bit lost... just too much informations.
Never get the opportunity to try one and I was wondering which model should I try to find?

I can buy this model and I'd like to get some opinions about this B15N: Thanks!

Casterbro,
The later B-15N's Thiele cabinet design sounds quite different than the earlier cabinets with the Double Baffle (reflex porting) design of the blue checked amps. They aren't nearly as sought after as the earlier amps. The new (boutique, high end, and limited edition) Heritage Series B-15's were based on the 1964 and 1966 versions. What I did like about that amplifier, was the Ultra High and Ultra Low rocker switches that allowed you to cut bass response or increase treble response. Your advantage with this model is that it sounds decent and should costs less, but it doesn't have that classic B-15 tone. Personally, having played through both amps, my opinion is that the design of that speaker cabinet has as much to do with the B-15's sound as it's "iconic" tube head. I played an old Walter Woods (MI-100-8) amp into a pair of B-15 cabinets and it sounded great!!! Just my opinion.

JimmyM · #10 07-31-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken R

The 70's B-15n also came as a B-15S.
I unknowingly bought my B-15 as a hybrid, a B-15n head in a B-15s cabinet. It has the Altec speaker. It cost me $450 at the local pawn shop.

The head shown in your picture is a B-15n, Look at the back of the cab and make sure it matches.

Hope this helps.

I can tell it matches. The B-15S cabs are more square. BTW, Corey is right on about these types of B-15's, except if it has those cosmetics, the CTS would be an Eminence. I used to have one with a CTS (should have had an Eminence but someone replaced it with a CTS before I bought it), and the tonal description is right on with what Corey said.

As for yours, Ken, you can hardly complain getting a B-15 for $450 with an Altec! I'll take getting "ripped off" like that any day of the week!

Ken R · #11 07-31-2011, 08:42 AM

JimmyM,
I was not complaining at all! Just passing along information as up until that point, I didn't know what a B15S was!
I am happy with the purchase and I knew I had found a stellar deal.

Ken R

casterbro · #12 07-31-2011, 09:43 AM

didn't know that the speaker was a huge part of the B15 sound!

I'll go and try the 70' and will try a 60' too! there's 2 for sale in my area (250km). I'm based in Europe and those B15 are quite difficult to find and very expesnive here...

once again thanks for your replies, talkbass is really a friendly community!