Ampeg B15N Repair in the UK?

[jezburns]

I'm a new poster on this forum, although I've followed it for a while and have had some really good advice, so hello everyone!

Anyway, I recently had my first ever Ampeg B15N shipped over from the states to the UK . Unfortunately it was pretty much vandalised by US or UK customs (damage that could only have been caused by human interference, rather than just being knocked about in the box). The Jensen speaker may have been damaged (although I still need to check if it's just the housing), two knobs were broken, the plastic guides on the bottom of two valves were snapped off (the valves were rattling around loose in the cage and must have been pulled out), the metal boxes on the head are scuffed, two sides of the wooden surround of the head are snapped - the head having been taken out and shoved back in the cab sideways (the head on the portaflex can be turned upside down and locked into the cabinet properly for transport), the back edge of the cab has a long split where it seems to have been levered open with a crowbar and there are a few other bits of minor damage. The seller in the US is a trustworthy guy, and has sent me photos of the amp so I can verify its condition before he sent it.

Anyway, I'd love to get this amp back into a good cosmetic condition, and was wondering if anyone here could recommend a careful and reliable repairer in the UK for this kind of work? I'm based in Leicestershire, so the closer to the Midlands the better..

Also it would be interesting to see if anyone else has experienced similar problems with amps shipped over from the States to the UK. I'm not naive, and realise that valuable musical equipment doesn't get treated with much respect by shipping companies at the best of times, but the damage caused to my lovely 1963 amp seems to be almost wilful.

Thanks!

JB

[beans-on-toast]

Sorry to hear about the damage. Anything can be fixed on these amps so don't be too discouraged.

There is a shop in Nottingham that has a good reputation that might be able to help you.

[BassmanPaul]

I would be more concerned about how you are going to plug the thing in. My amp certainly doesn't have a tapped primary on the power transformer.

[sloppy_phil]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I would be more concerned about how you are going to plug the thing in. My amp certainly doesn't have a tapped primary on the power transformer.

yes, this is a great point. once fixed, it will need something like a step-up transformer in order to work with English outlets.

That's terrible to hear about the mistreatment of such a fine piece! There must be someone good around, but I'm from the wrong side of the pond to advise

[LittleTed]

Jez

Probably too late now but i'm an amp repairer based in London. I specialise in B15s. I used to import them at one time but the combination of exchange rate and Fedex's heavy handedness made it uneconomical.

I don't think I ever received a B15 from the states that hadn't been damged in transit. The usual problem is that the rubber shock mounts disintegrate, dumping the amp onto the speaker - I used to advise anyone shipping them to wrap duct tape round the amp and cabinet lid to prevent this.


But I have repaired and rebuilt dozens of the things, so if you need help or advice, get in touch. If you look on basschat you will find a couple of recommendations for my work.

This is me.
Ted Wood