That Ampeg Heritage B15 - beautiful but $ - Page 10

Buster Brown · #**181** 04-14-2011, 12:54 PM

Jimmy....

Had the chance to play our studios' new one today, in between sessions. My God! My God! My God!!

The last time I played through one was in 1970 (maybe 71)....and I had forgotten just what MONSTERS these things were...and absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Huge Congrats to Ampeg!! They have a real winner here!! Now, guess what I heard in the rumor mill??? A NEW Heritage 8X10??? Coming soon......maybe a straightback?? Time will tell........

JimmyM · #**182** 04-14-2011, 01:15 PM

aw, don't tell me that! between the heritage b-15, the new guitar amps, and the 7 pro, ampeg's throwing way too much stuff at me these days! god forbid they ever do an original svt reissue with 6146b's!

okcrum · #**183** 04-14-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

Dang, I'd like one of these... okay, I'd love one of these... but ouch, that's a big number on the price tag.
Buy Ampeg Limited Edition Heritage Series B-15 30W 1x15 Tube Bass Combo Amp | Tube Combo Amps | Musician's Friend

The link now shows the amp as discontinued, since it was limited run.

Remember that in 1966 dollars this is a $600 amp, vs. the B15 of the time at around $400. You can easily judge the price a full production new B15 would probably be relative to the Heritage special run: around $2600 ($400 in 1966 dollars). So you'd have thought the amp was probably too expensive 45 years ago, as well.

JimmyM · #**184** 04-14-2011, 10:17 PM

wow, mf is already out of them...you know what that means...round 2 next year!!!

ButtUglyJeff · #**185** 04-15-2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

wow, mf is already out of them...you know what that means...round 2 next year!!!

But what's that, 2 or 3 units out of 50?

Buster Brown · #**186** 04-15-2011, 04:55 PM

Well, can't speak for MF, but I happened into the local GC today to pick up a set of strings and there was one in the bass room....so, at least for the time being, there is at least one out there......

JimmyM · #**187** 04-15-2011, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtUglyJeff

But what's that, 2 or 3 units out of 50?

5 was the number i heard. regardless, they can't get anymore so that means ampeg sold out of them. they're happy

johnnydi · #**188** 04-17-2011, 11:31 PM

I got mine at MF and I asked a lot of questions to the sales person because I was sure they would sell more units then the amount received and the guy told me they had 7 units and I was the 6 buyer so I was sure to get one.

Joelc73 · #**189** 11-09-2012, 01:21 PM

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread but... I'm thinking seriously about getting a B15. I noticed the Heritage ones are $5K now though. Would I be nuts to spend that much on one? Or do a grab one of the vintage ones I see on line for $1500?

hodgy · #**190** 11-09-2012, 01:28 PM

We're building a more affordable PCB version, not sure when it's supposed to be released. So that might be an option for you as well.

hennessybass · #**191** 11-09-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joelc73

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread but... I'm thinking seriously about getting a B15. I noticed the Heritage ones are $5K now though. Would I be nuts to spend that much on one? Or do a grab one of the vintage ones I see on line for $1500?

Vintage! $5k is just way too much, IMO. Think of Reeves... hand built, boutique stuff, 200 watt head and 15" cab for under $4000. IMO, you are partly paying for the B15 legend.

I'm sure the Heritage stuff is of the highest quality, and I don't think you would be disappointed, but I also don't think you would be disappointed by a vintage one. Find one in the $1500 range, plan on spending a few hundred on a tech, cleaning it up, etc... Unless you got $5000 laying around, and the wife wants something that looks good in the living room, I say vintage.

hennessybass · #**192** 11-09-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodgy

We're building a more affordable PCB version, not sure when it's supposed to be released. So that might be an option for you as well.

Do tell more.

And what about that V4B VR?

hodgy · #**193** 11-09-2012, 03:46 PM

I don't have much more to tell. I know there will be a different colored light for the '64 and the '66 channel, and it's black instead of chrome so it will be easier for me to wipe my greasey fingerprints off of it. The speaker will be different, making it lighter. I haven't played the proto yet.
As far as a V4B, I got nothin'.

pgk · #**194** 11-09-2012, 03:55 PM

aww man, KEEP THE CHROME!

hodgy · #**195** 11-09-2012, 10:37 PM

They're keeping the chrome... you just have to cough up the $4k.

JimmyM · #**196** 11-10-2012, 01:06 AM

Why don't I get notified of these things personally?

christw · #**197** 11-10-2012, 01:08 AM

Cool! I'd be very interested in hearing your impressions hodgy. 100 watts?

hodgy · #**198** 11-10-2012, 02:16 AM

I haven't heard or seen the new one yet, I know they were doing some A/B-ing with the new speaker yesterday. I'm sure I'll get to check out the protos when we get them in.

tombowlus · #**199** 11-10-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hennessybass

Vintage! $5k is just way too much, IMO. Think of Reeves... hand built, boutique stuff, 200 watt head and 15" cab for under $4000. IMO, you are partly paying for the B15 legend.

I'm sure the Heritage stuff is of the highest quality, and I don't think you would be disappointed, but I also don't think you would be disappointed by a vintage one. Find one in the $1500 range, plan on spending a few hundred on a tech, cleaning it up, etc... Unless you got $5000 laying around, and the wife wants something that looks good in the living room, I say vintage.

+1 And don't forget, if you find an old one and the cab is shot, you can have Vintage-Blue make you a new one (which is what I did).

Joelc73 · #**200** 11-10-2012, 12:51 PM

Thanks all. Besides CL and eBay, are there any specific sources I should check out when trying to find a good vintage B-15?