Ampeg portaflex help!

kn8243 · #1 11-23-2011, 02:29 PM

First off. Hello all! Glad to be here! Great forum took until now to register and post. Long time ampeg nut here. As one of my many hobbies, I restore old hifi and music gear. I acquired a while ago an older (1967) Ampeg B-12-xt, but most of the b12xt's I run across come with a 2x12'' cab. Mine is different in the sense that instead of a 2x12 its a 4x12. Anyone familiar with this design? I have not been able to find any information on it whatsoever. I'll post up pictures when I can find my camera. Many thanks for your help!

christw · #2 11-23-2011, 02:37 PM

I've never heard of that configuration but I'd love to see pictures of it!

Googled "412 portaflex" and got this:

A reference and a pic of one of the amps: http://johnhallbassplayer.com/?page_id=50
Another reference to one: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/arc.../t-571812.html suggesting it's a 412-XTC

coreyfyfe · #3 11-23-2011, 02:43 PM

That would be the B-12-XTC I think. There were a few short-lived models made around the B-12-XT - the XTC and XY being the two I've heard of.

beans-on-toast · #4 11-23-2011, 02:49 PM

Here is a pic of the 412 version of the B12X?. Normally you find them with dual speakers as you said, with two 12" or 18" speakers (B-18X). You don't see a lot of these amps, especially the 412 version.

JimmyM · #5 11-23-2011, 02:49 PM

Dude, find your camera NOW!!!

There's not much in the Ampeg book about them, but there is a pic of an ad featuring one. Looks totally badass. Please make sure to post a pic or 10!

coreyfyfe · #6 11-23-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Dude, find your camera NOW!!!

There's not much in the Ampeg book about them, but there is a pic of an ad featuring one. Looks totally badass. Please make sure to post a pic or 10!

There's a nice picture in the color group photo section, page 200, and a short blurb on it's introduction on page 119 but certainly not much else.

beans-on-toast · #7 11-23-2011, 03:40 PM

Here are a few more.

JimmyM · #8 11-23-2011, 03:43 PM

DROOL!

Spectrum · #9 11-23-2011, 03:50 PM

LOL input jacks for "guitar" and "accordion"!

beans-on-toast · #10 11-23-2011, 04:16 PM

At one time, every good band had a loud accordion driving the music.

The amp has both reverb and tremolo. There is a stereo jack for a dual footswitch. The reverb can be selected for a single or both channels. The reverb tank (type 4C) was the long type (17") with four springs. It provided a rich reverb. The tremolo circuit used a bug with a neon lamp and photo resistive sensor. Fender used similar devices in several of their earlier amps.

coreyfyfe · #11 11-23-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beans-on-toast

At one time, every good band had a loud accordion driving the music.

there are some bits of musical history that I'm am envious on having missed out. Accordion driven music is not near the top of that list.

RobJ · #12 11-23-2011, 05:02 PM

Wowzers!

Spectrum · #13 11-23-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beans-on-toast

At one time, every good band had a loud accordion driving the music.

True. They don't make accordion players like Jimi Hendrix and Jaco anymore.

JimmyM · #14 11-23-2011, 06:37 PM

Jess Oliver once said that accordion players wanted amps marketed to only them, and that's why they put out B-15's labeled "A-15."

christw · #15 11-23-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Jess Oliver once said that accordion players wanted amps marketed to only them, and that's why they put out B-15's labeled "A-15."

I read that interview today while hunting for info on this 412 guy!

stiles72 · #16 11-23-2011, 06:52 PM

There is one of these 4x12 Portaflexes that has floated around on Ebay for a long time, and pops up every once in a while. Pretty sure it's always the same seller, and from what I recall - it's in pristine condition. Looks just like the pics David posted.

Standalone · #17 11-23-2011, 06:56 PM

photophotophoto!

beans-on-toast · #18 11-23-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

there are some bits of musical history that I'm am envious on having missed out. Accordion driven music is not near the top of that list.

Accordion isn't that far removed from harp or organ. Blues and rock can be great on an accordion. Klezmer bands often have accordions and the music is fantastic. Then there is the Cajin squeezebox type accordions that can step in for a fiddle.

beans-on-toast · #19 11-23-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiles72

There is one of these 4x12 Portaflexes that has floated around on Ebay for a long time, and pops up every once in a while. Pretty sure it's always the same seller, and from what I recall - it's in pristine condition. Looks just like the pics David posted.

Those pics came from ebay about a year ago. The seller had a buy it now for $1500.

xoir · #20 02-01-2012, 04:59 PM

What about this porfaflex model? seems to be cut off in half but not sure... it is not a b12xt and b412xt..

Any idea?