B-15 Question

**BLDavis** · #1 09-18-2010, 07:36 AM

My '63 B-15 has a name plate that has been engraved with what appears to be coustom lettering. Was this something they did at the factory for special customers? The letters are PD & AWS. Anyone have a clue who that may be?

Bluesbob · #2 09-18-2010, 08:18 AM

From what I've gathered, it was an option that the customer could order to personalize the amp. There may be more info available at the Portaflex thread.

JimmyM · #3 09-18-2010, 09:24 AM

yep, for 50c they'd engrave your name on the plate.

Vintage-Blue · #4 09-18-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

yep, for 50c they'd engrave your name on the plate.

Here's what the card looked like that you would send back to Ampeg:

JimmyM · #5 09-18-2010, 10:17 AM

neato! of course, back then, 50c coins were way more common

Vintage-Blue · #6 09-18-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

neato! of course, back then, 50c coins were way more common

And in '63 they were still silver too!

Ric Vice · #7 09-18-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLDavis

My '63 B-15 has a name plate that has been engraved with what appears to be coustom lettering. Was this something they did at the factory for special customers? The letters are PD & AWS. Anyone have a clue who that may be?

Wow, is that B-15 in excellent condition. Did you have it refurbished or did you just take really good care of it?

Ric

**BLDavis** · #8 09-18-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

Wow, is that B-15 in excellent condition. Did you have it refurbished or did you just take really good care of it?

Ric

Thanks Ric,
Yea, it's in great shape. In a lot better condition for 47 y/o than I am.

Near as I can tell its all original, just missing the dolly. Gonna get it re-tubed, new caps and power cord and start gigin' with it on some up-comming acustic shows.
Brad

JimmyM · #9 09-18-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLDavis

Thanks Ric,
Yea, it's in great shape. In a lot better condition for 47 y/o than I am.

Near as I can tell its all original, just missing the dolly. Gonna get it re-tubed, new caps and power cord and start gigin' with it on some up-comming acustic shows.
Brad

plug for a pal...mark from www.vintage-blue.us not only has cool pics of stuff that came with b-15's but he makes really nice cabs and dollies that blow away the originals. if authenticity isn't important to you but being able to move it easier is, i highly recommend his dollies.

will33 · #10 09-19-2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage-Blue

Here's what the card looked like that you would send back to Ampeg:

That has got to be the coolest thing I've seen in a long time.

"void warranty", "no user servicable parts inside". To hell with that. Take it apart yourself, mail it to us with some coin to mail it back.......Cool.

JimmyM · #11 09-19-2010, 12:27 AM

if the ampeg heritage shop brings that back when they do the b-15 reissue, i will commit to one with an extension cab now.

slick_tu · #12 09-19-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage-Blue

Here's what the card looked like that you would send back to Ampeg:

Notice that was pre-zip code days. Wonder what it would cost today if they offered it?

will33 · #13 09-19-2010, 10:28 AM

If somebody still had one of these cards laying around today and mailed it in, would it get forwarded? Would it still be honored?

slick_tu · #14 09-19-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

If somebody still had one of these cards laying around today and mailed it in, would it get forwarded? Would it still be honored?

Unlikely. As more knowledgeable folks on here will tell us, Ampeg changed hands several times, Magnavox, St. Louis Music, and now LOUD. There may have been others. LOUD owns the name, but the actual Ampeg company is gone as I understand it.

will33 · #15 09-19-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slick_tu

Unlikely. As more knowledgeable folks on here will tell us, Ampeg changed hands several times, Magnavox, St. Louis Music, and now LOUD. There may have been others. LOUD owns the name, but the actual Ampeg company is gone as I understand it.

All true, just wondering.

coreyfyfe · #16 09-19-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slick_tu

Unlikely. As more knowledgeable folks on here will tell us, Ampeg changed hands several times, Magnavox, St. Louis Music, and now LOUD. There may have been others. LOUD owns the name, but the actual Ampeg company is gone as I understand it.

Darn, I just happened to find a few $0.50 pieces sitting in a drawer in my desk too, might have been nice to have them carve my initials into that nice piece of vintage plexi. Oh well.

bobcruz · #17 09-19-2010, 10:38 PM

Having your name carved on the lucite panel would be, in the parlance of the day, just "bitchin."

slick_tu · #18 09-20-2010, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

Darn, I just happened to find a few $0.50 pieces sitting in a drawer in my desk too, might have been nice to have them carve my initials into that nice piece of vintage plexi. Oh well.

Hmm...at the rate of inflation...factor in corporate greed... $835.00 should cover it.

coreyfyfe · #19 09-20-2010, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slick_tu

Hmm...at the rate of inflation...factor in corporate greed... $835.00 should cover it.

Maybe I'll send two.