Jess Oliver's legacy - AMPEG PORTAFLEX CLUB part 10

[bassybill]

Don't you guys EVER just shut up?

Link to old thread:

Jess Oliver's legacy - AMPEG PORTAFLEX CLUB part 9

[JimmyM]

If I missed anyone recently, please let me know.

Way too important to have a number:

Jess Oliver
James Jamerson

Us regular mortals

#1 JimmyM
#2 Caca de Kick
#3 Vin_tone
#4 Vintage-Blue
#5 Jazzman
#6 coreyfyfe
#7 jmcgliss
#8 Membranophone
#9 knarleybass
#10 markjazzbassist
#11 ducknturtle
#12 tarzanalog
#13 Main Sale
#14 Swamp Ash
#15 morebass!
#16 sedan_dad
#17 bebop1
#18 BluesDawg
#19 bobyoung53
#20 X Wolf
#21 salcott
#22 esoxhntr
#23 jnewmark
#24 RP50
#25 Chebass88
#26 terlewine
#27 fretlessman71
#28 SWRGonzo
#29 DaveProulx
#30 JoanG
#31 Loudthud
#32 Mike Ranger
#33 Aragorn35016
#34 jimbobv
#35 stingray56funk
#36 Sonic Skip
#37 4bassman4
#38 markjazzbassist
#39 riotriot
#40 McGoo
#41 etinsley
#42 gpmonkey
#43 wallybill
#44 IronRadio
#45 gdthomas
#46 nickyn99
#47 krall
#48 elgato
#49 joplin
#50 vintageampeg
#51 Tom Domino
#52 tilehilder
#53 kaputsport
#54 dlmarquez
#55 mindwell
#56 LittleTed
#57 johnnyt
#58 wellshuxley
#59 randy1kenobi
#60 jvdb
#61 dk123123dk
#62 GGJaguar
#63 baddog
#64 garmenteros
#65 Frank Tuesday
#66 BloozBass
#67 led baron
#68 adbass
#69 nysbob
#70 SteveD
#71 davelowell2
#72 Thomas Peasley
#73 chipshot44
#74 RocketGuy
#75 bluesfan216
#76 stiles72
#77 Etingi
#78 marsbel
#79 catalinbread
#80 cripula
#81 johnk_10
#82 rawdogg
#83 Jamie Bishop
#84 Rickenbackerman
#85 Big John
#86 pgk
#87 Scarvin1
#88 kcmoe
#89 beans-on-toast
#90 shrinkskull
#91 citrone
#92 caseycash
#93 DeluxeRed
#94 rubato
#95 the mad daddy
#96 gcordez
#97 UnDx3 bassist
#98 JMarkD
#99 mrbeezroom
#100 lucien
#101 Kirk Bryant
#102 barrister
#103 jacotosh
#104 gmacc
#105 woodyng
#106 buddyellis
#107 jeefberky
#108 bassgasser
#109 Washishimi
#110 Standalone
#111 brekfustuvluzer
#112 edadmartin
#113 eb2
#114 f64
#115 braydensharrar
#116 Bluesbob
#117 tombowlus
#118 tifftunes
#119 Jocelyn-B15N
#120 tubetone
#121 TwoGearGeeks
#122 Wannabass
#123 audiolux
#124 nalapit13
#125 Music Man Dan
#126 4bassman4
#127 Kindness
#128 iceboxbass
#129 softsupply
#130 Aussie Mark
#131 timmarks
#132 RD
#133 Crackpot
#134 derridiandrift
#135 superreverb
#136 CB3000
#137 drasticDUB
#138 originalscottyg
#139 Tonedeaf Hack
#140 hennessybass
#141 joshwilkesbooth
#142 MR PC
#143 fusoid
#144 shadi
#145 sliderbass
#146 Yisrael
#147 Farfetched
#148 Craig_S
#149 JayAmel
#150 Nighttrain1127
#151 John D
#152 infiniteposse
#153 NecroticImbecil
#153 snowblinder
#154 benmoore88
#155 Alex1984
#156 yeahman
#157 Funkster
#158 danecho283
#159 bigdoug1053
#160 poisonoakie
#161 Tronographic
#162 aborgman
#163 leche
#164 Grantt
#165 wilcocat
#166 dave88
#167 J42
#168 LovesJamerson
#169 Lynrd
#170 gnatshel
#171 JIO
#172 RobJ
#173 anderbass
#174 Slanski62
#175 spider_legs
#176 saxman singcan
#177 RutherfordBrave
#178 buttshaker
#179 TheDialog
#180 Dega500
#181 Robal
#182 Steady
#183 leftiebass
#184 NorwegianPorta
#185 TheCush
#186 johnnydi
#187 bassfreakah
#188 tbof
#189 southpawpa
#190 Flumigator
#191 seungkoo
#192 mg68
#193 DJJazzV
#194 jumbodbassman
#195 ddbassGA
#196 rewopnayr
#197 CDweller
#198 D Bopp
#199 Andyroo721
#200 Jhtjon
#201 stoneyridgeboy
#202 dereksilloway
#203 Drucoco
#204 JKoehler
#205 69limeRev
#206 micahturner
#207 JvN
#208 ButtUglyJeff
#209 silentmike
#210 seventhsunbass
#211 bexarametric
#212 emblymouse
#213 Volume4
#214 PolkaHero
#215 analogcabin
#216 sloppy phil
#217 BoRadBass
#218 basswalker2004
#219 Digitalis
#220 gimp
#221 Sayclean
#222 TeamTrejo
#223 ekimfunk
#224 FenderAmpeg
#225 DLEE
#226 nouroog
#227 fuzzy beard
#228 jb1331
#228 Hackdave
#229 Bulltrout
#230 BagelBruin
#231 docwein
#232 double_stop2584
#233 NE4TT
#234 fivestringgecko
#235 DELACIUS
#236 MissionTbird
#237 samjazz
#238 christw
#239 Mike Carr
#240 AREA
#241 Jazzbassman23
#242 timbros
#243 GRAHAM SG1
#244 echoSE7EN
#245 BIG97BEN
#246 SR505bassman
#247 mixtapelove
#248 Bass 45
#249 Marty Forrer
#250 DerekP
#251 ChillyDog
#252 LunchMeat
#253 vantomas
#254 dangorange
#255 brianeharmonjr
#256 xoir
#257 4005
#258 bluehevy75
#259 dmac1961
#260 Greg T
#261 koipond
#262 double stop2584
#263 Matt Call
#264 bassmonkeee
#265 ace14
#266 RedElefant
#267 spellcaster
#268 lance randy
#269 dangorange
#270 MoosBros
#271 Border
#272 deekay911
#273 LoriB
#274 Boondog Reisbol
#275 droskobass
#276 gReEnBuL
#277 steelin4u
#278 butisitart
#279 jtea
#280 RandallB
#281 prometheus
#282 Provbass1
#283 RONOLSEN
#284 stedtale
#285 CL400Peavey
#286 Oktaven
#287 ryanfenderbass
#288 P Town
#289 wessman
#290 66Atlas
#291 Dinsdale8
#292 jsbarber
#293 I-Play-Bass
#294 SpHj
#295 Loel
#296 pedro
#297 Black Sheep
#298 gbarchus
#299 Mr.Fingers
#300 robertjoel
#301 MN Bass
#302 patrickshofner
#303 dbd1963
#304 Zoomie
#305 BassKitty101
#306 PrietoBass
#307 Brams77
#308 audiorep2
#309 sensei steve
#310 Pickersditch
#311 muljoe
#312 tonynoriega
#313 Spectrum
#314 backup
#315 JWP
#316 Seans
#317 bpman
#318 PDQ
#319 portaflexer
#320 esselbass
#321 59Pan
#322 PJRL
#323 Smedz
#324 AverageWhiteBassist
#325 kuratacus
#326 lowend81
#327 Jignant
#328 sgiacomo
#329 Ras Keita
#330 lowstar
#331 Drizzy Way
#332 Franklin229

[Pickersditch]

JimmyM - that is a lot of surviving Portaflexes, particularly as some members have more than one rig apiece.
I wonder how many of them are "famous" in that they have been used by "stars" on classic recordings or stage?

[JimmyM]

There are a handful of folks with pretty good credits in the list.

[beans-on-toast]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

If I missed anyone recently, please let me know.

Jimmy, I can think of a couple of guys who should have honorary memberships. They've already paid their dues and were proud B15 owners. Jess for leading the way, James for showing us the way.

[coreyfyfe]

Maybe member numbers 00 and ∞?

[pgk]

Originally Posted by beans-on-toast

Jimmy, I can think of a couple of guys who should have honorary memberships. They've already paid their dues and were proud B15 owners. Jess for leading the way, James for showing us the way.

that bass, that amp, that shirt collar. the man!

[JimmyM]

Good point, David...but instead of giving them numbers, I'm just going to put them on the list at the top. Edit coming....

[christw]

This might be heresy but I'm considering trading my B-15 for the Aguilar DB728 in the classifieds... I just want to find it a good home because it's gathering dust here. Plus I could satisfy my ridiculous 400w tuber GAS.

[adambomb]

Sub'd

[christw]

I'm fixing the tolex flap so here's a look at the construction of a single baffle B-15 cab.

Baffle/port gap (visible on the left):


Baffle spacers:


Baffle:

[johnnyt]

Originally Posted by christw

I'm fixing the tolex flap so here's a look at the construction of a single baffle B-15 cab.

Baffle/port gap (visible on the left):


Baffle spacers:


Baffle:

How do you like the JBL?

[christw]

Originally Posted by johnnyt

How do you like the JBL?

I like the CTS more in the B-15. It's voicing is smoother and it compresses a bit more naturally as the amp begins to overdrive. I really like the low mid/midrange character of the CTS. The JBL (D130 reconed as an E130) is brighter, cleaner, and doesn't compress even when the amp is well into overdrive. The JBL moves more air (especially through the "port") but doesn't seem to be all that much louder. I think a steel player or jazz guitarist would absolutely love that particular combination. As a bass player in a band, I'd take the CTS all day long.

[JimmyM]

Cool....never really saw what's doing in the single baffle before.

[christw]

It's the first time I took a peek in there myself. It looks like a bean counter got to double baffle to me... The spacers let air flow around the sides of the baffle and out the gaps created at the front of the amp. Playing hard with the JBL it creates a nice little breeze near the front of the amp.

Oh yeah, who can suggest me a good place to buy resistors and other components? I'm going to go about the VT-22 6550 swap eventually. I'm crazy, I know.

[DarkShark]

What does it take to join this club and get a number? I bought and refurbished a B-15N last year. I'm keeping it forever. Now, I just need an original owners manual or the .pdf so I can make one. Any suggestions because the new owners of Ampeg only have one from the 60's version.

Doug

[JimmyM]

#333 DarkShark

Wow, that's immaculate!

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by christw

I like the CTS more in the B-15. It's voicing is smoother and it compresses a bit more naturally as the amp begins to overdrive. I really like the low mid/midrange character of the CTS. The JBL (D130 reconed as an E130) is brighter, cleaner, and doesn't compress even when the amp is well into overdrive. The JBL moves more air (especially through the "port") but doesn't seem to be all that much louder. I think a steel player or jazz guitarist would absolutely love that particular combination. As a bass player in a band, I'd take the CTS all day long.

I'd agree 100% with this. I had a K140 in my double baffle and between that, an eminence beta, and my reconed CTS I like the CTS the best. Really matches the tone of the amp best, IMO.

Originally Posted by christw

Oh yeah, who can suggest me a good place to buy resistors and other components? I'm going to go about the VT-22 6550 swap eventually. I'm crazy, I know.

www.tubesandmore.com is my favorite supplier. Cheaper than most for the same parts and they're quick with packing/shipping. I usually have stuff within 2-3 days of ordering. As far as the 6550 swap, I doubt you'll be disappointed, but I'm not sure how much you'll notice. I preferred the sound of my V4 with 6550s over my friend's nearly identical V4 with 7027s, it seemed to be fuller, and distort in a more gradual slope and overall more pleasing way than the 7027 amp, but it was also mine, if you know what I mean. The power transformer got fairly hot, but not really any hotter than any other tube amp gets when running. Just didn't have a fan.

[beans-on-toast]

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

The power transformer got fairly hot, but not really any hotter than any other tube amp gets when running. Just didn't have a fan.

I use a small 9" desktop fan when needed blowing onto the back of the amp. Really makes a difference with an amp that runs hot. This fan is also quiet.

[Apex_speed]

Well, after lurking and reading 100's of B-15 posts....it is time to register and join the fun.

I have an early '67 B-15N in excellent condition and a B-15R. I also have a B-100R and B-200R but those don't really count. Now all I need is a mint early 60's B-15 to complete my 15" Ampeg arsenal to my satisfaction.

The B-15N is an all original one owner unit except for a PT replacement 12 years back. This weekend I am doing a complete recap, retube, 3 prong cord, etc.

While I am no B-15 expert, I know my way around them well and love the way they sound. In fact, I have yet to hear anything that does what the B-15N can do but that's why we are all here!

Pics to come!