Jess Oliver's legacy - AMPEG PORTAFLEX CLUB part 8

[beans-on-toast]

Originally Posted by Bass 45

Sometimes when I look at it - it is a 6, others times it is a 3.

I thought the same. Images can confuse your brain. Is the one below that of an old woman or a young girl.

[JimmyM]

#296 pedro

Thought you joined long ago, Pedro, but apparently not, eh?

[pedro]

Yea I wonder how I missed asking for a number before this. BTW, I have a couple of threads going and I'd love to get your input.

[pedro]

BTW Jimmy I looked inside and it said my serial number was 41076. Was wondering if there was some place I could look to find out more about my amp?

[JimmyM]

Not by the serial alone, my brother. Best way to date it is by speaker and/or pot codes.

[pedro]

Ok thanks. It doesn't really matter much to me. I love the amp and how it sounds and I don't ever plan to part with it so who cares. LOL!!

[TheDialog]

[JimmyM]

Why you...I oughta...



Man, that's clean! And what isn't clean looks like it would clean up. Totally hot, Justin!

[beans-on-toast]

The serial number of your amp is three numbers off from the one that I posted images of. 106276 vs 106273! They were probably built the same day.

[rodl2005]

Classic stuff. Awesome example Dialog. With the AMPEG tubes too!!! :-)

[JimmyM]

Looks like a Jensen C15. Man, how often do you see these amps exactly as they were manufactured? Too bad you're going to have to replace some stuff, but it's got to be done.

[TheDialog]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Why you...I oughta...



Man, that's clean! And what isn't clean looks like it would clean up. Totally hot, Justin!

I'm going to clean it up a bit at my techs while it's there. You know my style, I'm a clean gear kinda guy . I'll post more pics when it's back.

Originally Posted by beans-on-toast

The serial number of your amp is three numbers off from the one that I posted images of. 106276 vs 106273! They were probably built the same day.

Noticed that too. Is that your amp? I saw it came from your files...?
Regardless, that's pretty amazing.

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Classic stuff. Awesome example Dialog. With the AMPEG tubes too!!! :-)

Thanks rodl. Unfortunately, the tubes aren't the best (50+ years will do that...). I'm going to keep them, but swap them out.

[beans-on-toast]

Originally Posted by TheDialog

Noticed that too. Is that your amp? I saw it came from your files...? Regardless, that's pretty amazing.

It isn't mine. Unfortunately I don't have any record of where it was located. It was from a sale in 2008.

Enjoy the amp!

[RutherfordBrave]

Just curious, Justin -- had you already found the amp prior to it showing up on TB? You always seem to be a step ahead of me on the local CL deals Glad one of us had the scratch to pick up this beauty!

[TheDialog]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Looks like a Jensen C15. Man, how often do you see these amps exactly as they were manufactured? Too bad you're going to have to replace some stuff, but it's got to be done.

Yeah, there's a sticker on it that can easily be removed. Pretty sure the owner slapped that on there which through me off. Eh, it's replacing stuff that goes bad after X amount of years. It happens. Like changing oil in a car to keep it running. Have to take care of your amps and basses . Filter caps, tubes, frets etc. They can only last so long.

Originally Posted by beans-on-toast

It isn't mine. Unfortunately I don't have any record of where it was located. It was from a sale in 2008.

Enjoy the amp!

Ah, gotcha. Very cool that you keep tabs/records on this stuff.
Thanks!

Originally Posted by RutherfordBrave

Just curious, Justin -- had you already found the amp prior to it showing up on TB? You always seem to be a step ahead of me on the local CL deals Glad one of us had the scratch to pick up this beauty!

I had a thread in the Wanted section... I was looking for a "cleaner" 60's B15 or B15R. I was tipped off the same day this thread was on it.

I was jumping back and forth trying to decide what kind of portable rig I wanted. I've had 2 Micro VR stacks, a '69 fliptop that was stupid minty and a one owner...very similar to this one and a '98 B15R. I originally sold the VR stacks because it was either keep them or the '69. No reason to have multiple small rigs. I've always loved low watt, tube bass amps and the '69 was a monster. I then picked up the R, loved that it had more power and ended up selling off the '69. I was okay because I always wanted a blue diamond, 60's portaflex, but then the prices went through the roof on the Bay and I had to flip it to put the money else where. GAS got the best of me and I luckily made the trip first for this guy despite all the e-mails that came in of guys who were "serious" about buying it. I would have been there Saturday, but had to run this 10 mile training run haha. Worst excuse

You're more than welcome to come check out the '61 or any other piece of gear I have. I totally used to hoard gear, but now I try to keep what's actually being used or what I would like to hold on to for years and years. Currently, I have a '78 SVT, newer US810AV (prob. going to pass this on for something a bit smaller), '71 P bass, 2 '74 Les Paul Sig basses (one's at the shop), a '73 Tele bass on its way and the '61 flip, which will be going to the shop today.

[wessman]

Hi Guys,

I just tied to place an order for NOS Sylvania 6L6GC tubes but the seller has just sold them out few days ago ...Only these options are left 1, 3, 4 and 5. So what´s your preference order for these tubes?

OPTION 1) A pair of Heatkitbranded General Electric with side square getter, grey plates made 1960 in white box, price €110/pair ( best buy)

OPTION 2 - this is sold out) A pair of Sylvania, short bottle top O-getter, 60:s, original box, price is €132/pair

OPTION 3) A pair of General Electric, side O-getter, original box, price is €132/pair

OPTION 4) A pair of RCA, black plate, side O-getter, early sixties, original box, price is €275/pair

OPTION 5) A pair of Philipslabelled RCA, black plates from 1964, original box, price is €275/pair

Any idea about lifespan of these tubes?

Thanks and best regards,

Yeppe

[pedro]

Originally Posted by TheDialog

Sigh.

[RutherfordBrave]

Originally Posted by TheDialog

You're more than welcome to come check out the '61 or any other piece of gear I have. I totally used to hoard gear, but now I try to keep what's actually being used or what I would like to hold on to for years and years. Currently, I have a '78 SVT, newer US810AV (prob. going to pass this on for something a bit smaller), '71 P bass, 2 '74 Les Paul Sig basses (one's at the shop), a '73 Tele bass on its way and the '61 flip, which will be going to the shop today.

I recently cleaned house of any non-essential gear as well, as I'm not actively playing out :/ Over the last couple years I've seen some of your stuff come and go on CL or TB, so I'm aware of your purge! I think you've definitely played your cards well though. Didn't you also have a '69 SVT too? Hopefully you're thinning the herd by your ear rather than your wallet

BTW, a couple months ago I was listening to Baltimore Unsigned on WTMD and I thought "this song is pretty good, but man...that bass tone is sweet." Immediately after the host came back on and said "That was The Dialog, with [song name]." So, kudos to your successful tone quest

[beans-on-toast]

Originally Posted by wessman

Only these options are left 1, 3, 4 and 5. So what´s your preference order for these tubes?

OPTION 1) A pair of Heatkitbranded General Electric with side square getter, grey plates made 1960 in white box, price €110/pair ( best buy)

OPTION 3) A pair of General Electric, side O-getter, original box, price is €132/pair

OPTION 4) A pair of RCA, black plate, side O-getter, early sixties, original box, price is €275/pair

OPTION 5) A pair of Philipslabelled RCA, black plates from 1964, original box, price is €275/pair

Any idea about lifespan of these tubes?

In my opinion, RCA beats the others. The black plates are in demand and the prices are very high.

The GE tubes are very good. I would go with one of those and look for a pair of matched RCA's when you can find a good price. Try amateur radio swap meets (hamfests) in your area. Prices are much lower, not in the audiophile range.

Whatever you get, check the clearance under your tube cage vs the tube dimensions to ensure that they will fit.

As for how long they will last, it depends on how hard you push the tubes. If nothing goes wrong, many years. There are B-15's out there with the original tubes still in them.

[wessman]

Many thanks for the suggestion, B-O-T.

BR: Yeppe