Jess Oliver's legacy - AMPEG PORTAFLEX CLUB part 9 - Page 16

spacebassed · #**301** 11-07-2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass 45

Has it arrived yet?

I am curious about those tubes/adapters that were installed. Also, the serial number. I have follow up issues to the Vintage Guitar Magazine article where people (including Jess O.) further discuss the "Prototype" B15N's in the letter to editor section. I will dig them up and scan/post them once you have your new acquisition in hand. If I remember correctly, it was later surmised that there were about ten B15N's made pre-plexi logo.

Hey Bass45, it arrived safe and sound (although UPS did their best to destroy the box that the cab was in). I tend to agree with the estimate that there were around 10 of these made - I think I've personally documented seven (and one A-15n) - most from May, two from April (one B15n and one A15n), and two from June. The cabinets from June don't have the convertible side ports, and instead, have the recesses to make flipping the lid easier like most B-15n's do. My serial # is 105149 or 105143, I'll have to take a pic to confirm the last number. My camera batteries won't hold a charge, so I haven't been able to take any pics yet.

Are you referring to the power tubes? They are Mullard labeled Genalex KT-66's! They were NOS, the previous owner just popped them in to test the amp before selling it - there were about 25 tubes included with the amp (and a Dynacord Echocord Super s65 that's partially working). Do you have any gut shots of your proto? mine appears to be mostly untouched (there are 2 caps that might not be original).

RobJ · #**302** 11-07-2012, 07:26 PM

I just went to the Vintage Blue website and got nada. The page you requested is NOT AVAILABLE. Is it me?

http://www.vintage-blue.us/home.htm

Aussie Mark · #**303** 11-07-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobJ

I just went to the Vintage Blue website and got nada. The page you requested is NOT AVAILABLE. Is it me?

http://www.vintage-blue.us/home.htm

Looks like the page has been hacked - it redirects to a shopping site

RobJ · #**304** 11-07-2012, 07:44 PM

I don't think it's been hacked personally. I've seen the same thing happen when a site just goes away, either they've shut it down, lost the domain name, etc. We shall see I guess.

beans-on-toast · #**305** 11-07-2012, 09:22 PM

It works for me.

Try just http://www.vintage-blue.us/

RobJ · #**306** 11-07-2012, 09:32 PM

And wah lah it works. Cool, the link I posted with /home.htm at the end used to work fine. Thanks!

beans-on-toast · #**307** 11-07-2012, 10:46 PM

Isn't there a pedal called a wha lah? If not, there should be.

RobJ · #**308** 11-08-2012, 03:27 AM

There probably is. hehehe

rodl2005 · #**309** 11-08-2012, 03:37 AM

Weren't they those creatures that said "marklar"

christw · #**310** 11-08-2012, 08:46 AM

I just unexpectedly won an E130 on eBay that I lowballed. It will probably end up in my B-15 in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to try it out!

christw · #**311** 11-08-2012, 12:34 PM

Unloaded B-18X cab with a replacement 15/8 baffle for $50 on Boston CL: http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/msg/3390961947.html

**ddbassGA** · #**312** 11-08-2012, 05:46 PM

^ Very cool. Might work as a toneful 210 or 212 cab too. Ported properly, of course. If it were local it would be at my house by now.

christw · #**313** 11-08-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddbassGA

^ Very cool. Might work as a toneful 210 or 212 cab too. Ported properly, of course. If it were local it would be at my house by now.

Totally agreed.

**ddbassGA** · #**314** 11-08-2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

I just unexpectedly won an E130 on eBay that I lowballed. It will probably end up in my B-15 in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to try it out!

Cool score! Should sound close to the D130F. I've been wondering whether the tranny towers will clear an E130 or E140, so I guess you're about to tell us! The ceramic mags on the E series are a lot bigger in diameter than the Alnico mags of the D and K series.

christw · #**315** 11-09-2012, 10:14 AM

Well, I'll be hoping I can still flip my top after a speaker change.

What's the best way to clean up the mild corrosion on these amps without taking the labels off?

**ddbassGA** · #**316** 11-09-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

Well, I'll be hoping I can still flip my top after a speaker change.

What's the best way to clean up the mild corrosion on these amps without taking the labels off?

Hoping the top will still flip with the E.

Bon Ami works well for minor corrosion and is pretty gentle on the paint, not very abrasive. That's what I've used on my vintage Ampeg chrome parts. Use with care, but I'm very confident with over 50 years of experience with Bon Ami.

beans-on-toast · #**317** 11-09-2012, 05:16 PM

I like Bon Ami as well as it is fairly gentle.

I like a car product called AutoSol. It is an organic based metal polish that goes way back. It removes rust well, shines the chrome to a high gloss, and leaves a wax coating to protect the metal. You can get similar products are WalMart and car supply places.

Just be careful with the lettering. Any abrasive will remove it. With organic based cream polishes, the solvents will remove the lettering in a heartbeat. So I carefully clean the chassis with mild soap and water, then avoid letting anything else get near the lettering.

JimmyM · #**318** 11-09-2012, 10:29 PM

#314 backup
#315 JWP

Sorry guys, haven't been on in a few days. Had to go commando on my state

**ddbassGA** · #**319** 11-10-2012, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Sorry guys, haven't been on in a few days. Had to go commando on my state

Which it deserved, though I don't understand how not wearing underwear gets at your Governor.

coreyfyfe · #**320** 11-10-2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

Well, I'll be hoping I can still flip my top after a speaker change.

I could still flip the amp with a K140 in mine. The one speaker I had trouble with was the eminence beta. The transformers bumped against the frame. I used a piece of foam on the inside while in transit to keep things from bumping around too much.