need help on craigslist find (ampeg b15n)

seungkoo · #1 02-02-2011, 06:46 AM

I am not too familiar but seems like a good deal if this is one of those old ampeg all tube amps.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...192869686.html

its in pretty rough condition. I am going over to the guys house to plug it in and give it a shot. I guess if it sounds good and works properly it cant be a bad deal.

coreyfyfe · #2 02-02-2011, 07:02 AM

Yup that's a B-15N. Looks like the tolex has been stripped and the power transformer changed out. It looks like it has a model number for a rectifier tube silkscreened on so it's most likely a 65-67 model. It could be an earlier one, but those aren't as common so in terms of numbers your chances are better is a mid to late 60s model.

seungkoo · #3 02-02-2011, 07:06 AM

whats that piece of wood below the amp?

rolorockbass · #4 02-02-2011, 07:09 AM

man if I lived there I would have grabbed it by now!

coreyfyfe · #5 02-02-2011, 07:12 AM

The chasis tray. The head sits in that and that is attached to the cab lid. It looks like the right part but stripped of tolex or finish.

Here's mine for reference:

seungkoo · #6 02-02-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolorockbass

man if I lived there I would have grabbed it by now!

funny thing is this guy had it on craigslist for at least a good month...

I am not familiar with tube amps but it might be a good project to restore it.

coreyfyfe · #7 02-02-2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungkoo

funny thing is this guy had it on craigslist for at least a good month...

I am not familiar with tube amps but it might be a good project to restore it.

Aesthetically I'd say go for it. If you mean doing any electrical work I surely hope you'll leave it up to someone who knows how to work on these kind of amps.

From the pics (as I said) it's clear that the power transformer has been changed - a common affliction for these amps due to how the originals were potted - that will probably run about $200 plus labor. If the transformer was changed then other work may have been done, cap job? etc but you could still be looking at putting at least as much as you'd pay for it into a restore job. Given that it's been worked on, it may sound pretty good as is. That said, if you do decide to invest some time/money you'd have an amp worth much more than what you're paying now and could probably recoup your costs should decide to sell it, and more important it will sound and look great.

stiles72 · #8 02-02-2011, 08:01 AM

I would jump all over it as long as the head works. B15's are built like tanks and will clean up nicely. Mine was in equally rough condition, but a little money spent on new tolex and logo etc... went a long way.

Mine before & after:

beans-on-toast · #9 02-02-2011, 10:05 AM

It is a very good price despite the condition.

They don't show the speaker. It is possible that the original was changed to better suit a guitar.

These amps are like an old chevy, they can be stripped to the chassis and restored. All the parts are available from fliptops.net and there isn't anything that can't be fixed.

**bassman_al** · #10 02-02-2011, 10:15 AM

I live in the area and am very curious about this deal. I'll subscribe and see how it works out. Tell us how it sounds, and if you end up buying it let us know! I would love to hear it if you get it, but you live in MD and I am in Fairfax so not sure if that would be possible (job, wife, 3 kids, 2 bands...)

anderbass · #11 02-02-2011, 04:43 PM

I see the ad's been deleted by its author, the OP musta pulled the trigger.

What was the asking price?

**bassman_al** · #12 02-02-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anderbass

I see the ad's been deleted by its author, the OP musta pulled the trigger.

What was the asking price?

$350

Sartori · #13 02-02-2011, 08:06 PM

Go for it.

I don't know how prudent it is to post a link to the deal you want on here, though...

kosmicwizard · #14 02-02-2011, 08:30 PM

I hear ya Sartori, I am pretty sure I would be hurt if I asked for advice and someone else bought it because of a good price. I hope the OP got the amp, let us know how this turned out, Okay? Cheers.

**bassman_al** · #15 02-03-2011, 05:22 AM

Hey Sartori,
I think there is enough honor among the TB thieves that for the most part people on this board would not do something like that. My experience here is that TB is a very safe and trusting place.

A couple months ago a TB-er offered to send me a bass before I paid for it. He was leaving the country, said I seemed like a trustworthy guy, asked that I pay for it as soon as I sold my bass that was for sale at the time, and sent his bass over to me as he was trying to pack for an extended stay abroad. I was bowled over, and I'll never forget his generosity and trusting spirit. I promised him that I would lower my sale price weekly in order to expedite the sale of my bass. I paid him a week later when my bass sold. Needless to say, I may never sell the bass he sent me because it has priceless positive karma attached to it forever!

Anyway, I am very eager to know the end of this Ampeg story, so I hope the OP lets us know the outcome! I have never played through one of those old classic amps!

**bassman_al** · #16 02-03-2011, 05:24 AM

Hey Stiles, that is a beautiful looking job on your cab. I looked at your profile but could not find a thread link to the re-finish job. I would love to see pics of that process. Please share a link if one exists!

stiles72 · #17 02-03-2011, 10:30 AM

Bassman- Here you go: http://s554.photobucket.com/albums/j...lideshow#/grid

I had a lot of input and help from the Portaflex Club thread. Lot's of great folks & info on there. David (Beans-On-Toast) and Mark @ Vintage Blue are great resources also for restoration, and they helped me get my project underway.

**bassman_al** · #18 02-03-2011, 11:05 AM

Thanks Stiles, great pics!

Al

thesilence · #19 02-03-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosmicwizard

I hear ya Sartori, I am pretty sure I would be hurt if I asked for advice and someone else bought it because of a good price. I hope the OP got the amp, let us know how this turned out, Okay? Cheers.

It's happened to me on another forum but I agree TB'ers seem to be generally more civil than other forums

**ddbassGA** · #20 02-03-2011, 12:11 PM

Here's one in Atlanta. I've spoken to the guy who seems pretty straight up. It is an early one, pre blue-check tolex, so it has the blue with white spatter tolex pattern. Also has the 8-pin speaker connection. Historically pretty interesting amp and the pictures he sent me look pretty good. Even still has the original dolly. Pretty tempting, but I think I'll use the $ to restore my blue check 65.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/msg/2149560076.html

No affiliation with the amp or buyer, but if a fellow TBer wants some help let me know.