New gear Rare? Ampeg cab and modded b2r q's

Funkbass Levi · #1 04-12-2011, 11:29 AM

Hey so I picked up some used gear yesterday that I had some questions on. Picked up an Ampeg 806he cabinet which I was told was kind of rare. If anyone knows about these things I'd like to know more. (when it was made, approximate value, guy Says it's 4 ohms I'd like to verify that.)

I also picked up an ampeg b2r head. He said that it had been modified to have a real tube pre in it instead of the solid state circuit. Looks like it was done professionally. Sounds awesome. I've never seen a head changed over to tube like that. Is it safe? Does the mod increase or decrease value? Also is this fairly common to do or is this amp just kinda out there. Sounds like mini svt all said and done amp and cab together.

Any info helps thanks! Btw I payed 360 for everything. I think I got a pretty good deal but not if the heads worthless from the mod.

christw · #2 04-12-2011, 11:35 AM

I'd like to see a picture of the head with the top off!

Just google the cab and click the links! I just found out that it's rated 400w @ 4 ohms. Here's the Harmony Central for it: Basses: SVT-806HE Bass Cabinet by Ampeg | Harmony Central

Funkbass Levi · #3 04-12-2011, 11:45 AM

Thanks that answers my q's about the cab. I was thinking about takin it apart the amp to see what kind of tube was in it. Think I'll do so and post a pic.

christw · #4 04-12-2011, 11:47 AM

If you aren't familiar with the dangers of electronics, let me urge you: do not touch anything in there! I'd hate to see you get hurt for your curiosity.

Funkbass Levi · #5 04-12-2011, 12:08 PM

So I just cracked it open and to my surprise...no tube!
Looks like someone may have had it modified and then returned to stock because it's got stickers from the guy that did the mods and it says that a tube was added. But I guess it's gone now.

JimmyM · #6 04-12-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkbass Levi

So I just cracked it open and to my surprise...no tube!
Looks like someone may have had it modified and then returned to stock because it's got stickers from the guy that did the mods and it says that a tube was added. But I guess it's gone now.

or the guy was lying and just pretended to add a tube. i think that's the more likely scenario.

impactwrench · #7 04-12-2011, 12:50 PM

Question is, does it sound the same or different now? I don't know who would pay to put a tube into an amp like that, it had to cost more than the amp itself? Seems silly.

christw · #8 04-12-2011, 12:53 PM

I also had my doubts about putting a tube or tube preamp into a budget SS head. That's why I said I wanted to see a picture. If it were true, I'd loved to have seen it!

coreyfyfe · #9 04-12-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

or the guy was lying and just pretended to add a tube. i think that's the more likely scenario.

Unfortunately, I concur. The whole concept seemed a bit silly to be honest and it sucks that this is the most likely scenario, but it is what it is.

JimmyM · #10 04-12-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

Unfortunately, I concur. The whole concept seemed a bit silly to be honest and it sucks that this is the most likely scenario, but it is what it is.

otoh, the price for the rig was not bad.

coreyfyfe · #11 04-12-2011, 01:06 PM

Yup, great price. As long as it plays fine and sounds alright I wouldn't worry about it. Why someone would blow smoke up the OP's backside about modding a B2R for a tube is odd. I was thinking maybe they meant they added a power-amp in jack to run a tube pre into the power amp but I think this amp should have had that already.

Funkbass Levi · #12 04-12-2011, 03:36 PM

I also thought tubeing a solid state amp was wierd and was skeptical but it played ok so i just bought it but it definitely had the serial number and an official modification tag on the outside. I think the guy that sold it to me didn't know what he had. He had bought it used with the "modification" already in it. or so he thought. Maybe it was removed or something. He didn't claim to know much either. He was just a rookie player with nice gear.

I work on dc electronics and if I gave my honest opinion it looks like it was never modded inside. Either way.....

NEW GEAR FOR ME!!!!!!

I wanna get my other setup back to my house so I can start mixing and matching amps and cabs!

Funkbass Levi · #13 04-12-2011, 03:39 PM

Thanks btw for all the responses. I am new to talk bass but been playing around 14 years. Just now turning into a gear-slut.

parsons · #14 04-12-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

I was thinking maybe they meant they added a power-amp in jack to run a tube pre into the power amp but I think this amp should have had that already.

Yes, it does. Bypasses all pre and EQ shaping on the B2R

Funkbass Levi · #15 04-12-2011, 04:30 PM

yeah i already knew about the preamp in. the guy had said that he thought it had been modified to have a tube in it.

coreyfyfe · #16 04-12-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkbass Levi

yeah i already knew about the preamp in. the guy had said that he thought it had been modified to have a tube in it.

Can you snap a pic of the mod tag? I'm interested to see what that's all about.

Funkbass Levi · #17 04-12-2011, 05:58 PM

I just scraped it off sorry man. It was legit though. Gave the phone number and email of the modifier. The tag itself looked pretty old.

Funkbass Levi · #18 04-12-2011, 06:02 PM

heres a pic of the setup

JackTheRipper · #19 04-12-2011, 06:06 PM

Is that the cab I saw on craigslist? It piqued my curiousity when I saw it.

--jack

Funkbass Levi · #20 04-12-2011, 06:09 PM

It was on craigslist. In San Diego. I jumped on it fast.