Speaker baffle on Ampeg B15R

JKoehler · #1 01-31-2011, 10:12 AM

I`m looking to get a reissue B15 from the late 90`s, and was curious about the speaker baffle in them. Did Ampeg use the double baffle system? It doesn`t seem to have the "bar" across the outer grill cloth frame, so I would think it`s something else. If it has another baffle, could a double baffle system be fitted to the cabinet?

stiles72 · #2 01-31-2011, 11:06 AM

The B15R is a sealed cab design and does not have ports. The grill on the front is a cloth covered frame like you would find on most any other combo amp or cab that attaches with velcro and sits in front of the baffle where the speaker is attached. If you were looking at making the B15R ported, your best bet would probably be to make it rear ported like the B100R, and use a pair of port flanges and tubes.

JKoehler · #3 02-28-2011, 10:52 PM

OK, so I got the B15R a few weeks ago, and really like this amp. After poking around, I discovered that the speaker baffle is a 1 inch piece of plywood screwed to the outer frame of the cabinet. I removed the original baffle and replaced it with a double baffle that I made using Vintage Blue`s dimentions. Now I really dig this amp. I think it gets the reissue closer to an older B15, I owned a `66 B15 in the past. All I need is to cover the outer baffle with some grill cloth, and I`m done with a pretty easy mod. Here`s a pic.

JimmyM · #4 02-28-2011, 11:01 PM

wow, that seems like a very simple mod to do if you can cut wood. you might start a trend with b15r owners. you should post it in the portaflex club thread.

main_sale · #5 03-01-2011, 09:50 AM

Yeah, you got my interest. I have a B-15R/15E.

JKoehler · #6 03-01-2011, 07:26 PM

I`ve got the extension cab also, but wanted to see how I liked it in the amp cab first. I will be doing the same to the B15E next week. Will take more pictures this time and post them here.

stiles72 · #7 03-01-2011, 07:37 PM

Very cool! I've always thought the B15R was a great amp, but I bet the B15/Vintage Blue style baffle just makes it even better!

derridiandrift · #8 03-19-2011, 10:21 AM

Having tried a couple of different drivers in mine, I'm still not totally satisfied with what I'm getting from it. I've been wondering if it would be possible to select a driver and then figure out what size port to put into the baffle order to tune the cabinet to a specific driver. Your approach is way more straightforward. I have some baltic birch plywood in the garage. I think I'm going to give it a try.

Where did you find the design for the baffle you made?

bludog · #9 03-04-2013, 03:22 PM

Bringing this baby back from the dead...

Anyone have more info on mod'ing a B15R with a double baffle? Looking for links to templates or advice from personal experience or whatever info you can offer.

I checked Vintage Blue and Fliptops.net already. Although they have new made-to-order options for a double baffle cab, it's not clear whether it will fit the B15R (I think the dims are similar but not exactly the same). Vintage Blue positions their double baffle as a B15N replacment and Fliptops has one for both the R and the N - however, only the N is double baffled which makes me think that it is not really meant for the R (or not ideal).

Any input from someone who has either mod'd one themselves or purchased a double baffle replacement cab for a B15R would be incredbily helpful. Thanks!

JimmyM · #10 03-04-2013, 05:47 PM

Honestly, the method and location of porting matters not as long as you have the similar tuning of the double baffle. Ampeg's kept the double baffle on their Heritage models mostly because of tradition, although the double baffle does work extremely well. But so do more "normal" porting methods.

bludog · #11 03-05-2013, 10:23 AM

Thanks, Jimmy... I figured I could count a response from you.

To be honest, regardless of the way it's done I'm not that interested in doing the work myself, as I'm not that handy in the wood shop and am nervous I'd do some irreversible damage. I was thinking someone might provide the pre-routed double baffle that I could just install the driver on. Or perhaps take my B15 in and do the work in-house. There must be somebody out there. I'm probably going to start by inquiring with fliptops and vintage blue to see what the options are. Do you know of any others I should contact?

JimmyM · #12 03-05-2013, 01:22 PM

Fliptops and VB are the only two companies I know of making old school Ampeg cabs.