1960s Ampeg B 18N Restoration – COMLETED!

[OldFenderPlayer]

The minor restoration of my 1960s Ampeg B 18N is finally complete. If you are interested in what all was done, check out my previous posts and any pictures that remain on Talkbass.

Its a big improvement over the ugly duckling I had a few months ago - there was indeed a swan underneath the 1970s tuck-n-roll (you can see where the grill was trimmed to make room for it).

I have about $750 invested in the amp, a minor electrical repair, and small parts, a matching cart and a cover from Fliptops.

I've used it on at least 10 gigs since November 2011 and its performed flawlessly. It moves easily, sets up in just a minute, and it sounds so good I feel like I'm cheating myself if I kick in a chorus pedal or a SansAmp.

All that is left is to figure out which year the thing was made. Where do I find a serial number?

 

[christw]

Congrats on a sweet amp! I just got my '67 transition B15N up and running and am loving it too! You check the speaker code for a quick date approximation if it's still original. Should be a six digit code on the speaker basket somewhere. First three digits are the maker, fourth digit is the year (196x), and the final two are the week the speaker was made of that year. Mine would be 137724 or something. 137 = CTS, 7 = '67, 24 = 24th week.

 

[Jim Carr]

Well done! It's great to see old gear made right. Play on, sir!

 

[OldFenderPlayer]

Thanks christw!

On one of the spokes of the speaker stamped in blue ink:
CIVN3W-2
433729

And on the back cone of the 18" speaker in white ink: 18005

So this is a 1967?

 

[christw]

Glad to be of help! That's a '67 Cleveland speaker. I'd call your amp a '67 unless there's better dating info available for it.

A good resource on speaker info can be found here: Invalid Link Removed

 

[FenderAmpeg]

Where do I find a serial number?

Look on the back of the chassis under where the power cord comes out, should be a six digit number there. Let us know what it is.

Here

 

[OldFenderPlayer]

FenderAmpeg, there indeed is a number there. I never noticed it before. It is:

039405

<< this is why I love Talkbass .... there are people here who know more than just how to play a bass>>

 

[amkaplan]

I'm looking for a SN on my B-18N, as well, and there's no stamped number visible. There is a SN on a sticker in the cab that dates it as a 1964 cab, with an early 5-tube schematic on the tray, but I'm not convinced it's relevant to the amp, as the amp is a 6-tube unit with the 5AR4 tube rectifier, which puts it at 1965 or later.
Any other locations down for SNs?
Thanks,
Allan

 

[Old Blastard]

First amp I ever played through back in 1974. If I had owned it, I still would. Unfortunately, the lender wanted it back.