1960s Ampeg B15 question

[Glamroxx]

Hi everyone!

I have an opportunity to buy either a 1964 B15NC (double-baffle) or a 1966 B15NF (single-baffle). The NC is about $500 more. Unfortunately, I cannot afford both. I obviously love the Motown sound, but also aim for an upright sound from my fretless basses. Which one would you get? Please include reasons.

Thanks so much!

 

[coreyfyfe]

The 64 double baffle is generally the more desirable model, if that's worth the extra $500 to you that's up to you. I've owned both, a few different version of the double baffle as well. What speakers are in there? Are the both original? Have the amps had any recent work, cap job, repairs, etc.?

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I have a '66 I love. I can't tell you much more detail off the top of my head, but you'll find more info here: Official Ampeg Portaflex Club

 

[txhawaii]

@beans-on-toast @Ringhammer @JimmyM

you'll have your answer once these guys see your thread. they talk B15 and beyond

 

[blastoff]

go double baffle. mine sounds just amazing. incomparable really. maybe get both and do a comparison video then sell one????

 

[Guitalia]

They're both great amps. But the Motown sound wasn't a B15. That was used strictly for monitoring in the room. For recording, the bass signal went through a custom-built tube direct box and preamp (aka the "Motown DI") before it hit the tape.

 

[Ric Vice]

I own a 64 B-15N )C) with a JBL D 130 that was the upgrade Ampeg offered for the amp.
I also had a 66 B-15 N. I kept the 64. Regardless of the amp you choose you’ll likely need to upgrade the speaker if you intend to play it out. Just my take however. I don’t find that either of my Lakland 55-94’s sound great through the B-15N.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The 64 NC is considered the holy grail by some. Here is a link to a pristine one in the TB Portaflex Wiki.

Vintage Showcase

Portaflex Portraits Green for St. Paddy's Day Tilt Back Leg Stripped 1963 Chassis Plexiglass B-15R Pre-production 1st run Heritage B15 Chassis Swag Jess Oliver's car Jess Oliver's suitcase Ampeg Golf Bag All Original 1964 B-15N in Detail...

www.talkbass.com

 

[azureblue]

They're both great amps. But the Motown sound wasn't a B15. That was used strictly for monitoring in the room. For recording, the bass signal went through a custom-built tube direct box and preamp (aka the "Motown DI") before it hit the tape.

 

[azureblue]

Do you know of a schematic for the Motown DI box (WolfBox)? I'm thinking of making one, and using a class D power amp with it. I found a stomp box version..

 

[Guitalia]

Do you know of a schematic for the Motown DI box (WolfBox)? I'm thinking of making one, and using a class D power amp with it. I found a stomp box version..

Apparently the original was a one-off design, and the schematic has never been available. People have come up with their own variations, probably based on educated guesswork. I suggest searching using the string "wolf box motown schematic" for some examples.

 

[Paul New]

Jamerson played into the DI, but many other studios miked a B-15, right? Stax, all the stuff recorded in Muscle Shoals, Chess when they recorded electric, etc…

Do we know which cabinet those studios used?

Sorry, nothing useful to add, I am just a big fan of those combos.

 

[bass player 53]

I’ve read, as well that the double baffle is the more desired one. My 196? is probably single baffle, but sounds great at lower rehearsal volume.
On a related note, many in the guitar world consider the ‘60’s blackface Fender Deluxe Reverb to be the ‘holy grail’ amp. This is due, in part, to the speaker mounted on a separate baffle board, which many say allows the speaker to vibrate more freely. The ‘60’s blackfaces run $4000-6000 on Reverb, while the ‘70’s silver faces without that board run $2000-3000.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Jamerson recorded in studios other than Studio A, the “snakepit” at Motown, where he sometimes used his B-15. He did use the amp live as well as a blue sparkle Kustom 215 amp for bigger shows.

This is from an interview.

Live

 

[JimmyM]

Jamerson played into the DI, but many other studios miked a B-15, right? Stax, all the stuff recorded in Muscle Shoals, Chess when they recorded electric, etc…

Do we know which cabinet those studios used?

Sorry, nothing useful to add, I am just a big fan of those combos.

I don’t know which cab they used in the southern studios, but Jamerson used a double baffle. And while Jamerson did use a DI in the Detroit Motown studio, when he moved to LA, the producers there often requested he bring his amp, where they mic’ed and DI’d it.

As for me, I like the double baffle just a little better, but I could be talked into the single baffle for the right price. And $500 less would probably be enough for me

 

[vitzfina]

I have what appears to be a B15NA.
The serial # suggests 1963 September. It has a solid state rectifier. I looks like under the A is a B. Was there an A? If so how was it different?

 

[beans-on-toast]

I have what appears to be a B15NA.
The serial # suggests 1963 September. It has a solid state rectifier. I looks like under the A is a B. Was there an A? If so how was it different?

Nice shape. I have the same revision. Yes there was an NA and an NB. You appear to have the 8-pin cabinet connector. The NB has the four-pin cabinet connector. Both cabs are double baffle and otherwise identical.

It looks like your output transformer is original, the power transformer with the wrinkly finish is not. Not unusual.

Check out the TB Portaflex Wiki.

Ampeg Portaflex Wiki

Jess Oliver surrounded by the iconic Ampeg B-15 amps that he designed. Much of the content of this wiki has originated from The Official Ampeg Portaflex Club threads that discuss all variants and relatives of Ampeg Portaflex amplifiers and cabinets. Enjoy! Contents: Dedicated to Jess...

www.talkbass.com

And the official Ampeg Portaflex Club thread.

Thread 'Official Ampeg Portaflex Club'

May 25, 2008

Welcome to the greatest and most exclusive bass club on Talkbass since the Rock Stars Who Use Behringer Amps Club! This is a place to post pics, swap tonal secrets, and discuss the different tones of the greatest low-power bass amps known to man...the Ampeg Portaflexes.

The only qualifications for joining is you must own an Ampeg Fliptop and have a pic you can post so we can ooh and aah over it. Optionally, please tell us a little of the history of your amp(s), any mods you've made, anything special about the speaker, etc. I will make one exception to the Fliptop rule...if anyone...

• JimmyM
• Replies: 37,477
• Forum: Amps and Cabs [BG]

• 

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[vitzfina]

I have what appears to be a B15NA.
The serial # suggests 1963 September. It has a solid state rectifier. I looks like under the A is a B. Was there an A? If so how was it different?

Thank you for your insightful observations.....appreciate it

 

[tvbop]

The Motown sound has little to do with external amplification and everything to do with how the signal was overdriven when it entered the control room. Also Jamersons stupid high action let the strings vibrate like crazy all adding to the mystic.