1965 Ampeg Portaflex B-18-X

[Scotty Allen]

I am aware that the B-18-X is a multichannel instrument amp and I also play guitar, drums and keys with bass and vocals as my go to. I was never in the market for a flip top because I have my SVT Classic however this piece of history is sitting in my studio. I also own and play accordian and it has that right on the the amp thanks to Everette Hull. I am not sure I even want to own this

Did you buy that Ampeg B18 X ??

Scotty Allen

 

[Paul New]

Did you buy that Ampeg B18 X ??

Scotty Allen

I would like to know also.

My first amp was a B-18X, bought for me by my parents, used, from a music store back in 1968. From Robert’s Music in Tampa, actually. I had absolutely no input on the purchase. It served me well around town for the short time I used it, and my folks sold it off after i left to serve Uncle.

It had a tendency to rattle if left on the dolly and played at high volume, which was the only way I knew to play. The horn could generate a feedback loop that would sustain a first harmonic from any string basically to infinity. That was a fun feature but not useful. I think there was a switch for the horn, but not sure about that. The “echo” and “tremolo” features were also fun. I assume that those were intended for electric keyboard of some type, probably accordion.

I knew literally nothing about amplifiers at the time, but thought it sounded fantastic. If I had it now or one like it might haul the thing around to use on the big band gigs.

 

[Jimmythebass]

I once used an Ampeg that was named "Oliver". It was a loaner from the music store that looked exactly like an Ampeg but the head would rise out of the cab via a sewing machine motor. I 'm thinking Oliver used to be one of the Ampeg founders who went out on his own?

Jesse Oliver...founder of Ampeg

 

[DJ Bebop]

Jesse Oliver...founder of Ampeg

Nope

Worked for Ampeg after it was established. He was the engineer behind the Portaflex line.

Jess Oliver - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[DJ Bebop]

I once used an Ampeg that was named "Oliver". It was a loaner from the music store that looked exactly like an Ampeg but the head would rise out of the cab via a sewing machine motor. I 'm thinking Oliver used to be one of the Ampeg founders who went out on his own?

That was one of Jess’s Powerflex amplifiers with a motorized lift platform. He created that after he left Ampeg and started his own company, Oliver Sound Company.

OLIVER Guitar Amplifier Models

List of Guitar Amplifier OLIVER models with prices, images, and more.

bluebookofguitarvalues.com

https://reverb.com/item/52216734-rare-oliver-powerflex-502-1968-black-tolex-2-x-12-completely-serviced-plays-excellent-256

Reddit - Prove your humanity

www.reddit.com

 

[dbase]

That was one of Jess’s Powerflex amplifiers with a motorized lift platform. He created that after he left Ampeg and started his own company, Oliver Sound Company.

View attachment 7534068
View attachment 7534069

OLIVER Guitar Amplifier Models

List of Guitar Amplifier OLIVER models with prices, images, and more.

bluebookofguitarvalues.com

https://reverb.com/item/52216734-rare-oliver-powerflex-502-1968-black-tolex-2-x-12-completely-serviced-plays-excellent-256

Reddit - Prove your humanity

www.reddit.com

Ha... I remember borrowing an Oliver from a music store while between bass amps for a big gig and was surprised when the amp head rose out of the cabnet with a push of a button. Everyone was amazed.. I kept raising and lowering it... didnt take much to pacify me back then.