1967 Ampeg B-15N JBL Speaker Upgrade

[Turbocharbo]

Which JBL model would of been the stock upgrade for a 1967 B-15N? I have a chance to grab a D130F but am wondering if I should hold off for a D140 or a K140. I'm using this amp for recording so having an high wattage speaker is irrelevant for my applications.

Thoughts!?

 

[BassmanPaul]

IIRC the upgrade driver for a B15 was an Altec not a JBL.

FWIW I tried both an Altec and a JBL 2225 in my unit but preferred the stock CTS driver which is in there now.

 

[Turbocharbo]

IIRC the upgrade driver for a B15 was an Altec not a JBL.

FWIW I tried both an Altec and a JBL 2225 in my unit but preferred the stock CTS driver which is in there now.

Oh ya? Weber seems to list Jensen, CTS, JBL & Altec here: Speaker Codes & Applications – Weber Speakers

 

[BassmanPaul]

LOL If you already know everything why did you pose your question?

Why would Ampeg use an upgrade driver that was made for Fender D130F? Besides for bass a D140 would be more apprpriate.

One last question: Why do you consider Weber an authority?

 

[Turbocharbo]

LOL If you already know everything why did you pose you question?

Why would Ampeg use an upgrade driver that was made for Fender D130F? Besides for bass a D140 would be more apprpriate.

One last question: Why do you consider Weber an authority?

I don't. I'm just putting it out there and raising the question...

 

[agedhorse]

I don't think that list is all that accurate IME.

 

[DaveDeVille]

... my two b15 cabs were loaded with crumbling Altec speakers ,
but when a friend gave me two freshly re-conned JBL D140F drivers ,
i couldn't resist ... they sound awesome .

... ...

 

[jnewmark]

IIRC the upgrade driver for a B15 was an Altec not a JBL.

FWIW I tried both an Altec and a JBL 2225 in my unit but preferred the stock CTS driver which is in there now.

Apparently, the JBL was an upgrade before the CTS. The original 15 was a Jensen, then an upgrade to a JBL, then the CTS.
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1956 Jess Oliver is hired by Ampeg; gets idea for B-15 circa 1958
1960 First B-15 Portaflex introduced (for $355), with single-channel 25-watt head; replaced within eight months by the B-15N (N for “new”), which features two channels and a Jensen speaker; B-12N (25 watts) also introduced
1961 A tilt-back rod (until 1964) and light-up Lucite logo (until 1968) are introduced on the B-15N
1962 Solid-state rectifier and blue check covering are introduced via the B-15NB
1963 B-15NL designates a JBL speaker upgrade; 50-watt B-18 introduced
1964 B-15NC returns to a tube rectifier; B-15X introduced, with horn tweeter and two 4" “echo” speakers
1965 B-15NF switches to CTS speaker, fixed-bias tubes, and single-baffle cabinet; 25-watt SB-12 (SB for “string bass”) introduced for use with Baby Bass

 

[Turbocharbo]

Apparently, the JBL was an upgrade before the CTS. The original 15 was a Jensen, then an upgrade to a JBL, then the CTS.
Advertisement
1956 Jess Oliver is hired by Ampeg; gets idea for B-15 circa 1958
1960 First B-15 Portaflex introduced (for $355), with single-channel 25-watt head; replaced within eight months by the B-15N (N for “new”), which features two channels and a Jensen speaker; B-12N (25 watts) also introduced
1961 A tilt-back rod (until 1964) and light-up Lucite logo (until 1968) are introduced on the B-15N
1962 Solid-state rectifier and blue check covering are introduced via the B-15NB
1963 B-15NL designates a JBL speaker upgrade; 50-watt B-18 introduced
1964 B-15NC returns to a tube rectifier; B-15X introduced, with horn tweeter and two 4" “echo” speakers
1965 B-15NF switches to CTS speaker, fixed-bias tubes, and single-baffle cabinet; 25-watt SB-12 (SB for “string bass”) introduced for use with Baby Bass

Which JBL would it of been? D130 or D140?

 

[jnewmark]

Which JBL would it of been? D130 or D140?

In 1963, the upgrade was a D130; after that I dunno.

 

[Ric Vice]

To my knowledge the only time you would have had the option of a JBL D140F would have been circa 1967, when you could get either an Altec 421 or a D140 as a factory upgrade.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I believe D140F would have been the upgrade through the mid-late 60s, I have a 65 fixed bias/double baffle with a D140F which was listed as stock when I bought the amp, though who really knows.

The 1967 brochure in the portaflex wiki says the amps are available with JBL or Altec upgrades. I had a 421A in a prior double baffle, it got a bit farty in that cab. Across the various B15s I’ve had I’ve tried some modern eminence (beta and deltas), a K140, a reconed CTS, and this D140F in double baffle cabs, and I had a single baffle with the stock CTS.

I like the D140F and the CTS over the rest.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

I put in a Eminence Beta 15 and I think it sounds fabulous!

 

[bmusic]

This thread spotlights how little I know about amplification—me here, thinking a B-15N is itself a thing to aspire to.

"I won James Jamerson's bass in an auction. I can't wait to upgrade the pickup!"

 

[blastoff]

i put a d140 in my 66. sounds great. its got a little sparkle

 

[DaveDeVille]

I believe D140F would have been the upgrade through the mid-late 60s,
I have a 65 fixed bias/double baffle with a D140F which was listed as stock when I bought the amp, though who really knows.

The 1967 brochure in the portaflex wiki says the amps are available with JBL or Altec upgrades.
I had a 421A in a prior double baffle, it got a bit farty in that cab. Across the various B15s I’ve had I’ve tried some modern eminence (beta and deltas),
a K140, a reconed CTS, and this D140F in double baffle cabs, and I had a single baffle with the stock CTS.

I like the D140F and the CTS over the rest.

just to be clear , my B15NA is early to mid 60's , and came equipped with the Altec 421A speaker .
it was in pretty bad shape , with a loose voice coil , and needed to be replaced .
the JBL's sound pretty dang sweet ...

 

[coreyfyfe]

just to be clear , my B15NA is early to mid 60's , and came equipped with the Altec 421A speaker .
it was in pretty bad shape , with a loose voice coil , and needed to be replaced .
the JBL's sound pretty dang sweet ...

View attachment 3983796

An NA would be early 60s. The product literature for 64-65 only shows the speaker upgrades as JBL, the 60 and 62-63 catalogs don’t list an option.

Sales Literature and Advertisements | TalkBass.com

The Altec options appear in the catalog in 67. Not sure when the 421A became available.

 

[azureblue]

mine came stock with a d140 and I loved it. Friend had one with a 421 in it and I dunno, it sounded muffled.

 

[Turbocharbo]

My '67 cab is currently fitted with an Eminence Delta 15a. Great speaker but I'd like to get something that is more period correct for recording. Regardless of what was a stock upgrade in '67, looks like the JBL d140f is the one to get!

 

[beans-on-toast]

Ampeg went out of their way to design amps and cabs that were different from the competition, Fender. They were loath to sell a speaker used by Fender. They wanted to be different. The D130F proved very popular and people were installing them in their amps of all makes. They sound very good in a B-15.

The D130F was intended as a guitar speaker, the D140F was offered as an option for bass by Fender. Despite that, many D130F’s are found in B-15’s. They are a little brighter sounding with the aluminum coil. When they would blow, D130F's were often reconed with D140 kits.