1968 Ampeg B-15 Speaker Change...Is this BAD???

[Brice Blair]

I have an all original 1968 Ampeg B-15 that is in rough shape. The amp really needs to have the speaker replaced (at the very least re-coned), tubes replaced, and the wiring repaired. I have a very nice NOS 15 inch JBL and NOS vintage tubes from the same period that I plan to use.

Although these repairs are necessary and will make the amp more usable, is it going to damage the value of the amp? I plan to keep the original speaker so it can be placed back in the amp, but I'm still nervous about replacing parts on an all original B-15.

 

[beans-on-toast]

It doesn't sound like you have a museum piece. Any repairs that are necessary to keep the amp operational do not affect the value in a negative way. If performed properly, maintenance increases the amp's value. A JBL speaker was a more expensive option. Keep all the parts that you remove, not just the speaker.

See the TalkBass Portaflex Wiki: Ampeg Portaflex Wiki | TalkBass.com

 

[JimmyM]

Beans is right. What affects an amp's value negatively is a bunch of broken crap. But tubes are pretty well expected to be replaced every now and then, and while I'm perfectly happy with new for the rec and power tubes, I hate new 6SL7's that I've tried so I always get NOS when replacing them. And nobody is ever going to object to a JBL being inside it. The D130F was the upgrade speaker for it, but nobody's going to care if you don't get that exact model.

EDIT: Unless of course the B-15 you have is with the larger Thiele cab, then the upgrade speaker would have been an Altec 417b, although most people prefer the 421a. Still, I've heard them with JBL's in them and they sound pretty good, too.