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1970's Ampeg BT25. Looking for another.

BlacknWhite

BlacknWhite

Jun 22, 2012
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2,446
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Beersville, New Brunswick, Canada
equipboard.com
#1
Hey guys. I have an old Ampeg 1970's BT25 bass head I use as a back up/practice amp. When I got it it had been rebuilt with parts from another head. Cosmetically that is. The face plate, the grill cloth and tolex was the rat fur stuff. Anyways I want to restore it best I can and I will be removing the rat fur, wanted to get an original face plate and grill cloth and one of the knobs as well. Was just wondering if anyone on here has or know someone who has an old BT25 working or not as I would really like to have one that is original looking. Have always had a soft spot for this amp!
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#2
Does this have the same chassis dimensions as the tube B25? If so, you could buy replacement parts from fliptops and restore this one. I'm sure Bruce would also gladly build to specs, but if it's something he's already got figures/templates for it might be cheaper.
 
#4
I know it's OT, but I just met someone from Sarnia, they were studying Sociology and decided to pursue a placement at the place I volunteer at. Seems like a nice place.

Well, a head case shouldn't be too hard to build, but I'd imagine that the demand on something like a BT25 is so low as to not really be "worth" replacing from a financial standpoint. So unfortunately like you I don't think a repro is too likely, but hey, contacting the guy at fliptops might at least get a definite answer. It really sucks, to be honest, but it doesn't look like an original faceplate is all that different from a B25 one, just blue ink and slightly different details. It could be possible to screenprint your own if you have the resources.

Short of that, I'd consider it reasonably to use the B25 faceplate, it just really sucks that it's not original.
 
#10
When you want to find one, they suddenly get scarce. There was a nice one on ebay a couple of months ago, it went for over $600US. Kind of nuts for what it is.

You could use a solvent to carefully remove the B25 graphic on the faceplate.

I use Marshall Black Levant tolex (Antique Electronics) on Ampeg head cabs. It looks good. Fliptops sells a good vintage metal corner, the reissue ones are not the same as the vintages ones.
 
#11
beans-on-toast said:
When you want to find one, they suddenly get scarce. There was a nice one on ebay a couple of months ago, it went for over $600US. Kind of nuts for what it is.

You could use a solvent to carefully remove the B25 graphic on the faceplate.

I use Marshall Black Levant tolex (Antique Electronics) on Ampeg head cabs. It looks good. Fliptops sells a good vintage metal corner, the reissue ones are not the same as the vintages ones.
Click to expand...
Wow 600 US for a solid state BT25? That's crazy. I got mine for like 80 bucks in perfect working order. So I don't feel too bad sinking some cash in to it. I was so hoping for the old school faceplate with the silver and Blue. Will check out that tolex for sure.
 
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#13
coreyfyfe said:
Does this have the same chassis dimensions as the tube B25? If so, you could buy replacement parts from fliptops and restore this one. I'm sure Bruce would also gladly build to specs, but if it's something he's already got figures/templates for it might be cheaper.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure the BT-25 is not at all the same dimensions as the B-25. This early 70s catalog page scanned by and uploaded to the Ampeg V4 website:

http://www.ampegv4.com/pdf/Ampeg Amplifier Catalog - 1971 Pg-2.pdf

Plus the GGJaguar entry on the BT-140 (essentially the same amp):

GGJaguar's Guitarium and Ampeteria 1968 Ampeg BT-140

Very cool amp. I'd love to try one some day, but I've never seen it in person... yeah, OP, I think your best bet is to stay vigilant on the ebays/reverbs of the internet... that or consider a custom job for more $$$ but less time.
 
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#14
deathness said:
Pretty sure the BT-25 is not at all the same dimensions as the B-25. This early 70s catalog page scanned by and uploaded to the Ampeg V4 website:

http://www.ampegv4.com/pdf/Ampeg Amplifier Catalog - 1971 Pg-2.pdf

Plus the GGJaguar entry on the BT-140 (essentially the same amp):

GGJaguar's Guitarium and Ampeteria 1968 Ampeg BT-140

Very cool amp. I'd love to try one some day, but I've never seen it in person... yeah, OP, I think your best bet is to stay vigilant on the ebays/reverbs of the internet... that or consider a custom job for more $$$ but less time.
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm watching eBay/reverbs like a hawk lol. Didn't realize that the BT140 was like the exact same amp either. Will be on the lookout for those as well now haha the glow in the dark panel thing is pretty cool! Thanks
 
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