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ampeg 835, what's the scoop?
- Thread starter la grange
- Start date
Those were the in the first series of combo amps from Ampeg. I have an 820 from '56. Had a heck of a time finding a schematic for it, so I e-mailed Jess Oliver and he sent me one!
Better for bass than most amps in its day, but all the Bassamps were immediately dropped when Jess invented the B-15. Never heard one, but I hear they sound pretty good, just can't use a lot of volume.
HI, I have become obsessed with these little amps. It first started when I "accidentally" (accidentally because I didn't know what I was buying, just thought it was a 60's B 15 that had been modified!!) bought a 1st generation B 15 (build date June 1960) with the wooden side panels on the head and the additional removable port covers inside the cabinet. If you don't know about these in an article Jess Oliver said they only built about 50 of them.
The tone is really wonderful but as many know they are low Volume and can only be used for small club gigs or in the studio.
A friend alerted me to a 1957 825D - an experimental Amp so rare they never listed them in a catalog. 2 channels and only 25 little watts but again, genius tone.
Then having become known around LA as a freak daddy for these amps I was alerted to one on the LA Craigslist - a 1958 835 "bassamp" 35 watts now instead of 25 and only one channel but again. killer tone.
I am only talking about these amps because when I went online to investigate them I read a lot of comments (not here of course) about how they were terrible and maybe could be a passable guitar amp but no good for bass.
Don't believe it. They kick butt! No, they are not quite as rich as a vintage B 15 but they are really wonderful and less known so they don't run 1500 bucks for a vintage one.
Let's keep these lovely little amps our secret, eh boys?
The tone is really wonderful but as many know they are low Volume and can only be used for small club gigs or in the studio.
A friend alerted me to a 1957 825D - an experimental Amp so rare they never listed them in a catalog. 2 channels and only 25 little watts but again, genius tone.
Then having become known around LA as a freak daddy for these amps I was alerted to one on the LA Craigslist - a 1958 835 "bassamp" 35 watts now instead of 25 and only one channel but again. killer tone.
I am only talking about these amps because when I went online to investigate them I read a lot of comments (not here of course) about how they were terrible and maybe could be a passable guitar amp but no good for bass.
Don't believe it. They kick butt! No, they are not quite as rich as a vintage B 15 but they are really wonderful and less known so they don't run 1500 bucks for a vintage one.
Let's keep these lovely little amps our secret, eh boys?
That is absolutely cool. Keep it, cherish it, or if you don't I'll whoop your ass for it and give it to someone who does......like me....or Jimmy....or Tadsworld.
You'll have to rip it from my cold dead hand. HA!
- May 13, 2003
- 1,013
- 50
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, Aguilar Amps, DR Strings, Bartolini Electronics, Creation Audio Labs
anyone know the value on these? i have one that is rough shape Tolex is all there but rolling on the edges, handle is broken, but worst of all the control panel is covered in surface rust. but works great and sounds killer!
I know Zombie thread Back to life . Just wondering if there is any more info on these amps and how they sound . Anyone have one Please give your thoughts I have a line on one in pretty decent shape but it seems a bit pricey.
They sound pretty good and are a nice amp. A couple of people in the portaflex thread have them: Official Ampeg Portaflex Club.
People selling them want top dollar because they are rare but unless they are in outstanding condition and wanted by a collector, they don't sell for a lot. Rare does not always translate into hight dollar value or demand. As I said, condition is important. They often go for less than the B-15's that came out a bit later. Current prices are around $800 retail, less for a private sale for one in good condition. One reason for the lower prices is that getting them into running shape can be expensive. It helps if you can do at least some of the work, such as chassis cleaning, yourself to minimize tech time.
For schematics, check out the TB Portaflex Wiki, follow the link at the top of the page.
People selling them want top dollar because they are rare but unless they are in outstanding condition and wanted by a collector, they don't sell for a lot. Rare does not always translate into hight dollar value or demand. As I said, condition is important. They often go for less than the B-15's that came out a bit later. Current prices are around $800 retail, less for a private sale for one in good condition. One reason for the lower prices is that getting them into running shape can be expensive. It helps if you can do at least some of the work, such as chassis cleaning, yourself to minimize tech time.
For schematics, check out the TB Portaflex Wiki, follow the link at the top of the page.
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Old thread but I have a 1959 Bassamp 835, original speaker was long gone but it has an old Utah 15" coaxial speaker in it, like others have said they're not real loud but they sound really good. It's being restored right now. I had to email (maybe snail mail? forgot) Jess Oliver years ago for a schematic which he promptly sent me by snail mail. I paid about 400 bucks for mine on ebay maybe 10 years ago. The original power tubes were EL-37's, a very rare and expensive tube which audiophiles have driven through the roof. They'll also take 6L6's which is what's in it now, I think the 6L6's are actually a much better tube, a lot more rugged.
Ampeg's use of tubes not many amp designers use was great back in the day, but what a PITA it is now!
Ok this is pretty funny... I was checking my amp storage to be sure there was no water damage or mold in there and pulled out my old 1957 Bassamp. I was searching for info about it online. I had forgotten the exact model and could find NO Ampeg Bassamp anywhere from the 50's that was two channel. Then I came upon this thread and found my own post from 14 years ago. LOL Sure glad I described it, how rare it was, the model and year... Gettin' old I guess. It still works perfectly, (No water or mold on any of the old amps) only thing not original is the handle (an old leather belt) and a killer JBL D140 speaker. I'm gonna put it in the music room for a while and enjoy it before it goes back into the closet for 10 more years... I am putting an index card inside it with the relevant info so I don't have to go searching on Talkbass for info on it again!
