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Ampeg B-100r Rocket Aficionados

#322
I am going to cross the popular line here - but the B15R is my favorite Portaflex ever - and I've owned/tried them all. IMO it combines elements of the two most iconic Ampegs - the SVT-CL (preamp) and the B15 (style/function).

It has been both confusing and surprising to me since I joined TB to hear how vocal members can be about their disappointment with the B15R. A few have cited low volume (I remember reading that one TBer stated his vintage B15n was louder - which is laughable) - yet I've seen some of the same people celebrate the V4 for being a loud 100 watts. I have compared B15R head with the vintage V4 and the reissue V4B side by side with my system selector and there is not a perceivable difference in clean volume. The vintage V4 goes loud early before suddenly breaking up on the volume pot, while the B15R and the V4BR have a more gradual taper. I've wondered if some B15R owner's never tried turning the knobs up - especially the gain and mid. I've also wondered if there were a few duds that came out of the factory...

I have also compared the stock cab/speaker with vintage B15 cabs and the R cab sounds just as good - but can handle much more power and deeper bass (as well as having the option of a defeat-able tweeter). I did upgrade the speakers in my B15R/B15E cabs with Eminence Betas - but only so I did not have to worry about blowing the originals - which I had been using heavily in a loud band (I have since been being using the original R speakers in my vintage B15's - and they sound just like the original CTS models - again, I have compared them).

Another reason I like the the B15R - zero problems or failures in all the time I've owned it - including hundreds of gigs and rehearsals (I replaced the tubes once - probably due for another set now).

When used at gigs, the B15R combo (like anything else) excels with a matching extension cab - and this is how I've run it most of the time.

The B15R combo is heavy - but if weight is an issue, you do have the option of handling the head an the cab separately while loading. A side note - my 30 watt Heritage B15 combo only weighs about 17 pounds less.

I have owned 2 or 3 B100r's over the years and I think it is a fine combo - but I never seem to hang on to them (I sold the most recent one after I compared it to my B200R -which I prefer) - but I have never even considered selling my B15R in the 13 years I have owned it (I did sell my backup a few years back as it was a frivolous purchase).
 
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#323
I like my B100R (especially with the Faital driver), but tubes add a whole new tonal dimension: a large increase in harmonic richness up and down the neck, and greater dynamic expressiveness with respect to my playing. There's also the overdrive tone of tubes, including output tubes and iron. The difference (and superiority IMO) is unmistakable.
 
#325
AstroSonic said:
I like my B100R (especially with the Faital driver), but tubes add a whole new tonal dimension: a large increase in harmonic richness up and down the neck, and greater dynamic expressiveness with respect to my playing. There's also the overdrive tone of tubes, including output tubes and iron. The difference (and superiority IMO) is unmistakable.
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I think i should share my Ampeg B100R SVT.
Ampeg SVTMP tube pre before the B100's pre sort of sets the mood of the tone and SVTDI tube di from line out best setup for this excellent sounding amp. Gets the best of two worlds in terms of SS-tube hybrids easy settings of knobs gets really close in tone to my Ampeg B15N '63, lighter in weight and louder
 
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#335
GregT said:
I just looked up the dimensions on the B100R and the B50R. The B100R is only 1/2 inch taller than the B1. I've never seen one in person. I'd always just figured since it had a 12 inch speaker, it would be smaller. Thanks for clearing it up Mr_Martin.
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I have a B100R and just bought a B50R from GC ($99 online, what can I say). I will take a photo of them next to each other once the B50R arrives.
 
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#338
There was one at guitar center they had just gotten on trade in and we're marking the price 250, I try not to impulse buy anymore, too many ebay regrets, so I went and tried some markbass stuff in the "new" area to give it some time, 14 minutes later I went to get it and there was nothing but an empty dusty hole. A smiling guy happily wheeling it to the checkout had the nerve to wink at my sad sad face.
Great amp, and don't worry about the seemingly low wattage, if I understand correctly it takes double the wattage to get a 1db increase. It's exponential. A 400 watt amp is not double the power of a 200, it is only slightly more power full . If I understand that correctly.

Technically I still own one, I loaned it to a Friend in 2008, just remembered who has it.

Tom, if you're on here, I need my amp back!
 
#339
mtlbasslad said:
@JimmyM - LOL
@AstroSonic - thanks for the info
@anderbass - good place to start, thanks
@Lync - I didn't have any clipping probs...

Thanks to all of you, will be trying out all your suggestions
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Well, after a few weeks of playing I found I was still getting hum issues - so i got the Radial Twin city ABY box - I'm in tone heaven now. No hum, & I can set the two amps tone controls differently... ++ it's made in Canada, yay. Have to add that I just picked up a G&L L2000 & I'm loving it. Every time I pick it up I apologize to the old Jazz - but now I can adjust the volume without getting the old single-coil buzz. For $350 this G&L is sweet.

Again thanks to all who got back to me
 

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