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Ampeg B-100r Rocket Aficionados

#521
midfieldgeneral said:
Hi all,

I am the proud owner of a B100R I saw on craigslist for $150. I am not sure where it is made, but it is in immaculate condition. I dont think the original owner played it all.

My bass has quite a wordy name; it is a Fender Deluxe Active P Bass Special. I picked it up a year ago at Sweetwater in Indiana. I had some labella flats put on by a local luthier who did a full setup and some tweaks. It has barely left my hands since. I am still fairly new to bass (played guitar badly for years) but I honestly cant see myself outgrowing this guitar or amp anytime soon.

I am looking for some advice on a pre or compressor to run between the bass and amp. Sound wide I am going for that motown type sound. I have my felt picks and sponge by the bridge :)

Thanks in advance.

Oh and FWIW, my fav setting is buttons out - 6446 :)
Click to expand...

They were almost all made in the USA - if it was, it will say so on top - right on the chrome control panel. If you have one of the rare models made in CHina, you can count yourself lucky - as those were made with plywood rather than osb - and weigh about 11 pounds less.
 
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#524
AMPEG B100-R
Pulled the trigger on this one today. Had been internet stalking it for a while. Looks like it is a U.S. made 2002 model. Fairly low serial number (not that it means anything). Stopped by the shop at lunchtime. Warmed it up a while. All the pots are pots are perfect. No scratch at all. Slight pop on power off. Really like the sound. It decided to come home with me.

Pics here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CKqni7KEAy1yV5kz9

It needs a little upkeep.
  • Going to replace the power cord. At the plug end it's a little ragged.
  • Going to replace both tube flanges. Found them here: Invalid Link Removed
  • Its missing the cardboard tube from one of the flanges. It isn't inside. Will figure that out once I get the flanges.
  • It's missing one of the jack nuts and ferrule. Found them here: Invalid Link Removed
  • Not sure about the add on kick back leg. Might remove it.
  • Going to install caster wheels. Its heavy (yes, I know its relative). I'm old.
Question for you aficionados about the caster mounts on the bottom. They look factory- are they?
IMG_20181012_131911.jpg


IMG_20181012_131231.jpg
 
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#525
torpedo2k said:
AMPEG B100-R
Pulled the trigger on this one today. Had been internet stalking it for a while. Looks like it is a U.S. made 2002 model. Fairly low serial number (not that it means anything). Stopped by the shop at lunchtime. Warmed it up a while. All the pots are pots are perfect. No scratch at all. Slight pop on power off. Really like the sound. It decided to come home with me.

Pics here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CKqni7KEAy1yV5kz9

It needs a little upkeep.
  • Going to replace the power cord. At the plug end it's a little ragged.
  • Going to replace both tube flanges. Found them here: Invalid Link Removed
  • Its missing the cardboard tube from one of the flanges. It isn't inside. Will figure that out once I get the flanges.
  • It's missing one of the jack nuts and ferrule. Found them here: Invalid Link Removed
  • Not sure about the add on kick back leg. Might remove it.
  • Going to install caster wheels. Its heavy (yes, I know its relative). I'm old.
Question for you aficionados about the caster mounts on the bottom. They look factory- are they?View attachment 3178920

View attachment 3178925
Click to expand...

Nice score, that one looks super clean! The caster sockets came stock on these, Ampeg did that with a lot of their heavy little combos. I added some generic rubber 3" wheels (eBay) to mine, makes it roll nicely... I used a generic cardboard shipping tube to replace my port tubes, I think I still have about 2' of it if you need a section.

While you have the chassis out, you might want to staple in a velcro strap to secure the power cable, the cable is a nuisance when you're transporting the amp otherwise.
 
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#526
Bugeyed Earl said:
Nice score, that one looks super clean! The caster sockets came stock on these, Ampeg did that with a lot of their heavy little combos. I added some generic rubber 3" wheels (eBay) to mine, makes it roll nicely... I used a generic cardboard shipping tube to replace my port tubes, I think I still have about 2' of it if you need a section.

While you have the chassis out, you might want to staple in a velcro strap to secure the power cable, the cable is a nuisance when you're transporting the amp otherwise.
Click to expand...

Good tips.
Thanks for the cardboard tube offer. Will let you know.
I have a roll of velcro laying around. Will put it to use.
 
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#528
Bugeyed Earl said:
...While you have the chassis out, you might want to staple in a velcro strap to secure the power cable, the cable is a nuisance when you're transporting the amp otherwise.
Click to expand...

Oh that power cord...

I cut it to about a foot and added an IEC connector. Easier to transport now and I can use any cord now (all my amp cords are IEC)
 
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#534
torpedo2k said:
AMPEG B100-R
Pulled the trigger on this one today. Had been internet stalking it for a while. Looks like it is a U.S. made 2002 model. Fairly low serial number (not that it means anything). Stopped by the shop at lunchtime. Warmed it up a while. All the pots are pots are perfect. No scratch at all. Slight pop on power off. Really like the sound. It decided to come home with me.

Pics here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CKqni7KEAy1yV5kz9

It needs a little upkeep.
  • Going to replace the power cord. At the plug end it's a little ragged.
  • Going to replace both tube flanges. Found them here: Invalid Link Removed
  • Its missing the cardboard tube from one of the flanges. It isn't inside. Will figure that out once I get the flanges.
  • It's missing one of the jack nuts and ferrule. Found them here: Invalid Link Removed
  • Not sure about the add on kick back leg. Might remove it.
  • Going to install caster wheels. Its heavy (yes, I know its relative). I'm old.
Question for you aficionados about the caster mounts on the bottom. They look factory- are they?View attachment 3178920

View attachment 3178925
Click to expand...
torpedo2k, gotta say thanks for the tip re: sourcing the two port flanges from Fullcompass. I’ve had to replace them myself, on my workhorse B-100R. So far, the only source I’ve ever found was the parts department at Ampeg... good to know another source.

FWIW, the picture on the Fullcompass website looks similar to the ones I got from Ampeg, but my Ampeg ones look longer than the Fullcompass ones... the circular rims looks identical, but the throat (?) of the Ampeg ones look a little longer than the other ones. I’m going to take a couple pictures of mine in the morning. Different lengths for those throats will result in different tunings for the cabinet, isn’t that correct? I’m no expert...
 
#536
cazclocker said:
Different lengths for those throats will result in different tunings for the cabinet, isn’t that correct? I’m no expert...
Click to expand...

I'll take some pics of the new ones when they arrive next to the old ones and take some measurements. Yes, diameter and length affect the sound. How much is probably a matter for debate and subjective but there is a lot of material out there to read about ported enclosures.
Bass reflex - Wikipedia
 
#540
torpedo2k said:
AMPEG B100-R
Pulled the trigger on this one today. Had been internet stalking it for a while. Looks like it is a U.S. made 2002 model. Fairly low serial number (not that it means anything). Stopped by the shop at lunchtime. Warmed it up a while. All the pots are pots are perfect. No scratch at all. Slight pop on power off. Really like the sound. It decided to come home with me.

Pics here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CKqni7KEAy1yV5kz9

It needs a little upkeep.
  • Going to replace the power cord. At the plug end it's a little ragged.
  • Going to replace both tube flanges. Found them here: Invalid Link Removed
  • Its missing the cardboard tube from one of the flanges. It isn't inside. Will figure that out once I get the flanges.
  • It's missing one of the jack nuts and ferrule. Found them here: Invalid Link Removed
  • Not sure about the add on kick back leg. Might remove it.
  • Going to install caster wheels. Its heavy (yes, I know its relative). I'm old.
Question for you aficionados about the caster mounts on the bottom. They look factory- are they?View attachment 3178920

View attachment 3178925
Click to expand...
.
Yes and you can get exact match wheels on ebay that plug right in and remove easily. These are similar to the ones I bought, I didn't see any ad for just the wheels.

Set 4 Penn Elcom 5295 2" Plug-In Replacement Fender Amp Casters Wheels W Socket 829704160892 | eBay
 
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