Ampeg B-50R is a fine machine

[gregmon79]

If the nut has been loose and you've been doing the jostle trick for a while, there's a good possibility one of the jack's solder joints has busted loose. First, though, just try tightening the nut and spraying some DeOxit inside.

I love my B50r, as well, it has set the standard for tone in my ears. About 12 years ago a girl I was dating bought it for me as a birthday present.

Score on the bday present! Good thing you can't break up with gear haha. Well, most the time.

Thanks jumble, I'll try that. I've held off getting a can of deoxit for a while now just because it's so expensive. But I suppose it's worth it.

 

[lsabina]

After finally gigging with an Ampeg B-50R Rocket amp, I've come to the conclusion that it is a very fine amp. I've been looking for a combo for some time, and wasn't happy with what I was able to try (within my budget, under $400). I was looking for something with a 12" speaker, and without a tweeter. In researching the B-50R, I really could not find any negative comments. So, although I rarely buy products sight unseen, or untried, when I found one of these online, and from a reputable dealer, I took a chance. I'm really glad I did.
I received it last Friday and fiddled with it all night. Honestly, I was worried that it was going to be too bright for the type of music I play--jazz standards, mainly, within a piano, bass, drums trio, especially after always reading about its warm sound. But I was amazed with the versatility of the EQ controls.
To make a long story short, I gigged with it last night (Saturday) in a medium sized room for a dance (old-timers) dinner and social. Well, on stage, I found that it wasn't bright at all--in fact I had to dial in some upper-mids, something that I really haven't done in the past with other amps. I got loads of complements on my bass sound. I ran the amp at a volume level of 6, with no one EQ frequency past a 6 (slightly above flat) also. There was plenty of volume to spare.
I urge anyone who is looking for a luggable combo to check out one of these (if you can find one!).
With all the buzz lately of the new, limited edition Ampeg being released, I can't help but to advise players of smaller venues to save their dough and look for a B-50R. I hope this post might help others in their search for the perfect combo.

Folks, after 3 1/2 years with 2 of these beautiful amps, I finally sold them yesterday. I'll miss their great tone. But, I'm getting older and was getting tired of lugging these 48 lb amps around, especially for simple cocktail hour or restaurant gigs. They'll be missed.
P.S. Replaced with lightweight Phil Jones gear.

 

[gregmon79]

I still have my B50R and still love it! The input jack is still jacked and the blue gem doesn't light. But I don't care. I make do and use it almost every day at home. Love this amp and I don't ever see me selling it. It's my first real bass amp, I've had it for probably close to 16/17 years, bought it for $150 and it's probably one of the best gear buys I've ever got. Such a great amp.

 

[gregmon79]

So what do you guys think??

 

[Eyesee7]

Ever get a solution for this, Greg? The blue light is out on mine also and I also have occasional static or something coming from it where I have to jiggle the cord.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Looks like a cold solder joint to me. I had to fix a couple of those on the B-100R I picked up recently.

Edit - having watched the video again in full screen, I can see the plastic part of the jack moving when he wiggles the cable, that shouldn't happen at all. @gregmon79's issue was a cold solder joint as was suggested on the previous page of this thread...