Ampeg B15N Information

[cj1973]

Hi All,
I’m about to pick this Amp from a good friend of mine who has had it since brand new. I paid him half of what he asked and plan to complete the transaction this weekend, with a Bill of Sale and item description.
Would love to know more as I’m a tad confused.
The text on the warranty card sticker inside the says it’s a B-15-N (with shop name which is Silver and Horland in Brooklyn, and was delivered to my friend in Feb 1966. My confusion comes from my friend thinking it was made around 1965/66. However, my understanding is that B15N Amps were made in 1960-1961? Can someone please educate me on this? The amp is in amazing condition and it sounds unbelievable. He took care of it so well. He is in retirement and was in bands back then and has some cool photos of him playing live with this Amp, but became a keyboardist and producer, so this Amp didn’t get much use. I’m a producer myself but I can put this to great use.
Also, is there a database for the Serial Numbers for these Amps?
Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Redbrangus]

I can't address your specific questions, but this is a pretty good history of the B-15N: A Guide to the Golden Age of the Ampeg B-15: 1960-1980

Also -- cool score!

 

[Vintage-Blue]

The updated B15 circuit appeared in 1961 and was designated B15N. Subsequent updates to the circuit added another letter after the 'N', so you had the B15NA, B15NB, B15NC, & B15NF. The B15NF started appearing sometime in 1965, with the big push occurring in 1966, the same year Ampeg switched from the double baffle cabinet to the single baffle. Your amp appears to be a 1966 B15NF. If the amp is removed from the tray it is attached to (via 2 slotted, round head machine screws) there should be dated a schematic that show the NF designation.

 

[beans-on-toast]

It appears that you have a single baffle cabinet. When you remove the chassis, note if there is a PCB or an eyelet board. When Ampeg was coming out with new revisions, there was often hybrid amps, maybe an earlier amp with a later cabinet. Not a bad thing but was common.


Ampeg Portaflex Wiki | TalkBass.com

 

[pauldebass]

Hi All,
I’m about to pick this Amp from a good friend of mine who has had it since brand new. I paid him half of what he asked and plan to complete the transaction this weekend, with a Bill of Sale and item description.
Would love to know more as I’m a tad confused.
The text on the warranty card sticker inside the says it’s a B-15-N (with shop name which is Silver and Horland in Brooklyn, and was delivered to my friend in Feb 1966. My confusion comes from my friend thinking it was made around 1965/66. However, my understanding is that B15N Amps were made in 1960-1961? Can someone please educate me on this? The amp is in amazing condition and it sounds unbelievable. He took care of it so well. He is in retirement and was in bands back then and has some cool photos of him playing live with this Amp, but became a keyboardist and producer, so this Amp didn’t get much use. I’m a producer myself but I can put this to great use.
Also, is there a database for the Serial Numbers for these Amps?
Thanks so much in advance!

.
Congrats on the amp. There’s a wealth of info here Ampeg Portaflex Wiki | TalkBass.com A great amp to use in the studio for a classic sound. Reverb has a great write up on the history of the portaflex. Look at www.fliptop.net good resource page, especially parts. Ampeg has a database here [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[cj1973]

Thanks so much for that information. Truly appreciate it!!