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Ampeg SB12 question

xring

xring

Sep 16, 2003
1,051
75
Ohio
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#1
Someone locally is selling one of these for a decent price (I think). It has had the original speaker, caps and tubes replaced. Condition is described as very good with original knobs and tolex. Does the replacement speaker (unknown type) kill the desirability of this amp? To be honest, I'm looking to maybe turn this over if it's worth it. Thanks.
 
#3
The replacement speaker can change the tonality, and for some, lower the value. I had a SB12 about 15 years ago, but I'm more of a 15 guy overall (IP112 nonwithstanding), and I prefer the sound of the B-15. My '67 B-15N has the original speaker and is minty.

Best thing to do is try it out. If you like the tone, and feel it's a fair price, get it. SB-12s are not very common these days.

I'm not sure what you're looking for if you want to turn it around, but be careful.
 
#6
Ric Vice said:
I also owned a SB12 and it's a very nice little amplifier. It was designed to be a Acoustic Bass amplifier by Ampeg. SB stands for String Bass, so it doesn't really have the kick of a B-15.

Ric
Click to expand...

Could you cite your source of this info? IIRC the SB-12 was designed for multiple purposes: guitar, bass even accordian. The SB-12 was a pretty basic amp with just volume, bass and treble knobs on it. They do sound a bit different than a B-15 but they work great for electric bass IMO.

Jeff
 
#7
I used mine with my Fender P. Whether or not it was supposed to be only an upright bass amp, and I don't think it was as I remember it having an accordian labelled input, it's a nice bass amp.
 
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#8
IMO, the SB-12 is a little gem. Bring it to a recording studio, and the engineer is gonna break out in a grin IF phat, all-tube tone is what the music calls for. The 6SL7 preamp tubes the vintage Ampegs used is unreal for a classic bass track-

Now for the real-world of gigs and playing out, it's not gonna cut it, except for the smallest, lowest-volume rooms and projects- Jazz, Acoustic stuff, etc. The amp won't get the fidelity and punch that modern rigs produce. But for a practice or recording amp- a Classic.
Your ? about the replacement speaker-
It would make a difference to a collector who wants to have a unit like that as an all-original classic; but as far as being a"player's" rig for the purposes above, depending on what driver was used a replacement; it might even sound better.
I think the great tone from B-15's and SB-12's were more a result of the circuit; not so much the OEM speakers Ampeg used.
If the amp had good tone, $375 is a very good price for an SB-12 in decent shape.
 

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