Alright Ampeg gurus, I have a serial number question about an amp I just got. It's a B-15T and the serial number is B15-1090.
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Ampeg Serial Number Date Code
- Thread starter bgavin
- Start date
GJ,
Yours, like mine, doesn't seem to follow the numbering convention that SLM instituted. Mine is currently at our practice facility, so I can't tell you what the serial number is, but I know that it's B15-XXXX in format. However, from the pics you posted, I believe it is, like mine, one of the earlier models. According to the Ampeg book, in mid 1989, they did away with the blue stripe at the bottom of the head, and started adding white piping around the perimeter of the baffle board. Mine, like yours, has the blue stripe but no piping. There's a picture of one after the changes in said Ampeg book.
Also, look right below the existing logo for a couple more small screw holes - mine had a second, smaller rectangular logo plate directly underneath the big one, which said 'Portaflex'. It was the same width as the big one, but only an inch or so high. There was one screw at each end to attach it. Both my logo plates were so worn and cracked that I discarded them in favor of installing the chrome script logo directly onto the top lip of the speaker cabinet, above the baffle board. I also changed the grille cloth to the blue/silver variety because of the shape the original was in when I got it, and I wanted to cop a more vintage look.
Maybe Jerrold or someone that's more knowledgeable than I am will see this and give us a thumbs up or down on my speculation.
Blooz
Yours, like mine, doesn't seem to follow the numbering convention that SLM instituted. Mine is currently at our practice facility, so I can't tell you what the serial number is, but I know that it's B15-XXXX in format. However, from the pics you posted, I believe it is, like mine, one of the earlier models. According to the Ampeg book, in mid 1989, they did away with the blue stripe at the bottom of the head, and started adding white piping around the perimeter of the baffle board. Mine, like yours, has the blue stripe but no piping. There's a picture of one after the changes in said Ampeg book.
Also, look right below the existing logo for a couple more small screw holes - mine had a second, smaller rectangular logo plate directly underneath the big one, which said 'Portaflex'. It was the same width as the big one, but only an inch or so high. There was one screw at each end to attach it. Both my logo plates were so worn and cracked that I discarded them in favor of installing the chrome script logo directly onto the top lip of the speaker cabinet, above the baffle board. I also changed the grille cloth to the blue/silver variety because of the shape the original was in when I got it, and I wanted to cop a more vintage look.
Maybe Jerrold or someone that's more knowledgeable than I am will see this and give us a thumbs up or down on my speculation.
Blooz
Thanks for the good info Blooz! Hopefully I can get this figured out. Not a huge deal but it would be nice to know what year this amp is.
Just got back from the rehearsal venue, and had a chance to check my serial number while I was there. B15-1314. So, stands to reason it was made a little after yours, but still early in the overall run of that model (before the mid-1989 cosmetic change. I can't find any information as to how many of these were made, so I don't know if the numbers were sequential or the digits actually mean something.
Blooz
Blooz
Interesting. I thought perhaps the 90 in my serial number was the year of production. But I guess not.
Chiming in here: there's an 810e F/S at my GC with this SN:
D9ZDR60113
thoughts?
*fingers crossed it's a newer Birch one lol*
D9ZDR60113
thoughts?
*fingers crossed it's a newer Birch one lol*
wierd I spent a few hours looking for any info about this great Speaker and could not find anything even Youtube.I think that TB is my last hope.I been playing it today and I am very pleased with it.
so here is a look at it. Nice shape for 20 year old cab. But what year anyone's guess. 1/4 jacks in back no tweeter
I found a Craigslist gem for $400
Serial I81bh60084 supposedly help? I contacted ampeg and she it could be an eden model? I know it's made in the us but the code doesn't make sense. Help jimmy!
Serial I81bh60084 supposedly help? I contacted ampeg and she it could be an eden model? I know it's made in the us but the code doesn't make sense. Help jimmy!
I have an SVT-VR with the serial EFVDU40078.
I am confused because it's a 10 digit code like the SLM products but the number indicates its made in the US in April, 2008. Correct me if I'm wrong but hadn't LOUD already purchased Ampeg by that time and had started production outside the US?
EDIT:
I don't want to rehash any of the previous US vs non-US VR stuff. I just want to know if I'm reading the serial correctly.
I am confused because it's a 10 digit code like the SLM products but the number indicates its made in the US in April, 2008. Correct me if I'm wrong but hadn't LOUD already purchased Ampeg by that time and had started production outside the US?
EDIT:
I don't want to rehash any of the previous US vs non-US VR stuff. I just want to know if I'm reading the serial correctly.
I've got an SVT-3 Pro with the serial number: T3PXJ40096. Now if the 4th digit is the country of origin then I don't know what I've got because I didn't see an X anywhere, but the fifth digit would show that it is a '97. Am I doing this correct?
LOUD didn't adopt their new serial system until mid-2008, and before that, they kept SLM's.
Yes. Not sure what the X means either, but I suspect it means the transformer can be wired for use anywhere in the world.
Sorry, never saw this till now. Could be an Eden model. It's a 95 and that was right around the time Ampeg made a heavy duty 810 with Edens.
OK I have a question as well. I have a slant back with a 1/4 outlet only with a serial number of 151520-5 I pulled a speaker which shows 67-7835. I figure the speaker is a 1978 Eminence. But I cant find a way to date the serial number... I will assume the cab is a 78 but I would like to be sure. any help would be appreciated.
Hi Jimmy and all old ampeg fans.
I'd like to date my cabinet if I can.
Sernum appears to be 200439 or 208439.
Here is a pic:
Cab looks like:
Weird bit about cab is no towel bar. It has two flip-out handles on the bevel instead of a towel bar. They look like this:
shot of the back
The cab is made of wood.
I'd like to date my cabinet if I can.
Sernum appears to be 200439 or 208439.
Here is a pic:
Cab looks like:
Weird bit about cab is no towel bar. It has two flip-out handles on the bevel instead of a towel bar. They look like this:
shot of the back
The cab is made of wood.
There's no way to date it by the serial number, but I'd definitely say it's a 78. As for the handles, not sure since that's an era I have very little experience with, but they look stock. Could be wrong, though.
I have a cab in pretty sure I've dated as a 78 based on the speakers. It has a regular towel bar on the back and a rectangle 1/4 cable connector plate on the back. I'm no expert by far but your cab looks quite a bit different than mine from the back.
