Chance B15 find that possibly has my name on it

[Mark Desmo]

I drove out of town today to drop some old guitar amps off for repair, and at the repair place I noticed a B15 winking at me from a corner of the room.

There's a story, but the bottom line is it may be an option for me to acquire it.
One of the transformers is non original, and that's a part of the story.

This is it anyway, and I think the guy said it was a '62

 

[Mark Desmo]

But he might have said '64

 

[96tbird]

Cool. Very. You can get a tranny that fits it better, complete with crackle paint can from Fliptops.net

 

[MattZilla]

I like that transformer on there. Kind of rat rod looking.

 

[Mark Desmo]

Cool. Very. You can get a tranny that fits it better, complete with crackle paint can from Fliptops.net

Thanks.

 

[Mark Desmo]

I like that transformer on there. Kind of rat rod looking.

I like it. Your viewpoint I mean.
Thanks.

 

[Ric Vice]

Looks to be in pretty decent shape, there was a time in the 1980's where it was nearly impossible to source a NOS output transformer for a B-15N, So folks resorted to all kinds of "conversions" to get their

amps up and running, I waited nearly 5 years for a close friend and tech to get his hands on one and I live in St. Louis. He found one when SLM sold out to Loud and were shipping all their parts inventory

to China. I'd definitely get the OT replaced and probably the speaker, as I don't have a clue what the 15" driver inside the cabinet is. There should be a paper sticker on the inside right of the cabinet with the Serial No. printed on it. It looks just like my B-15N(C)
from 1964. That likely makes it a Double Baffle Refex, Cathode Biased amp and the last run of them. Ampeg went to Single Baffle Reflex Cabinets and Fixed Bias with their next model's. It's also some of the last of the original Diamond Blue Check Vinyl Cabinets. If you can get it for a reasonable price and there aren't any serious issues, it's kind of the "holy grail" of Ampeg B-15N's

 

[Mark Desmo]

Looks to be in pretty decent shape, there was a time in the 1980's where it was nearly impossible to source a NOS output transformer for a B-15N, So folks resorted to all kinds of "conversions" to get their

amps up and running, I waited nearly 5 years for a close friend and tech to get his hands on one and I live in St. Louis. He found one when SLM sold out to Loud and were shipping all their parts inventory

to China. I'd definitely get the OT replaced and probably the speaker, as I don't have a clue what the 15" driver inside the cabinet is. There should be a paper sticker on the inside right of the cabinet with the Serial No. printed on it. It looks just like my B-15N(C)
from 1964.

Thanks.

I didn't really know anything about them (other than being a Holy Grail) until today, but I've been googling and my results say B15NC as well.

The story is, someone dropped it in for repair, the tranny had blown, the repair guy found one for £300, but the owner didn't want to pay that much so the amp tech guy sourced the other one that's on there now..

The owner then dissappeared from the face of the earth, and the amp tech guy has been emailing texting and calling him for over a year.

Part of his deal is that if you have a repair done and you dont collect and pay within 3 months the equipment becomes his property, or a storage charge is attached.

 

[Mark Desmo]

He also had a matching guitar combo in there from the same period, which I think he said was a 'JetRocket' or something like that anyway.

This is it

The thing behind it with the Celestion Greenbacks is my '64 Selmer Thunderbird Twin Fifty. One of the amps I was dropping off for repair.

 

[96tbird]

It’s a Reverbrocket. Cool stuff. Can’t get better than buying directly from a valve technician.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The non original transformer on the B-15 is the power transformer. Work has been done on both amps. You’d have to look inside to see how original they are.

Both amps are are in very nice condition.

 

[Mark Desmo]

It’s a Reverbrocket. Cool stuff. Can’t get better than buying directly from a valve technician.

Thanks. I knew it was something like that.

 

[Mark Desmo]

The non original transformer on the B-15 is the power transformer.

That's great, thank you.

Work has been done on both amps.

Yes, they were both dropped off for repair.

You’d have to look inside to see how original they are.

I don't really have a clue as to what I'm looking for to be honest, but the guy is pretty straight up, and is just looking to recoup his costs on the B15. He wants the going rate for it (whatever that is) but he's looking at holding the remainder over his costs in case the owner ever shows up.

Both amps are are in very nice condition.

That's good to know. Like I said, I don't really have a clue about them.

I didn't go there looking for a B15, and I'm not sure I can justify buying one, but my view is, that I have a chance on one in good condition, and I might be able to put myself in a position where I can own and enjoy one for a year or two, and then pass it on.

 

[Mark Desmo]

I'd definitely get the OT replaced and probably the speaker, as I don't have a clue what the 15" driver inside the cabinet is.

Ric, so are you saying you don't think the driver in there is original?

There should be a paper sticker on the inside right of the cabinet with the Serial No. printed on it. It looks just like my B-15N(C) from 1964. That likely makes it a Double Baffle Refex, Cathode Biased amp and the last run of them. Ampeg went to Single Baffle Reflex Cabinets and Fixed Bias with their next model's. It's also some of the last of the original Diamond Blue Check Vinyl Cabinets. If you can get it for a reasonable price and there aren't any serious issues, it's kind of the "holy grail" of Ampeg B-15N's

This really is interesting and helpful information. Thank you.

 

[Mark Desmo]

I'd definitely get the OT replaced and probably the speaker, as I don't have a clue what the 15" driver inside the cabinet is.

I think it's a Vox celestion Ric

Vox 15" Celestion Bass Speaker 1960's JMI Era

Scroll half way down on this one - The VOX Showroom - JMI Vox T60 Bass Amplifier

 

[Kelly robinson]

Depends on price but having heard a very good original condition B15 played by a friend of mine - they rule as long as you don't need a ton of volume to keep up with some deaf guitarist ! It has a distinct tone and mostly un-imitable for sure when working properly . Good luck with the decision - I know I'd go for it if it was at all reasonable and I could afford it w/o remorse - Kelly

 

[Mark Desmo]

Depends on price but having heard a very good original condition B15 played by a friend of mine - they rule as long as you don't need a ton of volume to keep up with some deaf guitarist ! It has a distinct tone and mostly un-imitable for sure when working properly

Thanks Kelly.

Good luck with the decision - I know I'd go for it if it was at all reasonable and I could afford it w/o remorse - Kelly

This is exactly what I am thinking

 

[40Hz]

I have a B-15N.

Three words: You want one.

If the one you've found is in playable condition or only needs minor repairs and it's available at a reasonable (for a B-15) price, I'd jump on it of you can afford it.

 

[40Hz]

I have no idea what that speaker is other than to say it's not a Jensen P15, a Jensen C15N, or a JBL D-130F. Which covers (AFAIK) the possible original speakers used in that era's B-15s. (The square magnet CTS and Eminence speakers came later.) Fortunately, you can still get any of the original three if you want to restore it back to the original configuration and voice.

 

[rlmfire288]

You know you found something great, that's why you put it here. You wanted us to tell you if it's a bad deal, or wrong, or confirm it really is something great. It is, if you can afford it get it now and why isn't it in the boot of your car already? Also, since you're there, it's there - get the Reverberocket. Not as collectable and valuable as the B-15 but not far off and still collectable and valuable in it's own right. Great finds. Don't regret not jumping on those once in a lifetime serendipitous finds, if your budget can allow for it of course,