• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Looking for a Ampeg B-15R.

T

thawk1979

Guest
Jan 7, 2012
47
3
#1
I'm in the market for a new amp and I really want a flip top. The reissue would be ideal for be because off the added power for playing live and it has a DI. I definately don't have the money for a heritage but would love to look at a B-15R from the 90's. Are they very hard to find?
 
#5
The B15R is an awesome amp. Not quite the same as a B15n, but exactly the same as the re-issue V4BH. Has all the warmth and deep Ampegginess one could want, but with a little tiny bit of extra "sizzle" on the top end. They're not the easiest thing to find, but they do pop up now and again. It was a very short lived model, so there aren't that many of them, and most owners will keep them- but after you get yours, I want one too.
 
#7
thawk1979 said:
Yeah, I really want a flip top. But I want one that's reliable enough to use live. And I don't have $4000 for a heritage.
Click to expand...

I have an Ampeg B-15N(C) that's worked fine since it was originally built in the 1960's. I replaced the transformer once and it was good to go. There's a whole lot of 30 watt B-15N's out there that have been going good for 30 years. You just have to check the oil, water, brake and transmission fluid and you're good to go. I don't know how many of the B-15R's they sold but they are 100 watt amps. Just not my cup of tea , but lots of players really love them. A really good alternative are the B50R and B100R they look like a fliptop without a top to flip.

Ric
 
#9
I'm not finding this wanted section. The whole reason behind going for the reissue is the I am nervous buying a vintage one due to having to have it worked on regularly. I currently play through a SVT-2 pro and after about 10 years of gigging with it I'm start to have problems out of it.
 
#12
thawk1979 said:
I'm not seeing this wanted section. So, do you guys think a vintage flip top is reliable enough to use live? That is why I'm looking at the reissue.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. They are tanks. I've used my 64 B-15N on a regular basis on gigs for the past 12 years and it performs like a champ. The 77 B-15N I used to have was the same way. Had a new power transformer installed on the 64 3 years ago, but the old one worked fine...it was just bashed in and looked ugly. The only thing I've done to it in the last 3 years is replace a preamp tube and the original filter cap finally went bad a couple years ago. They might need a tube now and then, but the likelihood of being stuck on a gig is extremely low with vintage B-15's as long as you take reasonable care of them. Don't have to baby them...just try not to drop them too hard from too high a distance. You could break a tube ;)
 
#15
JimmyM said:
Absolutely. They are tanks. I've used my 64 B-15N on a regular basis on gigs for the past 12 years and it performs like a champ. The 77 B-15N I used to have was the same way. Had a new power transformer installed on the 64 3 years ago, but the old one worked fine...it was just bashed in and looked ugly. The only thing I've done to it in the last 3 years is replace a preamp tube and the original filter cap finally went bad a couple years ago. They might need a tube now and then, but the likelihood of being stuck on a gig is extremely low with vintage B-15's as long as you take reasonable care of them. Don't have to baby them...just try not to drop them too hard from too high a distance. You could break a tube ;)
Click to expand...

Do the 60's models sound better than the 70's models in your opinion?
 
#17
thawk1979 said:
Do the 60's models sound better than the 70's models in your opinion?
Click to expand...
Not better, just different. The 70's models go lower and aren't as bright unless you put an Altec into them. Ultimately I decided I like the early 60's model better, but you really can't go wrong with any of them...they all sound wonderful.
 
#19
JimmyM said:
Not better, just different. The 70's models go lower and aren't as bright unless you put an Altec into them. Ultimately I decided I like the early 60's model better, but you really can't go wrong with any of them...they all sound wonderful.
Click to expand...

I play a 68 Gibson EB-2. It doesn't produce much high end.
 
#20
hey fuzzy beard, I don't think you can see the wanted section if you are not a supporting member, I could be wrong, amen to some flip top goodness...mmm mmmm wish I had one.

Edit: I stand corrected.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back