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New ampeg speculation - A true B15 Reissue?

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#761
in the pics you posted, the cabs with no speakers...that's the inner baffle. the speaker mounts to it from the inside. those 8 slots around the speaker hole are the ports. a second baffle mounts in front of all that and directs the sound from the ports to the center hole.

how does it compare to the single baffle tonally? you'll have to ask someone else...never played a single. jess believes they are inferior to his double baffle, but the single baffle cab has a lot of fans, too.
 
#763
Ah ha!!! Thanks for the info fellas!

Tron, quite the coincidence... I actually found that very same link just this morning, I just hadn't had a chance to go all the way through it yet since I was at work. I guess I didn't even think that the speaker grille would be considered another baffle. Duh! lol

5sg.
 
#764
i just found and read the old original heritage svt thread. and boy, what a difference in public mood. sounded like people were ready to go form a posse in that thread! this one's got a little of that, but it's mostly "aw, i can't afford it" and "aw, there's only 50" complaining at this point. a far cry from the lynch mob the svt thread had. the svt thread only lasted 22 pages compared to the current 39 in this one. yeah, ok, most of the posts are from me, but a whole lot are from others. sorry for running off at the keyboard so much, but i can't help it. it's black!
 
#766
Jimmy...well said. I do believe public opinion of Ampeg is shifting and people are starting to trust Ampeg again. The shift in public opinion could be because of a rise in quality control and quality assurance from the Ampeg camp regarding their products, and in the commitment to excellence in their Heritage series.

I for one want to get my hands on the Heritage B-15 and put it through the paces. Things look outstanding so far.
 
#768
gbarchus said:
I'm glad they're going for the JBL (or Altec) look with the speaker in the Heritage B-15.

I put a JBL in my '66 B-15 and, along with my '66 PBass, I've never had, or heard, that sound since.

Gale
Click to expand...

I had put a JBL in my old B-15 cab that I used to use too. However, in post #745, they show a pic of the speaker and it's an Eminence.
 
#769
Realize that there are just guesses as to the price, but if it does sell for under $3K wouldn't this amp be a loss leader at a 50 unit production run?

If my speculation is correct, one could make a case that Ampeg would have strong motivation to build an amp for no proffit if:
* It generated tons of free press, articles, and industry buzz (if TB is any indication, this is already happeing in a big way)
* Sells out fairly qucikly creating more demand (and buzz) than if they made more units to start with
* Sets the stage for an import version

Question for you B-15 experts:
Did the 100 watt version from a few years back, sound much like an original B-15?
 
#770
Yeah, they'll probably retail for at least $2,000. I just had a horrifying sight in my head: one of these things sitting in a Guitar Center showroom, with some 13-year old death metal kid playing a 5-string, bass EQ turned all the way up, slapping the B-string until the amp just shuts down from the abuse. :crying:
 
#771
Freddels said:
I had put a JBL in my old B-15 cab that I used to use too. However, in post #745, they show a pic of the speaker and it's an Eminence.
Click to expand...
right, but it's a custom eminence based on their commonwealth 15, which is supposed to be a jbl clone with much higher power handling. i have no idea how close it is, but the reviews have been very good.

jim, i haven't heard it, but those who have say the b-15r is pretty different...sealed cab, 100w head with different tubes and layout. but different doesn't necessarily mean bad. some tell me it needs a pre tube change to come to life, though. and the album "sea change" by beck was recorded with a mic'ed b-15r as the only sound source for the bass (played by our own justin meldal-johnsen), and it sounds quite b-15-like to me.
 
#772
bassist4dalord said:
Yeah, they'll probably retail for at least $2,000. I just had a horrifying sight in my head: one of these things sitting in a Guitar Center showroom, with some 13-year old death metal kid playing a 5-string, bass EQ turned all the way up, slapping the B-string until the amp just shuts down from the abuse. :crying:
Click to expand...
bah...that amp will outlast that little bastard easily!
 
#773
Jim C said:
Question for you B-15 experts:
Did the 100 watt version from a few years back, sound much like an original B-15?
Click to expand...

I'm going off memory here, but I used to stop in and play a B-15R fairly often at GC. Compared to my '63 and the B-100R, it is within the family of that vintage sound/tone. It has a warmth and slight tube overdrive sound to the gain - as opposed to the V4BH from the same time which it often gets compared to. The V4BH is much cleaner and more SVT like. I don't think the B-15R head was the contributing factor to it not sounding as B-15N as it could have. I think it was the lack of porting and the added tweeter. If you defeat the tweeter, and dont use the ultra hi/lo, then set the mid flat - and set it to 60 watt mode - you could get it in the B-15N ballpark, but a ported cab would bring it closer to home.
 
#777
I have a '67 B-15-N and an '02 B-15R/15E. I think they sound very different. Both sound good but the B-15-N is sweeter and smoother with a fine buttery finish. The B-15R is not as refined. I never use the tweeters and gave up trying to make it sound like a B-15-N. It simply is not. What it is, is a very good bass amp with outstanding looks and great tone. With the extension cabinet and 100 watts it is very usable. I have no plans to sell either.....ever.

102410_4135_edited-1.jpg
 
#778
I am very fortunate to have been able to play the new B-15, from the first prototype to the final production model. It is a beautiful amp to say the least. I think Ampeg is definitely doing the right thing with this one. The quality of the Amp is second to none. George, Curt, and Jim (MetroAmp) have put their hearts and souls into building these hand crafted "MADE IN AMERICA" amplifiers.
 
#779
Bassoballs said:
I am very fortunate to have been able to play the new B-15, from the first prototype to the final production model. It is a beautiful amp to say the least. I think Ampeg is definitely doing the right thing with this one. The quality of the Amp is second to none.
Click to expand...
i hate you for being able to play them before me :D

friend of george's?
 
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