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Official Ampeg Portaflex Club

#801
Thanks for the cleaning tips everyone!

My B15-N was missing its tube cage, so I ordered one (not from fliptops.net). The new cage is too long - it doesn't fit! It measures 16-1/2 x 5-1/4 x 2". Could someone please measure their B15-N tube cage? What amp might this cage have been for?
 
#803
I can join now!

Early to Mid 70's B15S.

Fliptop001.jpg
 
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#804
As long as we're giving "Tips from Heloise",
the grill cloth on all of these were painted BLACK.
The grill cloth is a vinyl so I removed the baffel boards from the cabs and took them to the car wash. I soaked the grill cloths in paint stripper and then power washed them.
You can see the results.
 
#810
I now have a B-12XT (amp only) that someone had destined for the trash man. Sold it to me for $5. I re-tubed and re-capped it and it works great! I replaced the lamps that illuminate the plastic logo with blue LEDs-they last longer, use less power, create less heat and look nice too. I've mounted it on a finished oak board for now and will post a pic soon.
 
#813
Absolutely unbelievable!!!!

That's the same head as my B-18X I think. powerful 50 watts - you're going to LOVE it!!


Thomas Peasley said:
I now have a B-12XT (amp only) that someone had destined for the trash man. Sold it to me for $5. I re-tubed and re-capped it and it works great! I replaced the lamps that illuminate the plastic logo with blue LEDs-they last longer, use less power, create less heat and look nice too. I've mounted it on a finished oak board for now and will post a pic soon.
Click to expand...
 
#814
Thomas Peasley said:
I now have a B-12XT (amp only) that someone had destined for the trash man. Sold it to me for $5. I re-tubed and re-capped it and it works great! I replaced the lamps that illuminate the plastic logo with blue LEDs-they last longer, use less power, create less heat and look nice too. I've mounted it on a finished oak board for now and will post a pic soon.
Click to expand...
I was going to give you a number until you said you replaced the bulbs with blue LED's! Sacrilege! It's the world's finest bass amp, not an effects pedal with some silly name like the Distended Belly Button. No number for you!

Eh...I guess I don't have to see it...

#72 Thomas Peasley (but I'm not happy about it)

:D
 
#815
davelowell2 said:
I can join now!

Early to Mid 70's B15S.

Fliptop001.jpg
Click to expand...

Hey guys,

I played through one of these amps last night and gotta say I really loved it. I was auditioning for a new band and they said I didn't need to bring my own amp. I got there and foudn this lovely beast. Now I have to say that I have never been very interested in Ampeg. Always seemed to old school for me. Anyway, I wasn't expecting much but I really enjoyed playing it. It really growled when I dug in and that was a real surprise.

Don't know if I'll get the gig but I sure want to buy that amp now!!!!

I have been thinking of getting a GB Shuttle 6.0 but now I'm thinking twice about it. Maybe I can live with the weight of an all tube head and neo cabinets?????

Hmmmmm!!!!!!!!

In one evening my musical world has been shifted!

:eek:
 
#816
Ya, same thing happened to me when I first used my 77 on a gig. Ultimately I went back to the 64 for most of my gigs because it's better with a slapped upright, but I still like the heaviness of the 77 and try to emulate its big low mid in every rig I play now.
 
#817
Yeah, I thought about building a headbox for it, the weight together is too much for my little body. It's actually the bulk, not the weight, though.

I can't wait to get the Altec 421A in there, though. Should be just right, or I'll have to find another speaker, cause the Realistic isn't doin it for me.
 
#818
My family owns commercial property and I FOUND this left behind in the back of a building after the business left (not a music store). So no, I did not deface the amp with this crazy covering, but the person who did it did a good job, so on it stays. Back in 2001 it blew and I took it to an amp tech who said it would take some money and it was only 25 watts. In my immaturity I said, "I need more than 25 watts- you can keep it." Yeah, I know, what a knucklehead. So a few months ago me and a buddy were talking about that crazy red and black amp and I started investigating. The same amp tech still had it with a stack of magazines on it. Said he never fixed it up because of the crazy covering and it has holes on each side with piezo horns stuck in which killed the resale value. I said Sir, let's get her going again, I want her to come home. Recapped, new power tubes, original preamp tubes, new output tranny, and the original Utah speaker. I couldn't be happier to have this piece of history with more than enough power. Would love to join this group...
 

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#819
#73 chipshot44

Well, I guess people came up with a lot of weird solutions back before blue checker became available again. At least it's colorful. Everything to restore it is available again, but it may cost a good amount of money. But if you did it and waited 10 years to sell, it would probably worth it.

EDIT: Boy what was wrong with me when I wrote that reply the first time? Didn't make the least bit of sense. Anyway, hope I made more sense this time.
 
#820
The red and black covering isn't my "cup of tea" either, but the story is GREAT... and I'd bet you can't hear that covering at all.

Love it! If I were you, I'd keep this one forever, it's unique, and that makes it beautiful.
 

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