Official Ampeg Portaflex Club

[beans-on-toast]

From the manual:
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

So they are clearly recommending to avoid sources of heat. Direct sunlight can get pretty hot. It's a metal box, the temperature is going to be elevated as a result of being exposed to the sun. Just like the inside of a car on a hot day.

One thing for sure is that heat shortens the life of the electrolytic capacitors. It would be easy enough to measure the outside box temperature with a thermometer, or an infrared thermometer and see. If you look inside the amp, there a big heat sinks whose job is to wick away heat from the power transistors. Heating the outside of the box is going to impede that wicking action and could lead to a failure of the power transistors.

As with everything, it depends on the amp design. I wouldn't be over worried about it but use common sense. A fan to circulate the air around the outside of the case wouldn't hurt on a hot day.

I'd be worried about my instrument and would be inclined to take a less expensive bass out into the sun or rain.

 

[Ric Vice]

One thing for sure is that heat shortens the life of the electrolytic capacitors. It would be easy enough to measure the outside box temperature with a thermometer, or an infrared thermometer and see. If you look inside the amp, there a big heat sinks whose job is to wick away heat from the power transistors. Heating the outside of the box is going to impede that wicking action and could lead to a failure of the power transistors. As with everything, it depends on the amp design. I wouldn't be over worried about it, but use common sense. A fan to circulate the air around the outside of the case wouldn't hurt on a hot day.
.

Good words, like Sgt. Phil Esterhaus used to say, "let's be careful out there ladies and gentlemen"


Ric

 

[Ric Vice]

This is worth ten minutes of your time folks.

I found this video on Steve Cropper's website, apparently a french documentary about Memphis soul was shot in 1969. It has Isaac Hayes rehearsing the Memphis Horns around a conference table
using an Ampex tape deck. Booker T. and The MG's are working on time is tight, so he's most likely playing into a B-15N but you can't actually see the amp. At the beginning of the movie
you can see David Hood playing bass at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals working on tracks with Brooke Benton. Check this out.

Invalid Link Removed

Ric

 

[pedrodelawasp]

So, my Micro VR has flown the nest... A PF head is probably leading my GAS list right now. What would you guys think of a PF500 with two 115 cabs? (I don't have enough dough to justify making those PF 115HEs, unless I find used ones)

 

[JimmyM]

Would sound quite good depending on the cabs, but if you can swing it, get the PF800. Not that you'd need 800w but the headroom does give it more balls as far as I'm concerned.

 

[pedrodelawasp]

Would sound quite good depending on the cabs, but if you can swing it, get the PF800. Not that you'd need 800w but the headroom does give it more balls as far as I'm concerned.

Was thinking two Hartke AK115s - the paper-coned series that Billy Sheehan did a video for. Rated 400w @ 8ohms. I've always liked their cabs (heads too, actually) and they're great value (under £200 each). I see what you're saying about the PF800, but it's nearly a whole cab more to buy in the UK. I'm confident the 500 will serve me, plus I've very rarely ever had to play without PA support.

Alternatively I could just be a bit more patient and go with one PF cab just now and make do until I could go for a second. Hmm...

 

[beans-on-toast]

This is worth ten minutes of your time folks.

I found this video on Steve Cropper's website, apparently a french documentary about Memphis soul was shot in 1969. It has Isaac Hayes rehearsing the Memphis Horns around a conference table
using an Ampex tape deck. Booker T. and The MG's are working on time is tight, so he's most likely playing into a B-15N but you can't actually see the amp. At the beginning of the movie
you can see David Hood playing bass at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals working on tracks with Brooke Benton. Check this out.

Invalid Link Removed

Ric

Being a fly on the wall watching how songs that we know, come into being.

Fascinating stuff.

 

[JimmyM]

Was thinking two Hartke AK115s - the paper-coned series that Billy Sheehan did a video for. Rated 400w @ 8ohms. I've always liked their cabs (heads too, actually) and they're great value (under £200 each). I see what you're saying about the PF800, but it's nearly a whole cab more to buy in the UK. I'm confident the 500 will serve me, plus I've very rarely ever had to play without PA support.

You're right. The PF500 isn't a quiet head. Can't blame you for keeping an eye on the bottom line, that's for sure. The AK's are pretty good cabs.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I see what you're saying about the PF800, but it's nearly a whole cab more to buy in the UK.

Have you looked at the thomann bundles or can you do better locally? The thing about the PF-800 is that it has not had any reliability issues. Being last, they've worked out the kinks. Not that the 500 is a bad amp. One cab now is a good idea.

 

[pedrodelawasp]

Have you looked at the thomann bundles or can you do better locally? The thing about the PF-800 is that it has not had any reliability issues. Being last, they've worked out the kinks. Not that the 500 is a bad amp. One cab now is a good idea.

Thomann is almost certainly the best place to go value wise, even once shipping is factored in. As far as bundles go the PF800 only seems to be bundled with the 115LF rather than the HE, oddly enough, which you can get with the PF500 for around £47 less. I've actually e-mailed them to ask if they could bundle the 500 with two of the Hartke cabs and what sort of price they would offer. I'll let you guys know if they reply.

Edit: I'd be getting free shipping from Thomann for any of the discussed combinations!

 

[Aussie Mark]

Heads up .... 1 yard of 54" wide Ampeg blue check cloth in LA, opening bid 99 cents ....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tolex-4-amp...823?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item46255e4927

 

[Ric Vice]

Thomann is almost certainly the best place to go value wise, even once shipping is factored in. As far as bundles go the PF800 only seems to be bundled with the 115LF rather than the HE, oddly enough, which you can get with the PF500 for around £47 less. I've actually e-mailed them to ask if they could bundle the 500 with two of the Hartke cabs and what sort of price they would offer. I'll let you guys know if they reply.

Edit: I'd be getting free shipping from Thomann for any of the discussed combinations!

I remember when the original pictures of the PF Series amplifiers 115 cabinets appeared on internet music sites
they were of the PF 115 LH which had been the design for one of the prototypes. Jimmy pointed out that they compared the HE to the LF design, and thought that the porting didn't make all that much difference with the PF 350's and 500's. Either way I'd prefer one of the Ampeg cabinets, to a Hartke. Just my opinion.

Ric

 

[beans-on-toast]

Thomann is almost certainly the best place to go value wise, even once shipping is factored in.

I have a couple of way out suggestions. There are often holiday sales at the end of the year if you can wait. If you are in a band that plays regularly, you can apply to Loud for an endorsement deal which comes with some fringe benefits that would interest you ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]).

 

[pedrodelawasp]

I have a couple of way out suggestions. There are often holiday sales at the end of the year if you can wait. If you are in a band that plays regularly, you can apply to Loud for an endorsement deal which comes with some fringe benefits that would interest you ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]).

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure we're playing regularly enough at the moment, or with much of a profile for me to be considered for that at the moment, but it's definitely something I'll keep in mind. We are well liked by local promoters (I'd like to think not only because of our music but because we're reliable, stand up guys too!) so more support slots should come our way as well as our own gigs. Will need to get a new EP recorded too.

 

[TheOldFlatwound]

Hey everyone--quick question:

When shipping a B15 I would guess 2 boxes is the best plan: one for the amp and another for cab/dolly. Should the tubes be taken out of the amp and bubble wrapped in a separate 3rd package?

Thanks. (I'm not selling mine--this is for research purposes only)

 

[Joelc73]

Hi guys

I just stumbled on what I thought was a late 60's B15n but Jimmy pointed out it's really an early 70's Thiele version. The shop wants $1200 but I'm sure I could talk them down to $1000.

How do these models stack up against the late 60's ones that seem to be the standard? It seems like it's in great shape and seems mostly original -- although I, admittedly, don't know a lot about these amps.

The SN is 534xx. Can I tell the actual date any where on the web from that?

 

[coreyfyfe]

Hey everyone--quick question:

When shipping a B15 I would guess 2 boxes is the best plan: one for the amp and another for cab/dolly. Should the tubes be taken out of the amp and bubble wrapped in a separate 3rd package?

Thanks. (I'm not selling mine--this is for research purposes only)

Two boxes is probably the safest as long as you don't mind paying for the extra packing/shipping costs. I would think if you went with one box, the head out in playing position would probably be better than tucked into the cab. If anything came loose while being transported with the head in the cab you could end up with a dinged up or damaged transformer or a damaged speaker.

 

[beans-on-toast]

To add to what Corey said, the amp tray has four shock mounts that connect to the lid. To prevent them from being stressed, add some cardboard or dense foam between the lid and tray.

The B-15 tubes do not have the bear claws or any other form of tube retainer that other amps have. I think that it is worth it to label the tubes and which sockets they came from and remove the tubes for shipping. By doing so you are taking every precaution that you can. On the other hand, I've seem people drop tubes on the floor when attempting to install them.

When it comes to shipping, sometimes you just can't win.

 

[TheOldFlatwound]

Thanks for the info guys. I think three packages would be best too. The shockmounts breaking (as described above) is exactly what happened to the 63 I have now. Luckily, other than a few knobs and the shockmounts themselves, nothing was damaged. I installed new shockmounts from Fliptops and it's been all good for several years now.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I just stumbled on what I thought was a late 60's B15n but Jimmy pointed out it's really an early 70's Thiele version. The shop wants $1200 but I'm sure I could talk them down to $1000.

It looks to be in very good shape. Well worth the asking price. The speaker looks original. There are different B-15 revisions, they all sound very good, just a little different. This model is 30W, as compared to the 25W earlier models. The Thiele cabinet sounds a little different than the earlier double and single baffle models, with that speaker there is a bump in the lower mids. Some people prefer this to the earlier cabinets. If you don't want this, a different speaker can change the response. It is down to your preferences which is why it is best to audition the amp.

The best way to estimate the date is to look inside the chassis at the codes that are on some of the components such as the pots. The serial number is not that reliable from that era.