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Official Ampeg Portaflex Club
- Thread starter JimmyM
- Start date
I've gigged a B-15N before without PA support. In an 800 seat theater, no less. Can't do it like I used to since our band got more into an R&B/soul direction rather than just doo wop and pop, but it worked out for me on those particular gigs with Bowzer.
I think I'm going to give it a whirl. I'll bring the other amp (single 1x12 combo) I was planning on using as well, just in case it's not enough.
I gigged a B15R almost exclusively for a few years. For most venues I bought an extension cab, but for the smaller pubs I just used the fliptop cab. It is semi retired now because I have the new V4B which has similar sound/features, but it is easier to use with different cabs.
Just don't be afraid to turn the knobs up
Before I got my first Walter Woods MI-100-8 I used a B-15N all the time for gigs. Mostly in Holiday Inn's, Ramada's, and smaller concert halls. With the right band it can certainly keep up at reasonable volumes, even though it's only
pushing 25 watts (actually closer to 30) The available EQ that comes of it's tone stack,has the ability to sit in the mix perfectly, so you can hear yourself. Although the B-15R a horse of a different color, it's got 4 times the power.
Ric
Hey, so noticed recently that one of the bulbs in my B-18N is burned out, and I'd like to source a replacement locally if possible. What should I be looking for?
6.3V bayonet base bulbs. The fender style are $2.70 for a 10 pack in AES. You could probably find some at an electronics store cheaply too.
https://www.tubesandmore.com/search/node/Bulb?cats[0]=276
https://www.tubesandmore.com/search/node/Bulb?cats[0]=276
The bulb number is #1847. There are variants available and there are also LED equivalents.
This is a very common bulb. The number 1847 is interesting, it is the year that Edison was born.
This is a very common bulb. The number 1847 is interesting, it is the year that Edison was born.
"Bass Player" mag article, "The Ampeg B-15: From Inception to Resurrection", by Chris Jisi, 14 March 2011
Interview with Jess, and George M. Article mentions Jess recommending Mark G for the cabinet build.
Article has a timeline of the Portaflex models.
Interview with Jess, and George M. Article mentions Jess recommending Mark G for the cabinet build.
Article has a timeline of the Portaflex models.
Invalid Link Removed
Good article on the history of the amps. Includes details on the various models.
Good article on the history of the amps. Includes details on the various models.
Hi everyone,
I'm getting an intermittent hum out of my Ampeg M-15 that seems to fade in and out at random. It happens whether I'm playing or not. Could it just be line noise something else? I've uploaded a short recording where one can hear the hum noise at the beginning and near the end of the clip.
Appreciate any help, thank you.
I'm getting an intermittent hum out of my Ampeg M-15 that seems to fade in and out at random. It happens whether I'm playing or not. Could it just be line noise something else? I've uploaded a short recording where one can hear the hum noise at the beginning and near the end of the clip.
Appreciate any help, thank you.
Thanks for posting.
The timeline is interesting as there are a few things that I don't think actually existed - like a '66 B15X (I believe Ampeg only made a handful of those in '64), a 50 watt B15N with theile cab (I don't remember that one), a 1986 - 2006 B15n (what?).
That's pretty intense hum throughout the clip. None of that should be there, it should be dead quiet. Could you go into a little detail about the service history? What has been done and what hasn't. It could be a bad ground, or the power supply caps might need attention.
Did the amp always hum like this?
The B15R did pretty well last night. We ended up playing a little louder than normal at this particular venue and it kept up pretty well. I'm used to playing my GB ShuttleMAX so it took a little while to really dial in, but everybody in the band dug it.
I don't have many opportunities to gig this thing so I'm glad I was able to do so but I do think it'll stay as my recording amp for the most part.
I don't have many opportunities to gig this thing so I'm glad I was able to do so but I do think it'll stay as my recording amp for the most part.
Thanks David,
This was the M-15 I picked up a few months ago. A gut shot of the amp suggested that some work has already been done (copy below).
FWIW, I had the volume dimed for the recording. The background hum can really only be heard if you put your ear close to the speaker grille. I never thought much about it since my B-18 has a similar even louder background hum and I just assumed that was how vintage amps were?
Might be a grounding issue as my place is almost 100 years old with original wiring still. Although the M-15 has a 3-prong cord, I need to check the grounding on the outlet as well (3-prong receptacle but might not actually be grounded).
The M-15 random intermittent hum however, can be heard in the room (perhaps largely because it comes and goes).
Thank you.
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I remember your amp now.
When I listen to the clip that you posted I hear a lot of noise. You were just trying to highlight it. I through that's how the amp sounds when you are standing a few feet from it. Since it can't be heard unless you put your head to the speaker you are fine. I wouldn't worry about it.
It is hard to tell for sure but most of the time an intermittent hum like that is due to some external noise that the amp is picking up. Changing your position, that is pointing your pickups in a different direction, can do that. If a motor (aquarium, washing machine or drier, heater, air conditioner, dishwasher, fridge, etc. ) somewhere near goes on or off. Lighting, especially if you have a dimmer or LED string somewhere in the house is a source of noise. House wiring as you mentioned. It's a good idea to get an inexpensive ($5-$10) outlet tester like they sell at a hardware and check your outlets. Even a badly wired junction box can throw off electromagnetic radiation that an amp can pick up.
If you have an AM radio that has a manual tuner, set it between stations and listen to the static as you move the radio around the room. Hold it near any junction boxes or wiring behind the wall if you know where it is. A circuit breaker box will really set it off. So will an intermittent short behind the wall. You can use the radio to help identify problem appliances or noisy spots.
Your amp has had the power supply caps changed. There is the cap can and the blue capacitor. So it looks like you are in good shape there.
Is the back panel that you removed to show the guts shielded with a sheet of aluminum or metal tape? Shielding the open end of the chassis can make a big difference in terms of hum or cutting down on intermittent noise.
This is an example of cooper shielding on a Fender back panel that has a similar chassis to the M-15's.
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