Official Ampeg Portaflex Club

[MMMike]

Ok. So I got my tracer built and verified operation with another broken amp. My question is can I run the b15 amp with the speaker disconnected in order to hear my test speaker or will it hurt the amp with no load?

 

[beans-on-toast]

Ok. So I got my tracer built and verified operation with another broken amp. My question is can I run the b15 amp with the speaker disconnected in order to hear my test speaker or will it hurt the amp with no load?

You normally have to have a speaker connected otherwise you can damage the power amp.

If you remove the power tubes you can run the amp without the speaker connected for the purpose of testing.

 

[BassGreaser]

So Friday I go walking into a local music store and what do I see a B15 head sitting on a 2x15 cab!

I didn't get a chance to play through it as there was an artist performing an in store, but I'm seriously thinking of grabbing just the head to run through a pair of 210AV cabs!

 

[beans-on-toast]

There was a B-15 that came with a 215 cab. They are pretty rare. Was there a silver trim around the face frame?

 

[BassGreaser]

There were two one was the solid state version and the other was the earlier tube version.

They are at a great price so I might see if I can just grab the b15 tube head as I don't have the room/need for the big 2x15

 

[beans-on-toast]

An image of the solid state head and cab is in the TB Portaflex Wiki under models. The cabinet for the tube and solid state models was the same. If the amp is affordable, it might be a good chance to pick up a head. The problem is, the head and cab are more valuable together, they may want too much for the head alone. Like $100 of the combined price.

 

[BassGreaser]

The head and cab (tube version) are going for $800. I didn't check the solid state pricing.

But that is a great deal!

 

[BassGreaser]

Oh also the cabinet isn't a fliptop type and do not look like the Wiki samples.

So another reason why I just would grab the head.

 

[BassGreaser]

Here they are I sneaked a quick picture of the pair

 

[JimmyM]

The SS one was made between 67-68 and is 100% original. Missing the logo, though. The tube amp's cab...not sure what it is but it isn't original. Those heads only came with a 115 that I've ever seen.

 

[BassGreaser]

The SS one was made between 67-68 and is 100% original. Missing the logo, though. The tube amp's cab...not sure what it is but it isn't original. Those heads only came with a 115 that I've ever seen.

They are closed today. So next Saturday I'll be taking my Stratotone H48 bass and 210AV cab to test run the B15 head

 

[beans-on-toast]

The head and cab (tube version) are going for $800. I didn't check the solid state pricing.

But that is a great deal!

Yes it is a great deal. So is $800 for just the head. Assume that the head will need some work.

Not sure what the cab under the tube amp is.

 

[BassGreaser]

Yes it is a great deal. So is $800 for just the head. Assume that the head will need some work.

Not sure what the cab under the tube amp is.

It looks like an old Peavey cab to me.

What ohms do these B15 heads like to see?

 

[beans-on-toast]

It looks like an old Peavey cab to me.

What ohms do these B15 heads like to see?

An 8 ohm main cab, 8 ohm extension cab. There are 8 and 16 ohm taps internally on the output transformer.

 

[BassGreaser]

An 8 ohm main cab, 8 ohm extension cab. There are 8 and 16 ohm taps internally on the output transformer.

Perfect for the 210AV cabs. How does these later models differ from the earlier models tone wise?

 

[Ric Vice]

Perfect for the 210AV cabs. How does these later models differ from the earlier models tone wise?

This version of the B-15 has the added Ultra Hi and Ultra Low rocker switches, that give you several additional tonal options. These were not avaliable on the earlier Navy Random Flair and Blue Check B-15N's built in the 1960's.

in this picture they are white.
Ric

 

[beans-on-toast]

This is a 1970's model.

I addition to what Ric said, the very early 25W models had an eyelet board where the components were attached. The later 30W models such as this one had a printed circuit board.

 

[Ric Vice]

BTW, Jimi Hendrix played through a B-15 on the Dick Cavett show. He sounded pretty good. Every time the video is posted on youtube they take it downView attachment 823628

George Duviver was the house bassist for the Dick Cavett show in Bob Rosengarden's band. It's likely that he let Jimmy use his B-15N.

Ric

 

[Ric Vice]

Here's a Youtube video of George Duviver playing on the show, he's using a fretless AEB-1 bass and a newer B-15N so it's possible that he had a backup in the studio, because I believe they just slapped a mic on the bass cabinet. You can see both the bass and amp clearly in the beginning and at 1:36.

Rosengarden's police-whistle version of ... - YouTube
▶ 2:29

 

[jbd5015]

View attachment 826467 Here they are I sneaked a quick picture of the pair

That cab on the left is by far the best sounding cab ive ever played! Ive got one! See if you can get the tube head and the cab on the left, you wont be disappointed if it doesnt need everything fixed up.

Should be two CTS 15s in there wired in series for a 4 ohm 215 cab thats a monster.