Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Saw an Ampeg B-12
- Thread starter Swamp_Ronin
- Start date
I see them occasionally.
On Reverb, this was mistakenly
called a B-12, but it's a B-15.
It sold 5 months ago.
On Reverb, this was mistakenly
called a B-12, but it's a B-15.
It sold 5 months ago.
Attachments
Last edited:
So what's an SB-12?
I know I could look it up but I'd rather a trusted bassman like yourself to tell me. I think they wanted 1200 for it.
As mentioned, that's an SB-12, 1965/1966 era. A desirable low powered bass amp.
A B-12 is a B-15 with a 12 speaker cab.
A B-12 is a B-15 with a 12 speaker cab.
There are several good guitar amps
that use 6L6 tubes, including
several from Fender. These amps
typically have a better feature set for
guitar, including reverb, etc., and
weigh less.
My Carr Rambler uses 6L6 tubes,
has reverb and tremolo, is
light weight, and is a fantastic
guitar amp for slightly more money used.
that use 6L6 tubes, including
several from Fender. These amps
typically have a better feature set for
guitar, including reverb, etc., and
weigh less.
My Carr Rambler uses 6L6 tubes,
has reverb and tremolo, is
light weight, and is a fantastic
guitar amp for slightly more money used.
The type of output tubes don't have much influence on tone independent of the other interrelated variables. Circuit design, transformers, speakers, etc.
The SB is for string bass, the amp was originally paired with the OG EUB (electric upright bass) the Ampeg Baby Bass.
It is still beloved in the Salsa music world.
It is still beloved in the Salsa music world.
man thats a good junk store. you should definitely buy that. might not be as fabled as the b15 but it's every bit as cool.
A very nice amp. The PF20T is a modern alternative. The one in the store looks really nice.
There were three main revisions as I recall. The later ones used much more readily available tubes, 6L6GC power tubes. The first one used 7868 (7591A) power tube, available as reissues, NOS is expensive. For a while, these tubes were difficult to source.
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
- 6,668
- 2
- 16,475
- Disclosures
- I privately own and operate a local musical instument repair shop.
I'm 99.5% sure my old roommate in Nashville had one of those. I remember him telling me it was not the storied B-15. He used it for upright bass and bass guitar too. Helped him load/unload that fool thing many, many times.
I have a Vintage Blue reproduction of an Ampeg B12 cabinet. I use an H&K BATT tube preamp to drive it for low volume use…its sounds wonderful!
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
I have an SB12 from the mid-sixties sitting unused, next to a black face Bassman of the same vintage, in my gear room. Comparing vintage gear to 21st century bass gear, is more of an exercise in nostalgia than analysis of sound quality, IMHO. And none of this hear is as lightweight or bulletproof as today's gear.
I'll have to disagree. The SB-12 is a very clear and clean amp in its linear range, and actually quite transparent.
Driven hard it distorts very pleasantly for guitar, and ata useable vol
I've had mine since 1995, replaced power tubes once and had one repair that cost $40 and was a single resistor taken out by a failing tube.
It's been my bass practice amp, special amp for live on air performances etc and guitar recording amp. It was my main guitar stage amp for a few years, toe to toe with a jcm900.
So bought for $250 and say $150 in maintenance
30 years at $15 a year….
And sounds sweet!
I have a walkabout 12 already, and a small apartment. I would love this to play around the house, and can afford the amp, but I can't really justify grabbing it. Might regret it one day but I'm up to my ears already with gear.
