Howdy all,
Was just reading back on some old posts and would like to make an argument for the posting of user
@gstaats whose posting and I quote it, asks....
JAN 1 2022 POST #20874
I've read through this thread and an varying opinions over time. Do B-15s count as a combo? (I do wheel mine and carry it with the head folded in)... I have a b-15r and also have one of the super rare ampeg b-15e extension cabs (only 97 were made).
To defend the B-15 as a combo we as a group already had a very similar query that I asked back in June 3 2019
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POST #3960
My query was related to an old Aussie amp at the time..a Goldentone (era approx 1965) that had a similar design to the B-15 that utilised a head and cab with the head clipped to the cap and carried inside the cab upside down when transporting. The consensus at the time from the group was that it was classed as a Combo..even the manufacturer called it a combo.
I quote my orig posting on it and the picture I also included at the time showing the side latches that attach the head to the cab rendering it a Combo. Here is that posting so you dont have to go back and look...
Giffro: "
I owned a classic amp in the late 60's which would classify as a Combo but also a separate head and cab, even though it really was classed as a combo. It was an Aussie made Goldentone 60watt BassMaster valve (tube) amp.
The head which was attached to a baseboard of its own, was then attached to the cab with 2 latches either side of the cab (if you look carefully at the left side of the pic you can see the 2 left-side latches). The cab was an unusual design where the head slotted into the top of the cab and was clipped down. When transporting, the head was turned upside-down on its base board and clamped again by the same 4 latches (2 on either side), so in effect the head was inside the cab and from the outside it just looked like a cab with no head. It did make it heavy to carry as you were picking up the entire cab with the head inside lol The head had a carry handle on both top and bottom, the bottom handle being attached to it's baseboard so when the head was turned upside-down and clipped to the cab you could carry the entire rig by it's "bottom" handle.
The speakers were 2 Rola 12" drivers. Easy to replace the speakers...just remove the head and the cab entry was though the top where the head sat, so you could reach down with both hands and unscrew the speakers from the front baffle board and replace them with ease if needed. From memory the speaker cable at the rear of the head plugged into the socket at the rear of the cab. The power cable was at the rear of the head too. When transporting, those cables sat inside the cab when the head was reversed and clipped.
It was a two piece unit as such but ran as a one piece unit when fitted together, just like a combo these days.
If you look carefully you can just see the seam along the leading front edge which is the baseboard the head is attached to..also at back left rear in the pic. An example of a very early flexible combo type amp."
This was the picture I included with this original text...you can clearly see the latches on each side that clip the head to the cab to form the combo..and when reversed the head sits inside the cab also using the catches.
Just thought it may help with the B-15 Combo or Not A Combo discussion. I for one believe it is a Combo if it is put together as one unit for a gig..it is a combo.
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