Unusual Ampeg B25B cabinet sighting

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

The eBay auction for these is ending in a couple hours. Great deal given that you get four Altec 421A's. Anyway, what's with the wider edge around the grill? Not to mention the piping. Never seen that before anyone got any ideas? Late model maybe?

 

[JimmyM]

Looks like MTI era or early SLM.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The wide face frame makes me think particle board.

 

[Jeff Scott]

The wide face frame makes me think particle board.

Perhaps, but the Sunn cabinets with wide frames were plywood.

No idea what Ampeg used in that era.

 

[Bass 45]

My guess is they are homemade cabs.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The cabs in the year 2000 Ampeg catalog, see the portaflex wiki literature section, have the piping but not the wide face frame. MTI did have the piping but I don't recall seeing the wider face frame. The grille cloth looks similar to what MTI used.

Those two rectangular areas on each side stand out. They kind of look more like horns than ports.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Perhaps, but the Sunn cabinets with wide frames were plywood.

No idea what Ampeg used in that era.

Problem is, we are not sure when the cabs were built. Some cabs have a strip that is added around the face to make it beefier, others like the B-15 have a picture type frame in front.

 

[beans-on-toast]

My guess is they are homemade cabs.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[BogeyBass]

maybe homemade or rebadged carvin cabinets from 70/80s

 

[Oren Hudson]

The only things that could possibly be B25B about these cabs are the 421A speakers (if that's what they are) and the emblem. I have an all original (sans the cart) 1974 sitting right here.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

Looks like MTI era or early SLM.

I agree they look like that, but the last B25B cabinet was made in 1979 before MTI (and, of course, SLM)

My guess is they are homemade cabs.

The only things that could possibly be B25B about these cabs are the 421A speakers (if that's what they are) and the emblem. I have an all original (sans the cart) 1974 sitting right here.

I own a B25B cab as well. I wish I had saved more pics from the now-closed auction. There were gut shots and I can tell you (except for the wide edge around grill and the piping) these cabs are constructed exactly like a factory B25B cabinet. I believe, though not 100% sure, that they had B25B badges on the back. I looked at all the photos more than once and only since the posts in this thread has the idea the cabs are not factory Ampeg even entered my mind.

The cabs in the year 2000 Ampeg catalog, see the portaflex wiki literature section, have the piping but not the wide face frame. MTI did have the piping but I don't recall seeing the wider face frame. The grille cloth looks similar to what MTI used.

Those two rectangular areas on each side stand out. They kind of look more like horns than ports.

AFAIK, MTI did not use piping. Nor did SLM initially. I believe the piping was introduced in 1989. Those are def ports. The B25B cabs have a horizontal brace attached to the baffle that intersects two rectangular ports in the baffle.

I don't think the cabs sold. I'll see if I can contact the seller and invite him or her to list on TB.

 

[bobcruz]

Doesn't look like they sold; here's the original listing with all the pix:

pair Ampeg 1970's B25B 2x15 Bass Cabinets | eBay

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

Doesn't look like they sold; here's the original listing with all the pix:

pair Ampeg 1970's B25B 2x15 Bass Cabinets | eBay

I always see "this listing has ended" and the links to other listings and think that the original listing isn't viewable. All you have to do is scroll down, duh. So I was wrong about the badges AND that the brace intersects the ports. Also all the B25B cabs I've seen have a badge with the impedance switch and a separate jack plate or just a round jack cup in the case of the 16 ohm, single impedance cabs. Never seen a fuse on any Ampeg cabinet.

Edit: although the round hole is the correct size and location for a 16 ohm-only cab with the round jack cup.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

This picture seems to reveal the wide edge is not original. Note the (poor) fit of the metal corner and what looks like added wood to fatten the edge aroung the grill.

I must be bored. I should prolly take a nap. I have a gig tonight but it I have to leave the island for it

 

[Bass 45]

I looked at the pictures - they may be fine cabs - but they look to be custom made (I own an early '70's B25B - the front loading version). The tolex, corners, partial shelf, voids in the rear panel braces, lack of 16/4 ohm switch, lack of serial number paper, baffle secured to the front frame and light colored wood are non-Ampeg looking to me.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

I looked at the pictures - they may be fine cabs - but they look to be custom made (I own an early '70's B25B - the front loading version). The tolex, corners, partial shelf, voids in the rear panel braces, lack of 16/4 ohm switch, lack of serial number paper, baffle secured to the front frame and light colored wood are non-Ampeg looking to me.

I've already mentioned most of this but just to recap, I have a 16-ohm-only B25B cabinet pretty much just like these: no switch, a single 1/4" jack in a round metal cup, the grill frame is fastened through the back of the baffle and mine has no serial paper. Things that are correct on the subject cabs for a factory cab: overall dimensions (best I can tell), rear-mounted Altec speakers, ports, jack cup hole location, bracing, screw pattern on back, finish washers, and handles. What's not correct: wide edge around grill, no jack cup, the fuse, the way the metal corners fit, neither the tolex nor the grill cloth are original and there are no feet cups visible. My money is on these are refinished/modded factory cabs. I don't think anyone would go to the trouble to copy all that detail in a custom-built cabinet. Even down to no insulation!?

 

[Bass 45]

I've already mentioned most of this but just to recap, I have a 16-ohm-only B25B cabinet pretty much just like these: no switch, a single 1/4" jack in a round metal cup, the grill frame is fastened through the back of the baffle and mine has no serial paper. Things that are correct on the subject cabs for a factory cab: overall dimensions (best I can tell), rear-mounted Altec speakers, ports, jack cup hole location, bracing, screw pattern on back, finish washers, and handles. What's not correct: wide edge around grill, no jack cup, the fuse, the way the metal corners fit, neither the tolex nor the grill cloth are original and there are no feet cups visible. My money is on these are refinished/modded factory cabs. I don't think anyone would go to the trouble to copy all that detail in a custom-built cabinet. Even down to no insulation!?

Sorry I missed your post earlier - I was popping in and out during an A.D.D. flareup

 

[Bass 45]

MTI cabs had piping. Here is an example of an 810 MTI. Those handles were only used on those cabs. See this thread for pics

Need help IDing a 70s/80s Ampeg 8x10

Hi David. I used one of those MTI 810s for a while. It actually had an aluminum frame around the grill-similar to a late '60's silverface Fender amp.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Hi David. I used one of those MTI 810s for a while. It actually had an aluminum frame around the grill-similar to a late '60's silverface Fender amp.

Metal piping!

Deleted the errant post to avoid confusion. Need help IDing a 70s/80s Ampeg 8x10

 

[Oren Hudson]

Just a FYI. One of the Altecs has a manufacture date of week 21 (or 27) of 1972. Great speakers, but if they need rebuilding, not all shops are erudite on these.