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What makes it a "Flip-top?"
- Thread starter Landy67
- Start date
On my '63, I can't hear any discernable difference between Channel 1 and Channel 2, and both of the inputs on Channel 1 sound the same to me as well.
Back when these amps first came out (as well as many of the other early Portaflexes), not everyone owned an amp- so it was not uncommon to run bass, accordian, organ, or guitar into them all at the same time. I've done this with guitar and bass for some very low volume acoustic shows and it sounds really good.
Back when these amps first came out (as well as many of the other early Portaflexes), not everyone owned an amp- so it was not uncommon to run bass, accordian, organ, or guitar into them all at the same time. I've done this with guitar and bass for some very low volume acoustic shows and it sounds really good.
There is a difference they way the two ports on Channel 1 are wired (Left ports) and Channel 2 has a different sized resister, so you would think they would sound different. I can hear a difference with my acoustic bass, but not the Stingray.
The volume controls are the same, but I don't see an obvious date...
The volume controls are the same, but I don't see an obvious date...
The diff between in1 and in2 on Ch1 is pretty small. There is an additional 100K resistor on in2. Changes the tone slightly to be more bass friendly. To my ear, just a slight change in the mid range voice.
You can see it on here
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
You can see it on here
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The volume controls are the same, but I don't see an obvious date...
Great amp.
I see a pot code 1376344 indicating that the pot was manufactured by CTS (137), in the 44th week of 1963. Check your other pots to see if the date is more or less the same. This could be a replacement pot.
The 44th week is kind of late for a tube rectifier in that amp. In early in 63 they had a tube rectifier and later in the year they revised the amp and has a diode rectifier. There was no tube socket for the rectifier on the chassis. My diode rectified 63 has pot date codes from the 37th week of 1963. Yours has the tube socket and yet the pot code is later.
So now I've started looking for a cabinet to put my B-15-N on. Is this eBay cabinet a good deal or should I keep looking? I was hoping to find an old one that has lots of miles...
Ampeg Cabinet
Ampeg Cabinet
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SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
Great cab, but is not a dead ringer for the old B-15 cabs. It does sound like a B-15 cab but it goes lower than they do. I've used it with a B-15N before, though, and while I still prefer the original cabs, it's a darn good cab at a good price.
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I actually prefer Link Removed for repro B-15 cabs, but he only does a limited selection while Fliptops does all of them.
Naturally I had to look it up. Here's the patent, just for fun:
https://docs.google.com/a/google.com/viewer?url=www.google.com/patents/US3183305.pdf
https://docs.google.com/a/google.com/viewer?url=www.google.com/patents/US3183305.pdf
I'm having a problem deciding what to do with my B15-N!
I love the sound of the B15 and my Genz-Benz Focus 210LT cabinet. (I hardly use my Streamliner 600 any more.)
Right now I have the head connected to the Focus, so I have to unplug the Ampeg to use the Benz, and vice versa. When my brother comes to play we have to decide which amp to use, because I don't dare plug both amps into the same cabinet.
I've decided that I need another cabinet for the ampeg, so I can run both amps at the same time, and that's where the dilemma comes in...
1: I saw a vintage flip-top cab on Craigslist for short money. It has a single 15" speaker. It probably needs to be re-coned, and it doesn't have a dolly. I'll need the mounting tray to mount the head to the flip-top.
2: Musicians friend has both a 115 and a 210 vintage cabinet that have been returned, so they are about $150 off the regular price.
3: I wanted to get a Genz-Benz Focus LT 115 to add to my Benz stuff.
So what should I do? If I get the Benz 115, I can put the Ampeg in a Head Cab, and stack the cabinets so it won't increase the footprint in my office.
If I get the 1960's cabinet from Craigslist it will look right, but how will it sound without the tweeter? Will the new vintage cabinets sound better since they have a tweeter? If I go new, should I go for the 115 or 210?
I know it sounds awesome with the Benz 210, the head cab looks cool. Adding the 115 will look awesome, and it won't take any more room in my office.
I travel with the amp a couple of times a year, and the flip-top would look cool when I set up and take it down. I'm not sure what it would sound like, and I'll have to find somewhere to store it in my office. I just don't know which of the three options would be best?
What would you do?
I love the sound of the B15 and my Genz-Benz Focus 210LT cabinet. (I hardly use my Streamliner 600 any more.)
Right now I have the head connected to the Focus, so I have to unplug the Ampeg to use the Benz, and vice versa. When my brother comes to play we have to decide which amp to use, because I don't dare plug both amps into the same cabinet.
I've decided that I need another cabinet for the ampeg, so I can run both amps at the same time, and that's where the dilemma comes in...
1: I saw a vintage flip-top cab on Craigslist for short money. It has a single 15" speaker. It probably needs to be re-coned, and it doesn't have a dolly. I'll need the mounting tray to mount the head to the flip-top.
2: Musicians friend has both a 115 and a 210 vintage cabinet that have been returned, so they are about $150 off the regular price.
3: I wanted to get a Genz-Benz Focus LT 115 to add to my Benz stuff.
So what should I do? If I get the Benz 115, I can put the Ampeg in a Head Cab, and stack the cabinets so it won't increase the footprint in my office.
If I get the 1960's cabinet from Craigslist it will look right, but how will it sound without the tweeter? Will the new vintage cabinets sound better since they have a tweeter? If I go new, should I go for the 115 or 210?
I know it sounds awesome with the Benz 210, the head cab looks cool. Adding the 115 will look awesome, and it won't take any more room in my office.
I travel with the amp a couple of times a year, and the flip-top would look cool when I set up and take it down. I'm not sure what it would sound like, and I'll have to find somewhere to store it in my office. I just don't know which of the three options would be best?
What would you do?
