Ampeg B-15R

Let's talk guitar amplfiers

Moderator: jingle_jangle

rickaddict
Senior Member
Posts: 6163
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:46 am

Ampeg B-15R

Post by rickaddict »

I got a great deal on a cool little amp at my local GC yesterday:

http://www.ampeg.com/products/diamondbluebass/b15r/index.html

I've wanted to play through one of these for a couple years, but couldn't find anybody who stocks them. Yesterday I saw one in the "clearance" section at my local GC. Its new...someone "special ordered" it, played it for a few weeks and returned it. The price? $879.00! How could I pass it up?! The MSRP is $2899.00(Too much), and Musician's Friend has 'em for $2100.00(Better, but still too much!) Cool little amp, but I knew I had to have it when I plugged in and heard it. It sounds really good.

Not loud enough to play the Royal Albert Hall, but that's what my SVT is for. Unlike the SVT, I can actually easily load the B-15R in my car by myself.

Just thought I'd share!

Image
Play what you love, love what you play!
User avatar
xsubs
Member
Posts: 467
Joined: Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:22 am

Post by xsubs »

Great score, Jeff!
Those flip-tops sound wonderful... great vintage vibe!
Rickenbacker '64 & '68 4001 basses ♦ Fender Pre-CBS J & P Basses and 1968 Telecaster Bass ♦ Moog Taurus III Bass Pedals ♦ Hiwatt (Hylight) Amplification
"A good bassist determines the direction of any band."- Ron Carter
teeder
Senior Member
Posts: 6396
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 5:00 am

Post by teeder »

Good deal!
I've had my eye on those! If I down size someday, I'll be looking at one of those.
Sounds nice, huh?
There Is What You Can See. There Aren’t What You Don’t See. And That’s All There Is That You Get!
teeder
Senior Member
Posts: 6396
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 5:00 am

Post by teeder »

Oops, I should have said "Sweet!". Image
There Is What You Can See. There Aren’t What You Don’t See. And That’s All There Is That You Get!
User avatar
thx1955
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 2824
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2002 6:00 am
Contact:

Post by thx1955 »

Outstanding catch, that's better than I've seen the B15r's going on Ebay recently.
"It's Red Jim, but not as we know it...."
rickaddict
Senior Member
Posts: 6163
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:46 am

Post by rickaddict »

It definitely sounds "sweet," Kevin. Image Kinda similar to my SVT. Neat little amp though. The whole thing weighs about the same as my 410 HLF cab, but little guys like me can seperate its components pretty easily to carry it up stairs and/or load it into our car. The speaker is around 50lbs, the amp is around 50lbs and the dolly is around 10lbs. Definitely not MarkBass light, but...manageable.
Play what you love, love what you play!
jwr2

Post by jwr2 »

Actually that is big enough to do the Royal Albert Hall if you have a big pa
rickaddict
Senior Member
Posts: 6163
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:46 am

Post by rickaddict »

Yeah, the price seemed like a no-brainer to me. I was reading reviews on the internet, and saw a couple people who had paid $12-1300.00 for a used one. Mine still has all 5 years of its warranty.
Play what you love, love what you play!
rickaddict
Senior Member
Posts: 6163
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:46 am

Post by rickaddict »

Good point, Jeff. Last time Beck came around, I saw him (at the Riviera Theater in Chicago). I think the place seats around 2000, and he had one up onstage.
Play what you love, love what you play!
User avatar
ajish4
RRF Moderator
Posts: 8566
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2005 6:00 am

Post by ajish4 »

Congratulations Jeff,

One heck of a score!
"Freedom of expression is important, but I have learned that people want to know how much you care before they care how much you know."
The only time a bass player gets noticed is when he stops playing.
rickaddict
Senior Member
Posts: 6163
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:46 am

Post by rickaddict »

A couple of the reviewers whined about how it didn't sound like the original ones from the 60's. Probably not. I bought it because it sounds fantastic, not because I wanted it to sound like a flip-top from the 60's.
Play what you love, love what you play!
rickaddict
Senior Member
Posts: 6163
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:46 am

Post by rickaddict »

Thanks, Guys.
Play what you love, love what you play!
User avatar
jingle_jangle
RRF Moderator
Posts: 22679
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
Contact:

Post by jingle_jangle »

I'm a flip-top fan from way back. If I don't manage to find a mint B-15-N or B-18-N, I do have my eye on one of these. Haven't tried one yet, but the reviews are really enticing...
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
teeder
Senior Member
Posts: 6396
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 5:00 am

Post by teeder »

Let me know if you get tired of her, Jeff! Image
There Is What You Can See. There Aren’t What You Don’t See. And That’s All There Is That You Get!
rickaddict
Senior Member
Posts: 6163
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:46 am

Post by rickaddict »

My only experience with one belonged to my bass teacher. It was a 70's model. I don't remember thinking it had exceptional tone back then, but then again...I was just a 13-year-old kid. I think the tallest amp would have impressed me the most!
Play what you love, love what you play!
Post Reply

Return to “Greg's Amplifier and Tube Tech Forum: by Greg Simon”