Bought an Ampeg 1980 B-15S today

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:14 pm

It's the B-15N's big brother, it's got two 7027A output tubes in it, 60 watts RMS, it's actually like a B-25B head in a portaflex cab, I've always wanted one for smaller gigs. Gotta drive to PA Saturday to pick it up. Good a good deal as long as it works well.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:24 pm

WOW! Nice grab!

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:36 pm

There is one here locally I can get for about $650.00, but it may need some work, mostly cosmetic, I think. No dolly board though, and it is heavy!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:15 pm

Yeah mine has after market wheels on it, needs a new grille cloth, tolex has a few nicks. I have a dolly for a B-15N, don't think it will fit though. I got it for 355.00, so I couldn't pass it up.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:10 am

If it weren't for the weight I would have bought that B15S last year, that is how long they have had it, at least.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:20 pm

They are great sounding amps, and sound much louder than their rating indicates, great for that nice warm sound in small rooms.

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:35 pm

Bob, whereabouts in PA, if may be so bold? Only 'cause that's where I live.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 10:11 pm

Haines Music Selinsgrove, PA. Do you know of the place Fran?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 10:13 pm

You know what I don't think Ampeg was making them in 1980, is probably a late 70's. In fact I think Ampeg was in hiatus in 1980.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:04 pm

You're right Bob. Ampeg started up again with MCI in '81. I'd guess it is 70's for sure, but see what the Ampeg book says about it perhaps? Those are cool amps....nice score!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 5:38 pm

I drove 5 1/2 hours one way to get the amp today, put it in the trunk and it bounced all the way back, PA has lousy highways (RT 84), got it home didn't work and had a funny little buzz and one power tube was very blue and one wasn't, one was hot, one was warm. Opened it up, checked the stuff around the power tubes, everything OK, looked around and found an electrolytic cap with a broken clamp and a broken wire. Check the schematic to see where it went, soldiered it back on, powered it up and the thing sounds great, couldn't turn it up though, too late. Has all original tubes including power tubes except for the 12DW7, all checked very good. It's actually in very good shape except that the grille cloth is stained and ripped, the tolex is good, the face and knobs look brand new. I got a great deal, all I have to do is get some new grille cloth and I'm all set. It is a Magnavox and has Magnavox tubes. Jeffrey was right though, this thing weighs a ton. Of course after having driven for almost 12 hours straight anything would weigh a ton.
And actually this thing is better than a B-25B because it has a 2,4 and 8 ohm switch like a V4-B.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:28 pm

I wouldn't be surprised if it weight at least half that of an SVT810 cabinet!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:43 am

I think it's gotta weigh at least 100 lbs and an old 8 x 10 weighs 135. Sounds great though, clear as a bell and punchy, good thing I only have 7 or 8 stairs to drag it back up to.