Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

70's Ampeg B-15, 30 big watts, has the old B-15 sound but has an improved pre amp, warm sound great for practising, you won't want to put your Ric down. Surprisingly loud for 30 watts too. has a 15", is the modern Ampegs granfather.

I agree with Bob, but I'd go with a 60's B-15N(f).

Warm and fat.

yeah, they're both nice, I said the 70's because of the bright and ultra lo switches and the're a little louder because of the bigger cab, I've had both and love both of them. the 60's is definitely the classic one though.

What is a reasonable price to pay for a B-15S in decent shape? I know of two available.

Bob, or anybody.

Musician's Friend has a special on the Ampeg PBC2112 at only $599.99. The full retail price is $1399 and the street price is $978. This seems like a decent deal, but have you heard it? This is one of those new PortaBass combos with wheels and a pullup handle for hauling around.

It would more than do me right now, as I live in an apartment, but I never heard one and am therefore hesitant. I'm needing a light and small portable rig, but able to play a small club.

b-15, condition is everything. Fjestads son may have rated the B-15S about $350-400 for ave, while Vintage Guitar guide lists it at $700 for a good cond. Keep in mind that it has them 12DW7s in 'em as well as the 7027s with higher plate voltages to get 60 watts.

the 12DW7 can be rewired to take a 12AX7 or 12AU7 (I think...) and them 7027s are being reissued by EH.

Well looks like lots to consider. Thanks for the opinions. I'll have to look around and try some of them out if possible. As to the question on price up to $1000, although less is better. I am mainly interested in 60s and 70s music.

I'm not a bass player, but I do like to mess with it from time to time. I have an old Ampeg B25B head, and I have to agree with those above who suggested the older Ampegs. Mine is in serious need of retubing and just some general TLC, and it still sounds great. I haven't done a thing to it in the 17 years I've had it, and I have a feeling the previous owner tried his best to kill it, but it really hangs in. Not sure when mine was built, but they made these from '68 thru '78 I think. I've got one of the very early ones from the look of the cosmetics and switches. Highly recommended.

The main thing that is holding me back from getting a B-15 is the weight, man, those things are really heavy. This dealer wants around $550.00 for either one.

I have a friend who builds pro-sound equipment. Hes building me a single 15" combo that I can drop any 2 space rack amp into. I'm gonna load it with my Ampeg B2.

I might be interested in what that will be like, Scott. I can rack my Ampeg PB250 or my Walter Woods, but the WW does need some ventilation. Can you give any more specifics on it?

$550.00 isn't a bad price for a B-15S especially if it's in decent condition, and especially from a dealer that'd be about a grand in Boston from a dealer, I actually like them a little more because of the 60 watt rating. 12DW7's are also now being made again by JJ Tesla, just bought 4 for an SVT head, about ten bucks a piece. Changing from 12DW7's to 12AX7's changes the sound, i did that to one of my SVT heads in the late 80's when 12DW7's were really hard to get, sounded much better with the 12DW7's in it (noisier though because of the high gain or something) Just make sure you get a dolly with it, or you can buy re-issue dollys from fliptops.com I think.
Phil I've never heard any of those new portabass Ampegs. I think they reviewed them in Bass Player rag a while ago.

I really like my PB250 but I do use it with cabinets other than the Ampeg ones.

We're still in the planning stage Jefferey. I've been wanting to downsize my stage rig , ( 4 space rack, and ampeg 410 cabinet), but have been unable to find a combo I really like with the power I want. So I came up with this suggestion and he wants to build it. It will be a single 15" cab loaded with JBL or EV, although I have been reading some good things about some of the higher end Eminence speakers. I want to be able to drop a 2 space amp, both my Ampeg B2 or Carvin R1000 could be used. I might even make it 3 spaces so I could ad a tuner, light bar or some other 1 space accessory. I really want to try to keep the size and weight down though. More details and pics will follow as we progess.

Downsize? What's that mean?