Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Paul,
I have two Solid state B-15T's which were updated B-15's with 100 WRMS, they are about ten years old, made before the B100R's. I think they are the same as the B100R just different cosmetically. I like them also, I do a lot of blues and funk gigs, and the SVT scares 'em! haha. No, I'm joking, they are nice as long as I'm not playing with really loud bands, or big rooms, and I know in advance usually, and actually two of them together is pretty loud. Sometimes I'll use the two cabs with the SVT head, which also sounds nice but doesn't project as well as the 8 X 10's. I'm going to bring them to Peru with me as it would cost a fortune to bring an SVT. I'll just have to get a step down transformer for them which are very common there.

Bringing an SVT to Peru sure would cost a fortune and an aching back as a bonus, haha!
A good-sounding but heavy thing like that certainly has its place in the studio or when the live venues provide them.

As a matter of fact, I'm also intrigued by the B-15R which is of the all-tube, 'flip-top head' design. Its 100/60 tube watts should be more than enough for studio, home or rehearsal room uses. And what a beauty it is!



An SVT head+810 cab covered by the Blue Diamond vinyl would look very attractive too.

Paul,
I had an original B-15N from the 60's that I had to sell last year, I just tried to upload a picture but is too big, I'll do it later. It was all original down to the XLR speaker jack. 30 WRMS.
Those B-15R's are nice too, they have a tweeter in them which I think is switchable off and on as is the 60/100 watt modes, I tried one of them a few years ago, they are not cheap, I think at the time they were about $1300.00. They are much fuller sounding than the B-15T's and B100R's, like any tube amp would be.
I put one of my SVT cabs in my back seat and the head in the trunk, the're not as bad as everyone tries to make them out to be, and I'm 50 geezer years old. My car is a 94 Oldsmobile Cutlass, a mid size car as US standards go.
They actually made a blue tolex SVT a few years ago as an anniversary model, they were very expensive and the changes were just cosmetic I'm pretty sure, I saw one at the Com. Ave. GC in Boston.

Oh by the way, the B-15's are not light either, most tube amps are heavy due to the transformers in them.

Yes, a few months ago I saw pictures of the blue tolex SVT+cab at the Ampeg site, which was then discontinued. I wonder if people can order from Ampeg the SVT rig and specify for the blue tolex covering (for more money of course)...

I reckon the tweeter in the B-15R should compliment really well the hi-end richness of a RIC bass. Maybe it's qualified to be called "The real mini SVT"? New ones seem to go for at least $1500 nowadays.

So are you driving to Peru in August?

By the way, the book "Ampeg: the story behind the sound" is a fascinating one with lots of infos and gorgeous pictures. A must-have for every Ampeg fan.

In the past I had a vintage B-15N. The B-15R (I believe "R" means "reissue") is basically a reissue of the B-15N, with just more power and a D.I. output.
Believe me or not, for what I'm after, my solid state B-100R sounds much better than the B-15N. More balls, more depth in the tone, even without the SABDDI of course. The B-100R is also much cheaper than the B-15R, and lighter so easier to carry...
Here the price of the B-15R is superior to that of an SVT-3PRO head and an SVT-410HLF cab. For that budget, I'd go with the SVT rig, not the B-15R.
All the best,
JL

Nothing beats a Ric through an SVT.

Brad, I hate you.

Brad, I meant "your SVT-CL is great".

That setup kicks major ***, Brad!

I'm a stupid guy. Years ago, I had a genuine vintage SVT with its 810 cab. I had bought it used at a steal (6000 FRF = +- 900 EUR = +- $ 1000). It was in perfect condition.
For obvious portability reasons, I let it go 2 years later for 8000 FRF (= +- 1200 EUR = +- $ 1350).
I wish I had kept it................ Now a brand new SVT-CL + 810 costs around 4500 EUR...
All the best,
JL

I bought my first one in 1976 for $400.00

Yeah, they've really gone up over the years. Like Bob, I had SVT rigs in the '70s, and I can remember paying somewhere in the neighborhood of $600 for a head & 810 cab. (I had four of the older ones at one time.) Then when I bought my last two (CLs w/810Es) in '93 they cost $1500 each. I think you'd be doing well to buy them new for around $2200 now.