Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Today I bought a B-115. I took some pictures as I thought some of you like to see how a B-115 looks. (I myself never heard of any until very recently.) Pictures can be found on: http://www.blaat.net/bas/b-115/ .

It is not in the best of shape. It even has different brands of tubes in it (how about matched pairs?). But it does have a very nice and warm sound.

Does anyone know why the on/off switch is a on/off/on switch? On a low volume I couldn't hear much difference, and both pairs of tubes where glowing in both "on" settings.

Some older amps had a power switch like that to reverse the ground polarity depending on the 'on' position selected. This was done instead of using the typical ground switch you see on old Fender tube amps with a separate power switch, for example.

I thought that was the function of the switch with no label on the back. Next Q: what does the switch with no label on the back do?

Today I got the amp back from an AmpTech over here in Holland. He told me he put EL-34's in it because the amp ran cleaner with them than with 6L6's. It's too late over here (01:00) to try but I was surprised and am Curious. Normally I am a 6L6 fan so I'm not sure what to expect.... (I got my '63 bassman back also so I'm expecting a nice couple when ROS'sed.)

Did you ever find out what the switch on the back does?

jps wrote:Did you ever find out what the switch on the back does?

I even forgot it was there. I just had a look at the Schematic but I dont understand enough of it to tell.

Can you post them?

jps wrote:Can you post them?

Eeeehhhh. I'm probably not allowed. But this (click) is the url where you can download the pdf from the factory.

berth wrote:

jps wrote:Can you post them?

Eeeehhhh. I'm probably not allowed. But this (click) is the url where you can download the pdf from the factory.

But of course!

Since the power and standby switches are both on the front, the rear switch may be the mono/stereo switch for the slave out.

jps wrote:Since the power and standby switches are both on the front, the rear switch may be the mono/stereo switch for the slave out.

Thanks! Makes sense.

jps wrote:Since the power and standby switches are both on the front, the rear switch may be the mono/stereo switch for the slave out.

Viewing the schematic supports that .

I once found a near perfect match of 2 6l6s of different brand that have functioned well in a Bassman.But I think that it's unlikely to be the case in your amp.

fatcat wrote:

jps wrote:Since the power and standby switches are both on the front, the rear switch may be the mono/stereo switch for the slave out.

Viewing the schematic supports that .

I once found a near perfect match of 2 6l6s of different brand that have functioned well in a Bassman.But I think that it's unlikely to be the case in your amp.

There are EL34's in them now (and I'm not too happy about that as I do like the clear/bright tone 6L6's can give).

el34 will give you imho very different bit more edgy bottom. i think that 6l6 is better in this case with single 15" but i would still give it a try for a while with el34 and you'll see what is working for you. if you plan to use it live i would suggest swapping that 15" speaker for some eminence neo 15' ...you'll loose some pounds right there and it will sound tons better with the larger voice coil.