Oh mighty AmpGarage (cloning an Ampeg B-15)

[Reeltarded]

How much, oh gurus of parts sourcing?

They are being reissued (50 pieces) @ $4,000.00.

I am not out to build one, I may be trying to stop a friend from making a mistake.


EDIT: How much do you think it costs to build a righteous clone?

[myfoot]

http://forum.metroamp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33370

[Structo]

Wow!

$4K?

For a 2 x 6L6 amp?
But it's only a 25-30 watt amp?

Apparently the Heritage B-15 is inspired by the 1964 B-15NC and the 1966 B-15NF.

http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schemat ... taflex.pdf

[KindaFuzzy]

I built mine as cheap as I could and it cost ~$400, and that's with a free chassis, free cab, and homemade turret board. I'm sure it could be done cheaper with recycled transformers. There's pics in my amp gallery, it's the bamboo one.

[Reeltarded]

Glad George made a few bucks on this project.

Actually, that makes my pockets a little deeper for the concept. but STILL!

[rp]

I checked the metroamp link so yeh it's expensive but it's good thing and God bless. It's certainly better spent than over priced nausea inducing crap like this:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=H61754

That cab is essential to the sound, you can't just build a head and think you'll have a B15N. The original speaker matters too I think it was a CTS - both together. The cab is pretty complex as it's got a port. If anyone has a link to exact dimensions or a shop diagram for one I'd much appreciate it.

Meanwhile, here's some links if you're not already aware. I have no experience with either but the guy in St Lois has been at it for many years.

http://www.vintage-amp.com/
http://www.fliptops.net/index.htm

Honestly, as for your bud why not hunt down an original, you'd think $4G would get you there, unless I'm really out of touch.

[selloutrr]

Am i missing something?

you can buy a vintage one for $1000-2000 depending on condition.

clone one for $800ish maybe more depending on speaker.

even using ampeg correct parts from fliptop for under $3000

Why would you ever buy a REissue for $4k they aren't worth anything a few years down the road. Go vintage or buy something else.
To make it worse if these are new production amps Ampeg is owned by LOUD who are incredibly difficult to deal with, good luck with service.

They are a fantastic bass amp I own several
'68 B-15,
'74/'75 (2) B-15N,
'66/'67 B-18

these are the ideal bass amp for jass, blues, and studio tracking.

http://instrument.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mus ... submit=+GO+

[Alexo]

these are the ideal bass amp for jass, blues, and studio tracking.

jass? jass bazz?

[selloutrr]

yeah jass, haven't you heard!? it's like Jazz but has more ass in it. lol

[xtian]

Here's one on eBay, needs work:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ampeg-Portaflex-B15 ... 2560d63e07

[selloutrr]

give the amp a cap job and possible retube, assuming the PT and OT are not blown it should fire up. All the parts that are missing can be purchased from fliptops. The actual grill cloth is still available, you could retolex and have a sweet classis amp for under $1500.

[Reeltarded]

It's a mess, huh? I mean the prices.

We have a few around here.. I think everyone owns at least one. I was.. shocked.

Someone was considering a production run of a similar thing, he was wondering if there was a market for it after having seen the B-15.

NO saids me. Make a mic!

[Andy Le Blanc]

I gots the measuremenst for the box.
Its plywood and tolex, the hard part is finding the big tone cap

you could build one for 500 to 700.... 4k omg

[rp]

I gots the measuremenst for the box. Its plywood and tolex, the hard part is finding the big tone cap

I'd like measurements. I'll file them away for the day I have access to a proper wood shop. I'll probably just build a cab and not a fliptop. Just need the overall L X W X H and the port dimensions. Not sure if they were all ported. I remember one having a slat across the bottom.

Post or PM. Mention if it's inner or outer measurements and thickness of the ply if you know.

[Andy Le Blanc]

the inside measurements of the box:

HxWxD.... inches... 22 1/2, 19 1/2, 11 1/2.

the port is a shelf approx... 2 3/4 from the bottom, and 9 1/2 D.

so... the speaker baffle is 19 3/4 H with the port/shelf at the bottom.

the speaker hole is a circle with a horizon bar.

The thing was built with an "economy", the examples I've seen were as
cheap as they could get away with, anything better than plywood will be an improvement.

The box was missing anything to stiffen it around the driver.
Ive seen them with everything from the cheapest OEM drivers to SRO's to EV's
to modified with dry wall screws and more plywood to take guitar drivers.