Ampeg M-15

boogaloo · May 11th, 2006, 10:38 AM

Hi All-
A friend of mine has one of these, vintage early 60's, blue diamond cloth, recently serviced with the outboard reverb unit. Tolex is a deep blue with silver flecks. Cool looking and sounding amp. Both are in excellent condition- any idea what they might be worth? Thanks in advance.

Brian

mad dog · May 12th, 2006, 10:11 AM

These came w/o reverb. He's including an outboard unit with the amp? By itself, the M-15 goes for 400 to 800 bucks or so, depending on condition. A very cool amp. Played one with a really tired speaker last year, always wondered what a properly tuned up version would sound like.

boogaloo · May 13th, 2006, 03:48 PM

yes, it's an outboard, made by Ampeg- I think it says that it's an "Echo" unit on it somewhere. But there is a jack on the back of the amp for the unit and the unit is the same tolex etc. as the amp.

This one sounds pretty sweet to my ears too, but I think because of the vintage and the potential upkeep he wants to go to a more modern tube amp.

Thanks for the info. I guess these are pretty rare, considering the lack of "views" and responses?

Brian

mad dog · May 14th, 2006, 05:16 PM

Brian: Most people know little about Ampegs. Once you play through a few, that becomes somewhat inexplicable. They sound great, some like nothing else at all (except a Juke, if you're lucky enough to run into one of those) Those who do go for Ampegs mostly are into the later reverb models. I don't think the M series ever sold much. I've seen 2 M-15s, not on stages, also one M-12 Mercury, which may be my favorite of all the Ampegs. I seldom see anyone play an Ampeg anywhere.

For whatever reason, they're undervalued. Good news for you if you're interested, probably not great news for your friend.

boogaloo · May 15th, 2006, 09:27 PM

for the comments. No- I'm not interested. Amazingly I'm happy with my current amp farm (Fargen Blackbird 20, PTP Bassman Re-Do of a RI, 1970 Super Reverb). I like his amp, but he possibly wants to get one a little more modern to gig with- perhaps provide some more versatility.

Brian

Phil M · May 16th, 2006, 02:48 PM

The vintage M-15 is pretty rare from what I can tell. I bought a hammered one a few years ago because it had this great vintage blues vibe to it. There is something wrong with it though, perhap the speaker, or something in the electronics. There is a harsh, buzzy rasp to the tone when it is pushed even just a little. I've thought about having it serviced but I think it might cost more than the amp's worth to me.

Joe-Bob · May 16th, 2006, 02:57 PM

Phil, that sounds like a bad speaker. Plug it in to a different one to check before you give up on it.

Mr. Sparkle · May 16th, 2006, 03:20 PM

I picked one up for about $120 earlier this year. I took it in to be re-tubed and it turned out to have a bad tranny. I had the tranny replaced with a Mercury Magnetics, NOS tubes from KCA put in and a new footswitch for the trem. Sounds ok, but only OK (note here that I have not been able to play my Tele through it as it is in getting a new nut). My theory is that the old CTS speaker in it is just about out of gas.

So, do I risk it and install a Weber or do I cut my losses and let her go now?

zombywoof · May 16th, 2006, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad dog

Brian: Most people know little about Ampegs. Once you play through a few, that becomes somewhat inexplicable. They sound great, some like nothing else at all (except a Juke, if you're lucky enough to run into one of those) Those who do go for Ampegs mostly are into the later reverb models. I don't think the M series ever sold much. I've seen 2 M-15s, not on stages, also one M-12 Mercury, which may be my favorite of all the Ampegs. I seldom see anyone play an Ampeg anywhere.

For whatever reason, they're undervalued. Good news for you if you're interested, probably not great news for your friend.

Well said MD (but as you know you & I have similar tastes in amps). Ampegs while pretty popular in the 1960s just fell out of favor in later decades. They are undervalued in the market but prices are starting to rise a bit. I seriously think you should consider jumpring on it evcen if you are happy with your present equipment. This might be one of those things you will regret years from now when you think back on the missed opportunity. I wish to hell I had kept mine.

mad dog · May 17th, 2006, 11:25 AM

Hey Z: Let's both buy ampegs now!! Who goes first?

Phil: That does sound like a played speaker. The M15 I tried last year had the same symptoms. Later I got to spend some quality time with a Weber 15F150-O (straight cone ceramic) equipped Pro-type tweed. Big tone. If I ever see an affordable M-15, that's the speaker I'll use. Classic Jensen sound, much more volume and headroom in comparison to the alnico originals. Much less compression. Smooth top end with some bite thanks to that straight cone.

zombywoof · May 17th, 2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad dog

Hey Z: Let's both buy ampegs now!! Who goes first?

Funny you should say that Dog. All this Ampeg talk has got me fired up for a Portaflex or something. I took the day off from work yesterday and went out looking. Only Ampeg I found was one of the small 1970s solid state models (same place has a bretty beat up Maggie M-5).
Next week I'ill will head 1/2 hour down the road to see what Mass. St. Music has.

mad dog · May 18th, 2006, 02:21 PM

I was only half-joking. Truth is, I really do want to own an Ampeg. An M-15 would do just fine, assuming I can find a decent one. Or a Gemini VI with 6L6s. Wouldn't turn down a good RR either. I think I'll hold out for one in really, really good condition.

May 11th, 2006, 10:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
boogaloo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: S/E Pa. Age: 52 Posts: 1,132	Ampeg M-15 Hi All- A friend of mine has one of these, vintage early 60's, blue diamond cloth, recently serviced with the outboard reverb unit. Tolex is a deep blue with silver flecks. Cool looking and sounding amp. Both are in excellent condition- any idea what they might be worth? Thanks in advance. Brian __________________ "..and I've got some tricks up my sleeve...oh yes indeed! It might come back to haunt 'cha..don't you throw that Mojo on me!"

May 13th, 2006, 03:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
boogaloo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: S/E Pa. Age: 52 Posts: 1,132	Reverb yes, it's an outboard, made by Ampeg- I think it says that it's an "Echo" unit on it somewhere. But there is a jack on the back of the amp for the unit and the unit is the same tolex etc. as the amp. This one sounds pretty sweet to my ears too, but I think because of the vintage and the potential upkeep he wants to go to a more modern tube amp. Thanks for the info. I guess these are pretty rare, considering the lack of "views" and responses? Brian __________________ "..and I've got some tricks up my sleeve...oh yes indeed! It might come back to haunt 'cha..don't you throw that Mojo on me!"

May 15th, 2006, 09:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
boogaloo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: S/E Pa. Age: 52 Posts: 1,132	Thanks Mad Dog for the comments. No- I'm not interested. Amazingly I'm happy with my current amp farm (Fargen Blackbird 20, PTP Bassman Re-Do of a RI, 1970 Super Reverb). I like his amp, but he possibly wants to get one a little more modern to gig with- perhaps provide some more versatility. Brian __________________ "..and I've got some tricks up my sleeve...oh yes indeed! It might come back to haunt 'cha..don't you throw that Mojo on me!"

May 16th, 2006, 02:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Joe-Bob Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 3,690	Phil, that sounds like a bad speaker. Plug it in to a different one to check before you give up on it. __________________ "Smart like Fox, Strong like Bull!"

May 16th, 2006, 03:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mr. Sparkle Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Carlsbad, CA Age: 40 Posts: 1,305 4 Photos	I've got one... I picked one up for about $120 earlier this year. I took it in to be re-tubed and it turned out to have a bad tranny. I had the tranny replaced with a Mercury Magnetics, NOS tubes from KCA put in and a new footswitch for the trem. Sounds ok, but only OK (note here that I have not been able to play my Tele through it as it is in getting a new nut). My theory is that the old CTS speaker in it is just about out of gas. So, do I risk it and install a Weber or do I cut my losses and let her go now?

May 12th, 2006, 10:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
mad dog Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 709	These came w/o reverb. He's including an outboard unit with the amp? By itself, the M-15 goes for 400 to 800 bucks or so, depending on condition. A very cool amp. Played one with a really tired speaker last year, always wondered what a properly tuned up version would sound like.

May 14th, 2006, 05:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
mad dog Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 709	Brian: Most people know little about Ampegs. Once you play through a few, that becomes somewhat inexplicable. They sound great, some like nothing else at all (except a Juke, if you're lucky enough to run into one of those) Those who do go for Ampegs mostly are into the later reverb models. I don't think the M series ever sold much. I've seen 2 M-15s, not on stages, also one M-12 Mercury, which may be my favorite of all the Ampegs. I seldom see anyone play an Ampeg anywhere. For whatever reason, they're undervalued. Good news for you if you're interested, probably not great news for your friend.

May 16th, 2006, 02:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Phil M TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 35	The vintage M-15 is pretty rare from what I can tell. I bought a hammered one a few years ago because it had this great vintage blues vibe to it. There is something wrong with it though, perhap the speaker, or something in the electronics. There is a harsh, buzzy rasp to the tone when it is pushed even just a little. I've thought about having it serviced but I think it might cost more than the amp's worth to me.

May 17th, 2006, 11:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
mad dog Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 709	Hey Z: Let's both buy ampegs now!! Who goes first? Phil: That does sound like a played speaker. The M15 I tried last year had the same symptoms. Later I got to spend some quality time with a Weber 15F150-O (straight cone ceramic) equipped Pro-type tweed. Big tone. If I ever see an affordable M-15, that's the speaker I'll use. Classic Jensen sound, much more volume and headroom in comparison to the alnico originals. Much less compression. Smooth top end with some bite thanks to that straight cone.

May 18th, 2006, 02:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
mad dog Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 709	I was only half-joking. Truth is, I really do want to own an Ampeg. An M-15 would do just fine, assuming I can find a decent one. Or a Gemini VI with 6L6s. Wouldn't turn down a good RR either. I think I'll hold out for one in really, really good condition.