Ampeg Lovers Club-Not that we need one

[HOBBSTER01]

Post you pica and observations here.
My amps-

1969 Reverbojet

1965ish
Reverberocket 2

[telepathetic]

I went Ampeg over 10 years ago with this one (Reverberocket 212):

A few years later I snagged this Super Jet as a secondary amp:

About a month back I found this Jet II and with these 3 amps I can do anything!:

Okay.... maybe I can't do ANYTHING, but I can certainly do anything that I WANT to do.

[MikeBluetele]

I've got a mid-sixties Reverberocket 2, also. Over the years, I've had two different blackface Bassman amps, and a bunch of other amps. This is the amp that I've kept. The Ampeg reverb sound can't be beat. When it's cranked, the overdrive doesn't saturate as much Fender or Marshall amps. The Fender and Marshall sounds have become almost cliches, but this little guy has a distinct character all its own. On the downside, it's not powerful enough to compete against other people's amps and replacement tubes aren't as easilly available. There's always going to be some trade-offs, but this amp's sound makes it worthwhile for me.

11_9.jpg

[Joefish]

Originally Posted by MikeBluetele

... "The Ampeg reverb sound can't be beat."

+1


Home Office North Hollywood CA.jpg

... please forgive the vintage 1985 photo - you know how us old guys are

I have had this VT 40 since 1985 … I cut tracks (2” 16 track) in 85 and used my friends Marshall for rhythm and used the VT 40 for overdubs

It has a tube that did not go into many amps … I checked an old Ampeg site to get the accurate terminology …. "The 6K11/6Q11 is a tube containing three independent triode sections, one like a 12AU7 and the other two like a 12AX7. In this Ampeg circuit, the 6K11 is used as the line-level preamp, with the first two sections as gain stages and the third as a cathode follower with the active mid control in the feedback loop." … thanks Doc

I also have a B 15 head that a guy in my old neighborhood actually tossed out. ( it was that beautiful plexiglas sticking out of the trash … even in the dark … that made be back up and get it)

I've got the schematics and I plan on doing some learning on it before I hand it over to my friend the amp guy.

[MikeBluetele]

Originally Posted by Joefish

I also have a B 15 head that a guy in my old neighborhood actually tossed out. ( it was that beautiful plexiglas sticking out of the trash … even in the dark … that made be back up and get it)

Pretty sweet find. I had an old Portaflex flip-top amp for a short while. It was a beautiful sight to behold when that plexiglass logo was lit up. Mine was a guitar amp, though. If only it sounded as good as it looked... The B15 is another story altogether, a classic sound. It probably doesn't have the wattage to be a practical gigging amp, but it's a still a great find.

[Radspin]

Hobbster, I have a '68 Reverbojet that I don't need to post a picture of--because it looks exactly like yours!

[HOBBSTER01]

Post a pic.

[End_Of_The_Line]

My first proper tube amp was an Ampeg Reverberocket RI. I still have it, and it's probably the one amp I absolutely, posilutely, will NOT let go of. It's my "cold, dead fingers" amp, I love it that much.

I'm hoping to own an original 60's version some day, preferably one with the controls on the top. Some day... is not today...

[Scottone]

Another Reverbojet owner here. Great little amp

[Joefish]

SFTR & VT 40.jpg

[tdu]

1966 Reverberocket II. I got it about a year ago for $250 CAD. It had sat in the original owners basement since it was bought, and was hardly played. It's practically in new condition as you can see from the photo:



My favourite amp out of every one I have owned as well. I'd even pick it over my Princeton Reverb if I had to pick one.

[Oldschoolwax]

Uh oh, will take pics soon, VT-40, Gemini 22-GV B15n Portaflex and G15....

[DILLIGAF?]

Have a Gemini I that I left at my parents' house. I need to get it back to fix it up. It was great when it worked right. Bought it for $40 in '92. It's my first amp.

[SteveY]

Loved my V-4's, VT-22's, VT-40's and even my Jet reissues. All long gone now.

I would love a Flip-top B-12 with an Altec, but haven't seen one in years around here (affordable anyways).

[MikeBluetele]

Originally Posted by tdu

1966 Reverberocket II. I got it about a year ago for $250 CAD. It had sat in the original owners basement since it was bought, and was hardly played. It's practically in new condition as you can see from the photo:



My favourite amp out of every one I have owned as well. I'd even pick it over my Princeton Reverb if I had to pick one.

Man, that amp looks like it just came from the factory. You got a great bargain.

We probably shouldn't talk up Reverberockets too much. If too many people find out about them, no one will be able to afford them.

Fender amps are much better. Yeah, that's the ticket...

[s360guitarist]

Hey! Hoping to join the club soon. I have an AC15 now and am just not feeling the love. I want a deeper tone. Anyway I am looking for a vintage Jet. Heck, I would even take a good reissue from the 90's.

[Radspin]

Hobbster, I need to figure out how to post a picture--never did it on this site. I signed onto Flickr but now I can't get back on and all the help procedures are beyond useless. Any other photo hosting sites I can use?

[Ricky D.]

Originally Posted by MikeBluetele

Pretty sweet find. I had an old Portaflex flip-top amp for a short while. It was a beautiful sight to behold when that plexiglass logo was lit up. Mine was a guitar amp, though. If only it sounded as good as it looked... The B15 is another story altogether, a classic sound. It probably doesn't have the wattage to be a practical gigging amp, but it's a still a great find.

Late 60's. Nine piece soul/R&B band (4 horns) playing mostly high school dances, a few small clubs, 4-6 gigs a month. Bass player had a B15N which did just fine. We only miked the vocals, everybody else just kind of balanced against the drummer.

[HOBBSTER01]

I always use photobucket.

[HOBBSTER01]

I got a 1966 Gemini II G-15L in a box with the top sawed off for $75.00.
I have doweled the top back on and I am currently Trying to "patch" the tolex.
Other than the idiot who apparently needed to change the caps and couldn't go to the hardware store and buy a clutch head screwdriver, it sounds fantastic,
Some people.
I'll post a pic soon.

[Scottone]

Just picked up a B25B at the local 2nd hand store. It pretty good shape although it needs a bit of cleaning. Original tubes too by the look of things.

Seems to work well too.

[mepst]

I just picked up a new(ish) J-20 Jet last week. I was a little unsure about it after reading about issues with the earlier models. The lack of reverb was also puzzling. I spent about an hour playing it in the store with a reverb pedal, and ended up taking it home. Played my first gig with it last Friday night in a really large room, and I was worried about not being heard, but it cut through just fine at about half volume. I got really nice mild breakup, and it sounded great when I used my Tubescreamer for lead parts.

My only gripe is the lack of onboard reverb, but my Tech 21 Boost RVB sounds very good with the J-20, so it's only a minor complaint.

[mjpittman]

m-15 here...... love it .
if only i knew how to use all them dials ......
ha !

[End_Of_The_Line]

Here's mine:


Also, here's my AMG1:

[Wild Rice Chris]

Love it! '66 with it's probably original Jensen EM-1550.

[mojotele65]

Here is mine, it is a 50 watt 1x12 SJ-12R. It has replaced my Super Reverb as my main gigging amp. Now the Super can stay home where it is safe. I love the sound of my tele thru it and it has the most amazing reverb. I just wish it had Tremelo.

[tonewoods]

I've got a bunch of old Ampegs...

A Gemini, a B-15, and a few others...

But here's one that you might want to see, a mint B-12-XT:




Oh, and this one is kind of interesting--an early 50's Bassamp:

[End_Of_The_Line]

^^^^^

Wow...

[s360guitarist]

Hey, a new member to the club...well, almost. I bought a 1996 Ampeg Jet II and it is set to arrive on Tuesday. Got with a couple of you for Ampeg related opinions and really appreciate it.

Hoping to get some time with it and let you know how it sounds...

All the best to everyone.
s360

[Beerts]

I believe mine is about a 62 Gemini 1
love the amp but you can't read the front control plate...

[Warm Gums]

Shop in hometown was a Ampeg dealer during the Magnavox era..They had a little 2-2x10 pa that we rented on ocassion..perfect for party & rec center gigs.
I had a G-18 which I often wish I had kept.
Neighbor had a G-10 (great jazz amp btw)
Local college owned a B-15..

[indiobravo]

Originally Posted by MikeBluetele

Man, that amp looks like it just came from the factory. You got a great bargain.

bargain? it looks like it was a steal!! what a beautiful amp and ridiculous price - congrats!!

[indiobravo]

Originally Posted by telepathetic

About a month back I found this Jet II ....

i think i bought the jet II from you - thank you - it ROCKS.

it's replaced my bjr as my main gigging amp

[Wild Rice Chris]

Here's my first band, and me through the '66 B-15N.

[ripper]

No love for any of the newer Ampegs in here? I've got a VL-501 that is a fantastic amp. Up where I am you don't see alot of old ampegs around, I guess cause there was never a dealer in the area.

[ac15]

I own three old Ampegs and one new one: 1959 Rocket, 1960 Jet, 1965 Gemini II, and the new J-20 Jet. The new J-20 Jets are great and the old ones are the best deals going in vintage amps.

[Knuckledragger]

Just picked up a VL 503 traded an Epiphone Blues Custom for it .Outstanding amp also grabbed a schematic for it another lucky score

[ripper]

Originally Posted by Knuckledragger

Just picked up a VL 503 traded an Epiphone Blues Custom for it .Outstanding amp also grabbed a schematic for it another lucky score

Fantastic amps. That was a great trade. There are a few changes that Lee Jackson recommends for these amps. I've got schematics etc for most of the VL series. If you need anything drop me a message. I'd be glad to help out. These amps really love the EH 6CA7s by the way.

[samuelson]

just wanted to let everyone know that the best fender amp, IMO, ever cloned is a Blankenship Fat Boy with Sour Cream. I've had tons of fenders and this amp is exactly the sound I thought the others would be. even better than my Victoria, which is hard to beat

[tiktok]

Originally Posted by ripper

No love for any of the newer Ampegs in here?

I'm liking my J-20. A little slapback in front of it, and it's great. Wonderful vibrato too.