Ampeg Lovers Club-Not that we need one

Post you pica and observations here.
My amps-
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/hobbster01_bucket/jet4.jpg
1969 Reverbojet
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/hobbster01_bucket/100_0271.jpg
1965ish
Reverberocket 2

I went Ampeg over 10 years ago with this one (Reverberocket 212):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/nealdbluesman/rocket-1.jpg
A few years later I snagged this Super Jet as a secondary amp:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/nealdbluesman/ampegs-jet.jpg
About a month back I found this Jet II and with these 3 amps I can do anything!:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/nealdbluesman/j1.jpg
Okay.... maybe I can't do ANYTHING, but I can certainly do anything that I WANT to do.

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.

27083

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


+1


27084

... 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.

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.

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

Post a pic.

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... :sad:

Another Reverbojet owner here. Great little amp

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m287/scottone/IMG_0393.jpg

27139

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:

http://ic-designs.ca/ampeg.jpg

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.

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

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.

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).

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:

http://ic-designs.ca/ampeg.jpg

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...

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.

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?

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.

I always use photobucket.

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.

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.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m287/scottone/IMG_0433.jpg

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.

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

Here's mine:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1383/626277334_62ed7ff86b_o.jpg

Also, here's my AMG1:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/3069167250_b27d29248d.jpg?v=0

Love it! '66 with it's probably original Jensen EM-1550.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wildricechris/photos/oldbassrig.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wildricechris/ampeg/B-15N4.jpg

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.

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:

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/DCP_0821.jpg


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

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/Ampeg%20Bassamp/P1020829.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/Ampeg%20Bassamp/P1020855.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/Ampeg%20Bassamp/P1020834.jpg

^^^^^

Wow... :shock:

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

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b282/beerts/IM000826.jpg

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

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..

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!!

About a month back I found this Jet II ....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/nealdbluesman/j1.jpg


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

it's replaced my bjr as my main gigging amp

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

QkfufX-tORw

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

… FYI to the Philadelphia folks, Benny has a nice Gemini 22 for sale … I had never seen one before … pretty cool/industrial looking with the 2 12s – did not play it, but it sure looked cool

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

Love my J-20 Jet. It was good stock, but I made it great by upgrading the speaker and transformers (Mercury Magnetics). Now it's basically a boutique handwired amp. Sounds as good as any of my amps. The breakup is incredible. I use a reverb pedal with mine.

I have a V4 head that I love...will never part with it. Had to have it when I heard the verb. In the past couple years I've been using lower wattage 1x12 combos, Gibson and Fender...and want to get in on the Ampeg combo fun.

What model would you folks suggest I look at that would compare wattage-wise with a Deluxe? Would that be the Reverberocket?

Also, is there a replacement speaker out there for Ampeg combos that has kinda proven itself and stands out for these amps? Eminence, Weber, etc?

Thanks in advance, trying to learn something cool this morning lol!

I have never seen one like this, with the jbl speaker originally added as an upgrade. I bought it a few months ago and was told it belonged to neil young from 71'-73'. It is EXTREMELY loud and bright, and breaks up at high volumes, but it's TOO bright for my liking.

Recently i picked up that Ampeg history book, it's full of great info, although some of the pictures are pretty low-res.

Anyone ever seen a Fountain of Sound?

Recently i picked up that Ampeg history book, it's full of great info, although some of the pictures are pretty low-res.

Anyone ever seen a Fountain of Sound?

I've got that book and I've been looking for the "Johnny Smith Fountain of Sound" for years (as well as an "echo satellite").

I've never seen either, but you can bet that if you find either one it'll cost an arm and a leg.

I've got a 1964 Ampeg Jet J-12-A a friend let me borrow he says I can buy it for $25 do you guy's think I should do it? I love the sound but it has major feed back if you go past 8 (not that I can get away with it that loud for long).

My old Gemini II has been through all the wars and looks it. But when you turn it on ... no longer stock, with 6L6s, a larger PT, even a tube rectifier, plus an Emi Big Ben. A big, soulful sound, I love playing this thing!

I've got a 1964 Ampeg Jet J-12-A a friend let me borrow he says I can buy it for $25 do you guy's think I should do it? I love the sound but it has major feed back if you go past 8 (not that I can get away with it that loud for long).

For $25, you can afford to fix anything, and just play it quieter than 8 until then. I'd check the preamp tubes first thing before taking it in.

VT40 in storage, it needs probably needs a recap and rewired for tubes they still make.
I can't really use it in NYC apartment but some day it will be back.

It is one super loud amp, I got it in the mid 80's when I couldn't afford a fender twin.

'65 Reverberocket w/7591As:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b164/erksin/64AmpegReverberocket.jpg

And the '66 Gemini II I'm babysitting for a friend over the summer:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b164/erksin/groupshot1.jpg

Love my J-20 Jet. It was good stock, but I made it great by upgrading the speaker and transformers (Mercury Magnetics). Now it's basically a boutique handwired amp. Sounds as good as any of my amps. The breakup is incredible. I use a reverb pedal with mine.

I scored one from the Sam Ash blowout. I've been enjoying it stock but plan
on some taste testing with speakers soon.

I just purchased a sola sound tonebender mkII for my 69 Reverborocket with a jbl and my tele. Hoping that it will bring the brightness down a bit, and increase the break-up at lower levels and lower tones. Any comments?

new to the family. an early 60's rocket 2. $350 on ebay! sorry about the crappy picture!

Reissue Reverberocket R212R, bought new maybe a dozen years ago...

The amp is still with me, and I appreciate it more and more. Drive channel's tone isn't my favorite, but the clean channel is glorious, the reverb is great, and it takes pedals really well.

After years of whining about how much of a hassle it was to hall around, I finally got around to installing handles on each side (matching the top handle) and casters. Glad I stumbled across Fliptops online!

My used R12R shows tomorrow...I have been through a few amps in the last 6 months, (AC15, Ampeg J20, Traynor YCV40WR) It is a used reissue and has been modded with EL34's and the speaker is replaced with a Eminence Private Jack...we'll see what happens.

I have never seen one like this, with the jbl speaker originally added as an upgrade. I bought it a few months ago and was told it belonged to neil young from 71'-73'. It is EXTREMELY loud and bright, and breaks up at high volumes, but it's TOO bright for my liking.

Here's mine

Okay, here's my 1961 Reverberocket (6v6's) being used by my harp player when his amp had issues.

http://i856.photobucket.com/albums/ab128/RoryMcQ/july18012.jpg

My R12R arrived yesterday and while I have only a chance to plug it in and turn it on it has a pretty nasty hum. Anxious to get in there and check it out. (It was retrofitted with EL34's, supposedly by a shop - but they may have screwed the pooch on that.)

my younger bro had a reverbrocket 2 (1969 i believe). sounded great w/ his tele.there was a guitar teacher-ampeg dealer in town who had everybody using ampeg gear.
he sold them to his guitar students and b-15s to the bass students
there were a lot of them around for awhile..at one time i had a pair of ampeg jet amps (both from garage sales)

me, i still have my b-15 i got in 1966.
i also had a mid 70s model that was nice,
a 73 svt w/ a 8-10 cab,
an early 80s v4b head (w/. 2 jbl cabaret 1-15 cabs) that was a tone monster.

i've had a quite a few other amps also..i'll post on the respective sites

Over the weekend I had about 30 minutes with the R12R I received last week. It has EL34's and an Eminence Private Jack Greekback clone in the back. Holy ba-geeez! The 34's bring on a whole new animal to the drive channel. The Private Jack compresses some very nice grind/dirt.

In its current state the clean channel is very clean/crisp lows and highs giving it almost an acoustic sound when strumming chords. I used a Bad Monkey to get a low gain tone on the clean channel and then hit the dirt channel and it is off to the races.

I'm digging it.

Love my J-20 Jet. It was good stock, but I made it great by upgrading the speaker and transformers (Mercury Magnetics). Now it's basically a boutique handwired amp. Sounds as good as any of my amps. The breakup is incredible. I use a reverb pedal with mine.

What speaker did you put in there?

I got a Diamond Blue 4x12 about 6 or 7 years ago and it's the best sounding 4x12 I've ever heard. The only cab to hold a flame to it was an Orange, and they were too different to compare.

Anyway, ever since then I've been looking for the matching head to my cabinet, and finally got it about a year ago. Reverberocket R50-H

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr37/Ripley1046/SSPX0212-1.jpg

But I don't see the jbl logo on the front like mine. Still haven't seen one other one like it....

For you R12R Reverberocket Reissue guys: How, if at all, are you using the Line In/Line Out jacks on the amp? Effects loop or what?

Thanks,
s360

Sorry for double post...was just offered an Ampeg M15 in trade for a Traynor YCV40WR I am selling. There is little info on the Big M out there...anybody here that can help out with some descriptions?

Coincidentally, I just traded for an M-15. Small world, eh?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sND36OTLPTU/SsjGTLqMN4I/AAAAAAAAA2U/LVZMJnqpQ9s/s400/IMG_7338.jpg

I like it a lot. It has, to my ears, a very useful range of tone set between 4 and 7 on the volume dial (there's only a tone dial, no separate EQs) where I can set the overdrive with the guitar volume. The breakup is very smooth at first, but when pushed, gets pretty hairy. I love it. I would call it a fairly middy amp, but that's a tone I like. Very musical, and very nearly ideal for my taste.

Mine is running JJ's 6L6s and Sovtek 6SL7, with a Jensen speaker - dunno if it's original or not. I know this amp was just gone through by the PO's tech in search of more clean headroom, which he didn't really find. I don't know specifically what changes were made, if any, so I can't say for sure that mine is representative of all M-15s out there.

I traded my Peavey Delta Blues 115, which I liked, but which was too clean for my tastes. I did, however, love the seemingly endless bottom end the Peavey had, and which this Ampeg lacks. And I might miss the effects loop, but that's no big thing. The Peavey took some getting used to, so will this one. But I like the breakup well enough to over look just about any flaw. It's gorgeous.

Here's my question: where can I find a source for a replacement for the Big M's old plastic (bakelite?) handle? It's okay for now, but feels like it's not long for this world. I'd like to replace it with a new re-pop, if one exists.

My dad found an old Ampeg B-15NF in a dumpster. Sounds great with a tele. Really deep and dark. Can pull some great blues tones out of it. LOUD though. Very loud.

Tried the M15. Great breakup tone but it has a very low clean headroom. This amp would be great for studio work and recording...local owner, not me, still has it for sale if anyone wants more info.

I'm LOVIN my J 20 Jet. The stock speaker was really....hmmmm inadequate. long story short, I found that the best speaker to pair with this amp was one of the stock Fender/Eminence Gold laber speakers that came stock in my TRRI. I couldn't believe it. Totally balanced and makes this amp sound brilliant with either single coil or humbucker solidbodies or hollowbodies. I love this amp!

i just sold my toploader VT40...it funded my tuition, but it was HARD to let that baby go. I put 2 eminence lil buddies and 2 eminence rajin cajuns in it....damn it sounded sweet. Faces/Stones tones all day! ill have another one some day...

Hi, Did you ever find out what was causing the hum ? I have a '97 Reverberocket 1X12, and it too hums. Just curious
Mike

Mezz, after plugging the amp in and letting it settle in after shipment, the hum just kinda went away. It's still there and I can hear it when I zero in on it, but it is nothing like out of the USPS box if that says anything.

My R12R reissue has also been modded with EL34's so I thought it was maybe that. Turns out it just may have been a tube that was not seated properly.

The amp rocks.

Hi, I went and bought a set of Groove Tubes 6L6's and my hum is gone. This amp NOW rocks ! I will try and post a pic soon. My Reverberocket is the cats meow !
Cheers !

Here's my 1997 RI Reverberocket. I absolutely love it !
Someday I'll get to play inside the house !

Here`s my 1965 Jet J12 D. Yea this is the model with the funky 6BK11 pre amp tubes. But the 6C10 is the same tube and easy to find.
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp158/donnie55/ampeg.jpg

Here's my monster that I got for my 16th birthday-I'll be 45 in days

http://www.edmclaughlin.net/assets/images/2combos.jpg

I just picked up a 1996 SuperJet SJ-12R and noticed that it uses EL34's with a 15ohm speaker. The manual specs an 8 ohm speaker and looking at retail sites 6L6's are always mentioned - can anybody clarify?

I just picked up a 1996 SuperJet SJ-12R and noticed that it uses EL34's with a 15ohm speaker. The manual specs an 8 ohm speaker and looking at retail sites 6L6's are always mentioned - can anybody clarify?

I had a SJ-12R with EL34's too. Here's a link to a manual on-line that refers to EL-34's. http://www.ampeg.com/manuals/SJ-12R.PDF

Not sure about the 15 ohm speaker though. Is it the stock one with the small Ampeg sticker on it?

I have a 1964 Ampeg Jet J-12 that was modified to run 6L6's instead of the 7591 power tubes before I bought it 10 years ago. Missing the logo, scratched up, replaced handle, torn tolex, old unmarked ceramic speaker with a huge magnet...but the one amp I've held onto. Meaty sound with the smoothest break-up I've heard, but not a real dynamic low-volume clean tone. Pic below.

So last night I picked up a 1965 Jet in great shape with the original speaker. Has 7591's and the small 6BK11 tubes. Haven't had the chance to play it too much, but ran them both next to each other and the '65 has nowhere near the volume of the modified '64.

I just picked up a 1996 SuperJet SJ-12R and noticed that it uses EL34's with a 15ohm speaker. The manual specs an 8 ohm speaker and looking at retail sites 6L6's are always mentioned - can anybody clarify?


The speaker is a (Rola) Celestion G12-50 15ohm. Pretty rare since not much is known about these. I called Ampeg and this is definately not stock. The amp requires an 8 ohm, but whats great is that I was planning on downsizing the tubes to 6V6's since the amp is too damn loud, and to do that I would have needed to bump up to a 16ohm speaker anyway, so all's good.

I play blues so it would seem to make sense to put in Tung-Sol's, but then again, the amp is so crystal clear maybe I should just let my pedal do the 'dirty' work and put JJ's in instead. :confused:

Update: I replaced the 12AX7 preamp with a 12AU7 tube. wow, talk about a gain reduction. i know its a low gain tube but I didn't expect it to turn this beast into a practice amp. lol. before, it would ramp up severly at 2, now its a nice gradual rise up to almost 7 before getting too loud for practice.

Now I'm not sure whether to still put in 6v6's, or just replace the speaker.

What speaker did you put in there?

Sorry it's taken forever to respond, but I hadn't checked this thread `til today. I put a Weber Blue Dog with "pre-rola" treatment into the J-20. Normally I would have used a Celestion Blue, but I felt safer with the slightly higher wattage of ther Blue Dog.