I'm looking for a combo, or possibly a low power head.....would potentially consider something like an old Selmer 50 watt head though. Open to suggestions Also may trade for a tele, ideally 52 reissue. Although it's a long shot I thought I'd see if anyone may be interested in a trade for the Ampeg.
The Reverberocket is a 1963 amp and in great condition all round. These early Ampegs were built like tanks. Late last year the amp was gone through by a very experienced engineer who worked for H&H in the 70s/80s and went on to do some astonishing restoration work on old British amps. Chris went through the whole amp painstakingly, checked the values for all the components and made sure that the amp was functioning perfectly. Incredibly he only had to change one capacitor. I have drawn a ring around the new cap on a couple of the photos of the chassis. Please see Imgur album link.
The chassis is virtually all original bar that one cap and a changed output transformer in the early 60s. Apparently early Ampeg guitar combos suffered major problems with transformers and it is rare to find one now that doesn't have a replacement. The replacement OT in the amp is dated 1963 according to the serial number ending in 3. Fortunately a transformer was used that had a 240V tap so it runs without the need for a stepdown.
I was using the amp for ages before I found out that the original Gibbs reverb pan had only one of its 2 springs. Sounded great with one spring though and still functions perfectly. However, I got a new MOD tray from Fliptops in the US (they specialise in Ampeg parts) to try it out. Inevitably it has a great deal more range so have left it in there but the original comes with the amp.
The amp has it's original Jensen C12R speaker dated 1963 which sounds great but I also bought a new Jensen P12Q with bell cover for a bit of variety. The ceramic C12R and the alnico P12Q sound quite different. The pots are also dated 1963.
The valves in the amp are octal which give it a really nice fat sound and are all vintage. It's currently running:
Output valves: 2 x JJ 7591S (100% matched)
Preamp valves: 1 x Brimar 6SN7, 3 x 6SL7 consisting of one Brimar, one Sylvania and one original Ampeg
The footswitch is original and operates tremolo and reverb. Both these effects sound amazing!!
The amp is quiet and functions perfectly, no issues whatsoever.
The amp comes with both speakers and also a stack of spare valves, these would cost close to £200 to buy:
4 x vintage NOS Sylvania 7591 output valves. These are half of a quad with the other two installed in the amp.
4 x vintage Raytheon 6SL7 preamp valves
2 x vintage NOS (unused) 6SL7 military preamp valves (badged as 6H9c, the Russian equivalent)
Any questions please ask. Very happy to ship the amp if needs be but as always pickup would be preferred.
This is a link to a load of detailed photos of the amp. The photos show the amp with the original speaker and with the new Jensen speaker. Also shows the amp with the old grey reverb pan and the new one. Also photos of the spare valves:
https://imgur.com/a/3POAThttps://i.imgur.com/pGG2JYM.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/TY0wiUl.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/OxPGYq9.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/fLXvz2D.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/KaNqRoZ.jpg
Comments
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
In terms of speaker configuration I guess I'm quite open.....2x10, 2x12, 1x12. The best amp I've ever heard is a 2x10 50s Super so that has a lot of appeal.
I think the V4 is a bass head? The old ampeg bass amps are just amazing and really personify the 60s/70s sound we all know and love!! Never owned one sadly. I have an ampeg B3 combo for bass and the sound is sublime.
I think the early ampeg amps are stupidly good value for money if you're looking for a vintage sound and as you say, massively underrated.
I haven't heard any of the newer Ampegs in person, although the cosmetics look good. But they really should be properly built (i.e. PTP) and promoted as a genuine alternative to the main brands; they were more than contenders. And which bass player doesn't want either an Ampeg Portaflex or SVT? Finally, I think Keef used a VT22; that would make a great reissue if done properly.
Both my Ampegs (of course) are sadly long gone...
My B3 weighs 68lbs and once in a heavy duty full flight it is literally impossible to move. It's a definite 2 person job and even then it's not easy. There's no doubt their bass amps are as good as it gets and virtually every reference bass sound is courtesy of an ampeg.
I think the reissues sound like they've been done really well; @Eschap has a reissue guitar combo, similar to my reverberocket, if not a reissue of that amp, and he seems to be very happy with it.
The reverb and trem are also amazing with far more usable sounds than you'll ever get from transistors. I had an early 60s fender reverb tank and the reverb is almost identical. Trem has great range too.