The Ampeg B 15 Bass Amp: A Short History 

On the first four Blue Öyster Cult studio albums (including Don't Fear the Reaper) I recorded the bass with a B15. During my days at Ithaca College I played a B15. I really enjoyed your video. It really brought me back to the 70s!

My high school had one as our jazz ensemble bass amp. Too bad none of us knew at the time what we were really playing through. It was "just an amp" to us.

I'm 72 years old and in 1969 I was an aspiring rock bass player. To me, the only bass amp that was a bass amp was the B 15. No other amp got me that deep smooth bass sound, deep, clear, and heavy.

Back in 2005 I decided I needed a B-15 for my home studio. I spotted a clean one on ebay and won the auction. When the buyer contacted me it was none other than Jess' Oliver! He told be he'd been buying them used, reconditioning them to his specs (he'd made a new plexi Ampeg plate) and selling them. He autographed the top of one of the transformer covers for me with the date. Needless to say it's one of my prize possessions.

I own a 2010 limited Edition run of 50. My holy grail amp! There's even a signed photograph from Jess Oliver with it!

The B-15 and a Fender precision bass there's just something magic

I've had a 1966 B-15NF around my whole life. It was my dad's and when I started playing guitar I'd play my Squier Strat through it. I switched to bass in my teen years and after awhile the B-15 fell into disrepair. A few months ago I finally spent the money to have it serviced. I'm 35 and now doing a bit of session work... somewhat due to having one! It always sounds amazing and I'm so lucky to have it. My dad passed away 8 years ago I think he's Looking down SOO happy it's working and being used again :)

In the history of popular music there are many well known names. Like Hendrix for guitar, and Jamerson on bass, but for every single one of those cats, behind them stand men like Leo Fender, and Jess Oliver who had the vision to create something so simple yet profound and they ended up changing music forever. Their names should be in the rock n roll hall of fame, their names should be placed in the same regard as the names of those who made use of their inventions. This is one of the reasons I love this channel, it’s peeling back the history and shining light on things not known to the average enthusiast. Top tier historical content!

Mr Oliver lived near me (Massapequa Park) and serviced all my amps until his passing. A wonderful kind person! His workplace- his basement- was a sight to see! Wall to wall floor to ceiling amps, components, electronics!!! He is missed!

YES!! You did this amp!!! The. Amp. Thank you, from The Bass Players!

I’ve been playing bass for about 35 years and have always wanted a 1975-76 B15-N. You might be surprised at the tones that you can get with a guitar as well. Just incredible valve amps that have been the benchmark of tone for bass in the studio since its inception. Thank you for this great video, Keith! You never disappoint my man.

I watched an old live video of Thin Lizzy and Phil Lynott was using the preamp out of B-15 into high wattage solid state amp.

EPIC! I had an old B-15N that I used to play my Strat through along with a little combo. Sounded great and the "Flip-Top" always gets you extra cool points.

I have a 2000’s B-15R and love it. It really came to life when I switched the power tubes from 6L6 to EL34. Completelly opened up the mids in a great way and made the amp blossom. This is by far the coolest feature of this version of the B-15. Well… that and the fact that it can run at 4ohms and produce 100 watts.

Oh, wow! This is a great Short History topic - this amp is iconic!!

I play in a classic rock group with a pretty loud drummer and guitarist, and the new PF-20T and 112 cab is just loud enough to get me thru rehearsals with just the right amount of breakup and warmth. It sounds fantastic when I send my signal to the PA too. I’d love it if you had the time to do more classic bass amps, they hardly get as much love as the guitar counterparts. The SVT, Gallien-Krueger 800RB, and the Acoustic 360/1 amps are almost as iconic in the bass world as some guitar amps.

I'm a Drummer (Ludwig freak) and I love this Show, I am obsessed withe Vintage Gear , I love the detail you go into and the History and the Legends who created this stuff.

This has to be the best bass amplifier video on all of RU-vid! Phil's playing sounded great!

Great episode! Thanks Keith. Funny for me, I have played through a number of Ampegs, own the outstanding Micro CL and played through the amazing and murderous SVT with 8x10 cabinet, I have never played a B15. Best that I get on fixing that omission.

Great video, Keith! Having had an Ampeg V4 for many years I can just agree on the Ampeg EQ section to being in a class of its own. Compared to other amps it actually does something.. Keep the great vids coming!

Amazing amp! Bought my first B15N used in 1968 a new one in 1970. Over the years had a SB 12 for home rehearsal and numerous B15s and a B18. Wonderful in the studio. Since UA Audio introduced the B15 plug in my last B15 was sold.

Had one of these for a few years recorded my first EP with it. It’s amazing. Paired with a Les Paul and a DOD 250 it rocked HARD.

My goodness are you ever a fountain of knowledge. My guitar teacher in the mid sixties had a little ensemble that included his wife on bass. She had a B-15 and it was just thunderous.

thanks for that. i have a VT40 that i got in 1974. as a kid i always liked the full bass tone that didnt affect the treble but never understood how it worked!!!.the Ampeg never had the sweetness of other amps but bell like clarity and loud. Heavy? shit yeah!

Very awesome content!! I never thought I'd be intesestred in bass amps but you caught my interest quickly. Take care Keith, and may god bless you.

This is another fantastic profile of a precious piece of vintage gear! Thanks Keith! In the mid 60s I had an early flip top Ampeg B15, don't remember which version; it sounded fantastic in the studio with my '63 Precision, but was always underpowered at gigs. Unfortunately it seemed to require fairly regular tweaking to keep it running, so eventually I traded it in for a 70s solid state Acoustic 370 head, which I used onstage for years through a pair of EV TL 15" ported cabinets. It was a handy rig because I could use either one or both of the cabs depending on the band or size of room I was playing... I missed that Ampeg for years; guess I still do. Later, when I was getting into playing more guitar, I got a 60s Ampeg Reverberocket, which was a true gem as well, but likewise eventually got replaced with something (a 60s Fender Deluxe?) that required less maintenance. That seemed to be my experience with those vintage Ampeg amps; they were of the highest quality tone-wise, but as they were constantly being jostled around for shows, they required too much maintenance. (Road cases really weren't that common back then; even if they were they would have been too bulky to be very practical.) I had to ultimately find more robust amps that would handle the stresses of gigging, even if they weren't quite up to snuff tonally...

This is one of my favorite RU-vid channels. Thank you for all your hard work!

Great info packed video on the amp that set the standard for bass tone. I’ve been fortunate enough to play thru a few of these over the years but had no idea about much of the history, specs, etc, and the “double baffle” and removable ports is just fascinating. Keep ‘em coming!

Hi, I bought a B-15 N used in 1973 for $100 bucks from a bass player in Pgh. It has the 15 inch speaker and some cigarette burns on the top. I immediately went to Radio Shack and bought as many Lifetime tubes that I could find. I also lined the cabinet with some baffling. It was my go to amp for years. However, I found that it lacked the volume I desired for live (and loud) gigs. I “heard” that Ampeg’s founder did not like Rock and purposely kept the loudness lower. That may be total BS. At any rate I loved the sound for jamming in small venues. Eventually the top handle broke and I replaced it with a belt. The amp input to cabinet jack also broke so I had to replace that. Fifty years later I’m still using it and never had to replace a tube. Happy playing everybody.

Great video. I did a lot of sessions in NYC in the 70s and there was always a B-15 in the studio. Also Ampeg Gemini amps for guitar as well. But you left something out. The Oliver bass amps, which came after he left Ampeg. They were portaflex as well, BUT the head rose out of the cabinet on MOTORS!!!! You hit a switch and the amp rose up, with a lighted plexiglass logo, on standby and ready to rock. Check them out.

I love my B-15n. It was the sound on all of the records that I grew up with. I'll never let go of it. And my P Bass. ;-)

As is always my experience here @ five watt world, another excellent short story. Thanks Keith!

The short history videos are my favorite! Really enjoyed this one as a bass and guitar player both!

Having used the B-15S (and repaired a few at Little Roy Wiggins Music City in Nashville which started life as The Ampeg showroom in Nashville) back in the mid 1970, I Think the new version sounds better, with a more balanced tone and firmer(?) low end. What you didn't mention was the short lived transistor version of the B-15. Thanks for one for us bass players (retired.)

my ears ain't good enough to distinguish between tube or solid state, but I really appreciate this video.

Wow. Well done. Bravo. I’ve followed the series since the beginning and you look 110% comfortable and at home now. This one was smooth and supremely perfect. Too perfect? Looking forward to the SVT episode and a Reverberocket episode and maybe a SUNN or Acoustic episode.

Another great video, Keith. I'm a fan of Ampeg's Reverberocket amps, but didn't know much about the venerable B-15 bass amp. Thanks for another lesson in amp history disguised as a fun video. You have a great channel, love it. Keep up the professional work!

I had to update my comment to say I love this one even more now that I saw the PF50T included too, which I’m using now. Great video, Keith!

Thanks Keith. I have 1967 B12 in my studio. Fantastic. Thanks for all the info on it. I wish I had the original B15 from the Bass Player in the band I was in, when I was a kid!!!

I love your historical and educational videos...I always feel enriched!

I have a B-15N, a B-12 and a mid 70’s SVT. I live in metro NYC area and had all of the amps serviced by the late great Dennis Kager ..an AMPEG employee and historian. He worked in Nj at Central Jersey Music. He was a kind man and I always enjoyed my visits. He was so knowledgeable and as mentioned in the comments about Jesse Oliver’s basement.. Dennis Kager’s shop was similar.. vintage parts and amps all over. During one of my visits there was a group of guys there interviewing Dennis for THE HISTORY OF AMPEG book. Great video..thanks for posting.

Well Done!! This was - as usual - an informative video! I wish I could find a B-15 but my back couldn't handle the weight Keep up the consistent fine work!

I put a new power transformer and filter caps in an early 60’s B15n that had the chicken head knobs sighs the plexiglass Ampeg light ! I listened to “ Fun With Tubes” a physics professor’s show and “ formed” the new caps by running them at low dc for 20 hours then bring them up 10 vdc every half hour till the were at their normal running voltage , this process is heavily debated but this amp turned out to be super quiet !!! No hum whatsoever , and it sounded phenomenal, over the top bass tone!

😊 ❤❤ Many thanks. My school also had a vintage B-15. I met Dino 12 years ago, great guy. I’ve since built a clone of the B-15NC. You nailed it again Kieth. Bass players need love too

I used one on record dates in NY, with my old Jazz Bass. It was an amazing combination.

Never had a B-15 but when my cheap Univox 50 watt SS amp head and a 15" speaker cabinet blew up because my early teenage garage rock band the guitar players were getting Marshall stacks and the drummer got the clear Orange Ludwig drum kit like John Bonham and i had my crappy 50 watt Univox amp pinned on 10 it blew up on me. So at 15 my dad took me amp shopping and almost bought me a SVT but i told him it was to expensive so i went for the V4b 2x15 cab. My 66 Gibson EB-0 with that amp at 3 my house felt like there was an earthquake. All the older guitar players i would jam with all wanted to plug into my V4b. Got that amp new in 1977 and 45 years later i still hsve it. I bought other amps Bassmans,Peavy, Hartke, Acoustic and other's but i always kept my V4b. Great history.

Thanks Keith for this video. The most recorded Ampeg B 15 bass amp is probably the one owned and used by the great James Jamerson. In the late '70's a friend of mine played bass in a hard rock band and he was using the mighty Ampeg 300 watts SVT head and 2, yes 2 Ampeg 8x10" cabinets...The tone he was getting with his P bass was awesome! Those were the years!

Another variant of note that was overlooked is the late 90’s B-15R. This was essentially a V-4B in a flip top design. It produced 100 watts and was switchable to about half that. It also featured a HF horn that was adjustable. The amp sported the blue checkered Tolex finish and an illuminated Ampeg logo. It used a custom designed Eminence 15” driver. The enclosure was larger and the transformer covers stood taller. It sounded rather good, but not as warm as the vintage designs.

Love your videos Keith!!! Thank you so much! This is a great history of the B15 I used a BA15 solid state amp for a while and love it for guitar as well. Cheers brother :)

The funny thing is I was watching the video earlier and had to stop it halfway through. I got the urge to search for B15 vs PF20/50 comparisons as I have a PF20. I'm glad to see you were thinking the same thing. Thanks for adding the side by side comparisons.

Beyond cool! A bass amp has to give out that warm full sound that can make it to the back of the club. I started playing gigs in the days before a soundman would stick a mic in front of the bass amp and mix it in through the main speakers. Used a Fender Super Bassman 100 but it looks like one of these Ampeg models would have done the job just as well. Great video, thank you as always!!!

Big fan of the PF50T. Sweet tone, can drive nicely and I’ve had occasion to play it direct with just a bass played straight in … great sound. Love the ability to yank out the speaker cable to get a recording done, also a great tone. I was miffed by the MIC badge, but they did ok and I guess it keeps the costs down. Good show, Keith!

Been playing bass for like 15 years. Love ampeg amps. Have a bunch they sound amazing won't ever change

Than you - what a great all round in depth video - thanks Keith

Brilliant vid Keith, I didn't know really about Ampeg, I kew they re legendary but thanks to this I REALLY know. All the best as always from West Spain.

This is such a great channel. I love being able to pull these up on a profiler

Way to go Keith. What a great "short history". As a fifty year long bass player, I have had b15's flow through my universe, but never owned one. There's still time!

I have a 1978 B-25B. It was given to me beacuse it was not working at the time. The fix was simple. A new 5u4 rectifier tube. The original 1978 maganavox tube made in Great Britan had lost its vacuum. I never thought much about it untill I was watching U2's rooftop concert where I saw another one in all its glory belting out one of the all-time greatest songs. In a time where base amps "must" be at least 200 watts and solid state this amp has a warmth and feel that is like putting on a worn pair of jeans and jamming with friends I'v never felt the need to get anything else. Great video Keith. Keep up the great work and keep reminding me that these old amps still have the mojo we are looking for.

Can't say how much I enjoy hearing about retired designers/engineers/whatever that light up when they get a chance to be involved in a design. It's fantastic, without that (I don't want to use the word 'passion' 'cause it's been abused) but instead I will say drive or interest we would be nowhere. No, Keith - no way do I watch your videos on a phone. They get the big screen, full audio treatment. It's the least I can so when presented with such a well documented history, and accompanied with the soundtracks that you create. Keep on doing what you do man 'cause it really hits the nail on the head and I know I'm not alone here.

I have a 1965 model and its fantastic. Sadly I had to replace the speaker years ago but its still one of my most pried possessions. Fantastic amp.

You missed the B15R & the B100R/B200R. Great Amps & I enjoyed the video. I also owned a B15N back in the 70's Long gone now.

A sailor gave me a B-18N in Iceland. I used it for years, primarily as a guitar amp. I loved that thing.

I recently stumbled across a '74 B-15N that was owned by a Jazz guy down in Mobile, AL. The guy bought it brand new in '74 and put it in his studio where his buddies would rehearse and record - and it never left that space until he passed earlier this year. He also had a bunch of old tube hi-fi gear and the family wanted to keep that gear to remember him by so they had a local hi-fi repairperson and amp tech repair the hi-fi gear and gave the amp to him as at least partial payment for his work. He sold me that amp after he had serviced it and made sure it was in working order. It's the cleanest B-15N I've ever seen - looks near mint - and I got it for a price I'm embarrassed to mention. I didn't even try bargaining with the guy - just gave him what he was asking. I'm so happy to have it as part of my space. Thanks for the video Keith!

Great video and info on these awesome amps, Keith! I would watch you do a long mini-series deep dive on these amps and Mr. Oliver. Thank you!!

Thank you for giving Bass some love.

Cool, cool, cool. Thanks for a great short history.

Wow what a treat. This was my favorite video yet. I just happen to be playing my PF-20T as this came up. Had the 50T but the 20 sounds better in my studio.

Love it. All of your short histories are fantastic, but this one in particular resonates with me. I've got a rare "disorder" where I have a hard time figuring out if I'm a guitarist, or if I'm actually a bass player. I've been playing longer as a guitarist but gigged more as a bassist.

Thanks for the memories.

Nicely done sir- as always - my dad gave me his fliptop mid 60s amp in the late 80s unfortunately as a struggling musician in the mid 90s I sold it after restoring it the fame Lucite glow Ampeg sign.. I’m still a working bass player and at the moment I am Ampeg rich unfortunately I can’t find a reason to buy another flip top- I agree with you with Yamaha’s purchase of a Ampeg amp - so far they’ve been great evangelist of the Ampeg legacy with an eye to the future…. keep doing the damn thang - maximum respect Doc 🤘😎🎸

Great Video! Can't wait for the for the short history on the mighty Ampeg SVT series

New Five Watt World: A Short History video = Instant "like." 👍 I didn't know the B15 was so ubiquitous. Great sound!

Thanks for producing another brilliant video... such great channel!

Keith, it is beyond cool that you were able to correspond with Jess Oliver! I’m with you on the light-up logo, that’s a James Bond level of cool.

B15!!! Yes Thankyou! SVT next please! Love and appreciate the content and knowledge! Keep ‘em coming!!!

Great video glad to have the story now when I see one thank you

Thanks for filling in the blank spots in my memory about Ampeg.

Another great Bass video Keith, thank you.

I love Ampeg amps, but my collection's B-15 slot is filled, at least for now, by an Oliver B120, from the company that Jess Oliver founded after he left Ampeg. Like the B-15, the B120 drives its 15" speaker with two 6L6GC power tubes. Oliver's "Uniflex" combo amp doesn't have the cachet of a vintage Portaflex or the novelty of Oliver's motorized Powerflex amps, but it represents his experienced redesign of a B-15-like amp, and it sounds great.

"B.C Rich: a short history" would be a really cool video! As would Alembic

Recently picked up a vintage B-15S, and it’s great for guitar 🤙

Bought one of these when I was High School in 1971 -- a used one from the mid to late sixties. Jeez, wish I still had it.😮‍💨

Nice video! I absolutely love these amps!!! The guitar shop I went to a lot in my early days had one of these with the lucite panel set up for their demo amp. I played a bunch of different guitars and basses through it. That's something you don't hear much about, but they work extremely well as a guitar amp, like the Fender Bassman. The closest I have come to owning one is my Silvertone 1483, similar circuit with the same Jensen 15" speaker, although the cab sucks. (the shop closed down a year or 2 after Guitar Center went in a couple miles down the road)

Wonderful! Nice job and very informative.

This person is so good at talking that he memorizes the lines and speaks it so confidently, without stuttering

Magnificent as always! Thanks Keith! ✌️🙂🎸

I was just heading out the door, waiting for the woman to put on her makeup, and this video popped up on my feed. Great memories, I had a 1960 B-15 XY. The XY was for Guitar/Accordion. It had a 15" a couple of mids and a horn. It also had a spring reverb. I had it from about 1980 to 1999. When I first got it, I had to repair it. I was able to get ahold of one of the engineers who helped design it. That's when I found out that it was built in 1960, and the XY was experimental. It looked just like the B-15, but wider.

Another excellent job!

great look back at this amp - I had no idea it was so admired. I'll be watching to see if you cover the Acoustic 360 bass amp - it too is legendary and has quite a history.

I have a 66 B15n and I love it. Full, well rounded sound and that nice tubey grit. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I love these, and have a great one from the 60s still. Excellent video!

What a great vid! I met Jess Oliver at the NAMM, just before he died and he signed my Ampeg Book.

YIKES ! The whole point of the plexiglass plate was to have the dealer engrave your name under the "Ampeg" logo and have it glow along with the logo ! (That's why there's a 'blank' area on the plate !) I remember seeing this as a youngster in the early 1960s. Bill P.

It's really cool to see some bass content. I love Ampeg amps.

I'm currently getting to know/'restoring' a G-15, my fist tube amp. It was found at an auction with a shredded cone. Dutch at VinTone reconed it for me and now I'm learning whatever I can to bring this thing back to full function. Thanks for sharing this! Now I'm off to see if you've yet covered the guitar version of this sonic beauty ;)

I've never played through a real B15..I wish I could. SVT through a fridge was an experience I can't forget. Thanks for the video Keith, top stuff man

i had a 60's B15 with an extra speaker cabinet ( it was a stack) .. someone broke into our church and stole it.. along with many other instruments..the thief only stole the main part of the amp and left the extra cabinet ...this was back around 83 or 84 in Cleveland Ohio...never had another bass amp that sounded as good...really miss that amp amp.. it looked cool when the stage was dark, you could see the tubes glowing..and its tone was amazing

A video on different EQ and gain stages would actually be pretty cool to see

Well done! I’ve been looking for a bass amp project!

I still play through the 1972 B15N, which was my first bass amp, bought 40 years ago at Reds Royal Amp shop, in Hollywood, California, in every recording session I do.