Ampeg SB-12 Portaflex LOCAL PICKUP ONLY! Tube Bass Amplifier (1967)
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Ampeg SB-12 Portaflex LOCAL PICKUP ONLY! Model Tube Bass Amplifier (1967), made in Linden NJ, serial # 068084, black vinyl covering finish.
Ampeg's 1960s SB-12 was a slightly simplified, lower-powered line-up companion to the iconic B-15N, taking the place of the earlier Portaflex B-12N and B-12NL. This particular example is just "post-blue-checkered-Tolex" era Ampeg from 1967 and was marketed as a companion amplifier to the upright Baby Bass. Ampeg legend holds that "SB" stood for "string bass" and was Jess Oliver's preferred design for upright bass once the B-15s became more deliberately marketed for electric bass. The earlier catalogs proclaim the B-12 models to be for "upright bass primarily" and the B-15 models to be for electric or "upright bass if a deeper tone is desired".
Featuring a simplified single channel design, the SB-12's front panel still sports the familiar dedicated instrument and bass inputs alongside master volume, treble and bass controls. Two 7868 power tubes in push-pull yield approx. 25 watts of power into a single 12" speaker. This particular iteration of the model also has the fairly clever idea of connecting the speaker through the cabinet latches, eliminating the need for a dedicated cable. While less powerful than the B-15 this is still a lovely lower-volume bass amp, with a versatile sound and the deep round response Portaflex Ampegs are famous for.
Height is 27 3/4 in. (70.5 cm.), 17 5/8 in. (44.8 cm.) width, and 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, this amp has seen some wear over the years but overall is in fairly decent shape considering the much less durable covering of this era. The black vinyl is overall intact, save for a few minor scuffs here and there. The chassis is clean overall with all the original knobs present. There's some light corrosion to the chrome and some noticeable old rust around the fuse cap in particular but most of the decorative stenciling is still nicely intact. The grille cloth is clean and nicely intact with no notable signs of tearing or fraying and both the illuminated acrylic plate and metal logo are present as well.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. Both transformers appear to be original as does the 12" Jensen Concert Model speaker, which bears the code 220-713, dating it to the 13th week of 1967. It was at some point reconed by Orange County Speaker and sounds fantastic. Visible pot codes all date to 1966. The amp has seen our typical maintenance and servicing, including a grounded 3-prong power cord, replacement of electrolytic capacitors and any out-of-spec components, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power tubes biased to spec.
It sounds great, making a fine low volume bass amp (set at "5" or lower) and can also double as a surprisingly rip-roaring guitar amp when cranked; in many ways the perfect home or small studio recording bass amplifier. Overall Excellent - Condition.
Ampeg's 1960s SB-12 was a slightly simplified, lower-powered line-up companion to the iconic B-15N, taking the place of the earlier Portaflex B-12N and B-12NL. This particular example is just "post-blue-checkered-Tolex" era Ampeg from 1967 and was marketed as a companion amplifier to the upright Baby Bass. Ampeg legend holds that "SB" stood for "string bass" and was Jess Oliver's preferred design for upright bass once the B-15s became more deliberately marketed for electric bass. The earlier catalogs proclaim the B-12 models to be for "upright bass primarily" and the B-15 models to be for electric or "upright bass if a deeper tone is desired".
Featuring a simplified single channel design, the SB-12's front panel still sports the familiar dedicated instrument and bass inputs alongside master volume, treble and bass controls. Two 7868 power tubes in push-pull yield approx. 25 watts of power into a single 12" speaker. This particular iteration of the model also has the fairly clever idea of connecting the speaker through the cabinet latches, eliminating the need for a dedicated cable. While less powerful than the B-15 this is still a lovely lower-volume bass amp, with a versatile sound and the deep round response Portaflex Ampegs are famous for.
Height is 27 3/4 in. (70.5 cm.), 17 5/8 in. (44.8 cm.) width, and 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, this amp has seen some wear over the years but overall is in fairly decent shape considering the much less durable covering of this era. The black vinyl is overall intact, save for a few minor scuffs here and there. The chassis is clean overall with all the original knobs present. There's some light corrosion to the chrome and some noticeable old rust around the fuse cap in particular but most of the decorative stenciling is still nicely intact. The grille cloth is clean and nicely intact with no notable signs of tearing or fraying and both the illuminated acrylic plate and metal logo are present as well.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. Both transformers appear to be original as does the 12" Jensen Concert Model speaker, which bears the code 220-713, dating it to the 13th week of 1967. It was at some point reconed by Orange County Speaker and sounds fantastic. Visible pot codes all date to 1966. The amp has seen our typical maintenance and servicing, including a grounded 3-prong power cord, replacement of electrolytic capacitors and any out-of-spec components, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power tubes biased to spec.
It sounds great, making a fine low volume bass amp (set at "5" or lower) and can also double as a surprisingly rip-roaring guitar amp when cranked; in many ways the perfect home or small studio recording bass amplifier. Overall Excellent - Condition.