Ampeg SB-12 Tube Bass Amplifier (1966)
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Ampeg SB-12 Model Tube Bass Amplifier (1966), made in Linden NJ, serial # 037926, blue checked Tolex finish.
This is a very worn-in but fine sounding 1966 Ampeg SB-12, a slightly simplified, lower-powered line-up companion to the iconic B-15N and earlier Portaflex B-12N and B-12NL. This example still is swathed in Ampeg's "blue-checked Tolex era" which gave way to a less distinctive black covering by 1968.
At the time the SB-12 was primarily marketed as a companion amplifier to the upright Baby Bass. Ampeg legend holds that "SB" stood for "string bass" and was Everett Hull and Jess Oliver's preferred design for upright bass once the B-15s became more deliberately marketed for the electric bass guitar. 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 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, quite suitable for recording purposes 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 a decent amount of wear and tear over the years but overall is in fair shape considering the less durable covering of this era. The signature blue-checked Tolex is mostly intact, save for a large piece missing on the front right corner as well moderate scuffing overall. The chassis is in nice shape overall with all the original knobs present and a typical amount of wear to the control panel. There is some light corrosion to the chrome but most of the decorative stenciling is still nicely intact. The grille cloth is clean and nicely intact with only a few very minor frays and both the illuminated acrylic plate and metal logo are present as well. The cabinet has added solid metal handles on the sides as well as a non-Ampeg dolly underneath. The handle is a newer correct replacement and, as mentioned above, the cabinet retains its novel speaker connections through the cabinet latches.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. The speaker is a slightly later CTS 12" bearing the code 137-6820, dating it to the 20th week of 1968, still retaining its original cone, which both tests and sounds great. The power and output transformers are both original, bearing the codes 682-636 and 682-634, dating them to the 36th and 34th week of 1966, respectively. The amp has seen our typical maintenance and servicing, including a grounded 3-prong power cord, some light speaker and baffle repair, replacement of electrolytic capacitors, replacement of any out-of-spec components, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power tubes biased to spec.
This SB-12 looks scruffy sounds great, making for a fine lower volume bass amp (set at "4.5" or below) offering a nice warm well-rounded sound. It can also double as a surprisingly rip-roaring guitar amp when cranked; in many ways a perfect home or small studio 2-in-1 recording amplifier. Overall Very Good Condition.
This is a very worn-in but fine sounding 1966 Ampeg SB-12, a slightly simplified, lower-powered line-up companion to the iconic B-15N and earlier Portaflex B-12N and B-12NL. This example still is swathed in Ampeg's "blue-checked Tolex era" which gave way to a less distinctive black covering by 1968.
At the time the SB-12 was primarily marketed as a companion amplifier to the upright Baby Bass. Ampeg legend holds that "SB" stood for "string bass" and was Everett Hull and Jess Oliver's preferred design for upright bass once the B-15s became more deliberately marketed for the electric bass guitar. 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 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, quite suitable for recording purposes 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 a decent amount of wear and tear over the years but overall is in fair shape considering the less durable covering of this era. The signature blue-checked Tolex is mostly intact, save for a large piece missing on the front right corner as well moderate scuffing overall. The chassis is in nice shape overall with all the original knobs present and a typical amount of wear to the control panel. There is some light corrosion to the chrome but most of the decorative stenciling is still nicely intact. The grille cloth is clean and nicely intact with only a few very minor frays and both the illuminated acrylic plate and metal logo are present as well. The cabinet has added solid metal handles on the sides as well as a non-Ampeg dolly underneath. The handle is a newer correct replacement and, as mentioned above, the cabinet retains its novel speaker connections through the cabinet latches.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. The speaker is a slightly later CTS 12" bearing the code 137-6820, dating it to the 20th week of 1968, still retaining its original cone, which both tests and sounds great. The power and output transformers are both original, bearing the codes 682-636 and 682-634, dating them to the 36th and 34th week of 1966, respectively. The amp has seen our typical maintenance and servicing, including a grounded 3-prong power cord, some light speaker and baffle repair, replacement of electrolytic capacitors, replacement of any out-of-spec components, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power tubes biased to spec.
This SB-12 looks scruffy sounds great, making for a fine lower volume bass amp (set at "4.5" or below) offering a nice warm well-rounded sound. It can also double as a surprisingly rip-roaring guitar amp when cranked; in many ways a perfect home or small studio 2-in-1 recording amplifier. Overall Very Good Condition.