Worth saving?

[82Daion]

A local school district is merging its two high schools(against the will of the public, but I won't go there), and my girlfriend(also a bass player) goes to one of them. They might be cleaning out their music department a bit. Their band department looks to have a vintage (mid-late 60's) Ampeg B-15 Portaflex that's in rough shape, but probably restorable. Apparently, it shocks you if you touch the amp housing, all of the knobs are missing, and it's kinda ugly, but it can probably be salvaged. If I can convince their band director to let me buy it and go to work on it, would it be worth doing?

 

[todd4ta]

Yes!!

It probably still has a 2-prong cord which is resulting in the shocking (just a guess). A grounded cord is a good idea.

You can get almost anything you need to restore it at fliptops.net

These are the classic amp for recording. They usually go in the $700-800 range when you can find them.

 

[82Daion]

I might be able to convince him to just let me haul it away.

If not, it can probably be had for >$200.

 

[shamus63]

I might be able to convince him to just let me haul it away.

If not, it can probably be had for >$200.

Start with $100, and get a feel for how he reacts.

 

[todd4ta]

Start with $100, and get a feel for how he reacts.

Or, you could offer to charge him only $20 to haul it away

Back in college, one of my friend's car was such a POS that when it died at our house he had to pay someone to come tow it away. I always thought that was pretty sad....it was worth less than nothing.

 

[Psycho Ward]

You can get everything you need to restore it here...

http://www.fliptops.net/

 

[shamus63]

Or, you could offer to charge him only $20 to haul it away

You are a shrewd business man...that's the stuff!

 

[nspark]

Seriously - don't let this one get away. If it has grounding issues, no one is going to want to play it at that school. So, it's basically useless. All too often nice instruments or amps can go to ruin at a high school. It's sad, but true. While it may not be in the best of condition, it can probably be restored. Lord knows I'd love a sweet B-15N. In the least, it can be a fun restoration project for you.

-Nick

 

[82Daion]

Well, I'll talk to the guy and see what I can do. It seems as though it might have been exposed to rain a few times...

I know how decent old gear can go to ruin in schools. We have an old Peavey Series 400 bass head and matching 2x15 cab at my HS. It sounded decent until this girl at my school repeatedly plugged her 5-string into the amp, cranked it, and just stated riding the B-string. It blew out the speakers, and now it sounds awful.

Fortunately, she's gone now.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Sounds like a girl in our rival school's band. It's a SWR 2 10 combo though.

I also had to do some repairs on her bass and it smells like dead fish!!!

Andrew

 

[82Daion]

Well, all is for naught, as I may have a lead on a Peavey Classic 400.

Anyway, I'll still talk to the guy and see what he wants to do with it.

 

[tadawson]

Well, all is for naught, as I may have a lead on a Peavey Classic 400.

Anyway, I'll still talk to the guy and see what he wants to do with it.

I've been looking for a restoration project, so if he wants to give it a good home, albeit in Texas, let me know . . . .

- Tim

 

[maddog]

What's the word on this? A chunk of history would be awesome to have. And you would definitely learn alot in restoring it.

 

[82Daion]

What's the word on this? A chunk of history would be awesome to have. And you would definitely learn alot in restoring it.

Nothing, yet. I have to work out the Classic 400 first and then I'll see how the guy at the high school wants to handle this amp.

 

[maddog]

Nothing, yet. I have to work out the Classic 400 first and then I'll see how the guy at the high school wants to handle this amp.

If it is shocking people, it is a hazard. You got leverage.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I paid $450 for my '65 B-15N...best money I've spent on puzzy...and I've spent a few...