Ampeg B-15R User Manual

OWNER’S GUIDE

Thank you for selecting the Ampeg B-15R Portaflex Bass Amplifier. Revived from the past and enhanced for the
present, this limited production model offers all of the best features of the 1960’s classic plus more. In order to
get the most out of your new amplifier, please read these instructions before its use.

FEATURES:

• 0db and -15dB Input Jacks • Tube Bias Select Switch • Patented “Flip Top” Enclosure

• Ultra High / Ultra Low Boosts • Impedance Selector (8/4 Ohms) • Ampeg Vintage 15” Speaker

• Input Gain Control • Line Out/Line In jacks • H.F. Horn w/Level control

• Three Band EQ • XLR Balanced Line Out Jack • 100 watts RMS

• Five Position Mid Freq Select • Line Out Level Control • All Tube Design

• Master Volume Control • Pre/Post Select Switch • Removable Dolly Board w/Casters

• Half-Power Switch • Ground Lift Switch • Proudly Made In America

OUT

IN

AS

NEEDED

AS

NEEDED

IN

IN

AS

NEEDED

AS

NEEDED

OUT

OUT

AS

NEEDED

AS

NEEDED

OUT

IN

AS

NEEDED

AS

NEEDED

SOME SUGGESTED SETTINGS:

JAZZ:

FUNK:

ROCK:

COUNTRY:

B-15R PORTAFLEX

B-15R PORTAFLEX

1 2

4

3

6 7 9 10 11 12 135 8

1,2: INPUT JACKS: Connect the signal cable from your
instrument to either of these jacks: if your bass has
active electronics, its output may be “hotter” than normal
– the -15dB jack is padded to accommodate such sig­nals. If your bass has normal pickups, use the 0dB jack.

3,4: ULTRA HI / ULTRA LO BOOSTS: Engage these
pushbutton switches to boost the highs or lows as
desired. These switches activate the boosts at their “in”
positions.

5: GAIN CONTROL: Adjust this control to suit your
instrument’s signal level and your playing style – lower
output levels and softer playing styles require a higher
setting of the Gain control than high output and “hard”
playing styles. Proper adjustment of this control will give
you clean sound with the lowest noise.

6: BASS CONTROL: Adjust the low frequency output of
the amp with this control: turn the control to the left for
less; to the right for more. This control allows a range of
±25dB at 40Hz.

7: MID CONTROL: Adjust the midrange frequency out­put of the amp with this control: turn the control to the left

for less; to the right for more. This control allows a range
of ±34dB at the selected frequency (see #8).

8: FREQUENCY: This control allows you to select one
of five midrange frequencies: 200, 400, 900, 1.5k or

2.5kHz. The setting of this control determines the effec­tive range for the Mid control.

9. TREBLE CONTROL: Adjust the high frequency out­put of the amp with this control: turn the control to the left
for less; to the right for more. This control allows a range
of ±30dB at 4kHz.

10: MASTER: Set the overall output level of the amplifi­er with this control. When the Post/Pre switch (#22) is at
the IN (“Post”) position, this control also affects the level
at the Balanced Line Out jack (#24).

11: HALF-POWER SWITCH:For situations where lower
playing volumes are appropriate, flip this switch to the
“60W” (down) position. This, in effect, bypasses one-half
of the output amplification devices, producing one-half
the output power as before. Of course, when full output
is desired, flipping the switch to the “100W” (up) position
returns the amplifier to its original 100 watt state.

Note: In the 60 watt position the amplifier will deliver
approximately 40 watts into the internal speaker. To
deliver the full 60 watts into the internal 8 ohm speaker,
set the impedance switch (#18) to the 4 ohm setting.
Operation at either impedance setting is acceptable and
will yield some variances in the tonality of the unit.
Experiment with these settings to determine which
sound best suits your personal taste..

12: STANDBY SWITCH: Activate the amplifier with this
switch, after the Power switch has been turned on.

Always turn this switch off first, on last. Turn on the
Power switch (#13) at least 30 seconds before turn­ing on the Standby switch. During breaks, turn the

Standby switch off, leaving the Power switch on. This
helps promote longer tube life.

13: POWER SWITCH: Turn on the main AC power with
this switch. Always turn this switch on first, off last.

Turn on the Standby switch (#12) at least 30 sec­onds after turning on the Power switch.

17

MODEL:
SERIAL:
LINE: V ~ Hz
WATTS: MAX

B-15
B1500691242
120 60

14

20 21

24

22

23

15

16 18

19

14: AC LINE IN: Use the supplied power cord to connect
the amplifier to a suitable source of A.C. voltage. This is
a grounded, three-wire cord and must be connected to a
properly grounded outlet. DO NOT attempt to defeat
the ground connection of the power cord! See the
serial number label for power ratings.

15: FUSE: This protects the amplifier from damage to
overload conditions or power line surges. If the fuse
blows, replace it only with the same size and type.

16. BIAS SELECT: Allows for instant bias adjustment
when the TYPE of output tube is changed. The setting of
this switch must match the type of tube being used! The
amplifier is shipped with 6L6 tubes installed.

17. SPEAKERS: Connect the amplifier to the internal
speaker and/or an extension speaker cabinet using these
jacks. Use heavy duty speaker cables terminated with
the proper connectors. The total speaker impedance can
not be less than 4 ohms. (Be sure to match the
Impedance Selector switch [#18] to the cabinet imped­ance.) The B-15R’s cabinet impedance is rated at 8
ohms.

18. IMPEDANCE SELECTOR: Use this switch to match
the amplifier to the TOTAL impedance of your speaker
cabinet(s). Use the following chart to determine the total
impedance of parallel cabinets:

CABINET NUMBER OF TOT AL

IMPEDANCE CABINETS IMPEDANCE

16 ohms 2 8 ohms
16 ohms 4 4 ohms

8 ohms 2 4 ohms

19: LINE OUT: Used with the Line In jack (#20), this may
serve as an effects loop: The signal from this jack would
go to the input of the effect. Alternate uses for this jack
include providing an unbalanced line level signal for con­necting to an external amplifier or mixing console. The
signal at this jack is affected by the Master control (#10).

20: LINE IN: Used with the Line Out jack (#19), this may
serve as an effects loop: The signal from this jack would
come from the output of the effect. Alternate uses for this
jack include providing a means to tap directly into the
internal power amplifier, bypassing the input stages com­pletely.

21. LINE OUT LEVEL: This controls the output level of
the signal at the Balanced Line Out jack (#24).

22: POST/PRE SWITCH: This switch determines
whether or not the signal at the Balanced Line Out jack
(#24) is affected by the settings of the tone and master
level controls. With the switch at the OUT (“Post”) pos­tion, signal is affected; with the switch IN (“Pre”), the sig­nal is not affected.

23: LIFT/GND SWITCH: This switch lifts the ground of
the Balanced Line Out jack (#24) at the IN position.
Engage this switch only if there is excessive buzzing or
hum coming from the amplifier due to ground loops.

24: BALANCED LINE OUT: This jack provides a bal­anced line level signal for connecting to a mixing console,
recording device or external amplifier.

25: HIGH FREQUENCY ATTENUATOR: This three
position rotary switch controls the output level of the inter­nal high frequency driver. Use the tip of a flatblade screw­driver to set this switch to the setting which best suits
your tastes.

26: FULL RANGE INPUTS: These are the input jacks for
the cabinet. Connect one of these jacks to the Speaker
ouput of the amplifier; the other jack may be used to carry
the amp signal to an extension cabinet if desired.

THE FRONT PANEL:

THE REAR PANEL:

25

26

SERIAL #

HIGH FREQUENCY

ATTENUATOR

FULL RANGE

INPUTS

OFF

47-267-01

–6 0

POWER HANDLING: 150 WATTS

IMPEDANCE: 8 OHMS

MADE IN THE U.S.A. BY
SLM ELECTRONICS
1400 FERGUSON AVE.
ST. LOUIS, MO 63133

B-15R

B-15R PORTAFLEX

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

OUTPUT POWER RATING 100 watts @ 5%THD, 8 ohm load, 120VAC
SPEAKER SIZE AND RATING Ampeg Vintage 15”, 8 ohm, 150 watt, 2” voice coil, 56 oz magnet

High Efficiency Piezo Tweeter, 8 ohm, 150 watt (w/network)

CROSSOVER FREQUENCY 3kHz
ULTRA HIGH SWITCH 6dB Boost @ 4kHz
ULTRA LOW SWITCH 10dB Boost @ 40Hz
BASS CONTROL 25dB Range @ 40Hz
MID CONTROL 34dB Range @ 200, 400, 900, 1.5k or 2.5kHz
TREBLE CONTROL 30dB Range @ 4kHz
INPUT IMPEDANCE 0dB: 3M ohms; -15dB: 47k ohms
MAX. INPUT SIGNAL LEVEL ACCEPTED 0dB: 1V RMS; -15dB: 5.75V RMS
TOTAL SYSTEM GAIN 50dB w/tones flat, Ultra Low and Ultra High off
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO 90dB
POWER REQUIREMENTS 120VAC, 60Hz, 400VA

100VAC, 50/60Hz, 400VA
230VAC, 50/60Hz, 400VA

DIMENSIONS 24”W x 16-1/2”D x 24-1/4”H w/amp flipped inside, w/out caster board

32-7/8” H w/amp flipped out, w/out caster board; 37-1/4” H w/caster board

WEIGHT: 117 lbs

Ampeg continually develops new products, as well as improves existing ones. For this reason,

the specifications and information in this publication are subject to change without notice.

Ampeg is proudly Made in America.

©1998 SLM Electronics,
1400 Ferguson Avenue,

St. Louis, MO 63133 U.S.A.

P/N 47-667-03 • 04/98

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS AND
PRECAUTIONS:

All Ampeg products are designed for continuous
safe operation, as long as common sense is used
and steps are taken to help avoid certain problems.
Abiding by the following rules can help prevent
damage to your amplifier, yourself and others.

• The amplifier is equipped with a three-pronged

AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical
shock, NEVER remove or otherwise attempt to
defeat the ground pin of the power cord.

• Connect the amplifier ONLY to a properly ground-

ed AC outlet of the proper voltage for your amp.

• Avoid sudden temperature extremes, rain and

moisture. Also, avoid sudden and intense impact.
(If the unit has been subjected to any of the pre­ceeding abuses, have it looked at by an autho­rized service center.)

• NEVER set the amplifier on a support that might

give out under its weight.

• Always keep the total speaker impedance at or

above the rated load.

• Unplug the amplifier before cleaning it. NEVER

spray liquid cleaners onto the amplifier. Wipe it
with a slightly dampened, lint-free cloth to remove
dirt and film.

• Don’t use the amplifier if it has sustained damage

to the chassis, controls, or power cord. Refer the
unit to an authorized service center for inspection.

• Amplifiers capable of producing high volume lev-

els are also capable of inflicting permanent hear­ing loss or damage, if the exposure to such levels
is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and
irreversible!

THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN
DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED
TO PROVIDE SAFE AND RELI­ABLE OPERATION. IN ORDER
TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE
UNIT AND PREVENTACCIDEN­TALDAMAGES OR INJURY,
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE PRE­CAUTIONARY GUIDELINES:

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT OPEN CHASSIS; DO NOT
DEFEAT OR REMOVE THE
GROUND PIN OF THE POWER
CORD; CONNECT ONLY TO A
PROPERLY GROUNDED AC
POWER OUTLET.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE
RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOIS­TURE.

CAUTION: NO USER-SERVICE­ABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SER­VICE PERSONNEL.

CAUTION: OUR AMPLIFIERS
ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEV­ELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE
TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE
LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMA­NENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT
OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS
ADVISED AND EAR PROTEC­TION IS RECOMMENDED IF
UNIT IS OPERATED ATHIGH
VOLUME.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,

DO NOT REMOVE COVER.

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
“ES NECESARIO QUE EL USUARIO SE REFIERA AL MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES.”
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"
"UNBEDINGT IN DER BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG NACHSCHLAGEN"

EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:
EXPLICACION DE SIMBOLOS GRAFICOS:
EXPLICATION DES SYMBÔLES GRAPHIQUES:

"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
“VOLTAJE PELIGROSO”
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"
"GEFAHLICHE SPANNUNG"

=

=

PRECAUCION

RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO

NO ABRA

PRECAUCION PARA DISMINUOIR EL RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO

NO ABRA LA CUBIERTA

NO HAY PIEZAS ADENTRO QUE EL USARIO PUEDO REPARAR

DEJE TODO MANTENIMIENTO A LOS TECHNICOS CALIFICADOS

ATTENTION

RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION

NE PAS OUVRIR

ATTENTION: POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS

ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE

PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN

TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.

VORSICHT

ELEKTRISCHE SCHLAGGEFAHR

NICHT OFFENEN

VORSICHT: ZUR MINIMIERUNG ELEKTRISCHER SCHLAGGEFAHR NICHT

DEN DECKEL ABENHMEN. INTERNE TEILE KONNEN NICHT VOM

BENUTZER GEWARTET WERDEN. DIE WARTUNG IS QUALIFIZIERTEM

WARTUNGSPERSONAL ZU UBERLASSEN.

ESTE APARATO HA SIDO DISE­NADO Y CONSTRUIDO PARA
PROVEER ANOS DE OPERA­CION SEGURA Y CONFIABLE.
PARAPROLONGAR LA VIDA DE
ESTAUNIDAD E IMPEDIR
DANOS ACCIDENTALES POR
FAVOR SIGAESTAS INSTRUC­CIONES PREVENTIVAS:

PRECAUCION: PARA DISMINUIR
EL RIESGO DE DESCARGAS
ELECTRICAS: (1) NO ABRA LA
CUBIERTA, (2) NO ES
RECOMENDABLE REMOVER O
DESACTIVAR LAPATADEL
POLO A TIERRA DEL CABLE DE
CORRIENTE, CONECTE COR­RECTAMENTE AUNA TOMA DE
CORRIENTE A TIERRA.

ADVERTENCIA: PARA EVITAR
DESCARGAS EL ECTRICAS O
PELIGRO DE INCENDIO, NO
DEJE ESTE APARATO
EXPUESTO A LA LLUVIA O
HUMEDAD.

PRECAUCION: NO HAY PIEZAS
ADENTRO QUE EL USUARIO
PUEDE REPARAR. DEJE TODO
MANTENIMIENTO A LOS TÉCNI­COS CALIFICADOS.

PRECAUCION: NUESTROS
AMPLIFICADORES PUEDEN
PRODUCIR NIVELES DE PRE­SION DE SONIDO ALTO.
EXPOSICION CONTINUADAA
LOS NIVELES DE PRESION DE
SONIDO ALTO PUEDE CAUSA
DANO PERMANENTE ASU
OIDO. ES ACONSEJADO QUE
USE PRECAUCION ALUSUARIO
Y ES RECOMENDADO PROTEC­CION PARALOS OIDOS SI LA
UNIDAD ES OPERADAA VOLU­MEN ALTO.

CET ÉQUIPEMENT AVAIT ÉTÉ
INVENTÉ ET ARRANGÉ POUR
POURVOIR DES ANNÉES
D'USAGE SAUF ET SÛR. POUR
PROLONGER LA VIE DE CET
APPAREILET POUR EMPÊCHER
LES DOMMAGES ET LES TORTS
ACCIDENTELS, SUIVEZ LES
INSTRUCTIONS DE PRÉCAU­TION.

AVERTISSEMENT: POUR
RÉDUIRE LES RISQUES D'ÉLEC­TROCUTION: (1) N’OUVREZ
PAS LE CHÂSSIS, (2) NE PAS
ESSAYER DE SUPPRIMER LA
BROCHE CORRESPONDANT À
LA TERRE.

ATTENTION: POUR RÉDUIRE
LES RISQUES D'UN FEU OU
D'ÉLECTROCUTION, N’EX­POSEZ PAS L'APPAREIL À LA
PLUIE OU À LA MOITEUR.

ATTENTION: IL N'Y A PAS
D’ÉLÉMENTS RÉPARABLES
DANS L'APPAREIL. CONSULTER
UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIÉ
POUR LES RÉPARATIONS.

ATTENTION: NOS AMPLIFICA­TEURS SONT CAPABLES DE LA
PRODUCTION DES NIVEAUX DE
SON D'UNE HAUTE PRESSION.
L'EXPOSITION CONTINUE AUX
CES NIVEAUX PEUT CAUSER
LA SURDITÉ PERMANENTE. LA
PRUDENCE EST ADVISÉ À UTIL­ISATEUR ET LA PROTECTION
DES OREILLES EST RECOM­MANDÉ SI L'APPAREILEST
UTILISÉ À UN HAUT NIVEAU DE
VOLUME.

www.ampeg.com