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1966 Ampeg B-18X with papers--CLEAN - $2,900 (St. George)
make / manufacturer:
Ampeg
model name / number:
B-18x
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Weighing in at 110 pounds, this was the largest of Ampeg’s “Portaflex” amps from the 1960s. It is a 50-watt RMS multi-instrument amp with an 18-inch primary speaker and a high-frequency horn. I’ve kept it in a smoke-free, climate-controlled home for the last 20 years or so, and during that time I’ve used it primarily as a bass amp, but also for home audio (yes!). It excels with both, and no doubt with keys, guitar, accordion, or anything else you might want to throw at it. It fills a room in a way that is big, rich, and, for lack of a better word, analog. It’s also just very cool to look at—the only amp my partner ever encouraged me to put in our living room.
It is fully serviced (most recently in November of 2024) and has been carefully maintained. There are a few capacitors and resistors that have been replaced by amp guru Dave Hirsh, just down the road from where it was originally manufactured in New Jersey. I’ve also replaced the top handle (with an Ampeg-manufactured replica) and the high-frequency horn (with a correct and very clean Jensen from 1962). The original handle and horn will come with the amp. The casters, which were on the amp when I got it, are not original, but if you want a 1960s Ampeg dolly, they can be had online with a little patience.
The likely-original 18-inch speaker is a 1960s Audiom 91/100 made by Goodman’s of England (Ampeg, like Hiwatt and others, sourced speakers from Goodman’s and Fane as upgrade options in their amps). It has been re-coned and sounds fantastic—huge but still articulate.
No tears or stains in the original grill cloth. Minimal scuffs and tears in the original blue-check tolex.
I’ll be happy to provide additional photos and info on request. Serious inquiries only, please.
Thanks for looking.