loading
reading
writing
saving
searching
REDUCED! 1963 AMPEG M15 COMBO, Original Vintage, 6L6's, USA 15" Jensen - $725 (Vancouver)
condition:
excellent
make / manufacturer:
AMPEG
model name / number:
Big M (M15)
size / dimensions:
25 Watts, 15" Speaker
QR Code Link to This Post
All original vintage professional amp
2 independent channels
25+ watts RMS output
2 6L6 power tubes
3 octal base 6SL7 preamp tubes
Jensen USA C15N Alnico speaker
3 prong power cord
Recently serviced
Excellent condition vintage amp
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
AMPEG BIG M15 INFO: The Ampeg Big M combo was introduced in 1959 and manufactured until 1963. It was the flagship amp for Ampeg. A little spendy but high quality and considered one of the best amps of that era. Two 6L6 power tubes into a USA made 15" Jensen C15N Alnico 5. Two fully separate channels with independent controls and up to 6 inputs on the front panel, including one for the new fad -- stereo! The Big M put out 25 watts of power and was known to have a warm clear tone with lots of clean overhead when cranked. It also had a tube driven and foot controlled Tremolo.
THIS BIG M: Physically, this Big M is all original and in great condition! You likely will not find a nicer viintage amp for being 60+ years old. Nothing is modified, missing, or broken and everything works like it is supposed to. The plywood cabinet, tolex, grill cloth, hardware, and speaker are all original, very clean, and in great working shape. Check out the pictures closely.
THE DETAILS: The electronics are the best part. In August 25, the amp was completely gone through by Mike LaBar Electronics. The values of each component were individually measured and replaced if needed. Everything is up to factory spec. The 2 prong power cord was replaced with a modern 3 prong and the original Tremolo footpedal was given a new cloth braided cable. New power tubes were installed as described below.
TUBES AND POWER OUTPUT: The Big M uses two 6L6 power tubes. My tech and I tried multiple pairs of power tubes for their measured output and sonic quality. Surprisingly, a new pair of Shuguang 6L6GC sounded the best with clean headroom, balance, and a strong bottom-end. They were also the most powerful and measured output was 27.8 watts RMS. That's enough to kick ass! If you want, with this sale I’ll include the former power tubes, a pair of mid 70's RCA 6L6's.
The three preamps tubes are the octal based 6SL7. These tubes are readily available for sale at reasonable prices and are used in some modern new amps. Two of the three tubes are the factory ORIGINALS! They sound great without any microphonics.
SPEAKER: its a 15" Jensen C15N Alnico 5, the original USA made speaker. It is in excellent shape, works surprisingly well, and has great tone. It is also fairly lightweight making the amp easier to transport.
TONE AND PLAYABILITY: The sound of this amp will blow your mind! Its dead quiet when idling. At medium volume the sound is warm and responsive. When cranked and the overall tone and performance is plenty loud. The tone is clear, balanced, and warm yet edgy when needed.
This amp has plenty control over EQ. The 2 channels sound very different from each other and the individual tone controls do a lot. However, the channels are linked with a jumper patch cord there are infinite sonic possibilities. The Tremolo is sweet and there is lots of clean headroom when cranked. The amp is a perfect pedal platform. In short, this BIG M has tone! Ya gotta hear it!
This is a very useful quality vintage amp that works great on stage, in the studio, or at home. It is priced to sell. Come check it out!
$750 Cash
Not interested in trades
Text is best. I'm in Lincoln City but the amp is in Vancouver.