Ampeg B18-N 1964

For sale: a 1964 Ampeg B-18, a true vintage tube bass amp with incredible old-school character, warmth, and punch. This is a serious piece of classic American bass history, with a sound that easily holds its own in the studio or on stage.

This amp still retains some of its original tubes, which adds to its authenticity and vintage appeal.

The original speaker has been replaced with a JBL driver. It is not original, but in practical terms it sounds far better than the stock speaker—more open, more powerful, and simply on another level sonically.

Please note: because of the JBL speaker, the amp head can no longer be stored inside the cabinet, as the speaker does not allow enough clearance.

Service work carried out:

new 3-conductor grounded power cable installed
original “death cap” / polarity cap removed for safety
replacement of 5 electrolytic capacitors, burnt resistors, and the bias circuit
original multi-section can capacitor left in place for cosmetic originality and as a grounding point
old deteriorating internal damping material removed and replaced with new acoustic foam insulation
potentiometers cleaned
tubes tested, bias checked and set
cabinet reassembled and tightened
This is not a neglected collector piece pulled straight from storage, but a properly serviced vintage amp that is ready to be played and enjoyed.

A rare opportunity to own a 1964 Ampeg B-18 with huge tone, classic looks, and sensible maintenance already done.