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**tboy** · 09-19-2009, 07:13 PM

Ampeg used to sell dollys for the larger amps, so maybe it has something to do with attaching one of those.

**JoeM** · 09-19-2009, 07:24 PM

Originally posted by tboy View Post

Ampeg used to sell dollys for the larger amps, so maybe it has something to do with attaching one of those.

Yes, that's exactly what it is. They made dolly boards for these. I had a VT40 like that.

**guitarcoach** · 09-19-2009, 08:12 PM

Thanks for the help! Mystery solved.

**Enzo** · 09-19-2009, 11:20 PM

The four casters used to be on the board, not the cab itself. The dolly board screwed to the botton of the cab with one of those bolts with the large black plastic knob for a head. SO the dolly wheel board was easily removed so you could set the amp on the floor.

KNob screw

My old B18x has one even.

**guitarcoach** · 09-20-2009, 12:55 PM

This is definitely an amp that would require such a device. Just lifting it onto the bench reminded me of my weight-training days. Thanks again for the help, everyone. Consider this thread successfully completed.

**jrfrond** · 09-20-2009, 04:28 PM

Yes, those casters were added later to forego the dolly. And yes, those amps ARE a bitch to lift onto the bench, especially if loaded with the optional JBL's!

**Tom Phillips** · 09-20-2009, 07:16 PM

Here is a photo of an original Ampeg Dolly in place on a 1964 B15N.
Cheers,
Tom

Attached Files

**gbono** · 09-20-2009, 07:32 PM

Nice solution to the removeable casters problem - any other MI companies use this design? Assume that the hole is covered up when the dolly is off.

**JoeM** · 09-20-2009, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by gbono View Post

Nice solution to the removeable casters problem - any other MI companies use this design? Assume that the hole is covered up when the dolly is off.

I dont know of anyone else using this (that doesnt mean there isnt though). The hole isnt covered, but it's on the bottom anyway. I've done some of my amps in similar way by putting a 'T-nut' on the bottom of the amp, and then have a board with 4 casters. One of the knob screw things like Enzo posted holds it on. Usually holes are drilled part way into the spots where the amps feet are and the board wont swivel around.

**guitarcoach** · 09-21-2009, 01:23 PM

Weight Lifting

Yes, it's definitely heavy. First time I grabbed hold of the handle to lift it onto the bench I thought it might have been nailed to the floor.

This one is a Magnavox version and has Altec Lansing 417-8C Dia Cones loaded. I suspect that they are not original, because there is foam tape on the inside of the outer chassis ring, suggesting they had been front loaded into something else at one point. However, their EIA date codes are both the same, (391335) indicating 35th week of 1973, which is around where I've pegged this amps age.

The s/n for the amp is missing, looks like it was a sticker that has gone awol?

Digging further, the two transformers appear to be Northlakes, (1005336 and 1005403) indicating 36th week of '73 and 3rd week of '74.

The hum balance pot is CTS (1377402), 2nd week of '74, and the Mallory electrolytics are (2357404 x2, 2357406 x1) both early '74.

On the cab itself, the Ampeg "A" logo is a metal plate, not plastic - this seems to disagree with other date info I've seen elsewhere.

Based on the above I think I'm safe to call it a 1974. Cosmetically it is in great shape for its age. It looks like it will be a fun amp to restore. I bought it about 10 years ago, but have only now found time in my life to begin tearing it down.

The 7027's all test well, a testament to Ampeg's design. Once the e caps are replaced it should be up and running again, but I will have to put on my thinking cap (no pun intended). I'm pretty used to recapping Fenders, Marshalls, but the Ampeg folks did things kinda differently. I've seen some good info on this forum regarding recaps of VT-22, V-4, so I think I've got some resources to fall back on.

I've noticed that there is a plastic widget on the inside back cabinet wall, and guess that it's probably for footswitch storage. The footswitch I don't have, but I'll try to find an original.

I've attached some pics of the work in progress.

Thanks again everyone for the sleuth work regarding my question.

Respect,

Matthew

Attached Files