Ampeg J-12 anyone?

Steve Collins · From: Alaska, USA

There is a 15W 60's Ampeg J-12 going in my area. I haven't seen this amp in person, but have played other old Ampegs (happily). What can anybody tell me about this unit? What might it be worth if it's in the stellar condition the seller claims?

Philip Sterk · From: Nashville, TN

These are great amps for recording at low volumes and the tremelo is really nice. I actually use this amp for recording pedal steel for something a little "different". The tubes in the pre-amp can be changed out to a 12AT7 (correct me if Im wrong) to give it a bit cleaner sound, so I've heard. I haven't changed the tube-pres out in mine yet, but am curious to try. All in all, a cool little amp that won't break the bank.
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Dave Hopping · From: Aurora, Colorado

Steve-I looked on Ebay,found 2 '60s J12s.One for a BIN of $550,the other for a BIN of $600.I like old Ampegs too.Cool amps!

Daniel Policarpo · Posted 1 Oct 2012 6:09 pm

I was on the hunt for an old lower watt Ampeg or even a Gemini II when I found the Fender Excelsior. I was also looking for something to practice and record at lower volume that would still get a good sound that was a little different. They can still get pretty loud if you have a single coil. A humbucker breaks up lots quicker on both J12 and Excelsior.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

There are different models of the Ampeg Jet 12. Early ones (early 60s) had 6V6 power tubes and fairly standard preamp tubes. As they progressed to the mid-late 60s Jet 12D, they moved to 7591 power tubes and weird compactron preamp tubes like the 6BK11, which is basically like 2-12AX7 sections and a 12AU7 section in one bottle. I have had several of each of these amps, and my Ampeg right now is a Jet 12D with the weird 6BK11 tubes.

To me, they all sound good, especially for jazz guitar. No reverb, but it's easy enough to get via a pedal, and it sounds good without it. The earlier 6V6 versions are rattier sounding, not too far from a tweed Deluxe. The later ones are stellar jazz and blues amps, but they have their own sound - not so scooped mids like that period Fender. The Gemini II is probably the ultimate-sounding jazz guitar amp to me. Lotsa NYC session cats used them in the 60s, read about the "Amp Club" in the Ampeg book by Gregg Hopkins and Bill Moore - it's a good read for any amp junkie:

I somehow ran into a few of the 6BK11 tubes at guitar shows, so I'm set. But good luck finding them - they are rarer than hens' teeth, I'll never give mine up - I've been looking for some good ones for the last 20 years. You can sub a 6C10 (basically 3-12AX7 gain=100 single-sections in one bottle), but they are now starting to get hard to find and expensive. 7591 tubes are now being made (Sovtek and JJ). I believe they're basically different pinout 6V6 or 6L6. NOS 7591 is not too hard to find, but pretty expensive.

That's the main issue with most of these mid-60s Ampeg combos - screwy tubes. But they do sound great for certain things. Money-wise, they're kinda' all over the map. I paid $250 for mine maybe a couple of years ago, but the speaker needed a recone. I just put in another, I try to keep a few around. I'll recone that one when I get a chance.

My take.

Daniel Policarpo · Posted 1 Oct 2012 10:24 pm

Great info Dave! I borrowed a Gemini II for about 3 months one time and never forget the wonderful sounds. Haven't seen one in person since. I also had a V-4 in my rock star days, and that was an incredible piece of work. I wasn't aware of the Hal Leonard book. Thanks!

Michael Pierce · From: Madison, CT

Been reading a lot lately about the early Ampegs and how great they sound, especially for jazz guitar. May have to start the search for a Reverberocket, Jet or Gemini. There's a Gemini II for sale on ebay right now with a starting bid of $485 .. local pick-up only, however, from a seller in Saddle River, NJ (that's probably not too, too far for you Dave!).

Anybody know how these sound compared to what might be considered their Fender counterparts (e.g., Princeton, Deluxe Reverb)?

Steve Collins · From: Alaska, USA

Thanks for the info everyone. This amp is original speaker, retubed with Sylanias, I don't know what they are yet. The amp is four hours away, asking price is 300, I believe I am going for a drive...

Chris Boyd · From: Leonia,N.J./Charlestown,R.I.

I have 5-60's Ampegs and love them.. Having grown up in Jersey,we used them as kids in our garage bands,as they were made in Linden,N.J.and available all over. I have a '64 J12 with 7591's,66 ReverbeRocket II,'67 Gemini II,'68 Gemini VI.. ( a single channel 30 watt similar to a Gemini II but w/6L6's),and a B12XT from '68.. a big 2x12 portaflex 50 watt beast... they are wonderful for 6 string and just ok for steel..Bluesy when cranked up!... The Ampeg book Dave mentioned is a must for any Ampeg afficionado...
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Michael Hummel · From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I had a B15 "fliptop" years ago that I got for almost nothing. I got rid of it when I stopped playing out and set up my recording studio.

I've seen these around for ridiculous amounts of money these days so I'm mad as heck I ever got rid of it.

I just started playing pedal steel this year and I bet that old beauty would sound just great for steel.

Oh well, live and learn....
Mike
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