BTR#44 Vintage 1960's Ampeg Reverberocket R-12R: History, Features and Tone

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  • Опубліковано 10 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 94

  • @stephensepan291
    @stephensepan291 10 місяців тому +3

    I worked for AMPEG in the 1960's. (1966-1969) ( New Jersey) loved the job, miss it.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  10 місяців тому

      Thank you for getting in touch Stephen! I just bought a 1966 Reverberocket, it still has all original components and sounds killer!

    • @danvankouwenberg7234
      @danvankouwenberg7234 6 місяців тому

      I love my '67 Gemini 1. Thank you!

  • @gianfrancobacco3437
    @gianfrancobacco3437 3 роки тому +3

    Bob...., il tuo canale è per i VERI appassionati di suono vintage. I miei massimi complimenti. Sei preciso, dettagliato, un accurato ricercatore delle appassionati storie che circondano questo aggeggi che profumano di vecchi componenti, trasformatori e calore....., il grande calore con cui ci appassioni in ogni review...
    Un abbraccio Bakko

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  3 роки тому +1

      Grazie per queste bellissime parole Bacco, dette da un grande liutaio ed esperto come te, sono onorato!

  • @thedevilinthecircuit1414
    @thedevilinthecircuit1414 2 роки тому +5

    I have an early--1961--Reverberocket (6V6s and octal preamp) that is a little *beast* of an amp. It's been played hard and it's still kicking like a mule.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Sounds like you have a little tone monster of an amp! Please feel free to browse among the other content of the channel!

    • @goodun2974
      @goodun2974 2 роки тому +1

      I have owned both an early sixties Ampeg J12 jet with 6V6's and a later J12D with 7591 tubes. Both great amps, but different-sounding (and no reverb on either). Interestingly, neither amplifier was properly functional, for the same reason, when I got them, and only put out a couple of watts of power. Off-spec and dead resistors in the phase inverter circuit was the cause.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      @@goodun2974 Good you fixed those beauties!

  • @davidbaise5137
    @davidbaise5137 28 днів тому +1

    Thanks for this. Very informative about these wonderful amps.👍

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  26 днів тому

      Thank you for your kind feedback David, I'm happy that you enjoyed this video! Please feel free to browse through the other episodes in my channel.

  • @andykopetzky4412
    @andykopetzky4412 11 місяців тому +2

    Hi Bob I'm in the process of restoring and fixing a '65 Reverberocket R12R-T that has a pair of compactrons (6BK11 and 6U10) as V 1 and 2 and 7591's as power tubes. Ordered a new output transformer. The amp worked great for a while but red plated one of the tubes. The tremolo was wired to the 2nd stage of V 1 but that didn't work so I tied it to the junction of the 270K resistors of V4. I'll keep you posted. The reverb is fantastic: great surf amp. I like the Brazilian guitar !

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  11 місяців тому

      Hello Andy, congratulations on your amp! I just acquired a 1966 GS-12R Reverberocket 2, in very nice conditions: it still has all its original components. It sounds absolutely sweet. It also has something weird happening with the Tremolo: the Intensity control causes a dramatic drop in the volume, even if the tremolo is disengaged! My amp tech says that the circuit wiring is original; he adviced that it could need fresh preamp tubes.

  • @randolphpatterson5061
    @randolphpatterson5061 2 роки тому +2

    On the cover of the 2nd edition of Aspen Pittman's amp book, there's a pastiche of various tube amps. Front & center among those is this Reverberocket, and It was put there for good reason. I have one of these amps in original condition, with the octal preamp tubes, solid-state rectifier, 7591 output tubes, two-prong power cord, & a blue Jensen speaker. It had been my workhorse amp for a long time, until it eventually got to the point where some servicing was called for. I have another two dozen or so vintage amps, & now that I'm newly retired I'll have all the time I need to service & restore them. Back when I was servicing amps as a side hustle, I managed to get a number of them for dirt-cheap, although I was never tempted to cheat anyone & always pointed out the true market worth of those amps to the people who were sometimes insisting on basically giving them to me. The Ampeg sounds distinctly apart from all the rest, it definitely has a sound of its own. It's the first of my amps that I'm planning to fix up. Thanks for making this video. Good job!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Thank you so much for your kind feedback and cool stories Randolph! Best wishes with the recovery of the Reverberocket and your other tube-amp projects!

  • @fabriziomattioli6783
    @fabriziomattioli6783 3 роки тому +1

    Grande Bob aspettavo un altro video dei tuoi.. e non mi hai deluso.. grazie e grande sempre!!!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  3 роки тому

      Grazie Fabrizio, sono felice che anche questo episodio ti sia piaciuto!

  • @joellebrodeur1015
    @joellebrodeur1015 Рік тому +2

    I don't own vintage era Ampegs yet but I do have the reissues. One is a '96 Reverbrocket R12R (just refreshed and cleaned) and newly acquired reissue Jet II. They will never be like their vintage counterparts, BUT these are fantastic amps. They are warm and really lush with a wonderful reverb. My R12R is my main tube amp and supplement it with a Roland JC22 for smaller practice spaces. My Jet will see tons of playing time soon.
    I really love how both my Rickenbackers sound through them. It may seem on face an odd combo (Vox being the common amp to pair with), but these Ampegs bring out a more rounded lush tone. I love the sound. I won't go back to Vox or Fenders ever again.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому

      Congratulations on your nice amps Joelle! I would warmly suggest that you get an original one from the 1960's before their value skyrockets.

    • @jasondorsey7110
      @jasondorsey7110 Рік тому +1

      He's right, if you find a good deal snag it because they're only getting pricier...and snag some spare tubes too, some variants used weird tubes which are only going up in rarity and price

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому

      @@jasondorsey7110 Wise advice Jason! I'm Bob by the way : )

    • @jasondorsey7110
      @jasondorsey7110 Рік тому +1

      @@BobsToneReview Well, hi Bob, and thanks for the history lesson. I too love those old ampegs...there's nothing else quite like them.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому

      @@jasondorsey7110 Thank you for your nice words Jason, I'm happy that you liked the video!

  • @LlamasyPlumas
    @LlamasyPlumas 27 днів тому +1

    Great stuff Bob!! I own an Ampeg J12T, paired it up with my Blues deluxe. And of course I play my P90 goldtop through it 😁 I have some recordings on my channel. Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more content! Subscribed 🤘👍

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  26 днів тому +1

      Thank you for your kind words and your encouragement Llamas y Plumas! I'm listening to your recordings right now; congratulations on your equipment and playing style! I'm currently at work on the editing of a new (double) episode to be released soon!

  • @trassk
    @trassk 2 роки тому +1

    I have an original R-12-R which i've recently restored, as many of the capacitors were bad. Its an amazing sounding amp with a unique sound and reverb. Thank you for your video, I love to learn the history of these great amps.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Thank you for your kind feedback Reese! Please feel free to browse among the other content of the channel.

  • @AICD1999
    @AICD1999 2 роки тому +1

    Great job! That is the biggest Reverberocket I have ever seen. Its way huge! The mics are big too.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Thank you Aicd1999, happy thet you enjoyed! Yes, you are right, earlier models with top panel are smaller. Braingasm microphones are just great, check their website if you are interested: www.braingasmlab.com

  • @goodun2974
    @goodun2974 2 роки тому +4

    It is worth noting for players, collectors and less experienced techs that Ampeg amplifiers had a very different reverb circuit then the Fender amps, and the reverb tanks are not interchangeable between the two brands. The Ampeg amplifiers used a capacitor-driven reverb circuit and therefore the reverb tank has a higher impedance than the reverb tanks used in Fender amps which are driven from a small output transformer. If you have a vintage Ampeg amp and the reverb isn't working correctly, check that you have the correct tank (look for numbers on the tank and look up the specs on line) and that the tank is electrically functional. . Somebody may have tried to repair a non functioning reverb circuit in an Ampeg by unknowingly substituting the wrong type of reverb tap. By the way,, many (but not all) Magnatone amps use a similar reverb tank to the Ampegs.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Hello Good'un, I really don't get the point. As I mention in the video, many experts in fact agree that Ampeg vintage reverb is even superior to your typical "Blackface-style" reverb.... which many people may consider an unsurpassed standard. Did you miss that part of the video?
      Also, Bacco's original vintage 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket R-12R-T just went through a full technical revision and sounds absolutely sweet, there's nothing wrong with it. Of course electrolytic caps were replaced with quality components. Could you please point out exactly what doesn't convince you tonewise, and the time code of the video you are referring to?

    • @goodun2974
      @goodun2974 2 роки тому +2

      @@BobsToneReview I think perhaps you misunderstood me. In no way was I saying anything negative about Ampegs and their reverb quality. They are or with a little bit of work can be , excellent amps and the Reverberocket in particular is justifiably known for excellent reverb. Somebody who plays in a surf rock band might not find it to their taste, but to my ears it's lush and less springy sounding and much more natural sounding than Fender reverb. I wrote this comment just to let people know that it's not uncommon to find an old Ampeg where the reverb isn't working correctly, often because the original tank might have died and somebody replaced it with the commoner Fender type tank with the wrong electrical specs, in which case the Ampeg reverb would work poorly or not at all. Or perhaps someone mistakenly thought that pulling a reverb tank out of a Fender and putting it into an Ampeg would make it suitable for playing Dick Dale or the Ventures!
      Unfortunately the reissue, more modern Ampegs are nothing like the Ampegs of the sixties and seventies. They use different tubes and the circuits aren't the same either, and therefore they don't really sound quite the same.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому +1

      @@goodun2974 thank you for your clarification, I thought you were referring to the video. I absolutely agree with anything you say. Please feel free to browse among the other content of the channel!

  • @andykopetzky4412
    @andykopetzky4412 2 роки тому +2

    Great video thanks !!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Thank you for your kind feedback Andy, I'm happy that you enjoyed. Please feel free to browse among the other content of the channel : )

  • @kurisurokku
    @kurisurokku 2 роки тому +2

    Nice work Bob! I have 3 blue diamond Ampegs that I have worked on extensively, including a '63 M-12, a '65 (I think) Gemini VI, and the exact model you're using, a '65 R-12-RT. Not surprisingly, mine sounds just like the one you were using 😉 I learned a lot from your video, thank you.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Thank you so much for your attention and your feedback Shaun! Congratulations on your awesome amps; I had a beat-up Gemini from the mid-60's years ago, it had a wonderful tone as well but unfortunately I let it go... It was nearly impossible to find replacement power tubes back then. Please feel free to keep an eye on the channel!

  • @lotharroberts5978
    @lotharroberts5978 Рік тому +1

    Great channel. Glad I subscribed!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому +1

      Thank you for your nice comment, great to have you on board Lothar! : )

  • @paolospadaro
    @paolospadaro 3 роки тому +2

    Grazie Bob!!!!!

  • @shadesoflemoninc.3594
    @shadesoflemoninc.3594 9 місяців тому +2

    Great video! Subscribed!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  9 місяців тому +1

      Thank you, I'm happy that you liked the video. I just bought a 1966 Reverberocket II, grat amp!

    • @shadesoflemoninc.3594
      @shadesoflemoninc.3594 9 місяців тому +1

      @@BobsToneReview next week I will pick up my first ampeg j12t. Can’t wait 😄 keep up the good work!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  9 місяців тому +1

      @@shadesoflemoninc.3594 Thank you!!
      Congratulations on your "new" amp! : )

  • @redoxrecords6384
    @redoxrecords6384 Рік тому +2

    Nice stuff. Pity the R15R doesn't get a shout. That's what I have with the valve constellation at 13.00 on your vid. Unable to use professionally as it breaks up early especially with the reverb. Would love to know what's responsible for the sound breaking up - preamp or power amp.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому +1

      Thank you for your kind feedback Redox Records. Have you tried to use a preamp tube with lower gain? Some people to increase the headroom in Fender tweed amps, swaps the 12AX7 with a 12AY7 or similar tube and gets excellent results. Maybe you can try something similar with your Ampeg, with some good technical advice.

    • @redoxrecords6384
      @redoxrecords6384 Рік тому +1

      @@BobsToneReview Thanks for the reply Bob. Take your tip on the preamp but no 12AX7 - 2 x 6SL7's, 6SN7 + 7025 are the preamp valves. The 7025 seems a dodgy fit 🙄.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому

      @@redoxrecords6384 sure, I meant that you could probably adopt a similar solution with your tube complement. It is worth asking the opinion of an expert tube technician.

    • @redoxrecords6384
      @redoxrecords6384 Рік тому +1

      @@BobsToneReview Thanks Bob. Have done this by trying an ecc82 instead of ecc83 (7025). Seems an improvement. Thanks for the tip.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому

      @@redoxrecords6384 You're welcome!

  • @nortru
    @nortru 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      I'm happy that you liked the video Norman, thank you for your feedback! Please feel free to browse among the other episodes of the BTR channel!

  • @pharmerdavid1432
    @pharmerdavid1432 2 роки тому +2

    I love my early 1960's Ampeg amps, but the first combo with onboard reverb was Premier amps in 1958, and Gibson also had reverb in some combos in 1960 - a year before Ampeg in 1961. I have a 1961 Reverberocket w/6V6 power tubes, a 1963 R-12-RB w/7591 power tubes, a B12X portoflex flip top with original C12N speaker and 6L6 power tubes plus reverb and vibrato, which sounds awesome for guitar or bass (gets that James Jamerson tone and some bass players prefer it to the B15N for recording), and a 1964 Super Echo Twin with killer replacement Utah speakers with big ceramic magnets (maybe the model Ted Weber bought the patent on?), after the original Jensen speakers blew - common with vintage Chicago Jensen speakers. Moral to the story is: what marketing says is NOT always true...........!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Hello David, thank you for getting in touch, you have a truly amazing collection of Ampeg amps! I know that some sources report about an earlier Premier amp with reverb but I could never find any clear evidence of that. In fact, I'm afraid that your timeline is wrong: the patent for the Hammond "type 4" Reverb pan was filed on January 30th 1961 so no amplifier with proper spring reverb could have been built before 1961. Having said that, Premier and Gibson were definitely following very close behind. You might also be interested in BTR#39 ( ua-cam.com/video/M1hvL-k8Uf8/v-deo.html ) and BTR#46 ( ua-cam.com/video/HX9RVpzOK5M/v-deo.html ) on similar topics.

    • @pharmerdavid1432
      @pharmerdavid1432 Рік тому +1

      @@BobsToneReview Thank you for clarifying the reverb issue, I apologize for being misinformed and passing it on without proper vetting of the information. Now I know better thanks to you!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому

      @@pharmerdavid1432 You are most welcome, great to have you on board! : )

  • @gianfrancobacco3437
    @gianfrancobacco3437 3 роки тому +3

    Cakkio c'è pure Dario!!!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  3 роки тому +1

      Grazie davvero Bacco per aver dato a me e agli aficionados di BTR la possibilità di ripercorrere insieme questa parte di storia!

  • @michaelcrabtree7193
    @michaelcrabtree7193 2 роки тому +2

    I've got one of these. Killer amps! Mine is the earlier 6V6 circuit.

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому +1

      Congratulations on your awesome amp Michael! Please feel free to keep an eye on the channel!

    • @michaelcrabtree7193
      @michaelcrabtree7193 2 роки тому

      @@BobsToneReview Already subscribed, thanks!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      @@michaelcrabtree7193 thank you! Great to have you onboard!

    • @endoalley680
      @endoalley680 2 роки тому +2

      I think I may even have a couple stashed away in a closet along with a couple of old Maggies. I think I will pull them out and have a tech look them over.

    • @michaelcrabtree7193
      @michaelcrabtree7193 2 роки тому

      @@endoalley680 No way?! You want to sell one of them?

  • @craigoog
    @craigoog Рік тому +2

    Hah! I took that photo of the Stones!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому +1

      Wow!! Thank you so much for your contribution Craigoog! I hope you like the video. If I remember correctly that shot was used by Ampeg themselves.

  • @uribaranesguitarstudio
    @uribaranesguitarstudio 2 роки тому +1

    Ciao Bob, bel video come al solito! Il clipping che si sente nei brani suonati dall'altro chitarrista viene dall'ampli? Quando usi due microfoni non riscontri problemi di fase? Grazie e complimenti!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Grazie, sono contento che anche questo episodio ti piaccia! Si, quando suona Dario Mattoni non ci sono pedali di gain. Forse gli humbucker moderni possono dare qualche frequenza un po' più "spigolosa". Ho riscontrato effetti di phasing quando tra i due microfoni c'è un po' di distanza ma se lavorano quasi attaccati sullo stesso cono o se sono abbastanza lontani tra loro, non ci sono problemi evidenti.

  • @lashlarue7924
    @lashlarue7924 Рік тому +2

    I have one! Sorry it's not for sale! 😋👍

  • @MassimoMartellottaMusic
    @MassimoMartellottaMusic 3 роки тому +1

    ce l'avevo è bellissimo! vibrato " quadrato " stupendo

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  3 роки тому +1

      Ciao Massimo!! Si, è un ampli davvero stupendo, riverbero e tremolo assolutamente insuperabili, suono caldo e avvolgente! Anni fa avevo un incredibile Gemini del '62 rifatto "natural" che lasciai a Gaetano. Quando vieni da queste parti a suonare qualche bella chitarra per il pubblico di BTR? : )

  • @Caziolin
    @Caziolin 3 роки тому +1

    Bob,ormai non finirò mai di stupirmi e di ringraziarti...e poi,CHE SUONOOOOO!!!!!
    Bellissimo con tutti i pick up,bellissima idea aver usato p90,humbucker e single coil!!!
    Grazie!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  3 роки тому +1

      Grazie Lorenzo! Sono davvero gratificato dall'attenzione che dedichi agli episodi BTR e dai tuoi calorosi commenti!

    • @Caziolin
      @Caziolin 3 роки тому +1

      @@BobsToneReview non posso non farlo!!!
      Contenuti eccellenti,minuziosità e dovizia di particolari,conoscenza infinita...cosa volere di più?!?!?

  • @4486xxdawson
    @4486xxdawson Рік тому +2

    Oh um i got this amp in perpect complete state , very dusty and hasnt been used in 40 years ,but in better condition as in everything is there and not worn , looks like time capsule barn find , only reason i came here is to see if its worth keepng , my friend collects and restores them , so i sold it to him for 400 , it going to need to be gone over but its going to be in mint condition once its cleaned , even the leather handle is mint no cracks at all , vin number is 00#### 4 digit so im guessing it early 60s

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому +1

      I hope that you found in the video what you were looking for. I think you were wise to pass that awesome amplifier to a tech friend who will restore and cherish it, he's lucky to have you as a friend! : )

  • @italoop7850
    @italoop7850 3 роки тому +2

    Axe & Kemper MY ASS!!!!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  3 роки тому +1

      Ha! Ha! : )

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Italo, Bacco mi ha inoltrato le tue belle parole di feedback, grazie di cuore per l'incoraggiamento!

  • @jayrue4631
    @jayrue4631 2 роки тому +1

    Got one for sale $ 2,000

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      Ok Jay, good luck with your sale.

    • @jayrue4631
      @jayrue4631 2 роки тому +1

      Thanks only 100 made

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому

      @@jayrue4631 What do you mean? Which version is it?

    • @sirvidia
      @sirvidia 7 місяців тому

      He means the Heritage reissue

  • @paulf6784
    @paulf6784 2 роки тому

    Da fock kinda accent izzat?!

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  2 роки тому +2

      Please remember to activate English subtitles from the options of the player if needed

  • @jactodetarabilla2864
    @jactodetarabilla2864 Рік тому

    vintage crap

  • @williamhurrelbrink3324
    @williamhurrelbrink3324 Рік тому +1

    This vid made me a subscriber. Great stuff

    • @BobsToneReview
      @BobsToneReview  Рік тому

      Thank you William, welcome on board! Please feel free to browse through the other content of the channel.