Ampeg B-12XTC

This amp was made in the early '70s, and is just like the B-12XT, except it has four 12" speakers instead of two. It has two channels, each with a separate guitar and accordian input. It also features echo and reverb effects built in. I always get comments on the flip-top head when we play out, so cosmetically, it's a beaut. It also packs a 50 watt wallop and is plenty loud enough to play the noisey indie rock stuff I play. I wish it had better EQ and even a little built-in overdrive. Either way, it's pretty damn versatile.

I'm using it with a standard Tele, playing punk/indie rock stuff. It actually sounds really good all around, whether I'm playing a clean quiet part, or a heavy loud part. As I stated above, some natural overdrive would be nice. This amp does not come with Celestians, and requires a distortion pedal to get any overdrive. Having owned a modified 100W Marshall Super Bass previously, this took some getting used to. Once I got an Ibanez Tube King (which got stolen...not I have a RAT), this was fixed. I use a Morley A-B-Y box to switch between channels, so I can get two different clean tones, and one distortion tone. It's very versatile in terms of sound. The vibrato is pretty weak, and I've not been able to get the reverb working yet.

I haven't had a problem with this thing yet. When I got it, it had all original tubes, and someone had replaced the Tube Rectifier with a Solid State one. It's in the shop right now, getting retubed and also getting a tube rectifier. I'm also getting the reverb fixed (yay!)

No answer for this--it's almost as old as I am. :)

I've been playing in bands for about 15 years now and out of all the amps I've owned (or seen), this has a lot of character and versatility. I'm happy with this amp, and even though I miss that Marshall sound, I would be sad to see it go.