- AMPEG
- chevron_right DATING AMPEG AMPLIFIERS
In dating Ampeg Amplifiers, there are several different schemes to be used. The good thing about Ampeg is that when they changed their models, they all changed at the same time. This means that it is fairly easy to determine the range of year by just looking at the outside of the amp. Like all U.S.A. made amps, the speakers, transformers, and potentiometers have date codes on them. This along with the serial number on the amp can help narrow down the year of manufacture.
There are six distinctive periods in the Ampeg line. Each period has a different way of identifying the year made. Note that each different period is approximately during each different ownership. The chart here should be of some help.
Pre 1953 - These amps can only be dated by the EIA (Electronics Industries Association) codes on the speakers and other parts. No serial numbers were used during this time. Michael-Hull amplifiers were made between 1946-48. When Hull started on his own, the name was switched to Ampeg and were mostly wooden amps with Ampeg written across the grille.
1953-Mid 1965 - In 1953, the first Serialization system was introduced. This was a six-digit number like this: YMMNNN, which was the last digit of the year, month, and number of production. Since there is a possibility of overlap here, cosmetics are a huge factor in determining the year. The year 1953 could be 1963 since only the last digit was used. Ampeg changed their cosmetics several times in the late '50s and by determining whether the amp is black, blue, grey, or tan will identify the year.
1965-1969 - In early 1965 a new serialization system went into effect. The old one lasted on certain models for about six months. This system was also six digits. This system here was strictly numerical and started at 000001. It ran for about five years and ended with 092000. This chart is fairly accurate:
000001-020000 - 1965
020000-049000 - 1966
049000-075000 - 1967
075000-080000 - 1968
080000-090000 - 1969
1970-1979 - By 1970, Ampeg was in turmoil and in the process of selling to Magnavox. It was only fitting to introduce a third serialization system. At this point in time there isn't enough information about the serial numbers to accurately date with them. The best way to do that is by the cosmetics and when they were used over the decade. There is a small list of what Selmer and Ampeg changed during this time. The first feature is the control panel. From 1968-1972, a blue control panel was used. In 1972 until 1975, the control panel was changed to black with square corners.
In 1976, the panel was horizontally split with rounded corners (This was started in 1973 on solid-state models). The second feature is the addition of a distortion knob which occured in 1976. The third are the "white rocker switches," which replaced the "black rocker switches." These were changed on solid-state amps in 1973 and on tube amps in 1976. The final feature was the "a" logo. It was metal from 1968-1972, and plastic from 1973 on.
1985-2005 - These are the amps during the St. Louis Music period. A new serialization system was developed and it became a code used for many years. This is the best way to identify the date of manufacture during this period. A 10 digit number is used as a serial number, which contains lots of information. The number is set up like this: LLLCYMNNNN. LLL stands for the model, C stands for the country. (U is U.K., Y is Europe, W is Worldwide, and D stands for domestic or U.S.). The Y is a year code that is a letter. (A is 1988, B is 1989, C is 1990, and so on. What happened before 1987 for the year is unclear as very few amps were made because of bankruptcy for MTI). The M is a number code for January-October. (Jan is 1, Feb is 2, Oct is 10, fill in the blanks.) For November and December the letters A and B were used respectively. The last 4 numbers (N) are the actual serial number for the instrument. Example? Certainly. Serial number on a B-15R is AJYDB60626. This is a U.S. amp made in June of 1989 and its serial number 626.
There are six distinctive periods in the Ampeg line. Each period has a different way of identifying the year made. Note that each different period is approximately during each different ownership. The chart here should be of some help.
Pre 1953 - These amps can only be dated by the EIA (Electronics Industries Association) codes on the speakers and other parts. No serial numbers were used during this time. Michael-Hull amplifiers were made between 1946-48. When Hull started on his own, the name was switched to Ampeg and were mostly wooden amps with Ampeg written across the grille.
1953-Mid 1965 - In 1953, the first Serialization system was introduced. This was a six-digit number like this: YMMNNN, which was the last digit of the year, month, and number of production. Since there is a possibility of overlap here, cosmetics are a huge factor in determining the year. The year 1953 could be 1963 since only the last digit was used. Ampeg changed their cosmetics several times in the late '50s and by determining whether the amp is black, blue, grey, or tan will identify the year.
1965-1969 - In early 1965 a new serialization system went into effect. The old one lasted on certain models for about six months. This system was also six digits. This system here was strictly numerical and started at 000001. It ran for about five years and ended with 092000. This chart is fairly accurate:
000001-020000 - 1965
020000-049000 - 1966
049000-075000 - 1967
075000-080000 - 1968
080000-090000 - 1969
1970-1979 - By 1970, Ampeg was in turmoil and in the process of selling to Magnavox. It was only fitting to introduce a third serialization system. At this point in time there isn't enough information about the serial numbers to accurately date with them. The best way to do that is by the cosmetics and when they were used over the decade. There is a small list of what Selmer and Ampeg changed during this time. The first feature is the control panel. From 1968-1972, a blue control panel was used. In 1972 until 1975, the control panel was changed to black with square corners.
In 1976, the panel was horizontally split with rounded corners (This was started in 1973 on solid-state models). The second feature is the addition of a distortion knob which occured in 1976. The third are the "white rocker switches," which replaced the "black rocker switches." These were changed on solid-state amps in 1973 and on tube amps in 1976. The final feature was the "a" logo. It was metal from 1968-1972, and plastic from 1973 on.
1985-2005 - These are the amps during the St. Louis Music period. A new serialization system was developed and it became a code used for many years. This is the best way to identify the date of manufacture during this period. A 10 digit number is used as a serial number, which contains lots of information. The number is set up like this: LLLCYMNNNN. LLL stands for the model, C stands for the country. (U is U.K., Y is Europe, W is Worldwide, and D stands for domestic or U.S.). The Y is a year code that is a letter. (A is 1988, B is 1989, C is 1990, and so on. What happened before 1987 for the year is unclear as very few amps were made because of bankruptcy for MTI). The M is a number code for January-October. (Jan is 1, Feb is 2, Oct is 10, fill in the blanks.) For November and December the letters A and B were used respectively. The last 4 numbers (N) are the actual serial number for the instrument. Example? Certainly. Serial number on a B-15R is AJYDB60626. This is a U.S. amp made in June of 1989 and its serial number 626.