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Average Price: $550
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$300
$701+
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Description
The Ampeg J-12 Jet is a classic combo guitar amplifier that harks back to the golden era of rock and roll, offering musicians a nostalgic yet powerful sound experience. Revered for its iconic vintage tone, this amp is a testament to Ampeg's legacy in sound engineering. With its robust build and classic styling, the J-12 Jet is not just an amplifier but a piece of history that has graced stages since its production years from 1958 to 1970.
Designed with both novice players and seasoned professionals in mind, the J-12 Jet delivers a warm, rich sound that can only be achieved through its meticulously crafted components. This includes its solid-state rectifier, which ensures reliable performance and consistent tonal quality. Whether you're looking for clean, crisp notes or a gritty bluesy overdrive, this amp has the versatility to suit your musical aspirations.
Its compact design makes it an ideal choice for gigging musicians and home studio setups alike, while the simple control layout allows for easy tone shaping. The J-12 Jet stands as a bridge between vintage allure and modern reliability, making it a must-have for any guitarist seeking to capture the essence of a bygone era.
Key Features:
- Vintage-inspired design
- Solid-state rectifier for reliable performance
- Compact combo amplifier for versatile use
- Rich and warm tonal quality
- Simple control layout for easy adjustments
Product specs
| Brand | Ampeg |
| Model | J-12 Jet 2-Channel 20-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo, J-12 Jet 20-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo |
| Finish | Blue |
| Year | 1958 - 1970 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Combo Amps |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Number of Channels | 1 Channel, 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 2 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 20 |
| Power Tube Type | 6V6 |
| Reverb | None |
| Speaker Configuration | 1x12" |
FAQs
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What type of tubes does the Ampeg J-12 Jet use?
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The Ampeg J-12 Jet uses 6V6 power tubes, which are known for their warm, smooth tone and are commonly used in vintage-style amplifiers.
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How many channels does the Ampeg J-12 Jet have?
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The Ampeg J-12 Jet features both 1-channel and 2-channel configurations, providing flexibility for different playing styles and tonal requirements.
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Is the Ampeg J-12 Jet suitable for gigging?
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With its 20-watt output and 1x12" speaker configuration, the Ampeg J-12 Jet is suitable for small to medium-sized gigs, offering a classic tube-driven sound ideal for live performances.
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Does the Ampeg J-12 Jet have built-in reverb?
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No, the Ampeg J-12 Jet does not feature built-in reverb, focusing instead on delivering pure tube-driven tone without additional effects.
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What kind of sound can I expect from the Ampeg J-12 Jet?
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The Ampeg J-12 Jet is known for its vintage, warm, and smooth tone, making it an excellent choice for genres that benefit from classic tube amp sound, such as blues and rock.
Videos
dfwsoundman
Ampeg Jet J-12 demo ebay 151824981099
Ampeg Jet J-12 demo ebay 151824981099
dfwsoundman
【Vintage Guitar Amp】 Ampeg J-12 "JET"1960's
THG
Reviews
PROS
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Fantastic vintage tone with unique sound not found in Fender, Marshall, or Mesa
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Features drippy tube tremolo that adds character to the sound
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Offers great value for a vintage amp under $1,000
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Loud enough for gigs with a sensitive/efficient speaker
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Handles pedals exceptionally well
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Lightweight and portable with a 12-inch speaker and 20 watts
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Cool vintage aesthetics and mint condition appeal
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Flexible tube configurations offer varied sound profiles
CONS
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Some models use rare compactron TV tubes, which can be challenging to replace
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Requires knowledge to retrofit tubes if necessary
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Original two-prong cord may need upgrading for safety
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ampeg J-12 Jet.
Mods and upgrades
Comparisons
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The Weber Blue Dog offers a brighter, British/Vox-like tone, contrasting with the darker original sound of Everette Hull-era Ampegs.
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At around 20 watts, it maintains clean tones at higher volumes, unlike smaller amps like the Champ which tend to break up earlier.
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The Jet's volume output is similar to a Blues Junior, both rated around 15 to 20 watts, challenging its use in louder settings.
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For louder needs, consider Ampeg's Super Jet or Reverberocket models, as they offer higher wattage and potentially more volume.
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Use cases and applications
Build quality
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The amp features a fat octal preamp design, which contributes to its characteristic vintage sound.
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Features and functionality
Setup and maintenance
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Erratic tremolo performance can be stabilized with minor tweaks and maintenance, as older components may drift out of spec.
Source
Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Artist usage
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Known from the following sources:
Musician, December 1986, "Richard Lloyd" by Bill Flanagan, pg. 26
"I'm getting some little Ampeg amps, like the Jet. You don't need a pedal or anything for it—it's just a beautiful sound."
Guitar Player, January 1993, "Back on the Air: The Return of Television" by James Rotondi
Lloyd tends a stable of vintage Fender amps, including a '50 Deluxe, a '52 Pro, a '55 Tremolux, and a '56 Princeton. He also uses a '59 Ampeg Jet, a Vibraverb reissue, and a '65 Supro. Live, he relies on Vox AC30s: "You can change the current wherever you are without a transformer, so they're good the world over, and they have a nice high-end bite."
Premier Guitar, "Richard Lloyd: The Alchemist" by Tzvi Gluckin (December 25, 2018)
Do you get your gain from letting the amp break up naturally?
Yeah. I mean, I am using some pedals live and I have been for a number of years. Lately, I’ve been using a Supro reissue. For a while I was using a Thunderbolt, and now I’m using a Black Magick. They break up pretty good, pretty early. You can pretty much get your tone out of the amp. I had about eight of them at one time. I sold a bunch off in the ’90s, but I kept my ’65 Thunderbolt. I’ve kept a number of others. They’re numbered; I don’t know the names of them. I am a big fan of Supro.
That’s what you’re using on those first two Television records?
On the third one [1992’s Television]. For instance, the solo on “Call Mr. Lee”—that’s through my Supro ’65 Thunderbolt, straight in, turned all the way up.
What were you using earlier?
We started with Fender Supers and then we switched. In the studio, I was using Danelectro/Sears/Silvertone amps. We had a number of amps. One song had an Ampeg Jet. It’s a small amp, but you don’t need a large amp to sound big in the studio.
Album Usage
The Ampeg J-12 Jet has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ampeg J-12 Jet, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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