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Forums :: Ask Amp Tech Expert Skip Simmons

Alamo Model 5

7 replies [Last post]
Fri, 02/13/2015 - 13:07
Taylor Ward
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Teacher 3Level 7
Joined: 06/03/2011

Hey Skip,

I found an Alamo Model 5 at a guitar shop for $300 that works.  My amp repair guy says it's going to take some work fixing it up.  What should be my cap for dumping $ into this?  I can't find anything about these anywhere online.  Just the Model 3.  What's the difference?  What can you tell me about this amp?

-Taylor

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Sat, 02/14/2015 - 10:53
#1
Doug Spencer
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Joined: 07/28/2014
alamo amps

I've noticed an Alamo Capri (silver, controls on top) and an Alamo Titan for sale at a pawn shop. Working, around two hundred dollar range. Any harmonica value here? I see the Capri has the circuit that can shock you without changing to a grounded cord.

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Sun, 02/15/2015 - 08:43
#2
Expert Skip Simmons
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Joined: 01/18/2010
Remember the Alamo......

Hello Doug and Ward-   Alamo amps were a budget brand from the sixties (although some of their fifties models were top-grade) and certainly have harp appeal.  Doug, you are right to avoid the "AC-DC" models that use tubes like 50C5 and 35W4, but other 6V6, 6L6, or 7868-powered models have plenty of potential. Taylor, we need to know what the tube line-up on the Model 5 is.  Alamo amps are pretty rare and rarely match their schematic, plus we want to avoid any of those of those "AC-DC" models. Also, it is unlikely that your repair guy has much experience with Alamo amps!

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Sun, 02/15/2015 - 21:13
#3
Taylor Ward
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Teacher 3Level 7
Joined: 06/03/2011
2 6V6s. It also has a power

2 6V6s. It also has a power transformer. 

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Sun, 02/15/2015 - 21:23
#4
Taylor Ward
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Teacher 3Level 7
Joined: 06/03/2011
I don't know how much

I don't know how much experience he has with Alamo amps.....  but is there something I should be telling him?  Any advice you could provide for me to relay to him would be greatly appreciated.

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Mon, 02/16/2015 - 09:13
#5
Expert Skip Simmons
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Joined: 01/18/2010
Taylor's Alamo

Hello Taylor-   This thread is getting a too specific for the scope of this column.   You (anyone actually!) can give me a call any time (days) to chat a little more.

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Mon, 02/16/2015 - 10:38
#6
Taylor Ward
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Teacher 3Level 7
Joined: 06/03/2011
Ok. Thank you!

Ok. Thank you!

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Tue, 02/17/2015 - 18:52
#7
Doug Spencer
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Joined: 07/28/2014
Thanks for the info Skip.

Thanks for the info Skip.

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