Harp'nriff
1 post
Dec 19, 2015
12:48 AM
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Hello I've followed the forum for about a year and have learned gotten lots of great tips about all things harmonica from the members here, so I finally registered to participate.
I am looking for a little bit of input about a couple of "pure" tube amps to supplement my Vox Vt 40+ amp. I have seen a couple of "what look to be" good deals locally, so let me know what you think.
My interest in an all tube amp is to get the smooth/creamy break-up & warm clean tones that tube amps can offer. I play in a band and our drummer is willing to keep the volume down, so I don't have to fight to be heard.
I have read a lot about the VHT SP6 = quality clean and crunchy sounds. I just tested and Alamo Challenger with 2 6V6, 12AX7, and a 5Y3GT. It listed 50 watts on the front panel, but from the tube set-up I am guessing the output to be 10-15w. It breaks quickly at 2 out of 10 on the volume control. It was loud and did sound a bit sharp with the tone control at 0/no treble?
The guy was asking $200 for it, the condition of the amp looked almost new. I can pick up a VHT SP6 head for $155 (brand new) to play through the 10" speaker in my Vox combo.
My question, is the alamo a one hit wonder for vintage crunch only, or can it be easily modified to smooth it out and add some of the tonal versatility offered by the SP6.
Thanks,
Harp'nriff
Last Edited by Harp'nriff on Dec 19, 2015 12:52 AM
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jbone
2101 posts
Dec 19, 2015
9:50 AM
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I have no experience with either but if the Alamo is vintage and all working, it may be worth the cash. How many and what speakers in that Alamo?
I borrowed an Alamo for a gig one time and I think it was a 2x10 or 2x12 cab. It did have big highs. Different speakers and maybe a lower value pre amp tube-I use a 12au7 usually- may help with that high end.
Others may be more in the know than I am so I hope they will speak up!
And welcome HnR!
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dougharps
1083 posts
Dec 19, 2015
10:12 AM
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If you want the single ended sound then the VHT should do. It has had good reviews.
The push-pull 2-6V6 Alamo should offer more power, but to double volume output you need 10X the output watts. The volume difference in 5 and 10-12 watts is there, but not huge, and speaker choice is a factor in volume, efficiency, and tone. I have a Gibson Explorer 2-6V6 that was a little bright for harp until I swapped in a Lil Buddy to darken my tone.
Another issue is whether either amp needs a cap job. The Alamo would seem more likely to need work due to age, unless it was recently serviced. If all things were equal in terms of functioning, I would choose the Alamo for my purposes. It just comes down to what you are looking for.
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Doug S.
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Harp'nriff
2 posts
Dec 19, 2015
10:43 PM
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Thanks J-Bone and dougharps,
The Alamo looks almost like new amp even the handle looked unblemished, there was no label on the speaker, but it look like a pretty old design it was 10" with very small rectangular magnet. I wasn't to excited about the tone. I guess I'll just have to try the VHT and compare.
The VHT head is $45 cheaper and brand new and it seems like it might offer more control in shaping tone than the Alamo. The Alamo is tempting, because of it's condition as vintage amp, but it may require a lot more work to get it to a sound that fits my needs.
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jbone
2108 posts
Dec 21, 2015
4:11 AM
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I swapped my first Silvertone 1482's 12" speaker to a Jensen Special and improved response a lot. Sadly I sold that amp off for one that looked better and didn't get to swap the speakers. The current one is fine for my purposes.
That Alamo may benefit from a bigger and better speaker but it would cost something. To go bigger the baffle board would need modifying, if the cab is big enough.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTwvU-EN1Q
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Harp'nriff
3 posts
Dec 21, 2015
9:48 AM
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Thanks jbone,
Here is the address to a picture of the tube layout and speaker. I am not sure if it is tube rectified or solid state. The speaker does look very limited. The whole amp is amazingly clean though, making it kind of tempting, but I'd probably have to throw another $80 into it to get a decent speaker. So, I am leaning towards the VHT head.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwjJmKUZ25qfd2tpSjJQRmlNMTg/view?usp=sharing
Last Edited by Harp'nriff on Dec 21, 2015 10:36 AM
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