Alamo Capri amp

PraiseCaster · February 6th, 2006, 09:18 PM

I just acquired this little amp from a friend, who gave it too me.

It looks like an old Sears Silvertone style of amp (tall and thin, open back, similar appearance.

Its about the size of a smal to average style briefcase. Has a 6" speaker. 3 input jacks (unmarked). 1 volume knob, and a combo tone/on/off knob.

The front of the chassis says its 40 watts, but it aint. My buddy who works on amps for his own company, says its a 2 watt amp. Yep, 2 whole watts! But it is 2 tube watts!

This little thing kicks some major butt! It gets loud enough to make my wife holler, "Turn that thing down! I dont want to go deaf!", so it has just enough volume for me.

And the tone is absolutely cool! Even at low volume those tubes are runnin hard, and you can hear em getting into overdrive right away. Dime it, and you can hear those tubes get saturated and creamy sounding! Sorry, I forgot to note what types of tubes are in there.

The speaker looks to be stock (comparing to a different Alamo amp photo I saw), as does the rest of the amp.

I've been able to gleen from the internet that:
1) it was manufactured around 1960
2) American Made in San Antonio Texas
3) and not much else

So have any of you heard about these little 2 watt wonders?

Also, if it is worth anything in stock trim, I dont want to alter it at all. Any opinions as to value: I only saw different Alamo amps up for auction on eBait, so I dont think it is a good comparison.

Also, any idea's on what might be some good mod's (if it isnt worth alot), like a different speaker (its got enough room to take an 8" easy, maybe even a 10), even though the stock speaker sounds really good.

I've hooked my effects up to this lil mighty mouse, and kickin in my TS808 Tube Screamer, Chorus, Wah, Flanger, and Hyperdrive, and it really sounded great!

So any info you may have, I would appreaciate it.

Thanks!

chago04 · February 7th, 2006, 01:09 AM

If you decide to sell it, drop me a PM, i love those alamos. Love them!

Just like you said theyve got beautiful tone and are considered by many to be the best steal amps out there. Recently those amps have been hittin 150 or so on the bay, so i worry my secret may soon be out.

Edit: here's a recent

here.[/url]

Poppatwang · February 7th, 2006, 10:06 AM

in Richardson, Texas usually has several laying about.

PraiseCaster · February 7th, 2006, 04:14 PM

Here's a few pictures of my lil Alamo (remember, its about the size of a briefcase):

Three inputs, all marked "Instruments"

Underneath the "Capri" script it says, "110-115, 60cycles AC, 40 watts" (back then they musta played a little loose with the ratings....)

Here is the massive tube compliment:

Now from numerous photo's I've seen on the net, it looksa like the speaker is correct, though I havent seen this style of cabinet (yet), it appears to be of the same vein of styles that Alamo used. This is a birch cabinet, and I am roughly estimating it was made around 1960.

Oh, and no, its not for sale! This is the first practice amp I have ever had that I absolutely love the tone it delivers! She's a keeper! I'm tempted to leave her in the state you see here, but than I'm also tempted to treat her right and get her all cleaned up and restored lookin. Decisions, decisions.....

Poppatwang · February 7th, 2006, 05:51 PM

is the draw, like a 40 watt bulb. Nothing to do with output rating.

BradKM · February 7th, 2006, 06:49 PM

If it's still go the old two prong chord, swap it out for a grounded one (three prong) so you can enjoy it without risking your life.

PraiseCaster · February 10th, 2006, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradKM

If it's still go the old two prong chord, swap it out for a grounded one (three prong) so you can enjoy it without risking your life.

But what about the adrenaline rush, the thrill of cheatin death while playin your guitar? What a party pooper!

Bill Ashton · February 10th, 2006, 01:29 PM

Looks to be one of those three-tube-no-power-transformer jobs, which could be dangerous as you are tapped directly into the wall socket...

I'll be the tubes are 50C5, 35W4 and uh 12BA6 or some other 12xxx. Add the numbers up, 92 volts...whee is the other 25?...on a big resistor in there somewhere!

We've discussed these here before, but like you I also bit on a beautiful little Silvertone/Danelectro. After my son got a slight jolt from her, it was off to the knackers with it...

Just be careful, Ok???

Now I could be all wet with this, but looking at your chasis photo it appears that the only transformer in place is attached to the speaker. Is that not correct?

Bill Ashton · February 10th, 2006, 01:35 PM

Ninety-Seven Volts, damn I'm embarassed...well, the theory is about the same...a hard pipe right into the wall socket...

Jeez, we never worried about these when they were those big old clock radios back in the day, did we?...

PraiseCaster · February 10th, 2006, 03:35 PM

Yeah installing a 3 prong is in the works.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Ashton

....off to the knackers with it...

Never heard that one before. Mind educating me?

February 6th, 2006, 09:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 4,428 16 Photos	Alamo Capri amp I just acquired this little amp from a friend, who gave it too me. It looks like an old Sears Silvertone style of amp (tall and thin, open back, similar appearance. Its about the size of a smal to average style briefcase. Has a 6" speaker. 3 input jacks (unmarked). 1 volume knob, and a combo tone/on/off knob. The front of the chassis says its 40 watts, but it aint. My buddy who works on amps for his own company, says its a 2 watt amp. Yep, 2 whole watts! But it is 2 tube watts! This little thing kicks some major butt! It gets loud enough to make my wife holler, "Turn that thing down! I dont want to go deaf!", so it has just enough volume for me. And the tone is absolutely cool! Even at low volume those tubes are runnin hard, and you can hear em getting into overdrive right away. Dime it, and you can hear those tubes get saturated and creamy sounding! Sorry, I forgot to note what types of tubes are in there. The speaker looks to be stock (comparing to a different Alamo amp photo I saw), as does the rest of the amp. I've been able to gleen from the internet that: 1) it was manufactured around 1960 2) American Made in San Antonio Texas 3) and not much else So have any of you heard about these little 2 watt wonders? Also, if it is worth anything in stock trim, I dont want to alter it at all. Any opinions as to value: I only saw different Alamo amps up for auction on eBait, so I dont think it is a good comparison. Also, any idea's on what might be some good mod's (if it isnt worth alot), like a different speaker (its got enough room to take an 8" easy, maybe even a 10), even though the stock speaker sounds really good. I've hooked my effects up to this lil mighty mouse, and kickin in my TS808 Tube Screamer, Chorus, Wah, Flanger, and Hyperdrive, and it really sounded great! So any info you may have, I would appreaciate it. Thanks! __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace

February 7th, 2006, 01:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
chago04 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 207	If you decide to sell it, drop me a PM, i love those alamos. Love them! Just like you said theyve got beautiful tone and are considered by many to be the best steal amps out there. Recently those amps have been hittin 150 or so on the bay, so i worry my secret may soon be out. Edit: here's a recent here.[/url] __________________ - Logan I dont suffer from G.A.S., but my bank account does Bring my Green Sauce Back

February 7th, 2006, 10:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,909 13 Photos	The Guitar Shop in Richardson, Texas usually has several laying about. __________________ The Dieselfitters http://www.dieselfitters.com Roy Hubbs http://www.royhubbs.com

February 7th, 2006, 04:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 4,428 16 Photos	Here's a few pictures of my lil Alamo (remember, its about the size of a briefcase): Three inputs, all marked "Instruments" Underneath the "Capri" script it says, "110-115, 60cycles AC, 40 watts" (back then they musta played a little loose with the ratings....) Here is the massive tube compliment: Now from numerous photo's I've seen on the net, it looksa like the speaker is correct, though I havent seen this style of cabinet (yet), it appears to be of the same vein of styles that Alamo used. This is a birch cabinet, and I am roughly estimating it was made around 1960. Oh, and no, its not for sale! This is the first practice amp I have ever had that I absolutely love the tone it delivers! She's a keeper! I'm tempted to leave her in the state you see here, but than I'm also tempted to treat her right and get her all cleaned up and restored lookin. Decisions, decisions..... __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace

February 7th, 2006, 05:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,909 13 Photos	40 Watts... is the draw, like a 40 watt bulb. Nothing to do with output rating. __________________ The Dieselfitters http://www.dieselfitters.com Roy Hubbs http://www.royhubbs.com

February 7th, 2006, 06:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
BradKM Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 428	If it's still go the old two prong chord, swap it out for a grounded one (three prong) so you can enjoy it without risking your life.

February 10th, 2006, 01:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bill Ashton Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 512	Be very careful with her... Looks to be one of those three-tube-no-power-transformer jobs, which could be dangerous as you are tapped directly into the wall socket... I'll be the tubes are 50C5, 35W4 and uh 12BA6 or some other 12xxx. Add the numbers up, 92 volts...whee is the other 25?...on a big resistor in there somewhere! We've discussed these here before, but like you I also bit on a beautiful little Silvertone/Danelectro. After my son got a slight jolt from her, it was off to the knackers with it... Just be careful, Ok??? Now I could be all wet with this, but looking at your chasis photo it appears that the only transformer in place is attached to the speaker. Is that not correct?

February 10th, 2006, 01:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bill Ashton Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 512	Boy, gotta check my math! Ninety-Seven Volts, damn I'm embarassed...well, the theory is about the same...a hard pipe right into the wall socket... Jeez, we never worried about these when they were those big old clock radios back in the day, did we?...