Alamo Challenger ???

[Djinn Guitars]

I just got a little Alamo Challenger anyone know anything about these? The front panel consists of (L-R) input, input,1-volume, 1-tone, fuse, light that's it. Tube complement is 1-12AX7, 1-6V6, and 1-5Y3GT.

I'd also like suggestions for a little warmer sound and a little more drive if these could be accomplished with tube substitutions. I'm going to re-tube it with the stock complement but while I'm at it I'd also like a few options.

[Enzo]

Schematic Heaven has the schematic.

[gribnick]

Unfortunately, the schematic on schematicheaven is not the one for the common model of the challenger. It seems to be for an older model (?) with 3 inputs, no cathode bypass caps on either preamp stage, no couple cap to the power amp and the tone controls are wired differently with more ceramic caps than are in the schematic. Since my amp had been re-capped and other mods done to it I ripped out a bunch of stuff that I didn't know was original until it was too late. Now I would like to get it back to the original circuit but have no idea what that was (I have pictures of my amp but it was not stock). Does anyone have the two input amp they could gut shot a few pics and/or a schematic of same?

[hasserl]

Sorry, don't have the Challenger schem. But if it was my amp I'd take a look at a 5F2 tweed Princeton and wire it up accordingly, maybe ditch the nfb.

[gribnick]

Thankyou! The 5F2 is *very* close to what the original wiring was in the Alamo. Main diff seems to be the Alamo has a 820R/.047uf bypass on the 2nd stage and straight wire on the first stage. Voltages are lower in 5F2 perhaps because it has a choke and the Alamo doesn't. While I'd still like to see the original alamo stuff if anyone has it this is definitely enlightening and most helpful!

[Djinn Guitars]

I'll see about cracking mine open and snapping a few shots. Don't hold your breath though I'm kind of busy of late, and I tend to forget...

[BluzHarp]

I have one of the "Alamo Challengers" that you have and it rocks.

Here are some pics of mine, all original except for the three prong new power cord. It rocks for amplified harmonica, VERY LOW feedback even wide open.
http://bluzharp.tripod.com/alamo.html

Best
Steve Harvell

http://bluzharp.tripod.com/
http://www.purevolume.com/stevedharvell
http://www.myspace.com/stevedharvell

[thebraveadultclub]

i also have one of these . can you take pics of the inside of the amp . i love mine built a new cab for it and runnin 2 twelve on it sounds great

[BluzHarp]

I will take some pictures this weekend of the inside wiring.
Best
Steve Harvell
PS
Check out some videos of my gigs.
YouTube - SteveHarvell's Channel

[RWood]

Originally Posted by gribnick

Voltages are lower in 5F2 perhaps because it has a choke and the Alamo doesn't.

5F2-a Princeton loses the choke, and voltages can be viewed on the Harvard G610 schem, which didn't really exist but the schematic is a 5F2-a with voltages:

http://schematicheaven.com/fenderamp...6g10_schem.pdf