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Alamo Challenger

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  • #1

    Alamo Challenger

    So I picked up this derelict amp recently and I'm a little confused about the correct schematic. I understand that Alamo made an early Challenger (3 inputs and 10 inch speaker) and a later Challenger (2 inputs and 8 inch speaker). (My version is the early one) There is a schematic on the Schematic Heaven website but it does not say which version of amp it represents. I believe the tubes were the same in both versions but several sources have mentioned circuit changes (?) in the later version.
    This one has no power transformer and no output transformer. The schematic that I have shows no operating voltages. Can anyone out there (here) provide some operating voltages for an Alamo Challenger (12AX7-6V6-5Y3), and suggest a reasonably priced PT and OT?
    I appreciate any/all input.
    Thanks!!
    dkevin
    Tags: None
  • #2
    First I would think "If it's missing the trannies, what other shinanagins may be afoot and what else might be missing?". I expect it will need new power supply caps as well as any other electrolytic caps in the amp. Your probably looking at a total rebuild. Have you tested the speaker? Could need one of those too.

    I don't know that amp but for a 12ax7-6v6-5y3 amp I think any Fender Champ trannies would work just fine.

    Chuck
    "Take two placebos, works twice as well." Enzo

    "Now get off my lawn with your silicooties and boom-chucka speakers and computers masquerading as amplifiers" Justin Thomas

    "If you're not interested in opinions and the experience of others, why even start a thread?
    You can't just expect consent." Helmholtz

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    • #3
      As a matter of fact, there is not much left of the amp besides the speaker, chassis and cabinet. The tubes are long gone and the PT/OT and main electrolytics. This will be a complete rebuild but I am weighing the possibility of building a Les Paul Jr. with this taller cabinet (6SJ7,6V6,5Y3) or trying to build another (ho-hum) Champ knockoff (Alamo Challenger). Neither one is especially difficult to build but it seems they require slightly different power transformers. In any case, I think I discovered which version is represented on the Schematic Heaven website. It has three input jacks so it must be the early version. I guess at this point, whichever amp I choose to rebuild will not be a collectible quality amp, so I should choose whatever suits my fancy. I sure love the Les Paul Jr. amp I already have. And I already have a bunch of Champ style amps.....hmmmm...
      seems like I've talked myself into a corner.
      Thanks Chuck!

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      • #4
        I have an idea... I'll have to dig up the layout and scan it, but...

        I did a completely new circuit in a friends Vibro Champ and it is a really, really fun amp. He wanted a "vox" kind of chime. The clean "channel" sounds quite Voxy, even with the 6V6 tube. The preamp morphs in voicing from an AC30TB clean to a normal channel AC50 as you advance the volume knob. Giving you that really chimey clean but fattening up for dirty work. The OD channel moves into cranked Marshall territory and a bit beyond. Really simple control layout that could be even simpler if you have limited knob holes. There's no footswitch, the gain boost is just a push pull pot and there is a master vol. (for late night practice) that engages with the gain boost. My friend has it parked in his studio and says it's the greatest sleeper of an amp and he records a lot with it. All the guys who come in there seem to love it too. It takes two 12ax7, one 6v6 and one 5y3. Let me know if your interested and I'll try to find the paper work.

        It's been over a decade since I designed that one and I think it's a shame there aren't more out there. I should mod it for an EL84 and pitch it over at the AX84 site.

        Chuck
        "Take two placebos, works twice as well." Enzo

        "Now get off my lawn with your silicooties and boom-chucka speakers and computers masquerading as amplifiers" Justin Thomas

        "If you're not interested in opinions and the experience of others, why even start a thread?
        You can't just expect consent." Helmholtz

        Comment

        • #5
          I am interested in the "voxy" amp from a design standpoint, but probably not for this situation. I will likely encounter another situation where I have 2 12AX7's and the desire to try something new.
          It does not discourage me to start from ground-zero with an amp like this. In fact, many of the amps I have needed major surgery of one kind or another. That is what made them affordable and desirable.
          To be honest, I am a small-amp kinda guy. I am a sucker for the simple designs and "crank her up" mentality. I have Champs and Gibsons and Supros and Kalamazoos, and although they share some elements (tube complement, etc) , they all bring a different flavor to the table. I have never heard an Alamo Challenger before and I wonder if trying to return this derelict to its original state is worth the effort.

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