Alamo Amp-3 Embassy Tube Amplifier (1957)
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Item # 10378
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Alamo Amp-3 Embassy Model Tube Amplifier (1957), made in San Antonio, Texas, serial # 45819, natural finish.
Alamo Electronics was originally founded in 1947 by Charles Eilenberg. In partnership with San Antonio-based Southern Music, Eilenberg began with radios before producing his first guitar amplifiers and instruments in 1949. Alamo amps were known as a formidable Texas-based alternative to popular west-coast brands of the day, offering several accessible student grade models and a few larger wattage models for professionals. They continued to make guitars and amplifiers through the surf craze of the early 1960s. Moving into the solid state era, Alamo saw a shift into different tastes and styles, and ultimately folded in 1982.
Alamo amps from the mid-'50s and '60s were mostly designed to sound like Fenders, but offered at a much lower price point. The Embassy model name is mostly associated with the amps sold under the Oahu catalog brand, while in Alamo's own catalog the amp is referred to as Amp-3 and was the middle-of-the-line student model, in many ways similar to Fender's Champ/Princeton and Harvard offerings of the day.
Like the Harvard/Vibrolux, it has three inputs, volume and tone controls and a 10" speaker. The tube compliment is a single-ended 6V6 powered output section, much like the Fender Champ, putting out around 5 watts into a single Jensen P10T speaker. The cabinet is features a 3/8-inch birch veneer with a hardwood top, finished with a "hand-rubbed finish with natural satin luster". The front features a rather striking design with a stylized letter A in the center of the speaker cutout and a large chrome handle on top.
The Alamo Amp-3 retailed for $69.50 in 1957, a real bargain compared to the $99.50 Harvard and the $79.50 Princeton. Alamo products were mostly distributed in the southwest and never really took off nationally, but for some years offered a very good and economical alternative to the more familiar brands.
Height is 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm.), 15 1/4 in. (38.7 cm.) width, and 7 1/2 in. (19 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Overall this amp is fully functional and cosmetically fairly well preserved. The plywood cabinet is in good shape with a very attractive quilted look to the front veneer. The top of the cabinet shows some minor water staining, typical scuffing and light wear overall. The grille cloth is fully intact with no notable tearing and the control panel shows some minor staining but retains all the stenciled lettering. The original chrome handle is intact as well.
Electrically, this little Alamo is nicely original, retaining the factory Jensen P10T speaker, marked 220-652, dating it to the 52nd week of 1956. The speaker has been professionally reconed and sounds excellent. The transformers and pots appear original to the amp and it has received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic caps, a 3-prong grounded power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and biased to spec.
A terrific little amp with a clear and articulate sound that has a mighty growl when pushed. Alamo amps have ling had a cult following among savvy collectors and players and this one is a good example of the best of them! Very Good + Condition.
Alamo Electronics was originally founded in 1947 by Charles Eilenberg. In partnership with San Antonio-based Southern Music, Eilenberg began with radios before producing his first guitar amplifiers and instruments in 1949. Alamo amps were known as a formidable Texas-based alternative to popular west-coast brands of the day, offering several accessible student grade models and a few larger wattage models for professionals. They continued to make guitars and amplifiers through the surf craze of the early 1960s. Moving into the solid state era, Alamo saw a shift into different tastes and styles, and ultimately folded in 1982.
Alamo amps from the mid-'50s and '60s were mostly designed to sound like Fenders, but offered at a much lower price point. The Embassy model name is mostly associated with the amps sold under the Oahu catalog brand, while in Alamo's own catalog the amp is referred to as Amp-3 and was the middle-of-the-line student model, in many ways similar to Fender's Champ/Princeton and Harvard offerings of the day.
Like the Harvard/Vibrolux, it has three inputs, volume and tone controls and a 10" speaker. The tube compliment is a single-ended 6V6 powered output section, much like the Fender Champ, putting out around 5 watts into a single Jensen P10T speaker. The cabinet is features a 3/8-inch birch veneer with a hardwood top, finished with a "hand-rubbed finish with natural satin luster". The front features a rather striking design with a stylized letter A in the center of the speaker cutout and a large chrome handle on top.
The Alamo Amp-3 retailed for $69.50 in 1957, a real bargain compared to the $99.50 Harvard and the $79.50 Princeton. Alamo products were mostly distributed in the southwest and never really took off nationally, but for some years offered a very good and economical alternative to the more familiar brands.
Height is 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm.), 15 1/4 in. (38.7 cm.) width, and 7 1/2 in. (19 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Overall this amp is fully functional and cosmetically fairly well preserved. The plywood cabinet is in good shape with a very attractive quilted look to the front veneer. The top of the cabinet shows some minor water staining, typical scuffing and light wear overall. The grille cloth is fully intact with no notable tearing and the control panel shows some minor staining but retains all the stenciled lettering. The original chrome handle is intact as well.
Electrically, this little Alamo is nicely original, retaining the factory Jensen P10T speaker, marked 220-652, dating it to the 52nd week of 1956. The speaker has been professionally reconed and sounds excellent. The transformers and pots appear original to the amp and it has received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic caps, a 3-prong grounded power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and biased to spec.
A terrific little amp with a clear and articulate sound that has a mighty growl when pushed. Alamo amps have ling had a cult following among savvy collectors and players and this one is a good example of the best of them! Very Good + Condition.