Alamo 2574 Reverb +

*update to previous entry*
never could get the reverb to sound right, never found a schematic. i think the circuit was just weak, originally built around a profit margin. i stripped and modded the chassis, and built a fender 6g15 into it, minus the tone control. cosmetics are still stock, but a much better circuit lies within.

the sound: muy bueno. i never had the problem of too much reverb before but i saw her face, now i'm a believer.

sure- i built it.

www.alamoguitars.com cannot help you with vintage alamo gear. there really is no good internet resource for this stuff.

if you've got one and it works fine/ sounds good, enjoy. if not there are options- a total rebuild was the only option left for me.

This is a 1966/1967 stand alone reverb unit that has been upgraded; rotting electrolytic caps were replaced with new nichicon components and the single (!) diode rectifier was replaced. Tubes are one 12ax7 and a 6eu8 (pentode), both original and testing good. 2 spring hammond-style tank, single controls for volume and mix. Light tan grill cloth and "peppered" gray tolex. One input, one output, and a footswitch jack on the back. Easy to use, connects like any signal-level device between the instrument and amp.

Connected between my ibanez PRS knockoff and a 5f8a tweed twin clone the sound is decent with nothing else in the signal chain. Lots of noise comes through when the reverb signal is mixed in and poor shielding cause intermittant radio reception. Set totally dry the clean boost is exceptional. Various dry capacitors on the board are in the process of failing, literally crumbling off the board, so a more thorough overhaul will be needed soon. I'll try to update this post at that point, as this reverb would probably sound really nice once necessary maintenance is performed. Totally usable as is, though only a glimpse of what could be.

Now that the caps and recto are replaced (the two most common failures in a device of this vintage) reliablity has increased. Unlike other Alamo equipment, this seems to have a solid wood enclosure. I'd use this without a backup because if it died I'd just unplug it and play on. Strange folk that would pack it up if their doodad box quit. I'd need at least catastrophic amp meltdown to pry me loose. "Gigable", but nowhere close to "roadworthy".

Alamo went out of business in the early 1980s so customer service is gone. I couldn't find a schematic of this circuit ANYWHERE so if anyone browses this and wants to make a donation to my drawing collection please feel free. Other than that, draw what you see and find a good tube amp tech.

I play a wide variety of electrical music and a quality tube reverb unit is a classy addition to any setup. Many vintage amp companies made similar units and can be found for a fraction of the cost of the (ripoff) fender 6g15 reissue; in my experience they all sound better too. If lost or stolen I'm not sure I could find another.