Alamo Paragon Special

as far as this amp goes, there aren't going to be many features such as channel switching, effects loops, or headphone jacks. it's just the straight two channel, later sixties, tube head. as far at the year of mine, i'm not sure. based on this article (http://www.vintageguitar.com/brands/details.asp?ID=91) mine is one of the late sixties, early seventies model 2575 paragon. the two channels are labeled "bass" and "normal" and each have two inputs (like the marshall 4-input plexis). the way i use the two channels is by chaining the top bass channel and the bottom normal channel and then putting my guitar throught the normal channel (also like you can do with the marshall 4-input plexis).

i give it a 9, just because old, tube amps aren't supposed to have a lot of features, but that doesn't detract from it for me.

this amp was reviewed as sounding like an ac-30 in one of the above reviews, but because i've never played through an ac-30, i can't really say if that's true or not. however, i do have a '72 fender pro reverb as well and they're both about the same as far as sounds go. the pro reverb actually runs a little smoother and breaks up at a fairly low volume, while the alamo is a bit rougher (in a good, gritty sort of way). with the two channels patched together, the sound is really clear and compliments the fender really well. i play mostly small venues right now, so this amp is perfect. however, if you want something that is going to fill a really large venue, you'll probably need another amp comparable to it to really get a great sound. pretty much it's a perfect amp for a basic driving rock and roll sound (i.e. anything late sixties and seventies). however, if you want something that is going to sound modern, this probably isn't the way to go, but that's pretty much a given.

my setup goes like this just for your information: epiphone casino (p-90s), gibson sg, reissue '72 fender telecaster thinline (w/ '57 classics) ---> boss tu-2 chromatic tuner --> ibanez ts-9 tube screamer --> digitech digital delay --> '72 fender pro reverb and late sixties alamo paragon played through a marshall 4x12 (1960b).

pretty much this is a perfect, barebones rock and roll setup for me. if you want a clear, honest amplification of your guitar and you want a good, easy to overdrive amp, these things go for pretty cheaply priced compared to other amps. it's a pretty hot buy.

never broken thus far. i'd use a backup if i were you just in case.

i've been playing for 5 1/2 years and i've recently studied alot about amps, tubes, guitars, and pickups and i've gone out and gotten what i've felt would fit my very basic rock style. i found this used at my local music store and it plays right up there with my '72 pro reverb which i found used (for $550, holy crap) at the same store. i've also had a 2001 marshall jcm 2000 and it just didn't compare to the alamo or the fender and i ended up trading it. if you dig that old sound and want a really good buy, it's worth scouring the internet for one of these.

if it were stolen or lost it would be really, really hard to replace, but i would go to the ends of the earth to find another one like it. or i'd probably just put the thief in a sleeper hold and get it back. either way, it's worth the trouble

I believe this is a Alamo "Paragon" amp head and cab, although I have never seen a pic or another one to match it up. I have seen the same amop on EBay listed as another name, but the descriptions I have read indicate that mine is a Paragon. It tested at 40 Watts output at 4ohms
It has grey covering with black specks and grille cloth that is similar to silverface Fenders, except its browner and the grain goes the opposite direction. It has a "bass" and "normal" channels that sound identical to me, each has two inputs and knobs for vol, treb and bass. It has switches for standby, line and ground reverse. When I bought it it has a 15" Jensen in the seperate cab, but I replaced the front wood and put in two 12" Carvins. The cab connects to the head with latches. Overall its a pretty cool, vintage-looking amp. I always get comments. I wish it had reverb. I think they made a seperate tube reverb unit back then for it. It gets hot like a Vox.
This amp sounds awesome IMO. Like a Vox AC30. I recently jammed with someone who had an AC30 and side by side they had the same tone except his was a bit louder, but not much. I think it may have been just a difference in the volume as mine turns up smoother and his was like LOUD and then as you turn the knob- a little louder. Mine can go quiet and has a more gradual pot on it I guess. I had a Marshall like that. I would have a hard time getting a good lower volume.

Sounds great. Like an AC30. Awesome through a Marshall 4x12 too. I use some light compression and an overdrive pedal for solos and a little distortion. Is sounds killer with just the compressor too.
I have had some problems with tube sockets firing up and a bit of noise, but hey- its like 50 years old. It works perfect now.
Its just a single sound amp. Clean and breaks up a bit at high volumes. If you know what an AC30 is, its like that.

Great now. Had to do some work on it when I got it.

I think they have been out of business for 40 years so I'm not betting on customer support.

Love this amp. I might try to find another one if lost. I dont see too many. Actually I only ever saw one and that was on EBay. If I saw anothe one I might buy it if I had the cash.

I've had this amp since 1985 or so. Obviously its all-tube manufacture predates that, but I'm not sure by how long. I'd guess it was manufactured in the late 50s or early 60s, judging from the manufacturer's paper label inside the housing. The Paragon Special runs 110 watts at 110-120 volts, 60 cycles (AC). It has bass and guitar channels - two inputs for each, and an external speaker output. There are pots for bass, treble and volume for each "side." A switch on the guitar side moves it between a lower volume distorted sound to a high volume and relatively undistorted sound. It can be quite loud. Another switch moves from a "Ground" setting to a (probably spring) "Reverb" setting-I keep it on "Ground."
The tubes are quite varied- according to the chart there are six of them altogether, including two "ECC83/12AX7"s, one 7199, two 5881s, and a 5U4.

I've played through this baby with a Gibson 1961 Melody Maker (original HOT single coils) and later with a Gibson USA "WRC" model, with two single coils and a humbucker. I just play through the humbucker, with the guitar volume set from 8-10 and tone set anywhere from 5-10. Usually amp settings are with bass set around 3-4 and treble set to 8. On the "dirty" setting I'll set the volume at 10, and on the clean setting maybe as high as 1. These days, with tone and amp modeling, I mess around more with that than anything else. It is especially well suited for blues and garage rock, but the clean setting lends itself well to jazz, especially with some amp modelling.

When I first bought it, it could run about half-an-hour before the volume started to drop off. I replaced one of the tubes and had some other repairs done on it for about $200, and it has run well (for 16 years)until very recently, when another tube burned out. Given that span of time, it appears to me to be fairly reliable.

As far as I know, Alamo Electronics is no longer in the amp business, having gone out of it in the late 60s or early 70s. My amp was repaired by the then resident guru at Ziggie's Music in Phoenix, AZ. (thank you for many years of playing!) -obviously not under warranty, which probably expired 35 years ago in any case.

I've been playing guitar for around eighteen years. I also use a Line 6 POD amp modeler, and some computer-related gear. If this amp were stolen or lost, I'd pretty much be forced to buy something else, given the relative paucity of these babies. It was an excellent buy, even with the repair bill tacked on. The only thing I'm concerned about is the apparent lack of information about the company and its products. I'd greatly appreciate knowing more about both.
I haven't really compared it to anything else. I've played through a Roland Jazz Chorus-120 on a few occasions, but that's like comparing apples and oranges. I've also had the good fortune to have played through a Fender Twin, which can really sing. The bottom line is value, however, and I'd be a fool not to give the Paragon Special a "10."