This month, ill be focusing on one underrated and rare model, while next month ill break down the 5 distinct collectable i. The magnatone amp archive including estey, tonemaster, davinci, pac amp, panaramic, titano, unique and twilighter amps. Lonnie was the big dog in my part of the woods, so having a chance to figure out his tone is really exciting for me. Introduction part i what started out as a onetime pictorial on mother of toilet seat mots covered amplifiers has turned into a running dickersonmagnatone history, covering both the amps and the hawaiian guitars.
Talking music corona studio sessions with stefan kahne the vintage gallery. Ive been checking out these new magnatone amps, and they seem to be top notch, great vintage tone. Magnatone ceased production of valve guitar amplification between 1967 and 68, with new, trendy solidstate designs taking over. Selecting a guitar amp can be challenging as there are a few factors to consider.
Magnatone amps are back, and zz tops billy gibbons is. Except for the varistor vibrato and cosmetics, the new magnatones dont have all that much in common with the old ones. Magnatone was started in 1946 by art duhamell, who purchased the dickerson musical instrument manufacturing company. Im not interested in making thousands of amps, he says. An innovation that once made a splash in the music scene is making a comeback. This model is similar to their earlier dickerson lap steel amps, although with some. Magnatone guitar amplifiers featuring the iconic pitchshifting vibrato effect are back. Magnatone released its amazing 200 series amps 2, 260 and 280 with pitch bending vibrato in 57, but these are a story in themselves next month. Plus, its the first magnatone amp i have ever owned. Dickerson was a small, southern california builder who produced lap steels and amplifiers. Magnatone history from the beginnings of the dickerson family made instruments and amplifiers through the evolution of the magna then estey this is a brand without equal and proven innovation beyond the norm of the market in each historic phase. Worldfamous guitar and amp historian dave hunter tells the story of 60 of the greatest amps ever built, including classics from fender, marshall, vox, the bizarre echosonic that. I have 2 sets in my small shop, but i am in the middle of remodeling construction chaos and it will be a couple more weeks before i can resume fulltime reliable business again. Magnatone tube amp schematics, hoffman amps tube amp schematic library magnatone schematics.
This site is made available as a reference for magnatone amps. Nov 01, 2016 this book is for the fans of guitar amplifiers and the history that lies behind them. This amp appears to be in original shape no mods or repairs and complete check above description. Magna archives tomb of the unknown mystery amps updated 102. Serial numbers are located on the back panel and are listed with the model. Lovely true pitchmodulation vibrato or tremolo, great retro styling, and tone for days. Perhaps, the companys most noted innovation was its patented pitchshifting vibrato effect using nonmoving parts to create true vibrato, in contrast to what others called. Dec 25, 2014 the last tube amps were produced around 1966, and magnatone introduced a line of solidstate amps that lasted through 1968. Rolling stones gear all the stones instruments from stage to studio. More information about the unique amplifiers made by magnatone and valco. Dc, youll love the fact that this magnatone is in museum shape and entirely original. The magnatone amp archive including estey, tonemaster, davinci, pacamp, panaramic, titano, unique and twilighter amps. The magnatone twilighter has really piqued my interest. Apr 01, 2014 magnatone was started in 1946 by art duhamell, who purchased the dickerson musical instrument manufacturing company.
Vintage 1960s magnatone m10a amplifier in used condition this is an original 1960s magnatone m10a amp i think the 12 jensen speaker had a code of 5 or 6 which would make it a 1965 or 1966. This book is for the fans of guitar amplifiers and the history that lies behind them. Magnatones line of americanmade, high end, vacuum tube amplifiers features the iconic pitchshifting vibrato effect. New for fall 2014 the history of some of magnatone s component manufacturers. For some time now ive heard talk about the famous vibrato sound of the magnatone amps. Aloha, denny t this message was edited by denny turner on 11 january 2004 at 07. Jun 02, 2017 an innovation that once made a splash in the music scene is making a comeback. Jun 01, 2008 this month is the first part of a twoparter about vintage magnatone amplifiers. Original vintage sound and vibrato magnatone is famous for. Magnatone amplifiers at the music zoo rebuilt for the modern musician who wants classic tones, the music zoo is happy to be a dealer of magnatone amplifiers. This archive is by no means meant to be a complete list of all magna electronics amps.
In this video we take a look and a listen to a vintage magnatone m1973m lap steel 1x8 tube amp combo. Aug 11, 2015 in this video we take a look and a listen to a vintage magnatone m1973m lap steel 1x8 tube amp combo. Magnatone s history also proved to be a sad example of what can happen when acquisitions follow success, and when a small company division is neglected or otherwise lead down the wrong path. Magnatone adds new lyric amplifier to its studio collection.
Magnatone amp for sale in uk 11 used magnatone amps. Just about all the new models are built sturdier but use much more modern techniques including printed circuit boards. For an overview, see magnatone custom series, or for a history of the magnatone amps from 19471977, see the history of the magnatone brand. His entire line, he explains, is 100 percent tube powered, crafted using pointtopoint wiring and topnotch quality control. These amps and a line of solid body electric guitars will be on. The magnatone panoramic stereo is a 2 x 12w pushpull class ab stereo guitar combo amplifier made in the united states, with american parts. International buyers, please contact me for a postage quote before bidding, otherwise you commit to purchase regardless of postage cost however, i will only charge on the cost to me.
Magna also produced record players, speakers, radios and organs as well as amplifiers. Magnatone amps deliver a calm to the pulsating vibrato that transmits through stereo or speaker play. Personally i think its lame that they bought the name magnatone, made a bunch of amps that have pretty much nothing to do with vintage magnatone amps other than pitchshifting vibrato, and then decided to use marketing jargon like the magnatone super 59 mk i is the modern incarnation of the classic magnatone and put est. Starting with early amp models like the gibson eh150 that was first used with gibsons eh150 lapsteel guitar and later the charlie christian es150 guitar, it then delves into the development of fender, vox, and orange amps, and goes right up to the modern boutique designers like. The brand name was revived in the 2010s by ted kornblum. Save money on used magnatone amplifiers at guitar center. I dont need another amp either, but man, this is giving me a bad case of gas. Comes from a smoke and pet free home in shipping to united kingdom.
Louis music slm is a manufacturer and distributor of musical instruments, accessories, and equipment. The design and engineering behind the custom series amplifiers focused on the guitar. While most musicians seem to have forgotten those early primal impulses, magnatone hasnt. Buddy hollys 58 magnatone 280 vintage guitar magazine. Very american, very powerful, and extremely versatile. Firestar reverb model 150r, sting ray reverb model 120r, cougar bass model 120, pa system model pa 120, speaker column model sc4, magnachordion model 240 v for. Aug 19, 2014 magnatone ceased production of valve guitar amplification between 1967 and 68, with new, trendy solidstate designs taking over. Magnatone was a brand of electric guitars and amplifiers produced between 1937 and the mid1970s. Also some of the magnatone schematics are the same circuits used in tonemaster, davinci, marathon, and pacamps. Starting with early amp models like the gibson eh150 that was first used with gibsons eh150 lapsteel guitar and later the charlie christian es150 guitar, it then delves into the development of fender, vox, and orange amps, and goes right up to the modern boutique designers like industrial, dr.
At the core of the magnatone story, though, are the stories of the creative engineers and savvy businessmen that were responsible for these cool amps. Holly used fender amps earlier in his career, and the magnatone clearly dates from 58, so this might merely be some confusion on her part, or a trick played on the memory by the haze of 30 years. Meanwhile, magnatone s biggest guitar amplifier competitor, fender, had moved control panels from the rear to the front, and had adopted closed back cabinets for several of its higher wattage amplifiers. Due to hunts influence, the 1964 custom series catalog was. Magnatone guitar amplifiers for sale in stock ebay.
The solidpine cabinet is covered in magnatones traditional brown colored 100% cotton fabric, which was originally developed as book binding material. Brands such as kustom and vox were shifting units with new transistor amps, but magnatone struggled to compete, and a parent company acquisition in 1969 would spell the end for the magnatone name until its re. And heres a public user group with lots of discussion, pictures, and files. Magnatone has a deep history in providing the tones behind some of our favorite rock and roll songs. The last tube amps were produced around 1966, and magnatone introduced a line of solidstate amps that lasted through 1968. Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of magnatone amplifiers at guitar center. One last acquisition in 1969 finally killed the magnatone name, but estey continued to produce organs through the early 1970s. The history of the magnatone amplifier people schematics early era 193555 chilton era 195660 estey era 196163 custom m series 196467 ss 196768 new magnatones. Its a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at. Last month, the alligatorattired professional amp was allowed space, due to. This month is the first part of a twoparter about vintage magnatone amplifiers. Magnatones history also proved to be a sad example of what can happen when acquisitions follow success, and when a small company division is neglected or otherwise lead down the wrong path. Magnatone today announced the newly redesigned lyric amplifier as part of the companys studio collection.
I found a lot of information about magnatone at this site. Free shipping for us customs only, email us about international orders. Talking about the old 2 and the recent 112 reissue that is about the same spec. Apr 20, 2017 magnatone today announced the newly redesigned lyric amplifier as part of the companys studio collection. The 200s were fitted with a new dark brown cabinet having the baffle board tipped in under the top of the cabinet 15 degrees. This page contains details about the 19631966 magnatone custom series amps. We are always looking for more and will email attached schematics for free. Slm distributes products from over 260 music products industry brands, is the corporate owner of several string and brass instruments brands, and is the producer and exclusive worldwide distributor of alvarez and alvarezyairi guitars. Find the current blue book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and amplifier. Unfollow magnatone amps to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Either way, this is one incomparable slice of rockandroll history, though even your bogstandard, nonameownership magnatone custom 280 is a. Use this site for a pricing guide and source of information on all guitars. We encourage you to continue to support our small business, however realize that there will be shipping delays. The main product of my research is the history of magnatone amplifiers and the short bios that go with it.
While the magnatone the 400 series amplifiers had received electrical engineering advancements, such as reverberation, the general appearance was more or less unchanged since the 1957 200 series. Stealing from everyone, the trio puts together a collection of catchy garagepop songs that generally clock in under three minutes. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the price and value of your used guitars and amplifier. Magnatone president and ceo ted kornblum says his focus is on making highend, americanmade products that a musician will want to use for a lifetime.
Like my supro comet and eh150 amps, this one is a museum piece that i get to play. Built in the tradition of the great modest amps of the fifties and sixties, the studio collection offers vintage american tones, with improved power and versatility for the modern player. Clothed in the vintage brown and gold cosmetic, the panoramic stereo brings the magnatone stereo experience to a smaller, more convenient size. March 24, our state has been ordered to shelter in place. Magnatone tube amp schematics, hoffman amps tube amp schematic library. Unfollow magnatone amp to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Anaheim, ca january 23, 20 magnatone, a legendary brand from the past, is staging a comeback, relaunching at namm this week after laying dormant for more than 40 years. From then on the amp will not turn on and is being sold as is.