By the 1950s and 1960s, magnatone amplifiers had become highly sought after, largely because of their distinctive pitchshifting vibrato effect. Magnatones story has more twists than a chubby checker revival. Very american, very powerful, and extremely versatile. 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. Beginning in the late 1930s, magna electronics produced amplifiers, hawaiian and steel guitars. This book is for the fans of guitar amplifiers and the history that lies behind them. Although it has a noble logo decal on the front and is marked don noble company chicago 4, ill, it was most certainly made by magnatone or its predecessor dickerson. With controls for intensity and speed, you can dial in everything from subtle warble to seasick tonal movement. This page contains details about the 19631966 magnatone custom series amps.
The magnatone 400 serieswhich includes your custom 440 ampwas introduced in 1961 and included a variety of models. 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. Magnatone released its amazing 200 series amps 2, 260 and 280 with pitch bending vibrato in 57, but these are a story in themselves. It even includes the superrare original footswitch. 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. Magnatone twilighter 112 1x12 22watt tube combo amp. Ive read that noble didnt actually manufacture amps, and that it had other companies build them under the noble name. 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. Magnatone adds new lyric amplifier to its studio collection.
On this page you can access information, read our service and warranty agreement directly below, contact our experts directly, and register your magnatone amp. Magnatone has a deep history in providing the tones behind some of our favorite rock and roll songs. Magnatone was started in 1946 by art duhamell, who purchased the dickerson musical instrument manufacturing company. The magnatone amp archive including estey, tonemaster, davinci, pac amp, panaramic, titano, unique and twilighter amps. We recommend you register and sign up for your quarterly magnatone newsletter. New the magnatone stereo twilighter amp is the coolest amp that weve heard in years this is electronic americana that oozes classic tone, a true tribute to. Magnatone was one of the nicer amplifier companies in the late 1940s and early 1950s, building amps primarily designed to go alone with their line of lap and console steel guitars. Images are sole property of willcutt guitar shoppe, inc. Magna also produced record players, speakers, radios and organs as well as.
We find out how buddy holly and others shaped the brands sound. These amps are known for their great clean tone and raw overdrive when pushed hardperfect for stage or studio work. Just like many of the droolinducing vintage magnatones, the panoramic stereo 2 x 10 alltube combo amp boasts one of the most lauded pitchshifting vibrato effects in history. Ive been checking out these new magnatone amps, and they seem to be top notch, great vintage tone. An innovation that once made a splash in the music scene is making a comeback.
The main product of my research is the history of magnatone amplifiers and the short bios that go with it. Its a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at. So you can stay up to date on future developments as we. Magnatone first began producing exceptional electric guitars and amplifiers in the late 1930s. Talking music corona studio sessions with stefan kahne the vintage gallery magnatones facebook. The illustrated history of the worlds greatest amplifiers. His entire line, he explains, is 100 percent tube powered, crafted using pointtopoint wiring and topnotch quality control. Magnatone guitar amplifiers for sale in stock ebay. Apr 20, 2017 magnatone today announced the newly redesigned lyric amplifier as part of the companys studio collection. One of the biggest comebacks in amp history, magnatone has launched a new line of amplifiers with handbuilt heads and combos, many of which feature the pitchshifting vibrato found in original magnatone amps. From the beginnings of the dickerson family made instruments and amplifiers through the evolution of the magna then estey this is a brand. This month, ill be focusing on one underrated and rare model, while next month ill break down the 5 distinct collectable i. It was advertised as recently had been playing through the amp and slowly the sound went out and the light under the logo went dim.
Mots vintage noble tube amplifier magnatonedickerson. Louis music, 8 and input on the amps respective designs was provided by billy gibbons and neil youngs guitar tech, larry cragg. The 200s were fitted with a new dark brown cabinet having the baffle board tipped in under the top of the cabinet 15 degrees. The magnatone amp archive including estey, tonemaster, davinci, pacamp, panaramic, titano, unique and twilighter amps. Clothed in the vintage brown and gold cosmetic, the panoramic stereo brings the magnatone stereo experience to a smaller, more convenient size. Jun 02, 2017 an innovation that once made a splash in the music scene is making a comeback.
Magnatone today announced the newly redesigned lyric amplifier as part of the companys studio collection. Unfollow magnatone amps to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. In this video we take a look and a listen to a vintage magnatone m1973m lap steel 1x8 tube amp combo. We pledge to build the best amps in the world and the most trusted relationships in the business. Last month, the alligatorattired professional amp was allowed space, due to. These amps were all handwired producing such amazing tone that they quickly became favorites of the big stars. Vintage magnatone mp1 mp1 tube guitar amplifier amp. Magnatone guitar amplifiers featuring the iconic pitchshifting vibrato effect are back. Magna also produced record players, speakers, radios and organs as well as amplifiers. Vintage magnatone 1950s custom 260 tube guitar combo amp. We recognize that our most important asset will always be the confidence of our dealers, peers, and customers. Essentially, the 400 series amps were slightly upgraded models of the popular 200 series amplifiers produced in the 1950s. 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.
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. This site is made available as a reference for magnatone amps. From then on the amp will not turn on and is being sold as is. Worldfamous guitar and amp historian dave hunter tells the story of 60 of the greatest amps ever built.
Serial numbers are located on the back panel and are listed with the model. Magnatone traditional collection 2x12 stereo cabinet. Magnatones line of americanmade, high end, vacuum tube amplifiers features the iconic pitchshifting vibrato effect. Dec 25, 2014 the magnatone 400 serieswhich includes your custom 440 ampwas introduced in 1961 and included a variety of models. The brand name was revived by ted kornblum formerly of ampeg and st. Magnatone amps deliver a calm to the pulsating vibrato that transmits through stereo or speaker play. Picking up a supro guitar and plugging into one of our tube amplifiers connects you to a musical legacy that begins with the birth of the electric blues during the great depression and culminates in. Apr 01, 2014 magnatone was started in 1946 by art duhamell, who purchased the dickerson musical instrument manufacturing company. New for fall 2014 the history of some of magnatone s component manufacturers. Magnatone guitar amplifiers featuring the iconic pitchshifting vibrato effect. This model is similar to their earlier dickerson lap steel amps, although with some.
We will always be unwavering advocates of american manufacturing, and use americanmade parts and labor in our american products. 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. 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. Jun 01, 2008 this month is the first part of a twoparter about vintage magnatone amplifiers. New listingmagnatone m10a custom series 2 channel combo guitar amplifier tested sweetwater. The 260260a is one of the figureheads of the muchsoughtafter esteyera of magnatone amps, featuring the true pitch shifting vibrato that made magnatone famous. The m14, like the 480 and the m15, is a true stereo amplifier.
Magnatones history also proved to be a sad example of what can happen when. Just about all the new models are built sturdier but use much more modern techniques including printed circuit boards. The magnatone amplifier company was started in the late 30s. This archive is by no means meant to be a complete list of all magna electronics amps. This is the vintage magnatone mp1 electric guitar tube amplifier. Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of magnatone amplifiers at guitar center. Magnatone stereo twilighter guitar amplifier andy babiuks fab gear. Im not interested in making thousands of amps, he says. The deluxe amplifier with features beyond compare and, of course, the legendary pitchbending vibrato. Selecting a guitar amp can be challenging as there are a few factors to consider.
Magna archives tomb of the unknown mystery amps updated 102. Magnatone amps are back, and zz tops billy gibbons is. In the 1950s and 1960s, they produced vibrato equipped amplifiers which were used by musicians including buddy holly and lonnie mack. The brand was revived in early 20 with a line of boutique amps, some of which are reproductions of previous magnatone designs. 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. And while there are many strongselling electric guitar histories available, heres the first illustrated history of the electric guitars best friend, the amp. This month is the first part of a twoparter about vintage magnatone amplifiers.
Also some of the magnatone schematics are the same circuits used in tonemaster, davinci, marathon, and pacamps. 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. Stealing from everyone, the trio puts together a collection of catchy garagepop songs that generally clock in. The styling motif use on these early guitars and amps was a plastic faux. Save money on used magnatone amplifiers at guitar center. 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. While most musicians seem to have forgotten those early primal impulses, magnatone hasnt. Stealing from everyone, the trio puts together a collection of catchy garagepop songs that generally clock in under three minutes. 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. More information about the unique amplifiers made by magnatone and valco.
Dickerson was a small, southern california builder who produced lap steels and amplifiers. Super fifteen pictured amps offer big sound through 15watt el84 power tubes known for their british chime and tone. Aug 11, 2015 in this video we take a look and a listen to a vintage magnatone m1973m lap steel 1x8 tube amp combo. For an overview, see magnatone custom series, or for a history of the magnatone amps from 19471977, see the history of the magnatone brand. Nov 01, 2016 this book is for the fans of guitar amplifiers and the history that lies behind them.
Magnatone ceased production of valve guitar amplification between 1967 and 68, with new, trendy solidstate designs taking over. Unfollow magnatone amp to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The 100 series magnatone amps were built between 1953 and 1959, though the model 195 was only build until 1954, putting this amp at around 1953 one can closer examine the pot and transformer codes. 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. Aug 19, 2014 magnatone ceased production of valve guitar amplification between 1967 and 68, with new, trendy solidstate designs taking over. We are always looking for more and will email attached schematics for free. 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. For some time now ive heard talk about the famous vibrato sound of the magnatone amps. Vintage magnatone mp1 mp1 tube guitar amplifier amp vintage magnatone mp1 mp1 tube guitar amplifier amp welcome bidders, you are bidding on a really cool piece. Original vintage sound and vibrato magnatone is famous for.
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