Vintage Magnatone Custom M10 Amplifier

Stephen Seitz · Post by **Stephen Seitz** » 7 Apr 2010 4:00 pm

I'm thinking of selling this vintage 60's amp. I am the original owner of this amp, and can attest to it's cleanliness and excellent condition.

Every review simply raves about the legendary Magnatone sound...tone, reverb, vibrato...and I can't disagree. The question is, what's it worth?
I'm thinking I could eek out $$ ??? Am I dreaming ?? Any input would be appreciated. What say you !?? Any takers ?? Any offers?

I play seldomly, and these days more acoustic than not. Could be time for someone to put this beauty through it's paces.
I'll work on some pictures.
Thanks!!
Stephen

Steve Hamill · Post by **Steve Hamill** » 9 Apr 2010 9:24 pm

I just bought a near mint M10A with the 12" speaker that I found on Gbase from seller Rocknrollvintage.com.
I paid $595 for it.
UPS de-minted it a little for me 8^(.
Be very careful shipping it. They don't travel well.
It is a superb lap steel amp though. Sounds really sweet!

Stephen Seitz · Post by **Stephen Seitz** » 10 Apr 2010 7:28 pm

Thanks for the input!
These amps seem to have their own following...folklore abounds regarding their tone...at this point I think I'll miss it too much to part with it. Who knows !!??
Thanks!!

T. W. Hatem · Post by **T. W. Hatem** » 11 Apr 2010 2:49 am

Steve Hamill wrote:Be very careful shipping it.

+1 I received one DOA from Canada a while back.

I would consider shipping it "a box within a box" with lot's of stuffing in and around both.

Can't attest to the tone, never got to hear it...

Michael Devito · Post by **Michael Devito** » 12 Apr 2010 8:24 am

Steve:

I bought a near mint M10A about 7 years ago for 700 dollars. Sold it to a neighbor recently for 750.

Is yours the one with 8" speakers?

Michael D.

Stephen Seitz · Post by **Stephen Seitz** » 12 Apr 2010 10:22 am

...mine is an M10-A from the Custom Line. It has a single 12" speaker, 2 input channels (each with high and low gain) and a stereo in (but only mono out)...reverb and vibrato...a tone boost setting each channel...

Michael Devito · Post by **Michael Devito** » 12 Apr 2010 10:27 am

Stephen:

That's a fine one, looks just like the one I had, same as new condition. My sense is that Magnatone pricing is slowly inching upward. I'd value that one at 750 or so. There was a time when you couldn't give these away, but word is getting out.

MD

Michael Devito · Post by **Michael Devito** » 12 Apr 2010 10:30 am

Forgot to add. The fragility of these amps in shipping lies in how the top piece is mounted to the body of the amp. One good hard shot is all it takes apparently. This is one amp you shouldn't drop in a big box, pour in the foam peanuts and say "done." Heard too many cases of damage that likely could have been averted by more careful packing.

Stephen Seitz · Post by **Stephen Seitz** » 18 Apr 2010 4:48 am

Well I'd have to say that whomever's interested in this amp, would be better served picking it up locally (I'm between Chicago and St.Louis).
You'd almost have to separate the top components from the speaker box, and cradle them in their own wrapping/cushioning...not an easy task.

John Kally · Post by **John Kally** » 18 Apr 2010 10:21 am

Hi,
I've shipped a couple of these, an M10A and a Bass amp from the same series of "samsonite" cab. Both made it, but only because I removed the head and bubble-wrapped it (tubes pulled of course) double-boxed that, and in a separate box shipped the speaker cabinet, also bubble wrapped. Otherwise it can get destroyed. I'm not sure what the company was thinking when they put these in what is basically a plastic box. Needless to say they aren't around any more.
I think value should be around $700 or so, unfortunately mine sat at $750 until I took $600 for it last year. Of course right now prices on everything seems to be down. Good luck.

Stephen Seitz · Post by **Stephen Seitz** » 21 Apr 2010 3:57 pm

...well with all these suggestions, I think I can protect it enough to get it out into the lower 48. Still local pick-up would allow for more peace-of-mind for both buyer and seller.
Anyway, the more I post, the more I fiddle with the amp, the more I recognize how sweet it is.
...ahhh...the pressures of a weak economy... $:\$

Stephen Seitz · Post by **Stephen Seitz** » 24 Apr 2010 6:23 pm

...ok, here's a new perspective.
I've been torn...should I sell my amp or not? Well better said, should I sell my amp for the first (reasonable) offer, or hold out for a few more bucks (I know, I know...another $200 or so).
The issue I have is this. The Maggie M10-A may not be the only Magnatone with a wonderful sound, but this example is one of the better ones. Isn't that worth the wait?? Maybe I should just keep it...
What would you folks do??
Thanks!

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 25 Apr 2010 5:18 am

Stephen..I think it depends on how much you need the $$ and how much you'll miss the amp..It would be a hard one to replace in that condition,so if you really love it and it is part of your sound KEEP IT...If not,then sell it,knowing that you probably won't get top buck now due to the weak economy. Hope this helps...

Stephen Seitz · Post by **Stephen Seitz** » 26 Apr 2010 7:45 pm

Chris Boyd wrote:Stephen...Hope this helps...

...every little bit helps!
Thanks!!

Stephen Seitz · Post by **Stephen Seitz** » 5 Jun 2010 9:35 am

BUMP ME ...thought I'd see if there is any new interest...

Michael Devito · Post by **Michael Devito** » 5 Jun 2010 10:03 am

Steven:

Had the pleasure of playing onstage with the guy to whom I sold my M10A. It was a familiar feeling ... no-one had any idea what this oddball amp was, but they sure appreciated how it sounded. It managed to be the coolest piece of gear in the room, and inexplicable at the same time. He didn't even use the vibrato. There's a missed opportunity!

MD

admin · Post by **b0b** » 5 Jun 2010 10:59 am

Stephen Seitz wrote:I've been torn...should I sell my amp or not? Well better said, should I sell my amp for the first (reasonable) offer, or hold out for a few more bucks (I know, I know...another $200 or so).

Stephen Seitz wrote:BUMP ME ...thought I'd see if there is any new interest...

How much do you want for it? If you're saying $200, I'll take it.

Stephen Seitz · Post by **Stephen Seitz** » 15 Jun 2010 5:53 pm

I think I was expecting an offer I couldn't refuse...which in these times, is truly wishful thinking.
Anyway, I'm holding on to her for a while...the more I play around, the more I appreciate just what it is I've got here...not much (if anything) like it anymore.
Thanks all for chiming in!!

Stephen Seitz · Post by **Stephen Seitz** » 15 Jun 2010 5:55 pm

Michael Devito wrote:Steven:

Had the pleasure of playing onstage with the guy to whom I sold my M10A. It was a familiar feeling ... no-one had any idea what this oddball amp was, but they sure appreciated how it sounded. It managed to be the coolest piece of gear in the room, and inexplicable at the same time. He didn't even use the vibrato. There's a missed opportunity!

MD

...hey Michael, these Maggies do sneak up on you!

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