Magnatone Quad and Tripple Eight Steels

Marvin Erickson · Post by **Marvin Erickson** » 11 Oct 2005 11:01 pm

Anyone had any experience with these? Have heard they have nice tone, but are quite heavy and cumbersome. Have played about every thing else, and would like to try one or both of these. Don't go out to play much now, so portability not a problem. New member would really appreciate any info.
Marvin

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 12 Oct 2005 5:47 am

I have a 1955 Maestro triple eight. It is heavey, about 56 lbs in the case.
I like the sound, it has two pickups per neck with the blend control, ala Stringmaster.
Here's a pic:

I like it, I just wish I had time to play it more...
Jay<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Jay Fagerlie on 12 October 2005 at 06:48 AM.]</p></FONT>

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 12 Oct 2005 9:02 am

What a beauty-that thing looks brand new-like something Herb Remington might have built recently!

Those covers over the tuners are a nice touch.

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Mark

Marvin Erickson · Post by **Marvin Erickson** » 12 Oct 2005 3:49 pm

Beautiful guitar! Missed one of these on Ebay awhile back. Have time to play and some cash if you would consider selling.
Marvin

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 12 Oct 2005 7:22 pm

I have mentioned on numerous occasions I owned a MAGNATONE quad (4) back in the early fifties. I sold it but wish now I had kept it for old-times sake. Even back in those days when I was young, the derned critter weighed a ton which is why I sold it. The tone was great !

Marvin Erickson · Post by **Marvin Erickson** » 13 Oct 2005 1:43 am

George, Thanks fer ur input! Have heard these have nice tone.
Marvin

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 13 Oct 2005 2:11 pm

Hi

I play a T-8 like the one in the picture Jay posted. I like the tone a lot. Of course it depends on what kind of music you want to play. I primarily play pre 1970's Hawaiian stuff. I like it better than the Stringmasters I've played.

One thing though, I'm not sure of the wood it's made of. Mahogany? Bleached mahogany? The instrument has an inherently dark tone. For example, if I plug it into the "bright" channel of a '59 Fender Deluxe with the tone wide open on both the guitar and amp (12), it compares to the Rickenbacher frypan plugged into the regular channel with the amp's tone at about 4.

Some profess that instruments with brighter tone afford the musician more dynamic freedom (the brightness can always be controlled).

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 13 Oct 2005 5:47 pm

I have an imaculate triple Magnatone deluxe professional coming into stock that will be going at a reasonable price within two weeks. Perfect. Contact me if interested.
Bobbe

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 13 Oct 2005 5:48 pm

Marvin, I was getting this for you I believe,

Marvin Erickson · Post by **Marvin Erickson** » 13 Oct 2005 7:45 pm

Bobbe, Thanks a bunch....will call you ASAP

Marv

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 14 Oct 2005 5:18 am

Jeff,
I believe it is mahagony and walnut.
I agree totally about the tone being on the dark side, which is neither good or bad to me, just different...I wonder if it is the way the two pickups are wired together, or the way the cap comes into the circuit. Next time I have mine apart I'll trace out the wiring to see if that could be it.
I don't know if I'd want to change anything, but I wouldn't mind knowing.
Thanks for the nice words from everybody about my T8 baby.
Jay

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 14 Oct 2005 7:39 pm

I can verify that Jeff's guitar is heavy!!

Marvin Erickson · Post by **Marvin Erickson** » 15 Oct 2005 12:07 am

Bobbe,
As per our phone conversation, will call you next week, and if the Magnatone comes in will see if we can cut a deal of some kind. Also have an Oahu lap, and several Ricks. Happy pickin'....

Marvin