Magnatone

John Hobaugh · From: Farmington, NM, USA (deceased)

Does any one know anything about Magnatone guitars and amps. where they went or who they sold out to???

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

Do a seach on Magnatone in the No Peddlers sections. I have a wonderful MOTS 6 string that I love!

------------------
Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com

Gary Walker · From: Morro Bay, CA

The old Magnatone tube amps of the 50s and 60s were so velvety smooth. A very warm guitar amp with a genuine vibrato instead of tremelo. The pitch actually rose and fell. These classic amps usually bring pretty big dollars on EBay.
If you're looking for a sharp Emmons sound, they aren't for you. But if a rich C6 sound is your wish, all I can say is WOW. They didn't have reverb then but that's no problem today.
Wish I had a Stereo 260 with two 12" speakers. Smooth as butter.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

You'll find out lots about the amps here:
http://vibroworld.com/magnatone/

I've had a Magnatone 260 for many years. I used to use it in a stereo configuration with a Tweed Fender Tremolux in my rockabilly band. What a sound. Mixed with a dry amp, the pitch-changing vibrato is at least as cool as any Leslie sound, probably better to my ears. Compared to comparable Fender stuff, these amps are still reasonably priced, IMO. I know of an early 60s M8 or M9 for $500-600.

The players I think of right away with Magnatones are Lonnie Mack and Duane Eddy, and of course, Buddy Holly used one sometimes also.

I've had a couple of Magnatone guitars. Kinda funky, but cool. Didn't keep them, though.

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

The guitar player with Speedy West used
one for many of their sessions I believe.
And later too.

Dang for got his name... DRAT! wait, wait.. AH!
Jimmy Bryant, yeah that's it.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 09 January 2006 at 08:26 AM.]

Allen Peterson · From: Katy, Texas

I thought I read somewhere that John Fogarty got his original sound with a Les Paul playing through a Magnatone. Could be wrong and I can't remember where I read it. Last time I saw him in the late 60s he was playing through a Sunn.

Allen Peterson

Fred Jack · From: Bastrop, Texas 78602

David, You're right about Jimmy playing a Magnatone.I carried that thing too many times for him. Fred

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Fred, I have the 3 cd set complete Jimmy Bryant,
which as of course a whole lot of Speedy West too.

JB was definitely on a plain of his own.
I only wish i Could have heard some of
those jazz bop sessions he would sit in on.

Stratosphere Guitar!!

I only had one Magnatone amp in the studio for a session over the years,
but it did sound great for what they were doing.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 09 January 2006 at 08:30 AM.]

Fred Jack · From: Bastrop, Texas 78602

David, I have most of Jimmy's recordings plus some tapes of jams.I also witnessed some jams with he and Stuff Smith,both playing fiddles.Grrrrreat stuff! Fred

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Okay, I know this isn't a pedal steel topic, but I can't decide if its about lap steel or amplifiers.

I've moved it to "No Peddlers" and "Electronics".

------------------

Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com
System Administrator
My Blog

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

Here's a Magnatone history from the Vintage Guitar web site.
I believe (although this is just a guess) that Magnatone went out of business in the face of cheaper competition from overseas. The steel guitar line was discontinued before then, probably in the early 1960s.

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: