Magnatone

John Hobaugh · Post by **John Hobaugh** » 6 Jan 2006 2:41 pm

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

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 6 Jan 2006 4:21 pm

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

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

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 8 Jan 2006 8:57 pm

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.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 8 Jan 2006 10:52 pm

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 · Post by **David L. Donald** » 9 Jan 2006 12:58 am

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 · Post by **Allen Peterson** » 9 Jan 2006 5:42 am

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 · Post by **Fred Jack** » 9 Jan 2006 5:52 am

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

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 9 Jan 2006 8:29 am

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 · Post by **Fred Jack** » 9 Jan 2006 8:49 am

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 · Post by **b0b** » 9 Jan 2006 9:20 am

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".

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/b0bxicon.gif" border="0"> Bobby Lee
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