Sorry for the shitty sound quality in the demo. This iphone's microphone has just gotten worse and worse of late. Guess I need to go back to using my old iphone 5 for the demo portion.
I have resisted close micing and separate audio tracks for a couple reasons. One is editing ease. These videos get laborious enough to edit without dealing with a separate audio track, and I've often found TH-cam videos to sound boxy and sterile on close micing. It's hard to really get a sense of what an amp actually sounds like in a room that way. I've been using the internal mic on my iphones for years, and my earlier vids, if you look at some of those, were done on my old iphone 5, which I think sounded superb. The compression was just right so that louder signals did not clip or distort. Not so with my iphone 6. The audio has never been as good. This video will be the last time I use it for demos.
Thanks for running through this amp! I just got one for a song at an estate sale. (They actually threw away another one that was in the house when they were clearing things out.) I love this amp and can't believe how clean and well made they were. Channel jumping offers some intricate tone control as well. The only thing I'm thinking about changing is changing that oscillator so the vibrato can move slower.
I have an original 1960 1x12 Maggie i inherited from my mother. She used it for her accordian in the early 60s and was purchased from a music store in Detroit. I learned to play guitar on this amp when i was from the ages of 12-16. I retubed this amp and it sounds just like my 57 Tweed Deluxe reissue!
The "separate plate" was designed to isolate the tubes from cabinet vibration. Notice all the tubes except the rectifier (which doesn't contribute to audio) are mounted on it. The little rubber washers that act as shock absorbers dry out over decades and sometimes crumble away. If you're a Magnatone fanatic you replace them. I own twelve Magnatone amps. Most of them I have bought in various stages of disrepair cheap and restored. Some I've modified to taste. I have to say that of all the designs, the 260 is my favorite. The 280 and 480 has that stereo vibrato but power is sacrificed. If you take a 280 add external speakers and set it up for recording it does sound glorious....but playing in a band straight into an amp, a 260 sounds the same as a 280 in terms of vibrato...and a 260 is louder. Yours is a nice clean original in a very desirable year. Personally I'd save the original tubes in a bag for collectors. Get a whole new set and the amp will sound better . I sometimes will do that with the speakers as well because that particular Oxford speaker is impossible to find even on EBay. I've found that a Jensen C12N is a great replacement speaker.
Thanks for the comment. While I am familiar with isolated single sockets, it's rare to see and entirely isolated plate like that anywhere else. I just got hung up on the manufacturing benefits. I bet a 280 in stereo as you described would sound tremendous in a room. I can only imagine.
The Guitologist The 260 was the only model I believe that had that feature. I think it was one of their design ideas adopted from "hi-fi audio" along with the Baxandall tone stack. I love the Baxandall tone stack. Less insertion losses than a Fender blackface tone stack....but more range and versatility than a simple tone knob.
That's a tone stack I have not experimented with much. I like it. It's definitely an effective stack. The only tweak I might make is to the bass control. It seems any cut of that control from max just steals a lot of signal.
The Guitologist Yes I've modded it on a few of my amps. The Tone stack calculator has a Baxandall model you can play with. I've found that the tone controls interact with each other along with the volume a bit more with that design as well. But it's worth it when you overdrive it and you aren't losing dynamics to insertion losses.
I always put the older tubes on a tester, if they test good, they will ALWAYS be better than new modern tubes. As for the power tubes, most guys like the RCA black plates. But finding a set used that test god will cost you $250, they are getting almost impossible to find nos now. The best alternative to the RCA black plate 6l6 is the Svetlana winged c . Make sure they are winged c, because the regular ones are basically Sovtecs. Sovtecs are industrial and last, but their tone suffers. As for the Bugle boy tubes, they have one of the greatest tones in the preamp section of a Fender amp. The Telefunken preamp tubes are the absolute best preamp tubes in the preamp of a Marshall hands down imo. If you search for RCA black plate 6L6 tubes, you cant use the metal can ones in place of the glass 6l6. You can find old nos 6L6 tubes that are rca black plates and rebranded by TV companies such as Sylvania and others. I try myluck with army navy tubes that are labeled as JAN prefix before the number, they are more robust to handle vibrations, and good for preamp. I bought an entire box of JAN12AX7 tubes that are brand new unopened from 1961, and they are rca black plates , but preamp tubes. They are about 30 bucks a tube.
Thank you for walking us through and for the demo. Very interesting and beautiful sounding amp! Your guitar is special too, pun intended :) Cheers from VA
These amps are amazing, I come across them once and a while but have never pulled the trigger I'm just getting into vintage amps. I've passed up some awesome ones and I'm kicking myself now.
I grew up with these old amps most of them aren't that great. there was a few gems. But the modern stuff is way better. Most of them sounded like they were going to blow up if you turned in past 3. So I don't have any regrets.
The birth of the Univibe in there! The triode and pair of varistors is doing the job of the photo resistor in the univibe circuit. The Univibe has four phase splitters (and photo-resistors) where this Magnatone has effectively two.
Wow! What an amazingly pristine vintage amplifier! It must have been a NOS hidden in a warehouse or closet queen wrapped in plastic for the last 60 years. It's absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing, Brad!
There was a little spill of some kind on the front grill cloth and a bit of paint rubbing on the chassis face, but other than that, it is a super nice amp.
A video that is the epitome of stellar! Somehow the content and subject matter overpower the cheap iPhone mic limitations. And now I have to decide twixt a Maggy and a 70 watt Valco dual power pack. If I could only eschew life's major decisions with the tactful grace of Ernest Borgnine at a Formal Dinner like you do I would have it made.
The Guitologist Pulled the trigger on a pristine Lyric 660 (Maggie 260) for a mere pittance. I noticed you didn't have to change any electrolytics nor resistors. Does this mean that it is a well engineered chassis? I also suspect they didn't use finger joints on the cabinet.
The Guitologist Got the Lyric Custom 660 (Maggie 262/260). An early '65 made by Magna and labeled Lyric Electronics, Los Angeles. The tubes (all G.E.), transformer and Jensen c12-r's all date from early '65. There isn't a sub chassis. The tolex is fantastic and the silk screened face plate is perfect. The silk screening is a lot more detailed with cross hatching patterns. Grill cloth and front Lyric billboard are super nice. The sound is out of this world. It warbles away with purpose. Good voicing too. Loud enough to scare poodles! Those Jensens are full sounding. Picked it up from Chicago Music Exchange for less than half of what they are asking for beaten ones on Reverb. Great people to deal with. Thanks Brad!
The Magnatone should be mentioned in the same semi-hushed tones as tweed Fender Twins or an early JTM 45. The vibrato circuit was sheer genius. A true chorus effect decades before anyone thought of calling it that. Chet had one. Buddy Holly did too. (I suspect Buddy's was "borrowed" by Norm Petty for use in his studio. It's heard on Wheels by the Stringalongs.) It's a total joy to see this grand old amplifier resuscitated.
well, im a guitar player first ....so I watch guitar lesson guys as well....Music is Win , and dont think you need those.....but I watch Uncle Doug and D lab ......for amp stuff.
I am re-capping a Magnatone 260 and one of the wires came loose before I had a chance to take pictures of everything. This video identified where the wire goes so I could finish the project.
Just found your outstanding channel. I have two of these true vibrato sleepers, 59 & 60. You are correct about the tubes being original to the 59 amp as my 59 has the same brand of tubes in it. The only difference between the 59 & 60 is the power tubes where the 60 has RCA bottom getters, which RCA only produce for one year supposedly. These RCA bottom getters are outstanding tubes but pretty rare and expensive if you can find them. I throughly enjoy your channel keep the vids coming. Curtis
Hi Brad, Great video, I learned a lot. That amp is one year older than me. Living on the West Coast in Oregon, I'll have to keep my eyes open for Magnatone Amps, I really liked the sound of it. Loved it's originality. I like the Gibson/Chibson with the P-90, kidding, I'm sure it's authentic USA. As always, take care, C.
I've got one of these amps lined up from "the source." Cost me a grand. I used to watch Lonnie down in Covington across the river when I was a college kid...
my 260A is fitted with beefy brass corner brackets all around. Didn't think they were factory installed until I noticed a few similarly outfitted amps on the net. Some got 'em, some don't.
When I was a kid my uncle Bought the same combo from a Pawn shop. Gibson Les Paul Junior and A Magnatone Amp but it had 4 6L6s Same Magnatone Speakers Same year 1959 although I think the Guitar was 58. The Magnatone amp had a Big V in the middle of the control Panel and I remember the 4 Tube can be seen right under the back board slot. I am thinking besides that tube chassis being made for speedy manufacturing purposes It would be a good way of reducing an combo amp vibration to the tubes. Great Video thanks for sharing.
Another great video. I have a 280 in for repair with a non-working (very weak) vibrato circuit. I'm just hoping its not one of the Varistors. At least I knw know what the amp SHOULD sound like. Thank you again.
This is so weird somewhere around the mid 60s my uncle picked up the same guitar and amp. Now that I see the Panel the amp had a different lay out. The Magnatone looked the same from the front. Two alnico 12 inch speakers. Ours had a V wing in the center of the control panel and I remember it said Stereo Vibrato. The amp had a Rich Powerful sound Perfect for the Les Paul Junior. Our Jr had a black dog eared P90 pickup.Wow I,m seeing point to point. Great Amp. Wish my uncle never sold it. Thanks for the video post.
WOW! That thing is so original, I would be tempted to carefully cut the ends off the old caps and re-stuff them with modern axial caps to preserve the appearance. Rare to see an amp that old that perfect! I sometimes do that with the old paper and wax caps in vintage radios I restore if they are particularly rare or valuable.
I remember Lonnie Mack with his hit instrumental Memphis. I was fourteen and just learning to play guitar and was curious to know how he got that special sound. I eventually bought a Magnatone and learned that song. A lot of accordion players wanted it to get an organ sound whenever. I have the pedal now that reproduces that true vibrato sound by TC Electronics called the Shaker..!
I have a pristine 1959 version that kills. Every one of those amps are different. I also have an Estey Magnatone 480 "Venus" Stereo model from '63 ...not something ya wanna schlep but the vibrato is glorious.
Its got the fur on top of the tone. Too much distortion, but I am listening on the internet, it could be clipping from the mic. The best part about that amp, they gave you plenty of room in the chassis for Dr. Frankenstein circuits to add on. But the shock absorber design on the extra sheet metal is brilliant.
Yeah, still a shame. I didn't realize how bad it was until after it was all edited together. Out with that iPhone from now on, for sure. This amp deserved a better presentation.
15:48 This is what they speak of when you hear someone say Point to point so many get mixed up with hand wired and point to point, Two different things.
my first amp was an early '60s Estey combo. 1 12. Hit that with a Big Muff and a Strat forTrower or add a Wah for Schenker. I'd give almost anything to have back.
I wonder if the ext speaker out could be run to one of the Int speakers so you have a stereo effect in one amp phase shifting between the two speakers?
not sure if you know this or not but magnatone has been recreated here in St.Louis Missouri I live right up the street from the shop they're on Ivanhoe in St.Louis Missouri
Any one know how the vibratory ext speaker put works? Does it cause stereo panning of the phase isolation? Is the ext speaker out full power out but the vibrato circuit causes phase shifting between the Int and ext speakers? If it does this was way ahead of it’s time
My old Vox Supertwin and all the other AC 30s I've ever heard had a"vib/trem circuit that did the same chorus-like effect. I could also get the sound by rapidly operating the tone control part of a DeArmond Foot Control or "boowah pedal" as borrowed from the lap steel boys by Chet Atkins. Deffo, sounds like some switching between two different tone circuits going on. Perhaps a look at how Vox did it might be interesting to your viewers. Thanks for all your absorbing and instructive shows, keep it up. (Oh, and by the way poking your hands in a hot one wearing rings and bare feet is probably a no-no, safety first!)
Is the vibrato section in these similar to what you would find in an old Small Stone pedal? I haven't messed with one in years but I feel like that gave me a similar effect when the rate was turned up..
I have a Magnatone Custom 460 model, I believe it to be made in 1960. I have not had it repaired ( no one around here i trust to repair. Channel one works ,but channel 2 side does not work at all. would you repair it or recommend someone around Saginaw ,MI area that could do a good job repairing it. Any help would be very appreciated. This was my dad's for many years I would love to play it,And someday pass it on to my guitar playing grandkids..Thank You .
Douglas Zolton you could get in touch with George Metropoulos, he's in Michigan and might be able to help you. Go to www.metroamp.com to contact him. Good luck
Buddy Holly the inspiration for this amp or the 280, I thought - Mack sat his amp on a stacking chair, I'm told my guess is Bo Diddley's tone clamor was wired up by Bo at home on his bench & brought to studio - anyone know?
In Columbia, Mo. in the 60's there were 2 music stores. One had all the best guitars and amps. The other was a lot less stocked with the good stuff and had a fair amount of used equipment. The owner of the store was a Magnatone dealer. He was an accordion player, probably a Polka band guy. And he would talk for hours of the superior sound of the Magnatone amps. They cost more than a Fender Princeton, which is what a few of my richer friends had. I could never afford either. He did sell me a well used Gibson Hawk. Is this vibrato similar to what Selmer used in some of their amps? Thankz
Im in the Detroit area. My mother gave me her 1960 Maggie. Its a 1x12. I learned to play guitar on that thing back in the mid 70s. She used this amp for her accordian probably because of the tremolo. She attained this amp from Gus Zoppi music store probably in 1960. Incredible amps!!
haha Gus Zoppi. Used to go there a lot! Most of us would freak-quent Good ole' Massimino Music on 7mile/Van Dyke. When Joe Massimino moved out of Detroit, Gus Zoppi business really took off, because Joe moved to 13mi.& Groesbeck. A young Egnater was Zoppi's amp tech for awhile. Then he set up shop on 8 mile also, and eventually started his own amp line. R0cK ()N!!!
The Guitologist Thanks Mr. Prego .... Ben is right! Never heared of Robert Ward 'til now. He plays the Magnatone amp and finger plucks. There are videos of him on TH-cam with Ry Cooder and Nick Lowe on bass in a small club. Outstanding!
@@WillyMcCoy50 He did some killer stuff back in the early 60's as well in the Ohio Untouchables, & The Falcons. His 45 Do the Swim has some amazing use of his Magnatone amp & Jazzmaster guitar
This is awesome! Have you seen the new Verb o Trem pedal from Keeley? It has a 'Mack' setting (nice nod!) to emulate the Lonnie Mack Magnatone sound. Looks like a great pedal. I'm sure not as 3D as the original but a cost effective and reliable way to get into that territory :)
Hey Brad, Great video! Did you (or could you) get a bunch of gut shots before you give the amp back? I'd love to have some as a comparative guide whenever I get around to trying to revive my 260. Thanks! Lee
I did not get stills. I might have this amp coming back over though. I cleaned the tube sockets and even the tube pins on Channel 2 a couple different times , but the owner says it still has some crackle now and then, so I'm going to either replace a socket or try one more time to clean it for him for free. If I get back in there, I'll take stills.
The visuals on these early Magnatone amps is so similar to the '62/63 Gibson Crestline models... Matching brown tolex covering is the most striking similarity, but even under the hood they have a similar look about them... any connection between Magnatone and Gibson that you are aware of?
Magna? As in the Canadian car parts company? Cool that so many of these old companies still exist today and bigger than ever! TIL they once manufactured guitar amps!
Interesting though on the paperwork it states Magna Electronics, which eventually merged with Magna International... interesting history on some of these old amps nonetheless and you do a darn great job at documenting these museum pieces that seemingly sound just as good or better than when they came off the assembly line. Can't say that about today's disposable trash. :)
I would think all those old blue caps would be way out of spec. I know the epoxy ones like those were a lot better than paper and wax but they're still almost 60 years old. At that age, I would also think resistors would be suspect even.
In certain passages, for the right song, it could be glorious. Reminds me of an old stereo chorus pedal I had once. You could make it get a similar bendy effect.
I find it fascinating when musicians and technicians unite. I spent much of my life enjoying music while tinkering as a technician. I often wished I pursued learning to play early in life. I have utmost respect for serious musicians. Thanks
Fender never made an actual "vibrato". They were mislabeling a "tremolo" effect as "vibrato". Vibrato is a pitch modulating effect, like the whammy bar on your guitar raises and lowers note pitch. Tremolo is a volume modulating effect, like the volume knob on your guitar. Leo Fender is the source of a lot of confusion. :D
This is very similar in theory to what Leo did on the blond and brown amps. Basically sweeping back and forth between two different tone circuits. When combined the effect is much like a phase shifter wtih an added frequency component.
Brad, now that I have my own repair business.. these videos have a whole new meaning. I have the pleasure of having one of these in the "shop".
Sorry for the shitty sound quality in the demo. This iphone's microphone has just gotten worse and worse of late. Guess I need to go back to using my old iphone 5 for the demo portion.
a lav, sm57 & focusrite scarlett would be even cooler! thanks for your videos. they are really neat & super informative.
I have resisted close micing and separate audio tracks for a couple reasons. One is editing ease. These videos get laborious enough to edit without dealing with a separate audio track, and I've often found TH-cam videos to sound boxy and sterile on close micing. It's hard to really get a sense of what an amp actually sounds like in a room that way. I've been using the internal mic on my iphones for years, and my earlier vids, if you look at some of those, were done on my old iphone 5, which I think sounded superb. The compression was just right so that louder signals did not clip or distort. Not so with my iphone 6. The audio has never been as good. This video will be the last time I use it for demos.
Yes you need a real microphone. This is buzzed out a bit. LOL
funny how I like comparing my own tone to this one ;)
(I mean just the iPhone recording side)
That's the new and improved Apple break up effect. Not serious sarcasm .
If those "Made in Hollond" tubes from '58 could tell their tale....amazing. Thank you for your lovely tour of this piece of the recent past...
Thanks for running through this amp! I just got one for a song at an estate sale. (They actually threw away another one that was in the house when they were clearing things out.) I love this amp and can't believe how clean and well made they were. Channel jumping offers some intricate tone control as well. The only thing I'm thinking about changing is changing that oscillator so the vibrato can move slower.
Something really special about those Magnatone amps ! Magical !!!
I have an original 1960 1x12 Maggie i inherited from my mother. She used it for her accordian in the early 60s and was purchased from a music store in Detroit. I learned to play guitar on this amp when i was from the ages of 12-16. I retubed this amp and it sounds just like my 57 Tweed Deluxe reissue!
The "separate plate" was designed to isolate the tubes from cabinet vibration. Notice all the tubes except the rectifier (which doesn't contribute to audio) are mounted on it. The little rubber washers that act as shock absorbers dry out over decades and sometimes crumble away. If you're a Magnatone fanatic you replace them. I own twelve Magnatone amps. Most of them I have bought in various stages of disrepair cheap and restored. Some I've modified to taste. I have to say that of all the designs, the 260 is my favorite. The 280 and 480 has that stereo vibrato but power is sacrificed. If you take a 280 add external speakers and set it up for recording it does sound glorious....but playing in a band straight into an amp, a 260 sounds the same as a 280 in terms of vibrato...and a 260 is louder. Yours is a nice clean original in a very desirable year. Personally I'd save the original tubes in a bag for collectors. Get a whole new set and the amp will sound better . I sometimes will do that with the speakers as well because that particular Oxford speaker is impossible to find even on EBay. I've found that a Jensen C12N is a great replacement speaker.
Thanks for the comment. While I am familiar with isolated single sockets, it's rare to see and entirely isolated plate like that anywhere else. I just got hung up on the manufacturing benefits. I bet a 280 in stereo as you described would sound tremendous in a room. I can only imagine.
The Guitologist The 260 was the only model I believe that had that feature. I think it was one of their design ideas adopted from "hi-fi audio" along with the Baxandall tone stack. I love the Baxandall tone stack. Less insertion losses than a Fender blackface tone stack....but more range and versatility than a simple tone knob.
That's a tone stack I have not experimented with much. I like it. It's definitely an effective stack. The only tweak I might make is to the bass control. It seems any cut of that control from max just steals a lot of signal.
The Guitologist Yes I've modded it on a few of my amps. The Tone stack calculator has a Baxandall model you can play with. I've found that the tone controls interact with each other along with the volume a bit more with that design as well. But it's worth it when you overdrive it and you aren't losing dynamics to insertion losses.
I always put the older tubes on a tester, if they test good, they will ALWAYS be better than new modern tubes. As for the power tubes, most guys like the RCA black plates. But finding a set used that test god will cost you $250, they are getting almost impossible to find nos now. The best alternative to the RCA black plate 6l6 is the Svetlana winged c . Make sure they are winged c, because the regular ones are basically Sovtecs. Sovtecs are industrial and last, but their tone suffers. As for the Bugle boy tubes, they have one of the greatest tones in the preamp section of a Fender amp. The Telefunken preamp tubes are the absolute best preamp tubes in the preamp of a Marshall hands down imo. If you search for RCA black plate 6L6 tubes, you cant use the metal can ones in place of the glass 6l6. You can find old nos 6L6 tubes that are rca black plates and rebranded by TV companies such as Sylvania and others. I try myluck with army navy tubes that are labeled as JAN prefix before the number, they are more robust to handle vibrations, and good for preamp. I bought an entire box of JAN12AX7 tubes that are brand new unopened from 1961, and they are rca black plates , but preamp tubes. They are about 30 bucks a tube.
your channel is a lot of fun. a cool place to go and just chill out.
Thank you for walking us through and for the demo. Very interesting and beautiful sounding amp! Your guitar is special too, pun intended :) Cheers from VA
These amps are amazing, I come across them once and a while but have never pulled the trigger I'm just getting into vintage amps. I've passed up some awesome ones and I'm kicking myself now.
I grew up with these old amps most of them aren't that great. there was a few gems. But the modern stuff is way better. Most of them sounded like they were going to blow up if you turned in past 3. So I don't have any regrets.
Lonnie was a good friend of mine!!
The birth of the Univibe in there! The triode and pair of varistors is doing the job of the photo resistor in the univibe circuit. The Univibe has four phase splitters (and photo-resistors) where this Magnatone has effectively two.
Wow! What an amazingly pristine vintage amplifier! It must have been a NOS hidden in a warehouse or closet queen wrapped in plastic for the last 60 years. It's absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing, Brad!
There was a little spill of some kind on the front grill cloth and a bit of paint rubbing on the chassis face, but other than that, it is a super nice amp.
A video that is the epitome of stellar! Somehow the content and subject matter overpower the cheap iPhone mic limitations.
And now I have to decide twixt a Maggy and a 70 watt Valco dual power pack.
If I could only eschew life's major decisions with the tactful grace of Ernest Borgnine at a Formal Dinner like you do I would have it made.
I wish I'd captured this one on a good camera and mic setup.
The Guitologist
Pulled the trigger on a pristine Lyric 660 (Maggie 260) for a mere pittance.
I noticed you didn't have to change any electrolytics nor resistors. Does this mean that it is a well engineered chassis? I also suspect they didn't use finger joints on the cabinet.
The Guitologist
Got the Lyric Custom 660 (Maggie 262/260). An early '65 made by Magna and labeled Lyric Electronics, Los Angeles. The tubes (all G.E.), transformer and Jensen c12-r's all date from early '65. There isn't a sub chassis. The tolex is fantastic and the silk screened face plate is perfect. The silk screening is a lot more detailed with cross hatching patterns. Grill cloth and front Lyric billboard are super nice.
The sound is out of this world. It warbles away with purpose. Good voicing too. Loud enough to scare poodles! Those Jensens are full sounding.
Picked it up from Chicago Music Exchange for less than half of what they are asking for beaten ones on Reverb. Great people to deal with.
Thanks Brad!
What a beautiful piece of history - Thanks so much for sharing this gem with the world, Brad!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Britt.
The Magnatone should be mentioned in the same semi-hushed tones as tweed Fender Twins or an early JTM 45. The vibrato circuit was sheer genius. A true chorus effect decades before anyone thought of calling it that. Chet had one. Buddy Holly did too. (I suspect Buddy's was "borrowed" by Norm Petty for use in his studio. It's heard on Wheels by the Stringalongs.)
It's a total joy to see this grand old amplifier resuscitated.
Thank you. And yes, this one is an unsung classic.
this is one of my 3 channels that I watch whenever a new video comes out too :)
Thanks, Gary. I appreciate that.
Out of curiosity...what are your other two? I bet I sub those too.
well, im a guitar player first ....so I watch guitar lesson guys as well....Music is Win , and dont think you need those.....but I watch Uncle Doug and D lab ......for amp stuff.
Thanks for the mention, Gary :)
Well done Brad! Thanks for showing us that great piece of history!
Thanks for watching and commenting, as always, red.
I’m about to being a refurb in one of these. So glad I found this!
I am re-capping a Magnatone 260 and one of the wires came loose before I had a chance to take pictures of everything. This video identified where the wire goes so I could finish the project.
Made your day I bet!
A schematic helps. They are available online for the 260 for free if you just google and download.
Just found your outstanding channel. I have two of these true vibrato sleepers, 59 & 60. You are correct about the tubes being original to the 59 amp as my 59 has the same brand of tubes in it. The only difference between the 59 & 60 is the power tubes where the 60 has RCA bottom getters, which RCA only produce for one year supposedly. These RCA bottom getters are outstanding tubes but pretty rare and expensive if you can find them. I throughly enjoy your channel keep the vids coming. Curtis
A great video and thanks for the introduction to Magnatone
Hi Brad, Great video, I learned a lot. That amp is one year older than me. Living on the West Coast in Oregon, I'll have to keep my eyes open for Magnatone Amps, I really liked the sound of it. Loved it's originality. I like the Gibson/Chibson with the P-90, kidding, I'm sure it's authentic USA. As always, take care, C.
Not sure why I used that Gibson in this demo. It was just the closest thing I knew was in tune already. :)
I've got one of these amps lined up from "the source." Cost me a grand. I used to watch Lonnie down in Covington across the river when I was a college kid...
They seem to cost a fortune up here in the north. But the only one I ever tried i seemed to like it a lot. 👌 love ur work
That true vibrato is pretty cool sounding
Your channel is so much fun and this amp is a killer. thx U so much
my 260A is fitted with beefy brass corner brackets all around. Didn't think they were factory installed until I noticed a few similarly outfitted amps on the net. Some got 'em, some don't.
Interesting. Thanks for the info.
That thing has a built in univibe, incredible amp
awesome jr im sorry i leave so many comments on old episodes but i keep getting old vids sent to me, yer a wiked player you got my respect brad, peace
When I was a kid my uncle Bought the same combo from a Pawn shop. Gibson Les Paul Junior and A Magnatone Amp but it had 4 6L6s Same Magnatone Speakers Same year 1959 although I think the Guitar was 58. The Magnatone amp had a Big V in the middle of the control Panel and I remember the 4 Tube can be seen right under the back board slot. I am thinking besides that tube chassis being made for speedy manufacturing purposes It would be a good way of reducing an combo amp vibration to the tubes. Great Video thanks for sharing.
Another great video. I have a 280 in for repair with a non-working (very weak) vibrato circuit. I'm just hoping its not one of the Varistors. At least I knw know what the amp SHOULD sound like. Thank you again.
It's almost never a varistors. Usually a bad tube, bad screen resistor or cap
Very cool vibrato!!! Almost into the warble tape effect area.
This is so weird somewhere around the mid 60s my uncle picked up the same guitar and amp. Now that I see the Panel the amp had a different lay out. The Magnatone looked the same from the front. Two alnico 12 inch speakers. Ours had a V wing in the center of the control panel and I remember it said Stereo Vibrato. The amp had a Rich Powerful sound Perfect for the Les Paul Junior. Our Jr had a black dog eared P90 pickup.Wow I,m seeing point to point. Great Amp. Wish my uncle never sold it. Thanks for the video post.
Cool channel, really enjoyed watching the vids.
WOW! That thing is so original, I would be tempted to carefully cut the ends off the old caps and re-stuff them with modern axial caps to preserve the appearance. Rare to see an amp that old that perfect! I sometimes do that with the old paper and wax caps in vintage radios I restore if they are particularly rare or valuable.
I remember Lonnie Mack with his hit instrumental Memphis. I was fourteen and just learning to play guitar and was curious to know how he got that special sound. I eventually bought a Magnatone and learned that song. A lot of accordion players wanted it to get an organ sound whenever. I have the pedal now that reproduces that true vibrato sound by TC Electronics called the Shaker..!
I have a pristine 1959 version that kills. Every one of those amps are different. I also have an Estey Magnatone 480 "Venus" Stereo model from '63 ...not something ya wanna schlep but the vibrato is glorious.
Thats a sweet looking LP Jr.
Wow this amp sound amazing.
truly a different sounding vib. thanks!
Yeah, it's just a shame my camera mic wasn't behaving. I'm a bit gutted about that. Didn't realize it came out that garbled until editing.
Its got the fur on top of the tone. Too much distortion, but I am listening on the internet, it could be clipping from the mic. The best part about that amp, they gave you plenty of room in the chassis for Dr. Frankenstein circuits to add on. But the shock absorber design on the extra sheet metal is brilliant.
Even though the recording got messed up you can still hear how awesome that amp sounds
Yeah, still a shame. I didn't realize how bad it was until after it was all edited together. Out with that iPhone from now on, for sure. This amp deserved a better presentation.
The Guitologist you should get something like a shure sm57 and a interface if you want a pretty good sound.
15:48 This is what they speak of when you hear someone say Point to point so many get mixed up with hand wired and point to point, Two different things.
It's no surprise to me that this amp just had simple maintenance problems. They really were built well.
my first amp was an early '60s Estey combo. 1 12. Hit that with a Big Muff and a Strat forTrower
or add a Wah for Schenker. I'd give almost anything to have back.
I wonder if the ext speaker out could be run to one of the Int speakers so you have a stereo effect in one amp phase shifting between the two speakers?
To do that you would need Two septate amps in the chassis ala Jc120 or Ampeg echo twin .
not sure if you know this or not but magnatone has been recreated here in St.Louis Missouri I live right up the street from the shop they're on Ivanhoe in St.Louis Missouri
Building grewat amps but wow are they expensive. Too expensive for me.(soc.Sec.) I have in 1960 Maggie....
Any one know how the vibratory ext speaker put works? Does it cause stereo panning of the phase isolation? Is the ext speaker out full power out but the vibrato circuit causes phase shifting between the Int and ext speakers? If it does this was way ahead of it’s time
As Neil Young noted it will forever be known as the "Lonnie Mack" amp although he was turned on to it by Robert Ward.
My old Vox Supertwin and all the other AC 30s I've ever heard had a"vib/trem circuit that did the same chorus-like effect. I could also get the sound by rapidly operating the tone control part of a DeArmond Foot Control or "boowah pedal" as borrowed from the lap steel boys by Chet Atkins. Deffo, sounds like some switching between two different tone circuits going on. Perhaps a look at how Vox did it might be interesting to your viewers.
Thanks for all your absorbing and instructive shows, keep it up. (Oh, and by the way poking your hands in a hot one wearing rings and bare feet is probably a no-no, safety first!)
Thanks for the comment. If I took the rings off I'd lose them for sure. I guess I like to live dangerously cautious.
WOW! those knobs look just like what Ross used on their pedals.
Nice tubes!
WOW - classic - LOVE these videos
hello, what is the value of the other wire wound resistor (not the 250 ohm) on the rectifier and filter cap? it is not on the schematic. thanks.
WHERE do you find all your schematics? I have a couple of projects and can't find them. ANY input would be greatly appreciated!
Is the vibrato section in these similar to what you would find in an old Small Stone pedal? I haven't messed with one in years but I feel like that gave me a similar effect when the rate was turned up..
Small stone is a chorus or phase shifter? TC Electronics has the true vibrato pedal called the Shaker..
I have a Magnatone Custom 460 model, I believe it to be made in 1960. I have not had it repaired ( no one around here i trust to repair. Channel one works ,but channel 2 side does not work at all. would you repair it or recommend someone around Saginaw ,MI area that could do a good job repairing it. Any help would be very appreciated. This was my dad's for many years I would love to play it,And someday pass it on to my guitar playing grandkids..Thank You .
Douglas Zolton you could get in touch with George Metropoulos, he's in Michigan and might be able to help you. Go to www.metroamp.com to contact him. Good luck
@@flockoglock , Sorry for the delay, I am almost 70 and have been very ill. I just wanted to say thank you for your information.
I don't think you got to the bottom of it. sounds crackly when the preamp tubes are overdriven. Something wrong still.
That’s his mic for the video.
Buddy Holly the inspiration for this amp or the 280, I thought - Mack sat his amp on a stacking chair, I'm told
my guess is Bo Diddley's tone clamor was wired up by Bo at home on his bench & brought to studio - anyone know?
In Columbia, Mo. in the 60's there were 2 music stores. One had all the best guitars and amps. The other was a lot less stocked with the good stuff and had a fair amount of used equipment. The owner of the store was a Magnatone dealer. He was an accordion player, probably a Polka band guy. And he would talk for hours of the superior sound of the Magnatone amps. They cost more than a Fender Princeton, which is what a few of my richer friends had. I could never afford either. He did sell me a well used Gibson Hawk. Is this vibrato similar to what Selmer used in some of their amps? Thankz
I don't know on the Selmer thing. No direct experience with Selmer amps.Those are even rarer in my area than Maggies.
Selmers had amplitude modulation -- not pitch
Im in the Detroit area. My mother gave me her 1960 Maggie. Its a 1x12. I learned to play guitar on that thing back in the mid 70s. She used this amp for her accordian probably because of the tremolo. She attained this amp from Gus Zoppi music store probably in 1960. Incredible amps!!
haha Gus Zoppi. Used to go there a lot! Most of us would freak-quent Good ole' Massimino Music on 7mile/Van Dyke. When Joe Massimino moved out of Detroit, Gus Zoppi business really took off, because Joe moved to 13mi.& Groesbeck. A young Egnater was Zoppi's amp tech for awhile. Then he set up shop on 8 mile also, and eventually started his own amp line. R0cK ()N!!!
Robert Ward cd -- Fear No Evil !
Never heard of him. I'll check it out.
He turned Lonnie on to the Maggies
The Guitologist
Thanks Mr. Prego .... Ben is right! Never heared of Robert Ward 'til now. He plays the Magnatone amp and finger plucks. There are videos of him on TH-cam with Ry Cooder and Nick Lowe on bass in a small club. Outstanding!
@@WillyMcCoy50 He did some killer stuff back in the early 60's as well in the Ohio Untouchables, & The Falcons. His 45 Do the Swim has some amazing use of his Magnatone amp & Jazzmaster guitar
the sound reminds me of Young
Amp's sound quality aside, that is one handsome cabinet.
This is awesome! Have you seen the new Verb o Trem pedal from Keeley? It has a 'Mack' setting (nice nod!) to emulate the Lonnie Mack Magnatone sound. Looks like a great pedal. I'm sure not as 3D as the original but a cost effective and reliable way to get into that territory :)
Hey Brad,
Great video!
Did you (or could you) get a bunch of gut shots before you give the amp back?
I'd love to have some as a comparative guide whenever I get around to trying to revive my 260.
Thanks!
Lee
I did not get stills. I might have this amp coming back over though. I cleaned the tube sockets and even the tube pins on Channel 2 a couple different times , but the owner says it still has some crackle now and then, so I'm going to either replace a socket or try one more time to clean it for him for free. If I get back in there, I'll take stills.
The Guitologist Thanks Brad. That would be great!
Brad, I have a 1963 or 64 Magnatone M8 that needs serviced. Interested in taking a crack at it?
Email me and we can talk about it: bradlinzy at gmail
That's a great sounding amp .
Just for reference, I looked up the term 'magna'.... it's Latin and means 'great'. :-)
love the vid but the '58 needs a black cover.
been on a Y&T bender,,,Joey Alves.
So this vibrato is actually a nice subtle phaser thing. While phaser pedals overmodulate and exaggerate the effect.
The visuals on these early Magnatone amps is so similar to the '62/63 Gibson Crestline models... Matching brown tolex covering is the most striking similarity, but even under the hood they have a similar look about them... any connection between Magnatone and Gibson that you are aware of?
No. One was made in California. The other was made in Kalamazoo, MI. Pretty much 3/4 of a continent apart.
Magna? As in the Canadian car parts company? Cool that so many of these old companies still exist today and bigger than ever! TIL they once manufactured guitar amps!
Not the same company. :)
I think Magnatone went out of business in the late 60s and have recently been revived by some other company.
Interesting though on the paperwork it states Magna Electronics, which eventually merged with Magna International... interesting history on some of these old amps nonetheless and you do a darn great job at documenting these museum pieces that seemingly sound just as good or better than when they came off the assembly line. Can't say that about today's disposable trash. :)
I would think all those old blue caps would be way out of spec. I know the epoxy ones like those were a lot better than paper and wax but they're still almost 60 years old. At that age, I would also think resistors would be suspect even.
I wish I can have this amp
you should build a vib ped around this design.....
The nicest sound ever!##
Has an underwater sound. Well made, but not for everyone.
In certain passages, for the right song, it could be glorious. Reminds me of an old stereo chorus pedal I had once. You could make it get a similar bendy effect.
I find it fascinating when musicians and technicians unite. I spent much of my life enjoying music while tinkering as a technician. I often wished I pursued learning to play early in life. I have utmost respect for serious musicians. Thanks
You should build a vib ped around this design.
I think there's a bunch out there actually.
Video is clipping. Cant reference if its the mic or the amp.
I think buddy holly had a magnatone in the studio
i dig that guitar.
with amps like these in 1959, why did it take so long for music like Pink Floyd to emerge?
So this Vibrato circuit is different than a brown face Fender
Yes. Vastly.
Definitely a different sounding vibrato.....like it
Fender never made an actual "vibrato". They were mislabeling a "tremolo" effect as "vibrato". Vibrato is a pitch modulating effect, like the whammy bar on your guitar raises and lowers note pitch. Tremolo is a volume modulating effect, like the volume knob on your guitar. Leo Fender is the source of a lot of confusion. :D
This is very similar in theory to what Leo did on the blond and brown amps. Basically sweeping back and forth between two different tone circuits. When combined the effect is much like a phase shifter wtih an added frequency component.
Brown face fender concert amps had true vibrato I though uncle Doug has a video showing a demo on it
Built in chorus!
Chorus bends the pitch, and so does vibrato.
I know what amp I want now
Wow
Built in distortion.!
I find it discriminatory that you have a "normal" channel and a separate "bright" channel, like it's "abnormal" to be *BRIGHT!*
Oh my god, that totally gives me an idea....I'm gonna make an amp with a "normal" and "abnormal" channel.
Sheppard tones
I love the idea of this vid but the shitty sound quality sorta fucks up everything
I agree.
Something in there sounds like it's frying. Not a very clear tone at all.
Did you ever learn to pronounce tremolo correctly?