currypowder Posted February 2, 2017 Posted February 2, 2017 A couple of years ago, I picked this up from fellow HFC member Caddie while on a trip to Chicago. I really like it, especially the pitch shifting vibrato, but found myself not using it very much. I was thinking about moving it along, but when I was putting it through the paces to make sure all was alright, it started to develop a pretty substantial buzzing on channel 2. Dang it, off to the tech it went. Initially he thought the issue was some dirty tubes and sockets, so he cleaned those up. But that didn't fix the problem. Turns out there was a connection to the channel 2 treble pot that remained unsoldered from when it was first built. I guess over the years, the connection shifted so that the buzz developed. Anyway, it's up to snuff now. However, the real reason for my message is the video below. Brad always makes videos of what he's doing with the amps that come in for repair. Partially to document but also to focus in on special amps that come his way. It's definitely heavy with amp-geek material, much of which goes right over my head. I was always under the impression that the amp was an early to mid 60s model, but turns out it is from 1959. And the amp itself is completely original and unmolested condition. So now, instead of thinking about moving it along, I'm going to hold onto it (at least for the time being) since it is such a clean example. Anyway, I thought some around here might find the video interesting.
crunchee Posted February 2, 2017 Posted February 2, 2017 Nice! Seems like I remember hearing about some guy from Texas owning a Magnatone (no, not only Billy Gibbons): http://www.vintageguitar.com/11040/buddy-hollys-58-magnatone-280/
currypowder Posted February 3, 2017 Author Posted February 3, 2017 20 hours ago, crunchee said: Nice! Seems like I remember hearing about some guy from Texas owning a Magnatone (no, not only Billy Gibbons): http://www.vintageguitar.com/11040/buddy-hollys-58-magnatone-280/ That's a great article, thanks for sharing. I think the 280 is similar to the 260, the main difference being that the 280 is stereo and a little higher wattage (50w vs 35w). The 280 also uses 4 6973 tubes vs 2 6L6s in the 260. I've read (though have no way of knowing), that the 280 actually has a little less headroom, maybe due to the different tubes and stereo circuitry. I've also heard the the stereo vibrato adds an additional dimension to the already cool and unique Magnatone sound. I've been playing a variety of guitars through it the last couple of days. I'm not getting much breakup using my lower output Gretsch guitars, both single coils and Filtertrons. But the Talladega Pro started breaking up around noon on Channel 1, a little later, around 2 o'clock on Channel 2. I may try out a clean or treble boost to see what that does. Channel 2 can be brighter than 1 with the with the bright switch. But Channel 1 has the vibrato circuit. All together a great little amp that's not overly loud even at 35 watts.
Jakeboy Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 I love those old Maggies! They just rip. And the shake? Fuhgetaboutit!
currypowder Posted February 4, 2017 Author Posted February 4, 2017 Quick video follow up on the problem I was having with Channel 2.
Steve Haynie Posted February 5, 2017 Posted February 5, 2017 So if the drop of solder gets added in 2017 to fix the problem from 1958 does that make the amp worth less because it has been modified?
crunchee Posted February 5, 2017 Posted February 5, 2017 2 hours ago, Steve Haynie said: So if the drop of solder gets added in 2017 to fix the problem from 1958 does that make the amp worth less because it has been modified? I wouldn't necessarily say modified, if what's been done is simply correcting what wasn't done nearly 60 years ago, that should've been done before it left the factory in the first place. If I was going to sell this amp (or any amp that the factory 'forgot' to do something to), I'd want to let the new owner know about the correction...but I probably wouldn't give a discount because of that, because it's now wired as it's supposed to be.
Steve Haynie Posted February 5, 2017 Posted February 5, 2017 Yeah, but one would need to find period correct solder. I may not be on TGP, but I know how to start the same trouble.
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