[Archival Edition] Magnatone Amplifiers Explained! A Thorough Analysis of Their Appeal, Features, and Favorite Guitarists [Reviews, Current Models]

"I like clean sounds, but 'just Fender sounds' just doesn't cut it."
"I want to experience real pitch shifting vibrato."

What high-end guitarists are paying attention to now is

Magnatone

This vintage brand, founded in the 1930s, made a miraculous comeback in 2013, and top pros such as Jeff Beck and Billy Gibbons have all been using it on stage. True Pitch-Shifting Vibrato The sound is a fusion of the brilliant American clean."Real vintage brought back to life in modern times"It has even been called ``the best.''

This article provides a thorough explanation of Magnatone's history, its latest lineup, its sonic character compared to Two-Rock, Fender, and Divided by 13, and actual reviews.

The origins and appeal of the Magnatone brand

History and Features

Magnatone is a long-established brand founded in the United States in the late 1930s. In the 50s and 60s,"Pitch Shift Vibrato (FM Vibrato)"Magnatone released a series of groundbreaking amplifiers with these features, which were highly praised by many musicians. Magnatone amplifiers at the time were known for their clear sound that responded sensitively to the player's fingers, their harmonic-rich overdrive, and their smooth sustain, captivating guitarists. In fact, in the 1950s, rock and roll pioneers such as Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, and Buddy Holly also used Magnatone amplifiers.

Magnatone disappeared from the market for a while, but was revived in 2013. The new Magnatone amps, which follow the original vintage design but have been given a modern makeover, were enthusiastically welcomed by vintage enthusiasts and professional musicians alike. The latest model is all handmade and made in the USA using carefully selected parts, and reproduces the vintage tones of the past under strict quality control. However, the tone degradation caused by the vibrato circuit, which was an issue with the previous model, has been eliminated, taking the legendary sound to an even higher level.

The Magnatone "Twilighter" combo (22W, 1x12") is a model that combines vintage-like looks with the latest technology. Equipped with traditional reverb and vibrato functions, it has been described as "a real vintage guitar brought back to life in modern times."

The appeal of Magnatone sound

Modern Magnatone amps are known for their beautiful clean tones and rich overdrive."Real vintage has been brought back to life in modern times."It has been praised for its wide range, clear tone, pleasant highs and smooth lows - its rich harmonic content allows you to go from clean to overdrive with the volume control. The pitch shift vibrato effect, which is the Magnatone's greatest feature, is one of a kind. By turning on the amp's built-in vibrato, you can get a three-dimensional shimmering sound with a stereo feel, and enjoy vintage-like modulation that is not available in other modern amps. The sound is truly"It can move effortlessly between beautiful, sparkling clean to smooth, erupting overdrive."It is expressed as follows.

Magnatone is also known for its touch response, and legendary guitarist Jeff Beck has praised it, saying, "It's so sensitive to the touch that it's like I'm playing my own music." In short, Magnatone amps respond faithfully to the player's expressiveness, providing a sound that cuts through the sound and doesn't get lost in the band. In addition, the build quality is very high, and the robust chassis and carefully selected parts make them extremely reliable. They offer a wide range of models, from small models that can be used at home to high-output stage amps, and they are also attractive for their combination of vintage tone and modern reliability.

Magnatone amplifiers: main model lineup, features and reputation

Magnatone currently offers a wide variety of tube amps, from small combos to large stacks. Here we will introduce the features of their flagship models without bias towards any particular genre. Let's take a look at the unique sound trends of Magnatone for each model, from American clean to British crunch.

Starlite – 5W vintage tone for home use

Starlite is a full-fledged tube amp that can be played in the bedroom. The tone is clear and clean near the center, and turns to the right to give it a bouncy crunch. The 7V6 adds a lustrous saturation at volume 6 and above. Thanks to the Mercury transformer, the low frequencies are not too bloated even at low volumes, so you can get the best home recording tracks with just one ribbon microphone. It is lightweight at around 1 kg, so it can be used for a wide range of purposes, from practicing at home to bringing it into the studio for recording.

Varsity Reverb – A traditional 15W classic combo

The Varsity Reverb is a 15W combo that combines the brilliance of a black face with VOX-style overtones. When clean, it has a beautiful sparkle, and when boosted, the mids swell and change into a bluesy drive. The Alnico P12Q rounds out the high range, and it is popular for not being harsh on the ears even when playing chord strokes. The reverb adds depth without compromising the dry signal, making it an amp with a wide range of expression despite its simple 3-knob configuration.

Super Fifteen – 15W British Crunch

The Super Fifteen is a small-output model that inherits the lineage of the Super Fifty-Nine. In HI mode, you can instantly switch between a rich overtone crunch and a brilliant clean in LO mode. The Cab Sim XLR on the back is equipped with a carefully selected IR, so you can get a three-dimensional feel that is close to real miking even in late-night recordings. Since the PPIMV method master works naturally, this is a practical amp that allows you to enjoy the sweet compression of the EL84 even at home volume.

Twilighter – A modern take on the classic American sound

The Twilighter is a signature combo that symbolizes the revival of Magnatone. When you turn up the volume, it smoothly changes from a blackface-style clean to a tweed-like crunch, and the touch response is extremely high. The pitch shift vibrato that modulates the vacuum tube bias creates a three-dimensional effect reminiscent of a rotary, and in combination with the deep reverb, it creates an enveloping space. This model has a unique presence both in live performances and in the studio.

Twilighter Stereo – A stereo combo with a three-dimensional sound

The Twilighter Stereo is a luxurious stereo combo with two Twilighters built in. The left and right independent 22 W power stages vibrate with a vibrato cycle, creating a three-dimensional sound stage that envelops the entire room. In Mono+Wet mode, you can select half stereo by making one side wet, ensuring a wide sound without phase problems when recording. Although it weighs in the 25 kg range, its three-dimensional cleanness and spatial production have an irreplaceable charm.

Super Fifty-Nine M-80 – The flagship that combines legendary sounds

The M-80 is the flagship of Magnatone's 80th anniversary. The Mark I provides a roaring high gain directly from ZZ Top, while the Mark II provides the sticky crunch favored by Jeff Beck, and can be switched instantly with a front switch. The four-stage gain by channel linking gives you JCM4-class sustain, and the triode mode gives you sweet compression for recording. It's a rare rock amp where vintage and modern coexist.

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SL-100 “Slash” Signature – A 100W model for modern heavy rock

The SL-100 is a 100W head that embodies the ideals of slash. In LO mode, it outputs the bright crunch of vintage Plexi, and in HI mode, it outputs dense and clear high gain, greatly expanding the range of expression on stage. The tube buffered FX loop minimizes changes in sound quality when effects are inserted, and the anti-pop noise relay increases reliability in live performances. This is a model that rock guitarists will covet, as it really shows its true value in a full stack environment.

Favorite professional guitarists

Jeff Beck

Legendary rock guitarist. He made headlines for using Magnatone combo amps during his later live tours (including his 2017 Japan tour). He particularly loved to use "Twilighter" on stage, praising its clear clean sound and vibrato. He commented, "This is the first time I've ever used an amp that can produce such nuances of touch," and can be said to be the driving force behind the revival of Magnatone.

Billy Gibbons

Guitarist of ZZ Top. He has loved the Magnatone sound for a long time and is so passionate about it that he joined the Magnatone development team himself. The first model of the Super Fifty-Nine (Mark I) was designed to his specifications, and a gold edition collection is also being planned to commemorate the 50th anniversary. He uses the Super Fifty-Nine head and cabinet during live performances, and praises the Magnatone as "a clean machine that produces an overflowing crunch tone!"

Neil Young

A rock legend, he is known for using a vintage Magnatone (Model 260) in some of his signature songs. When Magnatone was revived, he cheered them on, saying, "You guys made the right decision," and he himself uses the new Magnatone in live performances, highly praising its sound. He also uses combo amps (such as the Varsity Reverb) on tour, praising it, saying, "The legendary tone that had been buried for many years has been revived."

Slash

A guitarist representing hard rock, he has been touring with his signature SL-100 head since the late 2010s. Known as a Marshall devotee, he made a big splash by choosing Magnatone. He was enamoured with the versatility of the headphone, which can produce everything from vintage Marshall-style thick distortion to delicate clean sounds, and he says, "It can produce all the sounds I want."

Other major artists

Magnatone has been used on stage and in the studio by many legendary guitarists, including Lenny Kravitz, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Joe Walsh (Eagles), Tom Petty, Graham Nash, and Charlie Sexton. It has been used in a wide range of genres, from blues, rock, country, to alternative, and has established a solid reputation as a "real-world amp trusted by professionals."

Summary | The appeal and recommended selection method

Among high-end amplifiers, Magnatone stands out for its "sound brilliance," "good build quality," and "thorough commitment to vintage tone." Compared to other high-end amplifier brands, Two-Rock is known for its smooth Dumble-style clean and lead sounds, Fender is a representative of traditional American sounds, and Divided by 13 has a wide range of tones that reinterpret vintage circuits, while Magnatone is differentiated by its unique vibrato effect and vintage sounds that are brought back to life with craftsmanship. The price is by no means cheap, but many guitarists will agree that it is in a class of its own when they actually play it.

Magnatone is a genuine amp that pursues a vintage-like tone, but can also be trusted to be used on modern stages. If you have not tried one yet, please try out the vibrato and clean sound of a Magnatone amp if you get the chance. I'm sure you will be impressed and say, "So this is the Magnatone sound I've heard about!" We hope Magnatone will be an option for you on your journey to find tone.

This concludes our detailed explanation of Magnatone amps. The world of Magnatone combines the soul of vintage with the latest technology, so be sure to come and experience the sound for yourself!