Vintage Tube Amp

Up for sale, a 1960 Magnatone Custom 280, honestly played and in perfect working order. The 280 was the top of the line 200 series amplifier developed my Magna Electronics in the “Pre-Estey” days of the company, and this amp is often considered the pinnacle of golden era Magnatone design and tone. Both Buddy Holly and Neil Young are notable users of the Magnatone 280, and the rich overdrive and stereo vibrato are unlike anything you’ve ever heard on another tube amp. Complete with a mostly original tube set, this amp is powered by a quad of RCA 6973 power tubes which push a pair of stock Oxford 12L6 alnico speakers and a pair of 3 tweeters as well! This amp is a rare “Noble” branded variant, and the Noble brand typically is seen on smaller, budget Magnatone models, making its logo on a Custom 280 a rarity. Featuring two channels, point-to-point circuitry, and dual output transformers for true stereo operation, the Magnatone 280 was ahead of its time and an amp that cost a good 20% more in its day than the most expensive Fenders! The circuit is extremely original, and the power amp has been very cleanly recapped, retaining the large can caps on the outside of the chassis and a small, new board inside the chassis to mount individual, high quality F&T caps. The amp retains all of the original Ajax blue molded tone caps that are essential to the tonal sweetness of the amp and also the range of the EQ controls. The original output transformers are a matched pair that date to the 37th week of 1960, the power transformer dates to the 26th week of the same year, and the stock CTS pots date to the 31st week of 1960. Of course the hallmark of any Magnatone amp is its true stereo vibrato, and this amp delivers the classic effect with a depth and width that’s hard to believe. The pulse and warble of the vibrato is vibrant and lush, operating either in mono or stereo, bouncing between the two Oxford speakers. The 3 tweeters also do a great deal to accentuate the top end swirl of the vibrato, and these speakers were only available in the very last 280 amps. The Oxford 12L5N-1 speakers both have white/silver frames with clean 1960 date codes and original speaker cones. The small “Magnatone – High Fidelity” stickers are also intact on the horseshoe alnico magnets as well. The faceplate of the amp is surprisingly clean, given how lightly these were originally screen printed, and all of the text and graphics are present. The cream knobs are modern replacements. Cosmetically, the cab shows plenty of wear from honest use, given the fragile brown leatherette (in actuality book bindery cloth) used to cover the cabinets and the squarish shape of the cabinet edges which were more susceptible to nicks and dings. Structurally, the amp is in great shape, and the clean condition of the faceplate and control panel as well as the top notch servicing this amp has received speak to the fact that this Magnatone was well loved. Don’t miss out on this rare and complete Magnatone 280 with vintage 6973 power tubes and a clean bill of health from our techs here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar. The original wooden “doorstop” footswitch for engaging the vibrato is included. We use double thick boxes, 1″ foam and industrial 1/2″ bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. International orders will be declared as merchandise, and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. The item “1960 Magnatone Custom 280 Vintage 2×12 Tube Amp Stereo Vibrato, Magna Pre-Estey” is in sale since Sunday, August 27, 2017. This item is in the category “Musical Instruments & Gear\Guitars & Basses\Guitar Amplifiers”. The seller is “mmguitarbar” and is located in Seattle, Washington. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Brand: Magnatone
• MPN: Does Not Apply
• Number of Channels: 2
• Impedance (ohms): 4ohm
• Amplifier Type: Combo
• Type: Electric Guitar Amplifier
• Amplifier Technology: Vacuum Tube
• Model: Custom 280
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Suitable For: Performance