I am a huge fan of the Magnatone sound, and I'm sure you are too. The 260 and 280 series were the first amps to have true vibrato (with pitch change - not merely amplitude or volume change of the 'tremolo' of other amps, and in true stereo in the case of the 280), in many ways the forerunner to the Japanese Roland stereo chorus amps some decades later.

Robert Ward, Lonnie Mack, Buddy Holly, Ry Cooder, Robert Cray...the list of guitarists using the Magnatone 260 and 280 reads like a who's who of the guitar world! You can join them.

The speaker codes on this extremely original amp date it to very early 1961. The Estey Organ Company had purchased Magnatone in 1960, and this is an early example of an Estey Magnatone Custom 260, often referred to as a 260A. The overhanging name plate in the front of the amp is a quick way to recognise a post-1960 Maggie.

The 260 used a pair of 5881 valves (6L6), putting out around 35 watts into the two vintage Oxford Alnico speakers. The remaining valves are two 6CG7s and three 12AX7s, as well as the 5U4GB rectifier.

This amp is in superb condition, with very minor scuffing considering its age. The leather handle gave up the ghost many years ago, and a previous owner has fashioned a very usable replacement out of electrical cable (!), but it would not be difficult to have a competent leather worker make an accurate reproduction of the original.

The original tube chart, warranty card, owner's instruction book, hang tag and even the original two-prong power cord come supplied with this gem (the power cord has been upgraded to a much safer earthed 3-prong cord). The amp runs on its original 110volt AC power, so I will throw in a suitable transformer if the buyer requires it!

A truly grouse amp. And a grouse investment.

Dimensions are 67cm(W) x 23cm(D) x 56cm(H), and weight is 21kg. Shipping size and weight will be slightly higher.

not for sale

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