Product: Magnatone Champion 118
Price Paid: US $100.00 used
Submitted
05/28/2003
at
11:07am
by
Mitch Murray
Features
:
10
This is a 1962 Model 118 Magnatone. It's in very good condition except for the leather strap which has some dry rot. The amp itself it is original, not modified in any way. It has a 12" speaker and a 5 " tweeter. It's sweet sounding despite the fact that it has no reverb or tremolo.
Sound Quality
:
9
I've used it as a practice amp on and off for years, but mostly use it for recording. At max volume, it screams for lead guitar work, and it doesn't effect the amp at all. It's very durable. I've recorded using Strats, Tele's, and some vintage guitars including a Hagstrom VIking, and a 1958 Epiphone hollow body. It's got a great range of tone, due to the bright/mellow switch.
Reliability
:
6
Since it's so old, I would probably not use it on a gig, although I've had the tubes replaced. I use my Fender Blues Jr. in stereo with the Magnatone and they sound great together.
Customer Support
:
4
It's too old and the company has been out of business for many years.
It's a classic, but there's no customer support other than aftermarket suppliers. Tubes are available at many locations.
Overall Rating
:
9
I have had the Magnatone since 1975. I also own an Ampeg V7 and a Fender Blues Jr. I love the tone of the Magnatone. Combined with a strat or a vintage guitar, you can't beat the vintage tone.
P.S. This amp is for sale!
Product: Magnatone Champion 118
Price Paid: US $250 used
Submitted
04/06/2000
at
05:35pm
by
Matthew Springer
Email: springer<at>toast dot net
Features
:
7
This is one of those old Magnatones made at the Torrance, CA facility. Same basic design as a Fender Champ (single ended 6V6, 12AX7, 5Y3).
It does have an interesting speaker combination in a 12" and a 5" tweeter. Original Alnico speakers (very nice). Not much in the way of features Just a Volume, Tone and a Bright switch. HIgh and Low gain inputs. this particular model doesn;t have the weird Magnatone Chorus/Vibrato effect (alas).
Sound Quality
:
10
This thing crunches better than anything I've owned. Turn it up and it sounds EXACTLY like a Kink's song. The clean sounds are nice, but not much in the way of headroom. I can't turn it up much past 5 before it distorts. But ahh, what distortion....
Reliability
:
10
Built in 1962. Probably has original preamp and rectifier tubes in it. I swapped out the 6V6 for a 6L6 but left B+ alone. PT seems happy even with the extra heater current. OT is tiny and saturates pretty well to get that ice singing lead tone.
Very light, but has held up extremely well over the years. Bring an extra set of tubes and you'll be fine. Magnatones were the boutique amps of their day.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Ha! They've been out of business since before I was born. Try the excellent folks over at www.ampage.org or www.vibroworld.com
Overall Rating
:
9
Not quite loud enough for a gig (I've tried) but perfect for a very sweet bedroom practice amp. Put a Varidrive in front of it and find some rack reverb. You'll never use anything else.
Just goes to show that high quality stuff really does last.
