Product: Magnatone M-14
Price Paid: US $100 used
Submitted
11/03/2000
at
05:12am
by
Mike
Email: ThisEndUpxx<at>aol dot com
Features
:
No Opinion
This amp was made between 64-66 in the "tv" box.It's got 2 8" speakers and 2 3" tweeters also.The vibrato circuit is incredible! I've never seen anything like it! it controls the sound qualities instead of the volume so it's quite luscious.There's 2 channels,it's about 25 watts and in need of new caps and the tubes are original!there's 12 tubes,some of which are very difficult to find.
Sound Quality
:
8
I use only a strat and I like to get it sounding like an acoustic guitar.I play along the lines of Jan Akkerman,Phil Keagey,and Tim Reynolds mixed with Dave Matthews and Randy RHoads...quite an interesting mix but it works for me..
I play the amp at about 50% volume as it's clean and clear yet warm also.At 100% it's dirty but not overly so and to get better gain,I use a driver to add punch and boost without coloring the sound.The distortion will never be for metal but will pass for hard rock.It's a great,warm clean sound which is my requirements for a good amp as overdrive or distortion can be added with a good kickbox into the front of the amp.
Overall,a good amp for anything except for high gain situations.(it'll never sound like a 71 superlead,but then again,the superlead will never sound like this)
Reliability
:
3
HAHAHAA a joke!I have repaired this thing as much as I have played it and it's VERY difficult to work on as the wiring is EVERYWHERE as well as the parts so soldering is extremely tedious....and I was going to replace the pots too...NOT!
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
The groove tubes book has schematics for a few magnatone amps so that's the customer service I have..NONE
With what little information is out there about these amps and how few people have actually heard of them,I am having a difficult time trying to find out why this particular amp (serial # 1279) has a prizm faceplate and side stripes as there is NO lettering on the faceplate to tell of which knobs do what.The plate DOES look to be original and possibly the lettering rubbed off,but there is NOTHING evident to suggest that there was ever any there in the first place.Luckily the groove tubes book has the faceplate in full view=)
Overall Rating
:
8
I've been playing for about 15 years now and doing repairs on amps and equipment(as a hobby more or less)for about 10.I sold all of my Marshalls as they were too loud for what I do and I now opt for the magnatone for good clean sounds,and I use my rack system for most of my sounds.I insist upon a good tube sound so I only use tube preamps and power amps with analog effects and true bypasses.As a semi-anal tone junky,I'd say that this amp is a keeper.The fender sound is too twangy and the marshall tone is too beefy..this is a cross between the two.Warm and smooth yet clear and articulate.
