Magnatone’s Legacy: Shaping the Sound of an Era
Magnatone was first founded in 1937 by Delbert Dickerson and rapidly established itself as a trailblazer in the art of amplification. The brand’s innovative pitch-shifting vibrato not only set it apart from its contemporaries — many of whom built their amps with more typical volume-modulating tremolo circuits — but also helped define and shape the sound of rock ’n’ roll for generations. Musicians such as Buddy Holly, Scotty Moore, Robert Ward, and Lonnie Mack all wholeheartedly embraced the magnificent sound of Magnatone during the 1950s. The brand may have closed its doors in 1969, but its legend, tone, and legacy of innovation live on in Magnatone’s modern revival.
Magnatone Reborn: Bridging Legacy and Innovation
In the early 2000s, Ted Kornblum stumbled upon the long-defunct Magnatone while poring through vintage music ads. The brand instantly captured his curiosity, driving him to amass a collection of over 500 Magnatone amps, lap steels, and guitars. Recognizing the timeless appeal of the signature Magnatone sound, Ted secured the brand’s trademark, then assembled a crew of industry legends — including Neil Young’s revered guitar tech, Larry Cragg, and the one-and-only Billy Gibbons — to bring one of rock’s most pivotal tones back to life. 2013 saw Magnatone fully resurrected at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, where six new amplifier models were launched, simultaneously paying tribute to and innovating upon the brand’s timeless tone — pitch-shifting vibrato and all.
Handcrafted in the USA: Precision and Pride in Every Amp
Magnatone’s modern amplifiers are built to the highest standards by skilled artisans in St. Louis, Missouri, utilizing premium, American-made components to ensure superior sound and performance. This unerring commitment to USA-made quality preserves the legacy of Magnatone’s golden era, embodying the brand’s historic spirit of innovation and premium construction. Plug into a modern Magnatone amplifier, and you’ll be rewarded with the same warmth, definition, and pitch-shifting vibrato vibrance that captured rock legends more than seven decades ago — and continues to captivate musicians worldwide today.
The Traditional Collection: Timeless Tone, Handcrafted Excellence
The Magnatone Traditional Collection pays homage to the golden era of American tube amplification, supplying you with warm, expressive sonics; modern reliability; and time-honored, USA-made craftsmanship. From the Starlite and the Varsity Reverb to the Panoramic Stereo, the Twilighter, and the Twilighter Stereo, the Traditional Collection reflects a commitment to historic tube amp tone, accommodating players of all styles. In essence, the Traditional Collection represents Magnatone at its very best, seamlessly blending vintage charm with modern precision.
The Master Collection: Power and Precision Redefined
Celebrating the ripping tones and raw energy that defined British rock ’n’ roll, the Magnatone Master Collection reimagines classic amp circuits from across the pond with all the reliability, versatility, and power that modern players require. The lineup begins with the compact-yet-commanding aura of the Baby M-80, while the Super Fifteen encapsulates the chime and bite of Britain’s most iconic rock tones. At the very top of the collection lies the Super Fifty-Nine M-80 — an amp that thrives on the stage with a rich, flexible, and roaring tube timbre. Handbuilt in the USA, Master Collection amps reflect Magnatone’s passion for both engineering excellence and pure artistry, merging old-school inspiration with modern innovation.
Measured by the Artists, Defined by Our Tone
Modern Magnatone creations have become the go-to amp of choice for scores of modern musical icons and time-honored rock legends. For example, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top relies on his Magnatone night after night for its full, dynamic, and attitude-packed bark. What’s more, fellow 6-string legend Slash has wholeheartedly embraced the Magnatone sound with his signature Magnatone SL-100. Venturing outside the realm of classic rock, contemporary players such as Jason Isbell have proudly built their sound upon Magnatone’s timeless timbres. In fact, Magnatone’s roster defies genre and style, demonstrating how Magnatone continues to shape the sound of modern music in the rigs of music’s most celebrated performers.
