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1962 Magnatone Custom 450 Vintage 1x12 Guitar Tube Amp Near Mint w/ftsw, Estey
Estimated price for orientation: 1 449 $
Category: Guitar Amplifiers
Class:
Description Brand: Magnatone, Estey MPN: Does Not Apply Model: Custom 450 Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Exact Year: 1962 UPC: Does not apply
Up for sale, a 1962 Magnatone Custom 450 in exceptional, collector-grade condition and in good working order. A rarity in any condition, this vintage Magnatone is near mint and 100% original aside from a modern three-prong power cable. Even the original "Estey" branded General Electric tube set is present, and the amp comes complete with the original schematic and wooden "doorstop" footswitch to engage the true pitch vibrato circuit.One of the cooler and less common mid-size Estey-era Magnatone amps, the 450 boasts a single 12" alnico Oxford speaker along with a smaller tweeter that helps in accentuating the top end of the amp and the thick swirl of the vibrato effect. Powered by a pair of 6973 power tubes, the characteristics of the valve are similar to the more common EL84, with a smooth midrange character and dynamic breakup at higher volumes with perfect top end bite. Whether you're looking for the perfect surfy hollow twang or surprisingly thick overdrive, this Magnatone easily supplies a range of classic tube driven textures. The long two-spring Accutronics reverb pan adds plenty of splash and drip to the sound as well, but the most desirable effect included is undeniably the true pitch stereo vibrato. With a width and warble unequalled in tube amp design, this vibrato circuit is in one word "lush," and while it works in mono inside the speaker cabinet, a 1/4" extension speaker jack allows the effect to bounce back and forth between two cabs if desired.Aside from the aforementioned three-prong power cable, the circuit is untouched, boasting original Schumacher transformers. The output transformer dates to late 1961, while the power transformer dates to mid 1962. Other date codes of note include the CTS pots which all date to the first weeks of '62 and the original Oxford 12K5 speaker which dates to the 11th week of 1962. The faceplate is stunningly clean, with all of the stock knobs present, and even the original staples that hold the reverb cables are still intact.The original smooth brown leatherette covering is in remarkable shape, and for an amp without any corner protectors, the edges are surprisingly crisp and clean. The brown and gold grillcloth is similarly minty, and the original Magnatone logo and Estey badge show no notable wear. There are some minor scuffs and tiny nicks on the bottom edges of the amp, but even this wear is quite minimal. Inside the cabinet, the Magnatone warranty card is still present with unfaded graphics and crisp corners.Being both more expensive than comparable Fender offerings in the early '60s and also made with cabs that were a bit less robust, a fairly low number of Magnatones were sold during the brief Estey era, with the Custom 450's production limited to 1961-63. This collector-grade example is easily one of the nicest Magnatones on the market today, and a unique combination of the company's top-tier features in a small, portable 1x12 cabinet!
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $95, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.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. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Description
| Brand: | Magnatone, Estey | MPN: | Does Not Apply |
| Model: | Custom 450 | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
| Exact Year: | 1962 | UPC: | Does not apply |
Up for sale, a 1962 Magnatone Custom 450 in exceptional, collector-grade condition and in good working order. A rarity in any condition, this vintage Magnatone is near mint and 100% original aside from a modern three-prong power cable. Even the original "Estey" branded General Electric tube set is present, and the amp comes complete with the original schematic and wooden "doorstop" footswitch to engage the true pitch vibrato circuit.One of the cooler and less common mid-size Estey-era Magnatone amps, the 450 boasts a single 12" alnico Oxford speaker along with a smaller tweeter that helps in accentuating the top end of the amp and the thick swirl of the vibrato effect. Powered by a pair of 6973 power tubes, the characteristics of the valve are similar to the more common EL84, with a smooth midrange character and dynamic breakup at higher volumes with perfect top end bite. Whether you're looking for the perfect surfy hollow twang or surprisingly thick overdrive, this Magnatone easily supplies a range of classic tube driven textures. The long two-spring Accutronics reverb pan adds plenty of splash and drip to the sound as well, but the most desirable effect included is undeniably the true pitch stereo vibrato. With a width and warble unequalled in tube amp design, this vibrato circuit is in one word "lush," and while it works in mono inside the speaker cabinet, a 1/4" extension speaker jack allows the effect to bounce back and forth between two cabs if desired.Aside from the aforementioned three-prong power cable, the circuit is untouched, boasting original Schumacher transformers. The output transformer dates to late 1961, while the power transformer dates to mid 1962. Other date codes of note include the CTS pots which all date to the first weeks of '62 and the original Oxford 12K5 speaker which dates to the 11th week of 1962. The faceplate is stunningly clean, with all of the stock knobs present, and even the original staples that hold the reverb cables are still intact.The original smooth brown leatherette covering is in remarkable shape, and for an amp without any corner protectors, the edges are surprisingly crisp and clean. The brown and gold grillcloth is similarly minty, and the original Magnatone logo and Estey badge show no notable wear. There are some minor scuffs and tiny nicks on the bottom edges of the amp, but even this wear is quite minimal. Inside the cabinet, the Magnatone warranty card is still present with unfaded graphics and crisp corners.
Being both more expensive than comparable Fender offerings in the early '60s and also made with cabs that were a bit less robust, a fairly low number of Magnatones were sold during the brief Estey era, with the Custom 450's production limited to 1961-63. This collector-grade example is easily one of the nicest Magnatones on the market today, and a unique combination of the company's top-tier features in a small, portable 1x12 cabinet!
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $95, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.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. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $95, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.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. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!