Tonemaster (Magnatone) Custom 260

Rebadged Magnatone 260 for sale serviced and working well – with the famous pitch vibrato that makes these amps so special – nothing else sounds quite like a Magnatone.

The cosmetic condition of this amp is scruffy but original. It had been badly recovered in a “pleather” type material – fortunately they’d only stapled the new covering on so it came off without drama. It’s missing some of the original brown finish, but this is one for the player rather than collector. There are scuffs and scrapes to the finish and areas where it’s down to bare wood. The internal parts are original where it counts, but it has a new power transformer so is running at 240v. One of the original Oxford speakers has had some repair work is working well (see photo). Not the prettiest example inside or out, but sonically it’s all there.

These amps are noted for their unique vibrato and warm break up: famously used by Buddy Holly, Ry Cooder and Robert Cray amongst others. At the time they were made they outstripped pretty much everything on the market with fantastic tone, clarity and power, with great control and of course the fabulous pitch vibrato.

It’s working well – there is some thump from the vibrato at deeper settings.

Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, Neil Young, Dave Gilmour, Lonnie Mack, Ry Cooder, Robert Cray, Jamie Hince, Mark Ronson and Richard Hawley all use Magnatone amps… and not to mention Leo Fender found plenty of inspiration here as well.