Showing posts with label tweed amplifier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tweed amplifier. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Magnatone Varsity




Not much to say about this little amp, I believe it to be made in the 40's, probably before it was called "Varsity". These are one of my all time favorite recording and yes, performing amps. I have a later mother of red toilet seat ones. Just lovely sounding. Not super gainy tweed Champ nasty, just a good sweet overdrive.

This one arrived DOA. Belongs to my friends in 75 Dollar Bill: (click invisible link below!)

https://75dollarbill.bandcamp.com/


Click here^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


They love these little amps and so do I.

Probably about 4 watts max. They have the classic 3 tube setup: 5Y3 rectifier, 6V6 power tube and a nice 6SJ7 pentode for the preamp.

The problem? Just dead caps. This amp is close to 70 years old. Caps die. Tubes were all NOS, I sold them to the band a few months ago and now this little amp simply rips. Has a new Jensen alnico speaker with barely enough room in the cabinet for the tubes to fit! But it works so.... And it sounds great. Not usually a fan of those new Jensens but in a darker sounding amp like one of these, they work really well.

Go try one, maybe buy one! These are a bargain. Not a "Champ Killer" or anything like that, they have their own thing going on. Perfect bedroom amp!

JB