Magnatone issue

mister59 · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:40 pm Post subject: Magnatone issue

I scored a sweet 1959 Magnatone custom 250 with original footpedal for that most distinctive true vibrato they are known for. It also has original Oxford speaker. However, when playing, the amp will go from crystal clean to fuzz/distort at very low volume levels.
is this an indication of valves going bad or something else?
I would appreciate any insight into this as it is a most cool amp with an increbible vintage tone-and i want to use it more Confused

thx
m59

herb · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject:

Sounds more like a preamp tube giving up the ghost to me. Turn your amp on, warm it up, and tap the tubes with your fingers. If they make noise, they're microphonic and they need to be changed. Could also be a very dirty tube socket. With the amp off and unplugged - take all the tubes out (Mark them or place them so they go back in exactly the same socket they came from!) spray the sockets with electronic tuner cleaner, let it dry for several hours, retube it and check it again. Those things are some of many things that could cause your problem, but they are the most common.

mister59 · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:46 pm Post subject:

thanks a million
i will try that trick-if preamp tube needs replacing, you think i should seek out an old vintage tube? How much vintage vibe would i lose if replaced with current tube? Very Happy

herb · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject:

If you need tubes, call JJ Eurotubes and tell him what you have and what you want it to sound like. He'll send you a matched set of tubes that will make your amp sound exactly like what you tell him. Google "JJ Eurotubes" and you can get his website and phone number.