Magnatone 2020 Varsity Reverb 1x12 Combo Brown Near Mint

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

Magnatone built some of the most distinctive amplifiers of the 1950s and 1960s.  The original company's vibrato circuit was so musically sophisticated that Lonnie Mack and Neil Young built their signature tones around it, and the company's distinctive cabinet aesthetic, all rounded corners and midcentury television set proportions, made their amps visually unmistakable on any stage. The company went quiet in the 1970s, and when it was revived in 2013 it happened with the direct involvement of Billy Gibbons and Larry Cragg (Neil Young's long-time guitar tech), which tells you something about the seriousness of the intent. The Varsity Reverb debuted at NAMM 2017 and has become the amp that players like Jeff Beck reach for when they want the Magnatone character in a practical, giggable format.

The circuit is 15 watts of push-pull Class A power from a pair of EL84 tubes — a power section that is bright, lively, and full of harmonic complexity. The dual 12AX7 preamp tubes provide the American tonal foundation. The GZ34 tube rectifier adds the characteristic sag and elasticity that solid-state rectified amplifiers cannot replicate. The tube-driven 4 counterwound spring long-pan reverb — driven by the 12DW7 — is genuine spring reverb in the classic American tradition, warm and lush without the metallic brittleness that cheaper reverb implementations produce.

The negative feedback switch on the top panel is the amp's most versatile control: engaged, the Varsity has a rounded top end, mild compression, and stays tight; disengaged, it adds 8dB of gain in the power section, opens up the top end, and moves the amp toward AC30 chime territory while retaining the warm bottom. High and low sensitivity inputs complete the control set.

The custom Magnatone 12" ceramic magnet speaker is matched to the solid pine cabinet — the cabinet construction and speaker pairing are a deliberate part of the amp's voice. The pine cabinet contributes to the resonant character in a way that plywood does not. This example is mint condition, fully unplayed, and includes the original slip cover. All original throughout — transformers, speaker, tubes, filter caps, pots, tolex, grille, knobs, and handle.

The amp is as clean as can be.  We tested all the tubes to make sure they'll last you a good long time.

We buy, sell, and take trades.

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SPECS:

• Case/Cover?: Original
• Color: Brown
• Dimensions: 22.5" x 10" x 19.5"
• Weight: 36 lbs
• Watts: 15 Watts
• Date: 2020
• Speaker 1 Brand: Custom Magnatone Ceramic Magnet
• Speaker 1 Size: 12"
• Speaker Code: See Pics
• Speaker 1 Cone: Original
• Power Transformer: Original
• Output Transformer: Original
• Reverb Transformer: Original
• Extension Speaker Out? Yes
  
• Reverb or other effects?: Tube Driven Reverb 4 Counterwound Springs Long Pan
• Rectifier Tube: GZ34
• Rectifier Tube Brand: JJ
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
• Power Tube Brand: JJ
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7, 12DW7(reverb)
• Preamp Tube Brand: JJ
• Filter Caps: Original
• Pedal: No
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Tolex/Tweed: Original
• Grille: Original
• Knobs: Original
• Handle: Original
• Power Cord: Included
  

Shipping policy:

When you purchase this item you are hereby agreeing to this shipping policy. We remove tubes from amps that could be damaged in shipping.  These cases require the buyer to re-install them on delivery - it is very easy with this amp, and we label them so you know exactly where to put them.  Vintage and used amps are sold as-is because they can need service intermittently.  Everything is tested here in our shop on the way into our inventory, and again before shipping.  We will cover shipping damage, but we cannot be responsible for the failure of vintage components in 20-to-50-plus year old amps. Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.