Year is a little irrelevant (models were not always introduced, or updated every year on the dot) any date code on the speaker, transformers, or volume pot?
It appears to be old and "single ended" so probably 4W or less. ---------- www.myspace.com/markburness
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Last Edited by on Aug 08, 2012 4:16 PM
Actually it is a Magnatone not a supro. SERIAL NUMBER 29685
Would this amp normally be good for harp?
I think I found something.
1947-1953 Magna Electronics Co. From 1947 to 1952 amplifier production at Magna centered around 5 watt and 10 watt steel guitar amplifiers. A lot of the early models were finished with mother of pearl plastic that matched a Magnatone build steel guitar. The guitar and amp were often sold as a set, but they could be bough individually as well. Colors changed, but blue and black were most popular. The plastic covered amplifiers usually had a grill cloth depicting a beach surf scene or palm trees to complete the hawaiian motif
So looking at the last few numbers on the speaker, Would this be a 1953?
"Mother of toilet seat" Magnatone- early 50's I believe. Yes some where sold with lap steel guitars, like the BR9 Gibson. Should be a great little harp amp. Wouldn't mind having one in the collection but haven't found one at a bargain price yet.
@5F - aren't those 2 6v6's on the left- Making it push pull? ----------
Last Edited by on Aug 08, 2012 7:24 PM
Hi Bonedog, I'd guess that one was the rectifier (closest to AC cord).
@ 528Hemi - Any numbers on those tubes? There is no obvious power transformer, so I'm wondering if it runs the tubes off wall AC? If so, a 1:1 isolation transformer (between amp & the wall) would be a very wise move. ---------- www.myspace.com/markburness
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Last Edited by on Aug 09, 2012 11:25 AM
I agree 5F6H. Where's the power T? I've never seen an amp where it was inside. If there were a power T insight I'd say it was a 5Y3, 6V6 and 6SJ7, but sense there isn't. my guess is: a half wave rectifier all the way to the right (35??). 25L6 and 12SJ7
"The amplifier was powered on to see if it was working and to listen for any nasty noises that would need to be addressed in our “check and clean” procedure. Surprisingly, the amp sounded pretty darn good. It had a very unique character to the break up as the amp was pushed into distortion. The amp was then disassembled to check for leaky caps and resistors that may have drifted out of spec that would cause the voltages to swing to unsafe/improper levels. First I tried to locate the power transformer to get my bearings. Hmmmm, strange I thought, no power transformer! Then it dawned on me. This amp is running on pure AC!"
So I recieved the amp today and plugged her in and the tubes lit up and it actually worked which I was very happy. It has a great Tone for bedroom or recording.
It does have issues with it cutting out and in. Everything looks original. Would a Tube cause it to cut in and out or more likely a leaky CAP? I am sure it needs to be serviced to make it dependable.
I will post some pictures tomorrow when I open her up.
Although this amp sounds pretty good I dont think I want to get into adding transformers and then servicing this amp. Anyone know the value of selling an amp like this? I have the option of returning it and thinking of going that route. I dont want to sink alot into this small amp.
I took the tubes out and put them back in and it seems to play without cutting out although I did not play it long. I dont want to get shocked. :)
I did a quick video of how it sounds. I also took the chassis out for a quick peak and it is all original inside. Nothing ever replaced and not much inside :)
I played along with 1 of David Barrett's MP3 so he is playing in the background but you can still hear how the amp sounds.
Yup, Appears to be working fine now. Will see how she holds up for an old original amp. I am suprised it does not need caps or resisters? I was under the impression that they all wear out. IF the values are out of spec, I would not know it by the way it sounds :)
