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Topic: Magnatone Troubadour |
Steven Cummings
From:
Texas
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Posted 27 Jun 2016 5:11 am |
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Just received this weekend and I am hoping to get some forum feedback regarding date, quality, and other notes of interest. Can't find much about the Magnatone steels on the internet, maybe I'm not putting in the correct search terms
 
Is this a keeper 
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Lookin' on the sunny side.... |
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Larry Carlson
From:
My Computer
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Posted 27 Jun 2016 5:56 am
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All I know about this guitar is it's designation was G-65-W6 and it was made in 1956-1959.
The G-65-W6 was solid walnut which is the "W" in G-65-W6. They also made an eight-string G-65-W8.
I won't bet my life on that info but it's all I have. 
_________________
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I try to make music with it.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
But I keep on trying. |
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C. E. Jackson
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Posted 27 Jun 2016 6:56 am
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Steven, a beautiful vintage steel. I have a Magnatone Troubador 6 string steel that appears to be very similar to yours. My Magnatone body is walnut, and the original case appears to be an older design. After examining the pots (which were original) the pot date was determined to be 1953.
I personally think the tone is excellent. You can see a photo in my Vintage Steel Guitars video listed below.
C. E. Jackson
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A6 tuning for steels |
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Ron Simpson
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 27 Jun 2016 7:35 am
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 27 Jun 2016 10:02 am
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I dig the sound of Magnatone steels! Here's mine ...
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 27 Jun 2016 10:13 am
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I have the 8 string version and I really like it. I'd like to get a 6 string too, because that's what I play more. The pickup is great, nice clear sound.
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"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Steven Cummings
From:
Texas
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Posted 27 Jun 2016 3:07 pm
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Wow! Andy that is quite colorful, looks great.
Frank it looks like we have the same guitar just different string configuration. Do you know what year yours is?
_________________
Lookin' on the sunny side.... |
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Tony Lombardo
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 27 Jun 2016 4:03 pm
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| My very first steel was an 8-string Magnatone Troubadour which I sold to get a Remington Steelmaster which I sold to get my current instrument. The Magnatone was, to me, a well-made, great sounding instrument. |
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 27 Jun 2016 8:27 pm
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I'm not sure what year mine is (somewhere in the 1950's I think). If you open the control panel on the back. The numbers on the back of the potentiometers can give you a good idea on the date of manufacture, assuming they're original.
Do a search for guitar pot date codes and I'm sure a website will come up that you can punch those numbers in and you can approximate from there..
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"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Denny Turner
From:
Oahu, Hawaii USA
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Posted 28 Jun 2016 4:35 am
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I love Magnatone steels; At least most* of the several models I've had from time to time. They play well and sound great; Nice mellow "Hawaiian" sounds at lower amp gains, and banshees at high gains. *The G65 and G70 models like in Ron's posting were a bit too tinny / hollow sound for my liking at lower gains (there's a swimming pool cavity under the metal electronics plate that the pickup hears through the plate), but screamed like a banshee at high gains.
I bought a 6 string Maggie Troubador here on SGF several years ago, like the one Steven posted. Sold it during a tight time ... soon regretted selling it ... finally found an 8 string version and bought it ... love it, still have it ... The Troubadors are KEEPERS; Another Maggie that play & sound great. ...imho.
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Denny T~
http://www.dennysguitars.com/
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 28 Jun 2016 6:46 am Tone Cap
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All looks original Except the Tone Cap.
For sure visit that , the photo looks like a resistor not a cap.
now of daze we use a .047 orange drop from Stew-Mac will do perfectly.
On the "Old School" way of attaching a cap, go from the center lug of the Volume pot
to the left side of the tone pot, as the current part is installed.
Modern way is from input lug of volume to tone ,
stay with the way described above to keep the Magnatone as close to original as possible.
Sonically there is no difference. All that is happening is the volume output sends to jack and to the tone pot respectively.
Those pickups were wound and placed in the wooden holder then permanently Waxed/sealed in.
My original GeorgeBoards Pickups were designed by Lindy Fralin based on my 8 string Troubadour crossed with some Fender Specs and Lindy Magic.
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 28 Jun 2016 9:18 am
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George, that is a .047 mfd, 200 volt cap.
Those were terrible caps, but were also used on Gibson Les Pauls and other products. My '56 Console Grand had one.
There is almost a "cult" following for these caps.
Just Google "Bumblebee Cap" and you will find a lot of info, including modern reproductions of them.
They were cheap OEM caps. I've seen them in products ranging from a $15 Philco Table Radio to a $250,000 RCA Quad Video Recorder. All were bad.
The one in my CG was shorted. I think that in guitars mostly they will just increase in capacitance
as they age. So they may or may not still work.
Blake |
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Steven Cummings
From:
Texas
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Posted 29 Jun 2016 9:36 am
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The potentiometers are 1K in value and are Clarostats, showing on the pot date chart I found on the internet to be produced in the 12th week of 1951. I am assuming that since C.E. Jackson owns a Troubadour with 1953 pots that this steel guitar would have been manufactured somewhere between April of 1951 but before 1953. I believe I am needing to replace this capacitor as it is having some issues.
I guess one capacitor brand would of this value would be as good as another as far as getting it to work, but to maintain its value should I search out another cap like the one used or just not worry about it? Anyone have any experience with this?
Thanks for everyones input, it is most helpful and may perhaps help the next individual with Magnatone issues.
Steven Cummings
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Lookin' on the sunny side.... |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 29 Jun 2016 7:09 pm
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If you want it to sound like new, the cap recommended by George will do fine.
IMHO that won't hurt the value.
Blake |
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C. E. Jackson
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Wayne Joseph
From:
Oregon, USA
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Posted 6 Jul 2016 9:04 pm Magnatone
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| I got George Piburns old Magnatone 8, it is a 1954. Love the tone, very sweet and bright. Perfect 'Hawaiian' steel guitar. Thanks George ! |
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