Magnatone Varsity Deluxe Model 108 1967 - Brown

The Magnatone Varsity Deluxe Model 108 is a 5-watt, single-ended 6V6 amp running through an 8" Jensen speaker.  The amp produces warm, compressed, harmonically rich breakup at modest volumes. The sag from the 5Y3 rectifier tube adds touch sensitivity and bloom. This is the kind of amp that sounds best cranked in a small room or recorded close with a mic. This example is in excellent condition throughout with the only change from original being a grounded power cable and a replacement handle.

Magnatone built amplifiers in Inglewood, California and is best known for its pitch-vibrato circuits, but the smaller student and practice models like the Model 108 have earned their own following among players seeking affordable, vintage tone. Dating to 1967, this amp sits at the end of Magnatone's original production run — the company was sold and effectively ceased meaningful production shortly after. A 1967 small Magnatone in this condition, with original cabinet, chassis, baffle, knobs, cone, and transformers, is increasingly hard to find intact. The output transformer is a Thordarson/Magna Electronics T-54464, the power transformer is a Schumacher dated to the 7th week of 1967, and the Jensen speaker carries a date code of 701 — first week of 1967. All transformers and the speaker are original to the amp.

The cabinet is original light brown vinyl over plywood with no reported repairs or changes, and we rate it excellent. The grille is in very good condition. The baffle is original plywood, also excellent. The chassis is original metal, excellent, with no modifications. Knobs are original. The handle has been replaced — it is not original.  The handle brackets were rivited on to these amps, so I drilled two of the out to sneak the new handle on.  I used two wood screws to return the mounts. Current tubes are TAD 6V6, TAD 5Y3, and a Genalex ECC83 - they were all tested. 

Mahar's Vintage Guitars is a brick-and-mortar and web-based retailer. We are happy to talk with you before you make a purchase.   Please reach out if you feel so inclined! We cross market our items here and on our own site, so items are subject to sale elsewhere at any time (however we will never cancel a sale if it happens here first). See our profile here, our Google reviews as well as our 100% positive Reverb feedback. Also, Reverb limits us to only 25 pictures of our items. There is a good chance we have more. Contact us if you’d like to see them.

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SPECIFICATIONS

• Date: 1967
• Where Is Date Noted?: codes
• Weight: 14lbs 13.5oz
• Dimensions: 16-3/4" w x 13-3/8" h x 9" d
• Watts: 5 watts
• Case/Cover?: no
• Covering Material: vinyl
• Covering Color: light brown
• Covering Original?: yes
• Cabinet Material: plywood
• Cabinet Condition: excellent
• Cabinet Repairs/Changes: none
• Cabinet Original?: yes
• Grille Style: basket weave
• Grille Condition: very good
• Grille Original?: yes
• Baffle Material: plywood
• Baffle Condition: excellent
• Baffle Original?: yes
• Baffle Repairs/Changes: none
• Chassis Material: metal
• Chassis Condition: excellent
• Chassis Original?: yes
• Chassis Repairs/Changes: none
• Knobs Original?: yes
• Handle Material: leather
• Handle Original?: no
• Speaker 1 Brand: Jensen
• Speaker 1 Size: 8"
• Speaker 1 Manufacturer Code: 220
• Speaker 1 Date Code: 701
• Speaker 1 Cone Code: 30803
• Speaker 1 Cone Original?: yes
• Speaker 1 Condition: excellent
• Power Transformer Manufacturer: Schumacher
• Power Transformer Manufacturer Code: 606
• Power Transformer Date Code: 707
• Power Transformer Original?: yes
• Output Transformer Manufacturer: Thorardson / Magna Electronics
• Output Transformer Original?: yes
• Reverb Onboard: no
• Tremolo Or Vibrato Onboard: no
• Pedal Included?: no
• Rectifier Tube: 5Y3
• Rectifier Tube Brand: TAD
• Power Tubes: 6V6
• Power Tube Brand: TAD
• Preamp Tubes: ECC83
• Preamp Tube Brand: Genalex
• Potentiometers Original?: yes
• Filter Caps: ?
• Internal Repairs: none
• Power Cable: grounded
• Accessories Included: none
• Documentation: none
• Speaker 1 Original?: yes
• Output Transformer Model Number: T-54464

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Shipping Policy
By completing your purchase you are agreeing to this shipping policy. Shipments require signature on delivery, no exceptions. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely. If there is damage, retain all packing materials intact, photograph them immediately, and send the photos to .

Amplifiers: We take additional precautions to prevent common shipping damage. Depending on the amp, this may include removing tubes, pulling the chassis from the cabinet if heavy transformers present a drop risk, or removing heavy speakers that could crack baffles in transit. Reassembly is required on delivery — we label everything clearly. These measures add to shipping costs but reflect hard-won experience. Vintage amplifiers (20 years or older) are sold as-is — all amps are tested in our shop upon intake and again before shipping. We cover shipping damage but cannot be responsible for the failure of vintage components in instruments that are 20 to 50-plus years