1960 Magnatone Artist Series Mark VIII guitar Barth era

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NO RESERVE! Magnatone guitars are RARELY SEEN! Particularly on the East Coast. Very unusual FACTORY STEREO WIRING! Essentially an Artist Series Mark VIII with stereo wiring and 4 knobs. Includes a 5' long stereo-to-mono adaptor cable. (Stereo ¼� male plug on one end plugs into the guitar, the standard ¼� male mono plug on the other end connects to your amp.) Not sure if the cable is original or not, but it has Switchcraft ends and does appear to be old. Easy to make up a longer stereo-to-mono cable if you require it. I don’t have a stereo cable, but naturally, you can buy or make one of those too if you wish. Not sure if this guitar is called a Mark VIII Stereo or if it had another designation…Mark VIIII? T is actually very little information available online or elsew about Magnatone guitars. Excellent + condition, 8.8 on a scale of 10. A few minor dings, (see photos) almost no scratches at all, a tiny bit of super light lacquer checking. The dings on the back of the neck you’ll see in the pics are the worst wear on the guitar. Finish still has a new-like sheen to it! Guitar appears to have fairly little playing time on it. Serial # 0177. 1960 date codes on pots (137 60…). Made in U.S.A. , of course. Magnatone guitars were designed by Paul Barth of National and Rickenbacker. T’s a vague yet obvious similarity to early Ric Combo series solidbodies. Has a cool jangly Ric-like tone, excellent for Beatle-esque music and power pop. Not recommended for heavy metal... Looks like a solidbody, but the body is actually quite hollow inside in the manner of a Danelectro or Gretsch Jet. Light as a feather! Estimated weight: 5 pounds, 6 at the most. Pickups are reminiscent of Ric pickups without the “toaster” bar down the center. Sound kind of similar too! 100% stock, NO modifications. All parts are original. 21 frets, rosewood fingerboard. 24 ¾� scale length, same as a Gibson. Neck is 1 5/8 wide at nut. “Zero fret” design nut. Unique single line 3 on a strip Kluson tuners with “Safe-T” split shafts like Fender Klusons. Neck is dead straight, no issues. Truss rod operates fine. Electronics work fine. NO cracks, fret wear, (NO fret wear AT ALL!) repairs, issues, or funny stuff. Completely stock, NO modifications! Note: The ground wire (a piece of plain guitar string) is designed to be sandwiched between one of the pots and its star washer to complete the ground connection, so NO solder joints were broken to remove the pickguard for the photos. Has been carefully and professionally set up, needs NOTHING, low action, no fret buzz, NEW .010-.046 DR strings…ready to rock and roll! Includes original chipboard case in rough condition…handle missing, accessory compartment partially missing, upper edge is separating from the lid. Case has a brass tag inside that reads: “Bulwin Mfg. Co. Costa Mesa Calif. Custom Bilt Cases”. The '09 Vintage Guitar Price Guide values "1959-'60 Barth Design Mark Series" Magnatone guitars at $1,100-$1,300 in excellent condition...this top of the line instrument is priced below the bottom range of this valuation and is an excellent investment in these uncertain economic times! Will be packed well for worry free shipping. Southern California was the Mecca for electric guitars and amplifiers in the period following World War II through the 1960s, with companies such as Fender, Rickenbacker, Standel, Carvin, Mosrite, and Bigsby all making their home in and around Los Angeles during that time. Another important player in the electrified instrument game was Magna Electronics, who began producing Magnatone lap-steels and amplifiers shortly after the war ended. Magnatone would come to be known for their unique amplifiers, notable for their “true vibrato” system, which actually modulated the phase of the signal as opposed to merely volume—a sort of precursor to the stereo chorus sound. Legendary recordings by Lonnie Mack ... read more

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