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Average Price: $4,967

High-end/Boutique

$300

$701+

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High-end

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Description

The Magnatone Varsity Cathedral is a combo guitar amplifier that merges vintage charm with modern reliability, making it a fantastic choice for musicians who crave rich, dynamic tones. This amp is revered for its ability to deliver a warm, tube-driven sound that can smoothly transition from clean and crisp to gritty and overdriven. The Varsity Cathedral features a hand-wired circuit, a hallmark of quality craftsmanship that ensures every nuance of your playing is captured with precision.

Designed with gigging musicians in mind, this amplifier provides ample volume for small to mid-sized venues, yet remains manageable for home practice and studio sessions. The simple yet effective control layout includes volume, tone, and master settings, offering you the flexibility to sculpt your sound to suit your style.

This amplifier is also equipped with a high-quality speaker, which complements its tonal capabilities, delivering a balanced frequency response that covers everything from shimmering highs to punchy lows. Whether you're a blues enthusiast, a rock aficionado, or a jazz purist, the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral offers the tonal versatility to meet your needs.

Key Features:

  • 15-watt all-tube combo amplifier
  • Hand-wired circuit for superior sound quality
  • Single 12" speaker for a balanced frequency response
  • Simple control layout: volume, tone, and master
  • Ideal for small to mid-sized venues, studio, and home use
  • Vintage-inspired design with modern reliability

Product specs

Brand Magnatone
Model Varsity 15-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo
Year 2013 - 2018
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Color Family Black, Red
Electronics Tube
Number of Channels 1 Channel
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 15
Power Tube Type EL84
Reverb None
Speaker Configuration 1x12"

FAQs

What type of music is the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo best suited for?

The Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo is ideal for genres that benefit from warm, clean tones and natural overdrive, such as blues, rock, and jazz. Its tube-driven sound provides rich harmonics and dynamic response, making it versatile for various styles.

Does the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo take pedals well?

Yes, the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo is known for handling pedals exceptionally well, making it a great choice for players who use effects to shape their tone. Its clean channel provides a solid foundation for overdrives, delays, and modulation effects.

Is the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo loud enough for live performances?

With its 15-watt output and 1x12" speaker, the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral is suitable for small to medium-sized venues. It provides enough volume for live performances, especially when mic'd through a PA system.

What are the tonal characteristics of the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo?

This amp is known for its warm, vintage-inspired tones with a smooth overdrive. The EL84 power tubes contribute to its rich harmonic content and dynamic response, offering a classic, tube-driven sound.

Does the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo have built-in reverb?

No, the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo does not include built-in reverb. Players may want to use an external reverb pedal for added ambiance.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jeff Beck uses Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo

Jeff Beck

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Photo

Jeff Beck used the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 15w amp on tour in 2014

See how Charlie Sexton uses Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo

Charlie Sexton

Guitarist

Arc Angels

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In an interview featured on Page 2 of the Premier Guitar article "Charlie Sexton’s Bigger Picture," Charlie Sexton discusses using the Magnatone Varsity Cathedral amplifier.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Magnatone Varsity Cathedral 1x12 Combo, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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