Magnatone

Beginning in the late 1930s, Magna Electronics was known as Dickerson Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company and produced amplifiers, Hawaiian and steel guitars.

[3] In the 1950s and 1960s, the company produced vibrato-equipped amplifiers which were used by musicians including Buddy Holly[4] and Lonnie Mack.

Vibrato[5][6] was distinct in sound and design from the more common tremolo circuits found on Fender amplifiers.

By 1950, Magna expanded from their Jefferson Boulevard, Los Angeles location with three new buildings at 9749 S. Freeman Ave. and employed more than twenty-five employees.

The brand name was revived by Ted Kornblum (formerly of Ampeg and St. Louis Music),[9] and input on the amps' respective designs was provided by Billy Gibbons and Neil Young's guitar tech, Larry Cragg.