Vintage Guitars

1957 Magnatone Mark III Deluxe

The Chronologue
Year1957ColorBlack And Shaded Mahogany
BirthplaceInglewood, CAFactory OptionsN/A
ManufacturerMagnatone Magna Electronics Co. Inc.Case Mfd.N/A
ModelMark III DeluxeCase ExteriorLaminated Hardshell , Brown and Tan Tolex, Tan Plastic Handle, , 3 Latches (two locking), 3 Hinges
Serial #53424 Stamped into Brass Plate, Two Rivets to Back of PegheadCase InteriorPlush Red Felt
Serial # LocationCase Extras
Original Price$159.50
Specifications
Overall
TypeTwo Pickup Electric Solid Body, Right HandedBody Length14 1/4″ from Bass Side to Bottom
Weight6 lb 14.4 oz.Body Depth1 5/8″
Scale24 3/4″Upper Bout Width9 15/16″
# Of Strings6Waist Bout Width9 5/16″
Total Length35 13/16″Lower Bout Width11 1/8″
Construction
Body
Body TypeSingle Cutaway, Countoured Bass Side BackBody BindingN/A
TopMahoganyf-hole BindingN/A
BackMahoganyBracingN/A
SidesMahoganyFinishNitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck
Neck DetailMahogany 1-pieceSide Marker4 Black Dot Stamp 5,7,9,12
Neck ProfileCNutAluminum
Neck Depth1st Fret .958″, 12th Fret 1.093″Nut Width1 5/8″
Neck AttachmentSet and Two Screws Uinder Pickguard Through Body to Side of Neck12th Fret Width2″
Neck Heel CapN/ATrussSteel Rod
FingerboardBarazilian RosewoodTruss AdjustmentPeghead Access 5/16″ Nut
Fingerboard Radius12″Truss Adj. CoverBlack Plastic, 4-screws Affixed
Fingerboard BindingBound Sides, White CelluloidPeghead ProfileStandard Paddle 3×3
Frets.074″ Nickle SilverPeghead VeneerN/A
Fret Count20Peghead BindingN/A
Position Marker6 Large White Plastic Dot Inlay 3,5,7db,9,12db,17dbPeghead LogoBlack Plastic Badge, “Magnatone MARK III DeLuxe” In White w/ White Outline, 4-rivets Affixed to Peghead
Hardware
TunersKluson Deluxe Single LinePickguardFull Body Top Covered, “Desert-Sand” White Marbled Plastic Glued to Plywood
Tuners Type3 OPA, Closed Back, Slotted PostsPickguard Mount10-screws to Top
Machine HeadsBakelite, OvalKnobsDaka-Ware Chicago Made In U.S.A.
Tuner BushingsCM, RoundKnob DetailsBlack Plastic, Fine Knurled Sides, Set-screw
TailpieceBeryllium Copper, Two Piece (Base and Bridge Cover), 4-way Adjustable, Fully Enclosed, “M” Logo and String Slots Stamped Out of MetalSwitch CapWhite Plastic
Tailpiece Mount5-screws to Top and 3-screws to Bottom SideControl PlateN/A
Bridge TypeSingle Rosewood Bar Threaded w/ Screws for AdjustmentPickup BezelN/A
Bridge DetailFixed with Adjustment Screws Inside Enclosed UnitPickup LocationNeck and Bridge
Bridge MaterialBrazilian RosewoodPickup MountAttached to Pickguard, 2 Spring Loaded Screws, Height Adjustable
Bridge SaddleN/AStrap ButtonWhite Plastic End Pin and Upper Bout Side Pin
Tremolo ArmN/A
Electronics
Pickup2 Magnatone Mfd VI Alnico Single CoilSwitch StampSwitchcraft
Pickup DetailIntegrated CM Cover with Black Plastic Top InsertSwitch DetailDPDT 3 Position Leaf Toggle
Pickup DateN/ACapacitor StampC-D (Cornell Dubilier) .022
Pickup PolesN/ACap Value.022µF
Pickup WiringMounted to Pickguard, Lays in Body Routed ChannelsCap Value Actual.024µF
Pickup OutputP1 – 4.38kΩ, P2 – 4.33kΩResistorN/A
Potentiometers2 Total, CTSResistor Value ActualN/A
Potentiometer Stamp5548 137735Wire HarnessShielded Braided Conduit
Potentiometer Value250kΩGround WireTone Potentiometer to Bridge
Pot Value ActualV-Unknown, T-220kΩOutput JackSwitchcraft. 1/4″, Mounted Lower Bout Side on Metal Plate, 2-screw Affixed
Catalog Description
ALL NEW MARK III Standard Electric Spanish Guitar
Here is an entirely New guitar. Because of the unique size, this guitar can be used equally well as a three quarter or a full size guitar. Many of the custom features listed before are usually found only on the most expensive guitars. Magnatone’s engineering ingenuity and manufacturing skill give you these outstanding quality features in a moderately priced guitar – the MARK III.
NECK
Enclosed Safeti-Strng Post Machine Heads. Special Guitar Nut for greater response. Accurate professional fret board with fast action frets and seven position dots. Exclusive Magnatone Steel Cantilever Suspension in neck. Specially designed fast action neck, made of selected Honduras Mahogany.
BODY
Contoured body for player’s comfort. The full Cut-a-way body measures 15 1/8 in length, 11 1/8 in width, and is 1 ¾ deep, which enables plater to reach difficult positions easily. The body is of light weight hardwood for ease of handling and balance. Finished in the new “Desert Sand” scratch resistant finish.
OTHER FEATURES
Complete adjustments on fully shielded pick-up. Magnatone’s exclusive Perfecto-Tuned Offset Bridge for perfect intonation and harmonics. Made from Beryllium copper. The fully enclosed bridge is completely adjustable four ways to suit the individual player’s demands. Straight linear volume and tone control with Magnatone’s super-sensitive pick-up enables a complete tone color. The No. VI Alnico, the latest in magnets, is used in the pick-up. Equipped with Bobby Lee Guitar Straps.
MARK III DELUXE $159.50
The Mark III Deluxe is the same size as the Mark III and contains all of its features plus the added versatility of two powerful Alnico VI pick-ups for solo or accompaniment and Magnatone’s simplified volume and tone system which allows the player to instantly effect either or both pick-ups at the touch of a finger. Finished in a rich natural mahogany.
Chronologue Legend
Pickups numbering starts from top position. Ex. P1-Neck, P2-Middle, P3-Bridge
Pup – Pickup
UB – Upper-bout, LB – Lower-bout, WB – Waist-bout
Laminate – Pressed layers of wood w/ veneer
Celluloid – Nitrocellulose-based plastics
W/B – Binding alternates White/Black or Black/White depending on count. Ex. 5-ply W/B = W/B/W/B/W
(db) – Double Markers
Pearlette – Plastic resembling natural pearl.
MOP – Authentic mother of pearl
COB – Chrome over brass
CM – Chromed Metal
OAP – Tuners mounted on a metal plate
V/T – Volume/Tone
kΩ – Kiloohms, measuring electric resistance
μF – Microfared, measuring electrical capacitance
Unknown – Electronics – examination would disrupt vintage integrity, or accurate reading is weighted by other components.
Unknown – Wood or hardware – examination would disrupt vintage integrity
N/A – Not Available from manufacturer.
The Chronologue entry is for model inspected only. Similar models may exhibit different specifications.
The Chronologue is for historic reference. Updates to continue.
Maintenance on models not performed unless documented.
The Chronologue is a registered trademark of SLT Vintage