ClassicTone Going Out Of Business

syscokid

syscokid

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Just got this email. This is not good for us amp nerds. Lots of amp kits suppliers rely on Classic Tone trannies to keep the cost down...:

Going Out Of Business
​

After 10 years of producing ClassicTone transformers and 78 years of manufacturing, Magnetic Components is announcing the permanent closure of our factory in early November.

This notice is much shorter than we had anticipated. This is a result of COVID and a recent and serious supply chain issue that has developed. Overall, in the last 4 years we have seen a large decline in the tube amp transformer market. At the same time, we experienced unprecedented increases in all costs necessitating us to make this tough, final decision to close.

We have decided to shut down voluntarily and before the business situation potentially gets worse. We want to close our third-generation USA-based company with dignity and honor.

We are no longer accepting new orders directly. ClassicTone tranformers are available now only from our resellers while supplies last.


We appreciate all of your support throughout the years and wish you the best of luck.

Thank you so much!


Magnetic Components, Inc.
(ClassicTone line of Vintage Constructed Amp Transformers)​
 
syscokid said:
Overall, in the last 4 years we have seen a large decline in the tube amp transformer market.
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That‘s an interesting statement...and very revealing.

One is left to wonder the reason for the decline, which apparently began pre-COVID (though COVID pushed them over the edge).

It makes me wonder if this indicates manufacturers are using better transformers at the factory, if modding tube amps is declining in popularity, or if tube amps, themselves, are declining in sales - resulting in less demand for custom transformers.
 
smitty_p said:
That‘s an interesting statement...and very revealing.

One is left to wonder the reason for the decline, which apparently began pre-COVID (though COVID pushed them over the edge).

It makes me wonder if this indicates manufacturers are using better transformers at the factory, if modding tube amps is declining in popularity, or if tube amps, themselves, are declining in sales - resulting in less demand for custom transformers.
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People can't solder anymore. I blame Adrian.
 
smitty_p said:
That‘s an interesting statement...and very revealing.

One is left to wonder the reason for the decline, which apparently began pre-COVID (though COVID pushed them over the edge).

It makes me wonder if this indicates manufacturers are using better transformers at the factory, if modding tube amps is declining in popularity, or if tube amps, themselves, are declining in sales - resulting in less demand for custom transformers.
Click to expand...

Manufacture of tube amps has increased.
But the parts are coming from China, not the usual USA manufacturers.
And this is the result- just as many other USA industries have been wiped out.
 
Cadorman said:
People can't solder anymore. I blame Adrian.
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Its a movement man --- get behind the ANTI SOLDER TRAIN!!!!---- NO MORE SOLDER !!! NO MORE SOLDER !!!!

probably has to do with all the major amp manufacturers cranking out low watt useable well made TUBE AMPS --- for less than a transformer and tubes to "build" your own --

A "Fender" style transformer is 150.00 ish plus freight (I googled I had NO FRIGGIN IDEA)
JUST the transformer .......
this was 220.00 delivered--- no soldering--
1604094593478.png

YES YES the TUBE PUREISTS will say --- ITS NOT A REAL TUBE AMP (though it has 3 of them)

O.K...... 233.00 new to the door-----
1604095144200.png


I can go on and on
Randal Diavlo
Blackstar HTr 1
etc etc etc



however the bitch is the guys with the OLD Marshalls and AC 30's and so forth will now have a harder time fixing those glorious old beasts
 
Amp Mad Scientist said:
admittedly classic tone was a bargain, price VS quality.
But there are still several others like Hammond, Mercury, Edcor, so it's not really the end of the world.
And there are a growing number of manufacturers in China.

But people will not stop making tube amps.
They will change and adjust suppliers.
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Funny thing is, China has long been drawing in buyers in the tube market for a while , especially the Shuguang tubes. Lots of folks are hellbent for the Silver Dragons namely.

Id prefer to see the classic British and American parts manufacturers, but if China produces a competitive and reliable alternative, theyll keep a foothold in the markets
 
Amp Mad Scientist said:
Manufacture of tube amps has increased.
But the parts are coming from China, not the usual USA manufacturers.
And this is the result- just as many other USA industries have been wiped out.
Click to expand...

It will only get worse as people continue to buy from places such as Amazon and Walmart, instead of supporting local businesses.
For that particular niche market, there are still some really nice quality products that are continued to be made here.

How long? Who knows? I remember reading on the forums how people were happy to see “Mom and Pop” stores F@&# Off and Die when Guitar Center expanded their operations in the same way Walmart would move into an area, and wipe out local small businesses. Now people are happy to see GC go under, because they’ll buy from Amazon.

To be honest, Jeff Bezos is not my neighbor, and will not get a penny of my money. Same with Mitt Romney, Bain Capital, and the way they run Guitar Center. My neighbors are folks like Bill Germanos at Bill’s Music in Peabody, MA. and Jeff Firestone at Retro Music in Keane, NH, and several other small shops. They get my business because they put the money that I spend in their shops back into the community. Just like when I bought transformers, I bought them from Chris Merren. Could I have gotten cheaper? Yes, but I wanted the best. If I emailed him with a question, he would actually pick up the phone to call me and make sure I understood his explanation. Try getting that from a Chinese manufacturer selling on Amazon.
 
There will always be small boutique skilled hand wired and soldered boutique builders

little sexy1.jpg




.......the "mid level" stuff is gonna get sucked up by Amazon....andthe big VOLUME (quantity sellers) and as long as a beginner can get a real all tube amp for (mind you the "real all tube amps that the "old guard RAVE ABOUT and claim you MUST HAVE TO SOUND GOOD" ) for cheap--- and CHEAPER---the market will continue to shift
sorry -- just stating reality -- weather ya likes it or not

case in point 199.00
1604103880392.png
 
Bad day for Mesa and Two-Rock. I question the supply line story we still have Phil at Heyboer transformer top notch product.
Woodward Schumacher went in the dumpster back in 1984 moved to Mexico that was the end of the good Fender and Carvin amps.
Mesa had to switch from Woodward Schumacher to Magnetic Components back in 1984.
 
67plexi said:
I question the supply line story we still have Phil at Heyboer transformer top notch product.
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I agree, the "supply line" story does sound questionable.
Heyboer transformers are great quality product (also Marstran/Heyboer & Metroamp/Heyboer). Hopefully Heyboer will be around for a long while yet.
SG John said:
It will only get worse as people continue to buy from places such as Amazon and Walmart, instead of supporting local businesses.

Just like when I bought transformers, I bought them from Chris Merren. Could I have gotten cheaper? Yes, but I wanted the best. If I emailed him with a question, he would actually pick up the phone to call me and make sure I understood his explanation. Try getting that from a Chinese manufacturer selling on Amazon.
Click to expand...
IMO, Chris Merren makes the best reproduction Marshall transformers out there, & he's good to deal with. I currently have two complete sets of 50 watt transformers/chokes coming from him, might have to order a couple of 100 watt sets too, just in case.

It is sad to see Classictone closing down, it would be good to see someone buy them out & keep the company running. Cheers
 
SG John said:
It will only get worse as people continue to buy from places such as Amazon and Walmart, instead of supporting local businesses.
For that particular niche market, there are still some really nice quality products that are continued to be made here.

How long? Who knows? I remember reading on the forums how people were happy to see “Mom and Pop” stores F@&# Off and Die when Guitar Center expanded their operations in the same way Walmart would move into an area, and wipe out local small businesses. Now people are happy to see GC go under, because they’ll buy from Amazon.

To be honest, Jeff Bezos is not my neighbor, and will not get a penny of my money. Same with Mitt Romney, Bain Capital, and the way they run Guitar Center. My neighbors are folks like Bill Germanos at Bill’s Music in Peabody, MA. and Jeff Firestone at Retro Music in Keane, NH, and several other small shops. They get my business because they put the money that I spend in their shops back into the community. Just like when I bought transformers, I bought them from Chris Merren. Could I have gotten cheaper? Yes, but I wanted the best. If I emailed him with a question, he would actually pick up the phone to call me and make sure I understood his explanation. Try getting that from a Chinese manufacturer selling on Amazon.
Click to expand...

I am very sad to be in agreement with you...
 
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