Replace Handle on Vintage Magnatone Amplifier?

[sixtwentytwelve]

1. I have a vintage Magnatone amplifier (manufactured 1959) that needs a new leather handle -- a replacement slotted leather handle is easy enough to find, but I am trying to figure out if there's a recommended way to pull the old brass brackets out of the wooden cabinet to get the new handle onto the pins. The brackets are attached to the cabinet with what appear to be brass-finished nails or tacks -- I am assuming that the nails are configured in some way so that they don't pull out easily (there doesn't appear to be any way to look under the top of the cabinet without disassembling the amp). I haven't removed the old leather handle yet, but I can't see any way to get the replacement handle onto the pins without loosening or removing the brackets. Is there a recommended way to pull the brackets up without damaging the cabinet itself? If I remove the brackets, will I have to replace the nails with wood screws to reattach them?

2. On the subject of Magnatones, if you have an interest in the vintage sound of a Magnatone vibrato, I can recommend the Vibro-Stomp pedal manufactured by Austone Electronics:

http://www.tonecraftamprepair.com/austone/

The pedal is not cheap, but it's very well-made. The vibrato effect is an amazingly faithful replication of a vintage Magnatone vibrato, and the pedal will add a whole new dimension to vintage/vintage reissue amps that lack a vibrato/tremelo feature. The pedal is tough to find at dealers so your best bet may be to contact Austone Electronics directly.

[soundmasterg]

I've no idea on the proper way to fix the handle on your Maggie. I'd suggest to post on Ampage, Webervst, Hoffman amps, AX84, and some of the other amp dedicated sites on the web and see if anyone can help you out.

Greg

P.S. Cool looking pedal! I wonder what they used to emulate the varistors that were used in the Maggie circuit? Wonder if they used tubes too? I guess I'll have to ask them about it.