So, my original thread was deleted by mistake...to cut story short, yesterday I got offered this tube head:
1976 Marshall JMP Super Lead, as stated by seller, all original except preamp tubes-my Marshall knowledge is scarse so if anyone could help, Ill be grateful. This is first set of pics, Ill post another with gut shot & insides as I receive them.
Last edited by Z*Z*Z on Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
The serial number points it out to a '76. The switches in the front also calls for an earlier JMP, before they switched to plastic. A couple things to note; I thought '76 would have a smaller logo, I haven't seen a JMP without the power cord going into the chassis, the cap for the mains/voltage selector also seems to be missing which makes me believe this type of power cord has been added post production of the amp, the impedance switch selector top seems to be missing and working with just a jumper, one tube looks like an EL34 while the other three look to be either 6550 or 6CA7 (though this could be the way the grill makes that one tube seem thinner), and looks like at least the caps have been replaced judging by the hint of blue on the inside. Who knows what else has been swapped on the inside. Transformer looks mighty silver in there, can't tell if it's original or not. At least it doesn't look like a master volume or any holes have been drilled or modded.
Super Leads are loud, man. Stupid loud. And NMV ones are even better, in my opinion.
I don't have the knowledge to tell you how original the hardware on that bad boy is, but I can tell you it's an amazing sounding amp, and yes, loud as a motherfucker. I've gotten the chance to play both the super lead and super bass, and they sound amazing. My current main amp is a Bugera 1960, which isclone of the super lead. I gig with it regularly on bass, and never lack for volume. In fact, I use a power soak to bring the volume down a bit when I want to go distorted.
Looks good. Ei tubes are notorious for going microphonic, so you'll probably have to swap them soon. Plus I recommend all four power tubes being the same, as they are clearly not like I previously suspected. I still think the power adapter is post production, which isn't a bad thing. I mean, it's grounded and all amps should be grounded. It's fixed to 110v from the looks of the missing selector switch top. You can find replacement impedance selectors for cheap at any amp parts webstore. Much more convinient then that little patch that is set to 8 ohms. Rest of the guts seem to match the date. PCB board with hand wired pots/components. The only thing I was never too knowledgable on with Marshall's are transformers. Originals should be.... Drake? Again, not too sure. So I don't know if those are original or not. But the amp looks good.
Im looking at pictures and it does look legit...The power tubes as seller said, are 2 of matched pairs - Im in the middle of negotiations, he wants my Gibson LP Goth, and I kinda want that amp Im probably make some kid of deal with seller and restore the amp to original specs.
Looks legit. Google the part numbers on the transformers to see if they're original, though they look ok to me.
The tubes look fucked up. Apart from the fact that they have a pair of el34's and a pair of 6ca7s (!?!), one of the el34's looks blackened, like its been red-plated the hell out of. Beware. Does it run?
Def rip them out immediately. Better yet, take it straight to a tech.
Are you buying the cab too? or just the head?
Having said that I think it's worth far more than a gibson gothic. Even not working 100%. Good luck!
Last edited by Boxbie on Wed Dec 04, 2013 11:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks guys - So I made deal with seller, the cab & head will be at my place earlier next week - the speakers are unknown to me, cab looks vox-ish 2x12, and amp is in working order; So, tubes&caps and such will be needed; and cleaning :-) Ill let you know when it arrives.
Score man. My whole rig consists of amps that were considered broken and no good at one point. Get it checked out and fixed up, new tubes where needed, and the roar will commence!
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