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Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:44 am
by Z*Z*Z
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.
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Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:50 am
by Boxbie
Great amps. Appallingly loud. What do you wanna know?

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:58 am
by Z*Z*Z
Judging by these first pics, original or not? zhanks for fast notice :-)

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 11:33 am
by chillerthanmost
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.

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:02 pm
by Z*Z*Z
Thanks guys - Im hoping for that transformers are not reaplaced or died at some point :) Ok, the new batch of pics:

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Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:14 pm
by bigchiefbc
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.

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:50 pm
by chillerthanmost
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.

What's the trade or offer?

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 2:06 pm
by Z*Z*Z
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.

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 3:50 pm
by fishtankdork
that amp is fucking gorgeous. i love super leadsss!! cant offer much knowledge except that id play the shit out of that!

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:49 pm
by misterstomach
i was just wondering if you could maybe make those pics a little bigger.

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 11:29 pm
by Boxbie
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!

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 11:32 pm
by Holy Schnikes
I'd trade every gothic I could find for that amp barring any serious tech issues.
misterstomach wrote:i was just wondering if you could maybe make those pics a little bigger.
No joke lol.

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 4:47 am
by christianatl
Yeah, that mismatched quartet of tubes is a serious no no.

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 5:19 am
by Z*Z*Z
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.

Re: Marshall Super Lead experts come over here!

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 5:29 am
by AxAxSxS
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!