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Description
The Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead is a legendary amplifier head that has shaped the sound of rock music for decades. This amp isn't just a piece of equipment; it's a time machine that transports you back to the golden era of rock. With its all-tube design, the 1959 Mk II Super Lead delivers the iconic Plexi tone that has powered countless legendary performances. This head is a meticulous reissue that stays true to its '60s roots, providing you the same raw, unfiltered power and dynamic response that became the hallmark of rock legends like Hendrix and Clapton.
Equipped with glowing EL34 and 12AX7 tubes, this amp head provides a spectrum of tones from clean and articulate to aggressive and roaring. The addition of a tonally transparent effects loop with a true bypass switch allows for greater versatility in your rig without compromising the authentic sound. Whether you're playing small clubs or large arenas, the Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead ensures your sound remains unmistakably powerful and distinct.
Perfect for guitarists who demand authenticity and uncompromising performance, this amplifier head is more than a tool—it's an integral part of your musical journey.
Key Features:
- 100-watt all-tube head capturing the iconic Marshall Plexi tone
- Classic EL34 and 12AX7 tubes for rich, warm sound
- Tonally transparent effects loop with true bypass
- Faithful reissue of the '60s original, revered by rock legends
- Delivers a wide range of tones suitable for various musical styles
Product specs
| Amp Type | tube |
Videos
Thiago Sforcin
Marshall JCM800 MKII 1959 (Plexi) - Review (Celestion & Nordik)
Marshall JCM800 MKII 1959 (Plexi) - Review (Celestion & Nordik)
Thiago Sforcin
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead.
Features and functionality
Comparisons
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The JMP 2203 can achieve Superlead-like tones but with a tighter feel and requires less volume due to the master volume feature.
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The Superlead's treble knob adjusts mid frequencies about 200Hz lower than the 2203, resulting in a more honk-like midrange compared to the 2203's aggressive upper mids.
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Use cases and applications
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The JMP 2203 excels in '70s and '80s rock and metal at lower volumes, whereas the Superlead is better for late '60s rock with channel jumping.
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Diming the 2203 on the low input can achieve Plexi-style breakup with a tighter tonestack, complementing a mid-scooped Fender for loud, gritty punk rock performances.
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User experience
Value and pricing
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JMP 2203 heads are often priced higher than JCM800 heads, suggesting higher perceived value or rarity.
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Mods and upgrades
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
72
A real Gem!!!
I got this amp in a trade for a line 6/ Bogner amp and a Hagstrom Viking. Not one regret. My amp tech checked out the amp and confirmed this was a really good JCM 800 since there are good ones and bad ones...who knew :) he then offered to buy it lol
The amp sounds great as one would expect. I'm currently using a 2x12 cab with 79 celestion blackbacks. I use a TC Electronic Chorus and Flaskback Delay through the effects loop and a Fulltone OCD and EHX Big Muff PI straight into the amp. Very pleased with this setup but open to suggestions on how to tweak the sound.
41029
yes, the mediocre ones are single channel horizontal inputs with the jacks mounted to the PCB and the bad ones are the channel switchers. an early 2204 or 2203 is just a hot rod JMP in a good way. My 4401 50 watt combo was bult on a JMP 4 input board with jumpers installed for the changes from 2 channel, non-master JMP to JCM. Sweet sounding.... the horizontal input models sound fine but the cliff jacks should not be board mounted. Its a reliability hazard on the road.
Marshall perfected the split channel with the silver jubilee and could have given up designing amps the day it was released.
41029
PS, are they M or H magnet blackbacks... love the H magnet blackback, so big sounding in smaller enclosures!
Artist usage
Add artist
In his interview with Dan Forte in Guitar Player magazine in1985, Clapton explained that he has recently gone back to Marshall amps from the Music Man amps that he had been using.
Mike Hill, formerly a director of Marshall Amplification recently recalled that, in 1984, he was contacted by Clapton's guitar technician and visited him at Shepperton or Bray Studios where he was rehearsing for Roger Waters' tour and personally delivered Marshall 1959 Super Lead and 1987 Lead 50 amplifiers and 1960 speaker cabinets.
Clapton's guitar technician commented to Dan Forte that having tried the 50W amplifiers brought by Mike Hill, Clapton loved it and bought two of the 50W (1987) and 100W (1959) models, which are the amplifiers in this lot.
Clapton went on to use these amplifiers for the 1984 Roger Waters Pros and Cons of Hitch-hiking Tour as well as Clapton's subsequent tours from 1985 to 1987 including his appearance at The Live Aid concert at JFK Stadium on 13 July 1985.
He can be seen playing through this amp at 0:16, and 0:40. A common misconception many have is that his JCM800 was a JCM800 2203, but it isn't true. His JCM800 was a JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead. Notice the JCM800 amps in this video, they have 4-inputs.
Both K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton use Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead amp heads. K.K.Downing can be seen playing though them at 1:18, 1:23, and 1:28. The 4-inputs are an easy giveaway that the amp in the video is a Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead and not a JCM800 2203.
At 47:38 you can see the Scorpions using Marshall stacks. It’s a JCM800 identifiable by the two toggles, 6 knobs, and 4 inputs.
he uses the marshall jcm800 on the last orders tour
Trevor can be seen here playing through a Marshall JCM800 Mk II Super Lead.
At 47:38 you can see the Scorpions using Marshall stacks. It’s a JCM800 identifiable by the two toggles, 6 knobs, and 4 inputs.
In this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FXKlrGHa44) at 4:10, JLP can be seen using this Marshall amp.
In a "Six Questions" interview on Tumblr, J. Robbins discusses using the Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead amplifier.
In a video by Premier Guitar titled "Amyl and the Sniffers' Declan Martens Rig Rundown Guitar Gear Tour," Declan Mehrtens discusses using Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead amplifier heads, which the band rents for tours. This information is mentioned at the 7:20 mark.
Garry "Gaz" Jennings uses the Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead, which can be identified by its four inputs. This is confirmed in Cathedral's official music video for "Tower of Silence," available on the Metal Blade Records YouTube channel.
Chiemi Ishimoto an Ex Member of the Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, does use the Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead Head, can be seen here in the the Picture here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sleggat/4922138114/in/photostream/
Album Usage
The Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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