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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
Thiago Sforcin

Thiago Sforcin

Marshall JCM800 MKII 1959 (Plexi) - Review (Celestion & Nordik)

Video thumbnail for Marshall JCM800 MKII 1959 (Plexi) - Review (Celestion & Nordik) by Thiago Sforcin

Marshall JCM800 MKII 1959 (Plexi) - Review (Celestion & Nordik)

Thiago Sforcin

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

  • Superlead amps allow channel jumpering for tonal variety, offering fuller sound but requiring higher volume for breakup compared to the 2203.

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  • Superleads have an effective bright cap that can be bypassed by pulling the volume knob, useful for those using fuzz and drive pedals heavily.

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Comparisons

  • 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

  • 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

  • Owners note the JMP 2203's ability to clean up well with guitar volume knobs, though hot pickups may not reach desired cleans.

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  • Superleads' bright cap becomes less impactful when the amp is run at high volumes, often out of the circuit when the volume is at 10.

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Value and pricing

  • JMP 2203 heads are often priced higher than JCM800 heads, suggesting higher perceived value or rarity.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Some JMP 2203s include Friedman gain mods and added depth knobs, enhancing versatility and sound shaping.

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  • Superleads can be modified with a master volume control to allow for more distorted tones without excessive volume, making them more versatile for certain playing environments.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jeff_breen

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.

jimmarchi1

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.

jimmarchi1

PS, are they M or H magnet blackbacks... love the H magnet blackback, so big sounding in smaller enclosures!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Spencer Krug uses Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead

Spencer Krug

Singer, Guitarist

Wolf Parade

...
Verified via YouTube

At 21:12 of this video, you can see Spencer's Marshall JCM800 Super Lead amplifier.

See how Ismalia "Iso" Diop uses Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead

Ismalia "Iso" Diop

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:03, he speaks about his amplifier, stating that it is a Marshall JCM 800 head. You can read on it that it is indeed a JCM800 Lead.

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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