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Average Price: $2,376
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$300
$801+
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Description
Unleash the power of rock history with the Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt guitar amplifier head. This legendary amp has been the backbone of countless iconic performances, offering a raw, unadulterated tone that has shaped the very essence of rock 'n' roll. All-tube circuitry ensures that each note you play is steeped in the warmth and richness that only a classic tube amp can deliver.
From the clean, crisp chords to the gritty, crunchy leads, the Superlead's versatile sound range caters to every guitarist's needs. Its iconic Plexi tone is faithfully reproduced in this reissue, delivering the same punchy, dynamic sound that graced the stages of Woodstock and beyond. The JMP Superlead is not just an amp; it's a piece of rock history in your hands.
This amp head features a tonally transparent effects loop, ensuring that your effects blend seamlessly with the amp's natural tone. And for purists, the true bypass switch allows you to remove the effects loop from the circuit entirely, preserving the authentic sound. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, the Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt is your ticket to classic rock sound.
Key Features:
- 100-watt all-tube design
- Iconic Plexi tone
- EL34 and 12AX7 tubes
- Tonally transparent effects loop with true bypass switch
- Faithful reissue of the original '60s model
Product specs
| Brand | Marshall |
| Model | JMP 1959 Super Lead 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head |
| Finish | Black, Red, White |
| Year | 1967 - 1975 |
| Made In | United Kingdom |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Color Family | Black |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 4 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 100 |
| Power Tube Type | EL34 |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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What kind of music genres is the Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt best suited for?
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The Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt is renowned for its powerful, classic rock tones, making it ideal for genres like rock, hard rock, and early metal. Its dynamic response and rich harmonic content also make it suitable for blues and other genres requiring a strong, vintage tube-driven sound.
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Does the Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt work well with pedals?
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Yes, the Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt is known for taking pedals well, particularly overdrives and distortions, which can enhance its already powerful tonal characteristics. Its clean headroom allows for effective use of modulation and time-based effects as well.
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What is the difference between the Marshall JMP Superlead and other Marshall amps?
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The Marshall JMP Superlead is distinct for its 100-watt power and classic British tone, providing a louder, more aggressive sound compared to lower wattage models. It's a part of the iconic Plexi series, known for its raw, uncompressed sound that is highly sought after by rock guitarists.
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How many inputs does the Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt have?
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The Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt features four inputs, allowing for versatile patching options and the ability to blend different channels for a variety of tones.
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Is the Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt suitable for gigging in large venues?
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Yes, with its 100-watt output, the Marshall JMP Superlead is more than capable of delivering powerful sound in large venues, making it a staple for gigging musicians who perform in big spaces or outdoor settings.
Videos
shnobel
1974 Marshall JMP 100w Super Lead For Sale
Reviews
PROS
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Distinctive sound with unmatched gain and overdrive quality
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Non-Master Volume amps offer unique playing feel
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Classic 60s Marshall sound achievable with proper settings
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Authentic vintage tone that modern amps struggle to replicate
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Highly valued by experienced musicians and collectors
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Versatile with potential for de-modding to restore original sound
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Considered a worthwhile investment for serious tone seekers
CONS
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Extremely loud, may not be suitable for all environments
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Heavy and cumbersome to transport
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Potential for confusion over different years and circuit designs
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Risk of modded units affecting original sound quality
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Higher price points for certain vintage years may not match all budgets
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt.
Setup and maintenance
Mods and upgrades
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Swapping 6550 power tubes to EL34s is recommended by owners to capture the classic Marshall tone reminiscent of Hendrix and Zeppelin.
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Recommended mods for a SL to SB conversion include switching V1A cathode cap/resistor values and changing tonestack and PI coupling caps for tonal variation.
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Features and functionality
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Marshalls from the 1972-75 era may feature a QC checklist with initials and a date, useful for pinpointing production details.
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A 1973 JMP Super Lead is distinguished by its aluminum front control panel, unlike earlier plexiglass models, indicating its post-1969 production.
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The "Super Bass" with higher headroom is favored for styles requiring less breakup, emulating the thickness of JTM45 tweed clones, ideal for Malcolm Young's tones.
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The 1970 model includes Dagnall transformers similar to those from 1969 Plexi amps, contributing to its vintage sound.
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User experience
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The Fryette Power Station 100 is praised for making the loud, classic tone of the JMP Superlead more usable in modern settings with its attenuation and effects loop capabilities.
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Owners report that E34L power tubes, often confused with EL34s, alter the high-end tone significantly, impacting the amp's overall sound profile.
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Owners report that the amp only starts to sound optimal at volume level 6, which is extremely loud, necessitating the use of attenuators for home use.
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Build quality
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Pre-1976 models are identified by their toggle switches, as opposed to the rocker switches introduced later, indicating a potential build date before this transition.
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Other
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The use of laydown power transformers in some 1975 models is noted as a rare feature, offering insights into specific production characteristics.
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Comparisons
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The "Super Bass" amp is said to have a shared cathode on the first gain stage, offering a slightly fuller, darker sound compared to the "Super Lead."
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Back in the early 80's James Hetfield used a modified Marshall JMP 2203 (the amp which later became the JCM800 2203) he used this amplifier up until 1984 because it got stolen. After the amp got stolen, James bought a JCM800 2203 and had it modified.
These amplifiers can be seen on a lot of live footage of the early Metallica days as well as on the documentary "Some Kind Of Monster" You cab see the amplifier in this picture as well. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dyingindowney/2432208001
at about 13:25 into the submitted video, Kirk can be seen playing a Marshall JMP, and i know Kirk loves his vintage Marshalls.
In this video for Premier Guitar, at 2:28 Brent talks about his amps - "I'm running two Marshall JMPs and a '98 Diezel VH4"
When asked what amps he used in the studio: "A ‘68 Marshall Plexi Super Lead panned on one side of the stereo field and a Marshall JMP panned on the other side. Believe it or not, this was the first time I had ever played through a Marshall amp. I played both of them simultaneously through a Framptone Amp switcher with my signature Ibanez AT300 and AT100 guitars, which enabled me to play both amps with one guitar loud and clean using a tape echo and tube driver in front. For the album’s title track, I re-amped the Marshall through a Leslie 122 cabinet to get that swirling, Hendrix-y sound."
"I use the same Marshall amp I’ve always had, a 1978 Super Lead 100 with a modified preamp by Dave Friedman. I came to him with this other amp that I liked the sound of, and we used that as the preamp." – Billy Howerdel on his 1978 Marshall Super Lead 100
Mentioned as a part of the rig used to record his debut solo album, "What Normal Was", according to November 2022 Guitar World interview.
There’s the Gibson Custom Classic given to him by Trent Reznor in the mid Nineties, his Dave Friedman-modded 1978 Marshall Super Lead, the Gibson Goldtone he describes as a “pirate sound” — and that prized Experience octave fuzz by Prescription Electronics. “The Marshall mod was mainly to do with the power tubes and biasing,” Howerdel says. “It’s a fast amp that reacts instantly, which there are pros and cons to... It has a different sound to your typical softly overdriven Plexi head. I found this 60-watt Naylor combo and loved it, so I showed Dave Friedman and he modded the Marshall to sound like that. I don’t even know if they still make those Experience pedals, but they’re hand-painted in different colors and sound great. I enjoy using the Fractal octaver too, rolling the volume down with the tone completely off to get this ghostly thing that, again, doesn’t sound like guitar, but maybe that’s why I like it!”
In a video titled "Jimmy Eat World: Our Career Through Music Gear" by Reverb on YouTube, Jim Adkins states that he recorded every album from "Clarity" onward with his 1979 Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt. He also mentions that he toured with this amp, along with a matching 4x12 cab, from the "Clarity" album up through "Chase This Light," before switching to his Vox AC30 Custom Classic.
According to this Guitar Geek rig diagram, Vincent Accardi used a 100 watt Marshall JMP head (likely the 100W superlead).
Wolf Hoffmann used the Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt amplifier during the 1980s, as detailed on his website in the "Behind the Scenes" section.
Album Usage
The Marshall JMP Superlead 100 Watt has been featured on the following albums:
Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors (Live Recordings)
Fish & Fish (2024)
What Normal Was
Billy Howerdel (2022)
Clarity: Phoenix Sessions
Jimmy Eat World (2021)
Jericho Sirens
Hot Snakes (2018)
The Incident
Porcupine Tree (2009)
Chase This Light
Jimmy Eat World (2007)
Don't Break the Oath
Mercyful Fate (1984)
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 JMP Superlead 100 Watt, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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