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Average Price: $2,376

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$801+

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Description

Unleash the power of classic rock with the Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head. Revered by guitar legends for its robust sound and remarkable tonal versatility, this amplifier head is a cornerstone in the evolution of rock music. Known for its iconic all-valve design, it delivers a timeless, harmonically rich tone that has defined the sound of generations.

The Super Lead 100-Watt Head features a quartet of EL34 power valves, providing an unmistakable punch and dynamic range. Its dual-channel capability allows for seamless transitions between clean and overdriven tones, making it perfect for any style—from the crisp, articulate sounds of blues to the heavy, saturated tones of metal. The addition of three ECC83 preamp valves ensures that your sound remains pristine, even at high gain levels.

Built with the touring musician in mind, the Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head is housed in a robust, road-ready casing that can withstand the rigors of life on the road. Its master volume control offers precise adjustments, making it easier than ever to dial in your perfect sound. Whether you're playing in a small club or a large stadium, this amplifier head has the power and flexibility to meet your needs.

Key Features:

  • 100-watt all-valve head
  • EL34 power valves and ECC83 preamp valves
  • Dual-channel design for clean and overdriven tones
  • Master volume control for precise sound adjustments
  • Road-ready construction with a durable casing
  • Ideal for a range of music styles from blues to metal
Guitar Hangar - Lessons, Rentals, Repairs, and More

Guitar Hangar - Lessons, Rentals, Repairs, and More

Vintage Marshall Super Lead 100 Watt Amp Head Demo | Guitar Hangar

Video thumbnail for Vintage Marshall Super Lead 100 Watt Amp Head Demo | Guitar Hangar by Guitar Hangar - Lessons, Rentals, Repairs, and More

Vintage Marshall Super Lead 100 Watt Amp Head Demo | Guitar Hangar

Guitar Hangar - Lessons, Rentals, Repairs, and More

Guitar Hangar - Lessons, Rentals, Repairs, and More

Video thumbnail for Vintage 1972 Marshall Super Lead 100 Amp Head Demo AC/DC and More! by Brad

Vintage 1972 Marshall Super Lead 100 Amp Head Demo AC/DC and More!

Brad

Brad

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head.

Build quality

  • The presence of a laydown power transformer is notably rare, seen in some 1975 models.

    Source
  • The circuit board is not made of aluminum; it's the front control panel with volume and tone knobs that has this finish.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Older models typically have four speaker outputs, while some later versions, like a 1975, feature only two.

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  • The Super Bass typically has a shared cathode on the first gain stage, while the Super Lead has a split cathode, offering slightly more gain.

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  • Anti-slip pads are recommended to prevent the amp from moving due to its powerful vibrations when cranked up.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Checking the transformers and pots for date codes can help pinpoint the production year of the amp.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Switching from 6550 to EL34 power tubes is recommended by owners to achieve the classic Marshall tone.

    Source
  • Modifying a Super Lead to switch to a Super Bass setup involves changing the V1A cathode cap/resistor, tonestack, and PI coupling caps.

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  • A master volume mod, typically bypassable, is often added to these amps for better volume control without sacrificing authenticity.

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  • Adding an effects loop and an extra speaker output are common mods that enhance the Super Lead's functionality.

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User experience

  • A Fryette Power Station can effectively attenuate the Super Lead’s volume, making it more suitable for home use without sacrificing tone.

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Comparisons

  • The Super Bass, with higher headroom, is described as a step towards Hiwatt-like clarity, but still retains a thicker, JTM45-like tonal character.

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  • The OR50 is considered by some to surpass the Rockerverb in sound quality, though the OR100 with its switchable power levels offers unique convenience.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Super Bass is noted for its suitability in achieving Malcolm Young’s rhythm guitar tone, as heard on AC/DC's "Ball Breaker" album.

    Source
  • It's noted that the amp can be impractically loud, making it challenging to achieve natural overdrive at manageable volumes.

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Critic Reviews

Legendary Tones - 100 Watt Marshall Super Lead

legendarytones.com

The Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head is heralded as the quintessential amplifier for iconic rock tones, revered by legends like Hendrix and Page. Its simple, hand-wired design and dynamic distortion characteristics make it a staple for achieving classic soundscapes. However, its lack of pre-amp or gain control requires ear-splitting volumes to unlock its full potential, limiting its practicality in today's volume-conscious environments. Despite this, its historical significance and tonal prowess still make it a coveted piece for those who can accommodate its demands.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 10 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
nikkiangelus

An OK-sounding vintage amp.

Let's face it: You can never quite go wrong with a Marshall since it's been the quintessential rock tone for what, 50-60 years now? This particular amp would be great if it wasn't for the outdated design, though. It looks and sounds good, but has only one measly channel. In order to push any drive out of it, you have to crank it all the way up to 11 and this motherfucker LOUD! There's no way a sane person would use it live without reamping it.

In a nutshell: The vintage points are cool and it's hot crunch sounds great in the studio, but there are a tons of newer amps that are capable of doing the same thing without bursting an eardrum.

jimmarchi1

ummm, a superlead has 2 channels, normal and bright? I've owned many, used to be my amp of choice when I played big venues, definitely 2 channels, split cathodes into a mixer gain stage, shared cathode follower tweed bassman EQ and then into the power section. do you mean it doesn't have independent EQ? Its just for fien tailoring, this is an amp where you start with everything but presence at 10 and turn down from there until it sounds right in the room you're playing.

jimmarchi1

its really loud, yes, but in a 500+ seat venue you don't even need any attenuation, its just enough level where you don't need to waste floor wedge headroom on your own guitar sound and you can have it full of kick, snare and bass guitar

its a specific tool for a specific job.... I got rid of my superleads because in my current situation, even with a little hotplate attenuation, the rooms they would be in are so small that any living thing standing directly in line with the cab will evaporate into the atmosphere as plasma... but in a big space where the sound can diffuse and there's a few hundred tightly packed bodies absorbing up the high frequency reflections? not that loud.... I would also debate that there are master volume amps that cop the sound.... I've heard close but the feel is never there and if you DO wanna turn up in a big space then you lose something because of all the extra preamp gain. Some of the Soldano's get close to a JMP version and the bogner stuff gets plexi-ish in the right mode or whatever, but this is one of those eleusive sounds, especially because every superlead sounds different. I've never used 2 that sounded the same. I ahd 4 of them in the studio at once and every single one was very different whereas an 800, 900 or a 90 Laney is pretty consistent amp to amp even with different tubes and biasing.

also, you can rebias this amp (and almost any other EL34 amp that runs 700v or less plate voltage) for JJ's very robust 6V6es and run it at 1/2 impedance to make it a fire breathing 30 watter. I've tried this toconvert one of my 50 waters into a 15 watt head for home recording with great results. Its an easy, non-destructive mod.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Stephan McBean uses Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head

Stephan McBean

Singer, Guitarist

Black Mountain

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"We had a couple of Hiwatts and either a ’69 or a ’71 plexi Super Lead in the studio. There were a couple of little Fender Champs, which are great for putting up to 10 even though they’re only 5 watts—put a mic in front of them, and they sound huge."

See how Andy Wood uses Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head

Andy Wood

Guitarist

Rascal Flatts

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post dated June 19, 2023, Andy Wood showcases his 1969 Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head, captioning the image: "Brand new… from 1969. 100 watts, legendary. Let’s see what it will do 😈 #marshall."

See how Tony Bourge uses Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head

Tony Bourge

Guitarist, Composer

Budgie

...
Verified via YouTube

If you watch the video for Breadfan, you can clearly see that he is using the Marshall Super Lead head. 0:51. What the hell else could it be?

See how Sean Woolstenhulme uses Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head

Sean Woolstenhulme

Guitarist

The Calling

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, which shows Woolstenhulme's amplifier room, one of the amplifiers that can be seen is the Marshall Super Lead (apparently from 1977).

See how Chris Impellitteri uses Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head

Chris Impellitteri

Guitarist, Composer

Impellitteri

...
Verified via Photo

Direct quote from his Instagram: "The Ultimate Guitar Amplifier. My Vintage 100watt Marshall Super Lead MKII amp Screams like a Beast! And yes the amp has been modified with extra pre amp stages....we also bias the tubes so they run hotter than normal!"

Note: his Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head is white.

See how Keith Nelson uses Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head

Keith Nelson

Guitarist

Buckcherry

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"I have a pretty extensive gear collection, and I’ve been at it for a while. I usually try to go for the older stuff – I pretty much have every vintage Marshall, every vintage Vox you’ll need. But on 15, you’re hearing a lot of Super Lead 100s, a ‘66 JTM45, an old AC30 Top Boost and an armload of vintage guitars."

See how Mitch Easter uses Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head

Mitch Easter

Singer, Guitarist

The dB’s

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

“'Break Through' is a ’68 SG Special plugged straight into a 1975 Marshall 100-watt Super Lead with 6550s, and the lead lines are a ’79 Tokai Les Paul Reborn through a Carr Mercury."

See how Michael Nielsen uses Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head

Michael Nielsen

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

In a YouTube video by Michael Nielsen titled "Did Jackson Understand What they Were About to Sell!?!," he explicitly states at the 4:32 mark that he is using a 1971 Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head. The amplifier is also visibly positioned behind him to his right, confirming its use.

See how Martin Omar Basualdo uses Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head

Martin Omar Basualdo

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Instagram

Usado para grabar el disco "Desde el Fondo"

See how Brent Rowan uses Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head

Brent Rowan

Guitarist, Music Producer

The Rambos

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

Brent says he uses a 100 watt Marshall with a 4x12 when doing “rocking stuff.”

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 Super Lead 100-Watt Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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2
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Community setups

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jimmarchi1

jimmarchi1

Gear IQ 41029

fazliemreguven

fazliemreguven

Gear IQ 238

1 alternative for Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head, curated by the Equipboard community.

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