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Average Price: $2,376
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$801+
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Description
The Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head is not just a piece of equipment; it’s a legendary artifact that channels the raw energy of rock history. Revered by icons like Townshend, Clapton, and Hendrix, this amplifier head is a faithful reissue of the iconic 1959 Plexi model, delivering those electrifying tones that set the stage for rock 'n' roll’s golden era. With its 100-watt all-tube design, it captures the vibrant warmth and dynamic range that guitarists crave, from crisp cleans to searing leads.
This amplifier head isn’t merely a nostalgic nod to the past; it’s a robust workhorse for the modern musician. Crafted with precision, it features a tonally transparent effects loop with a true bypass option, allowing you to integrate your effects seamlessly or strip it back to pure tone. The EL34 and 12AX7 tubes are the heart of this beast, offering a deep, resonant sound that is unmistakably Marshall. Whether you're aiming to relive the past or forge new sonic paths, the Superlead is your ticket to aural nirvana.
Key Features:
- 100-watt all-tube amplifier head
- Faithful reissue of the 1960s Marshall Plexi model
- Features EL34 and 12AX7 tubes for classic rock tones
- Tonally transparent effects loop with true bypass option
- Renowned for its dynamic range and warm, vibrant sound
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 tones can I expect from the Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head?
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The Marshall Superlead is renowned for its powerful, aggressive tones with a classic British flavor, ideal for rock and metal genres. It delivers a rich, harmonically complex sound with a tight low end and crisp highs.
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Is the Marshall Superlead suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Marshall Superlead, with its 100-watt output, is well-suited for live performances, providing ample volume and headroom to cut through the mix in large venues.
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Does the Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head work well with pedals?
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The Marshall Superlead is known for taking pedals well, especially overdrives and distortions, which can further enhance its natural tone and versatility.
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What types of power tubes does the Marshall Superlead use?
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The Marshall Superlead uses EL34 power tubes, contributing to its distinctive British sound and dynamic response.
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How many channels does the Marshall Superlead have?
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The Marshall Superlead features two channels, allowing for a range of tonal possibilities and dynamic switching during performances.
Videos
Woodwind & Brasswind is now Music & Arts
Marshall Plexi 1959SLP 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head Standard
Marshall Plexi 1959SLP 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head Standard
Woodwind & Brasswind is now Music & Arts
How does a Marshall Super Lead Amp work?
Johan Segeborn
How to Bias Marshall JMP 100W Super Lead Guitar Amplifier
Stuart ukguitarampguy
1968 Marshall Superlead 100 Head
Denmark Street Guitars
Reviews
PROS
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Iconic vintage tone, unmatched by modern replicas
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Exceptional gain capability, perfect for a wide range of styles
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Distinctive sound, revered by professional musicians
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Responsive feel, particularly in non-master volume models
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Holds value as a vintage investment
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Excellent for warm vintage clean and natural distortion
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Highly customizable, with potential for de-modding
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Classic rock tone that many seek to replicate
CONS
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Extremely loud, may require attenuation for practical use
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Heavy and cumbersome to transport
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Variability in sound between different production years
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Risk of buying modded or non-original units
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Some models may be overpriced due to vintage status
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head.
Mods and upgrades
Comparisons
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The Super Bass, with shared cathode and different tone stack, offers fuller, darker tones compared to the Super Lead’s split cathode and increased gain.
Source -
Super Bass amps, with higher headroom, are likened to Hiwatt for clarity but maintain a vintage thickness akin to JTM45 tweed clones.
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Pairing the Super Lead with a Gibson SG and two 4x12 cabs is praised for achieving iconic rock tones.
Source
Features and functionality
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The Super Lead circuit, often associated with classic rock, is renowned for its ability to narrow guitar tones for mixes efficiently.
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The 1979 Super Bass is identified as a model 1992N, not commonly listed, suggesting unique production details not widely documented.
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Late models might have a hand-wired turret board instead of a printed circuit board, which could affect repair ease and tonal authenticity.
Source
Build quality
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The transition from plexiglass to aluminum control panels occurred mid-1969, influencing the durability and appearance of the Super Lead amps.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Inside the amp, a quality control checklist often has initials and a date, providing clues to the production timeline.
Source
User experience
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A Fryette Power Station is recommended for its attenuation capabilities, making the amp more practical for modern use while preserving tone.
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Owners note the Super Lead's durability, surviving extensive touring and harsh conditions while maintaining its sound quality over decades.
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A 1972 Super Lead purchased in 1987 for $125 has been a staple in multiple recordings, highlighting its long-term value and reliability.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 11 Ratings
5339
The Legend
Running instead of a jcm900 now because it blew a valve and this thing was what I played in punk bands in the early 90s I spray painted Jony on it ages ago i forgot what an awesome head this was modded so the second volume is a gain knob and reverb. I had my old settings on it being: gain 9 treble 10 bass 5 presence 4 middle 8 reverb 3
Artist usage
Add artist
Curt Kirkwood's Gear
Guitars ’81 Gibson Les Paul sunburst (’50s reissue)
Amps 50-watt Soldano with 4x10 cabinet, 100-watt Marshall
Effects Boss DS-1 Distortion, Fulltone OCD, Chandler Tube Driver, Dunlop Slash Wah, Morley Echo/Chorus/Vibrato, Maxon Analog Delay, Boss RE-20 Delay
Strings, Picks, and Accessories Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings, Tortex Purple (1.14 mm) and U.S. quarters for picks
Joe Hottinger uses Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Heads, as evidenced in a Premier Guitar Rig Rundown video by John Bohlinger. In the video, it is noted that the collection includes a red 1971 model and a purple 1973 model, with distinctive jumped inputs.
"It's in the rarest color that they ever made...This actually belongs to a friend of mine who's been gracious enough to let me borrow it for the past few years," says J.D. Simo, at 1:08 in this interview, about his 1967 Marshall Superlead.
Marshall Superlead used by both Fred and Wayne in this video.
Tim takes out two of the powertubes to make it quieter.
A picture of Mark St. John with Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Heads seen on the background
1970s; Supposedly modded by Voodoo Amps (into Blackmore style mod) as mentioned on Joe's official web-page: http://www.joestump.com/effects.htm
Super lead was the choice, I had super bass ones and it didn't work shit for me, there was simply no distortion coming out of it. The dual tube out fit was simply to get the same result of over saturation but at a lower level, but you couldn’t really sustain it too long since the tubes were cooking faster. A 1976 and a 1972 100 watt Marshall, which I used in combination with a set of four 15 inch at 16 ohm impedance speaker cabinet.
Caloncho uses the Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head, as seen in his Instagram post captioned "Ya listas las Mendiolas."
mentioned in this guitarworld article
At 10:19 in the MusicRadar Tech YouTube video titled "Fraser T Smith studio tour: the gear behind Adele, Kano, Kae Tempest, Dave, Snow Patrol and more," Fraser T. Smith is shown using a Marshall Guitar Amplifier in his studio.
According to his official website, Marc Dorfendorf uses a 1969 Marshall Super Lead with a pair of vintage Marshall grey grill cloth speaker cabinets, filled with original Greenback speakers and a 1993 Marshall Super Lead that has been totally converted to a 1968 Marshall with all-orginal parts, including Bulgin power-socket.
Album Usage
The Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head 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 Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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