Marshall JMP Model 1959 Super Lead 100 Watt Mk II *LOCAL PICKUP ONLY* Tube Amplifier (1977), ser. #SL-A 06765J.

Marshall JMP Model 1959 Super Lead 100 Watt Mk II *LOCAL PICKUP ONLY* Model Tube Amplifier (1977), made in London, England, serial # SL-A 06765J, red tolex covering finish. Marshall amps are certainly a rock legend, with a sound that has defined entire styles and eras of music. This 1977 Super Lead half-stack with its matching 1979A model 4x15" cab is a real monster, both in volume and tone. Marshall amps owe their humble beginnings to the Fender Bassman 5F6-A, the original subject re-interpreted using English components and originally sold exclusively through Jim Marshall's London shop. Both the circuit design and sound soon evolved from the Fender paradigm into something entirely their own. Early Marshalls powered the sound of the Who, Cream, Hendrix and beyond, becoming de rigeur among top UK groups by 1968. Similar to the Bassman, Marshall's Super Leads feature four inputs and two channels, often jumpered with a short lead for more preamp gain, along with controls for each channel: volume, treble, middle, bass and presence controls. The head sports a quad of EL34 power tubes, putting out a whopping 100-watts into the iconic closed-back cabinet loaded with four 15" Celestion speakers, another Marshall innovation that owed much to The Who's John Entwistle, ever on the lookout for ways to make his bass louder and an early and eager advocate of this full-stack design. These amps came of age in the late 1960s, an era when bands routinely played large stadiums and festivals, often without PA sound reinforcement for the guitars. In 1969 amplifiers with this sort of power were a necessity rather than a luxury, and the tone became the new rock standard. These days, we also have the luxury of attenuators to tame these beasts somewhat and protect our ears!This gleaming red JMP Super Lead is a later example, but rare considering its custom color covering as well as the matching 4x15" cabinet. The serial number ends with the date code "J", indicating assembly in 1977. Visible speaker date codes date to October of 1975. Covered in crimson Tolex this would have been a custom-ordered rig; we'd love to know who first took delivery!Height is 51 in. (129.5 cm.), 29 in. (73.7 cm.) width, and 17 in. (43.2 cm.) deep. Cosmetically, this monstrous half-stack has clearly seen some serious use but remains in nicely preserved condition for its age. The custom red Tolex covering shows moderate amounts of scuffing and some minor tears, most notably on the bottom edges and corners as well as a rather large patch on the rear panel missing. Both the original handle and the white piping are present, with the hardware showing moderate corrosion. There are some spatters and blobs of red paint on the top of the cabinet, likely remnants of amateur touch-up attempts in the distant past. The aluminum front panel is in great condition showing very little wear overall, though some of the stenciled lettering has worn off. The original knobs show some corrosive staining, but are all intact, free of cracking and are all present, though the middle four are missing their tops. The grille cloth on the cabinet appears original and shows no notable tearing or fraying. Electrically, this amp is mostly original. All the four 15" Marshall-branded Celestion T2380 speakers appear to be original, or at least period correct, and visible matching codes that date to October of 1975. They have all been professionally reconed and sound fabulous. The Dagnall-made power, choke and output transformers bear the codes T4074, C2542 and C2668, respectively. This particular power transformer model starts appearing in 100-watt Super Leads around 1978, and this may well have been an early factory replacement. The attendant wire-work suggests it was indeed replaced at one point. PLEASE NOTE: This amp operates on 230/240V only and MUST be used in the US with a step-up transformer, which will be included with the amp. The voltage selector on the back of the amp is disconnected. The amp has otherwise seen our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, install of a new grounded 3-prong power cord, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned and power section biased to spec with a new matched quad of the robust and ever-reliable JJ EL34 power tube as this crimson beast is, as they used to say, "Ready To Rock"! Very Good + Condition.