Marshall 1959LTD Limited Edition Purple Hendrix Stack | Only 200 Made | UK & EU

MARSHALL 1959LTD LIMITED EDITION PURPLE “HENDRIX STACK”1994 • Super Lead 100W • 1982A LTD • Extra-Tall 1982B LTDMarshall Inspected & Serviced • Exceptional Collector-Grade ExampleTHIS IS NOT AN ORDINARY MARSHALL.

Offered by Diminished 5th is an extraordinary opportunity to acquire one of the most distinctive Limited Edition full stacks in Marshall history:

The 1994 Marshall 1959LTD Limited Edition Purple Plexi Full Stack — widely known to collectors as the “Hendrix Stack”.

A 100-watt 1959LTD Super Lead finished in spectacular purple, sitting above its matching 1982A LTD angled 4x12 and unmistakable extra-tall 1982B LTD 4x12.

The model’s association with Jimi Hendrix, together with that extraordinary tall lower cabinet and purple presentation, led to these stacks becoming known within collecting circles as the “Hendrix Stack”.

Only 200 complete sets were produced, with 100 allocated to the United States, and the model was manufactured in 1994 only.

And this particular example has something even rarer:

CONDITION, DOCUMENTATION — AND A RECENT RETURN TO MARSHALL AMPLIFICATION.

We didn’t simply acquire this stack, switch it on and put it up for sale.

We took it back to Marshall. WHY THIS ONE?

 1994-only Marshall Limited Edition

 1959LTD Super Lead 100W valve head

 Matching 1982A LTD angled 4x12

 Matching extra-tall 1982B LTD 4x12

 The legendary purple Limited Edition known as the “Hendrix Stack”

 Limited production of 200 complete sets

 Exceptional external preservation

 Internal condition described to us by the Marshall engineer as “mint”

 Personally taken to Marshall Amplification, Milton Keynes

 Inspected and professionally serviced by Marshall

 Identifying/serial details checked during our dealings with Marshall

 Only four input jacks changed during service — as a precautionary measure

 All four removed original jacks retained and included

 Marshall service invoice retained

 Marshall correspondence retained

This is a serious collector-grade Marshall. THE HENDRIX CONNECTION

The 1959 Super Lead needs little introduction.

Its place in the development of rock guitar is immense, and its association with some of the greatest guitarists ever to stand in front of a Marshall stack has made the Super Lead silhouette one of the defining images of amplified rock music.

Few musicians are more closely associated with towering Marshall stacks than Jimi Hendrix.

In 1994, Marshall produced this spectacular Limited Edition version of the 1959 Super Lead.

Purple covering.

Gold Plexi-style panels.

Matching 4x12 cabinets.

And, most distinctively, the huge extra-tall straight lower cabinet.

That combination and its unmistakable Hendrix association led to the model becoming widely known as the:

“HENDRIX STACK”

It is important that we describe this accurately.

1959LTD is the Marshall model designation.

“Hendrix Stack” is the established name by which this extraordinary Limited Edition has become known among collectors and dealers.

We are not suggesting that this particular amplifier was owned, used or personally associated with Jimi Hendrix.

Its Hendrix connection relates to the design and historical inspiration associated with this Limited Edition Marshall stack.

 1994 — ONE YEAR. 200 SETS.

This wasn’t a normal production Marshall offered year after year.

The Limited Edition Purple Plexi Stack was manufactured in 1994 only.

The documented production run was just:

200 COMPLETE SETS

with 100 allocated to the United States.

The stack was designed and sold as a complete set comprising:

1959LTD — Super Lead 100W head

1982A LTD — angled 4x12 cabinet

1982B LTD — straight, extra-tall 4x12 cabinet

More than three decades later, simply finding all three components together is significant.

Finding a complete stack presenting like this is another matter.

 WE TOOK IT BACK TO MARSHALL

With something this unusual, we weren’t interested in guessing.

We wanted to know exactly what we had.

So we arranged for the equipment to be taken directly to:

MARSHALL AMPLIFICATION — MILTON KEYNES

The amplifier and cabinets were inspected, and the identifying details were checked during our dealings with Marshall.

And it was during that visit that the condition of this particular stack became even more remarkable.

 “IF YOU HAD TOLD ME IT HAD NEVER BEEN PLAYED, I WOULD HAVE BELIEVED YOU”

Those were the sentiments expressed to us by the Marshall engineer who inspected it.

He described the internal condition of the amplifier and cabinets to us as:

MINT.

He told us this was the cleanest example he had seen, while also explaining that he had not previously encountered one of these exceptionally scarce 1959LTD stacks himself.

But his observation regarding its apparent level of use was the comment that stayed with us.

He told us that if we had said it had never been played, he would have believed us.

That deserves an important clarification.

WE ARE NOT CLAIMING THIS AMPLIFIER HAS NEVER BEEN PLAYED.

Its entire history from 1994 cannot independently be established by us, and we will not make a claim that we cannot prove.

What we can state is exactly what was conveyed to us after the Marshall engineer had examined its condition.

For an amplifier more than three decades old, we consider that an extraordinary assessment.

 WHAT DID MARSHALL CHANGE?

Very little.

During its visit, the four input jack sockets were replaced.

For a collector considering an amplifier of this importance, the reason matters.

We were advised that the jacks were changed as a precautionary service measure to eliminate the possibility of hum, rather than because the amplifier was presenting an existing input-jack fault.

And we made sure of something else:

THE ORIGINALS WERE KEPT.

All four original removed input jack sockets have been retained.

They are photographed and will accompany the amplifier.

So although Marshall installed replacement jacks during its recent service, the removed original components remain with the stack as part of its history.

 DOCUMENTATION & MARSHALL PAPERWORK

The accompanying material is an important part of this sale.

Included is documentation relating to our dealings with Marshall and its recent visit to Milton Keynes, including:

 Marshall service invoice

 Marshall correspondence

 Documentation relating to the stack’s identifying details

 All four original removed input jacks

These items can be seen within the listing photographs.

At this level of collecting, provenance and documentation matter.

We believe they add considerably to the story of this particular example.

 IDENTIFICATION

The identifying numbers associated with the stack include:

Marshall 1959LTD Super Lead 100W Head

943484618

Marshall 1982A LTD Limited Edition 4x12

943733619

Marshall 1982B LTD Limited Edition 4x12

944074720

Please study the detailed photographs showing the labels, identification numbers and supporting paperwork.

 AN IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT THE LIMITED-EDITION NUMBERING

This is something that can cause confusion when these amplifiers appear for sale.

During our dealings with Marshall, we were advised that the UK/European examples were not individually numbered 1–100.

We were advised that it was the US-market examples which carried the individual 1–100 numbering.

Therefore, buyers should not expect this UK/European example to carry a “No. XX/100” designation.

This is precisely the sort of information we wanted to establish by dealing directly with Marshall rather than relying upon internet folklore.

 CONDITION — QUITE EXTRAORDINARY

Look at the photographs.

Then look at them again.

This is a genuine 1994 Marshall stack — not a modern reproduction pretending to be old.

Yet its state of preservation is remarkable.

The purple covering remains exceptionally striking.

The gold panels present beautifully.

The cabinet covering, handles, labels and associated hardware demonstrate just how carefully this enormous stack appears to have been treated.

There may naturally be minute storage or age-related imperfections when examined closely, and the photographs should always form an integral part of any buyer’s assessment.

We therefore deliberately avoid calling vintage equipment “new”.

But we are entirely comfortable describing its overall preservation as:

EXCEPTIONAL.

And importantly, the beauty isn’t merely skin deep.

It was the condition inside the equipment that prompted the remarkable comments made to us during its inspection at Marshall.

 THE EXTRA-TALL 1982B LTD

And then there is that cabinet.

One photograph tells you why this stack has such extraordinary presence.

The lower 1982B LTD is not simply another conventional straight Marshall 4x12.

It is the enormous extra-tall lower cabinet which gives the Limited Edition stack its instantly recognisable proportions and forms an important part of the “Hendrix Stack” identity.

With the angled 1982A LTD above it and the purple 1959LTD head on top, the complete stack is monumental.

It doesn’t merely occupy a room.

It defines it. AND IT IS STILL A SUPER LEAD

Collectability aside, beneath the purple exterior sits one of the great Marshall designs:

SUPER LEAD 100W

100 watts of the amplifier architecture that helped define the sound of rock guitar.

Two channels.

Four inputs.

Gold control panel.

Presence, Bass, Middle and Treble controls.

High Treble and Normal volume controls.

The classic arrangement.

The classic silhouette.

The classic Marshall lineage.

Except this time, dressed in purple.

 PLAYER. COLLECTOR. CENTREPIECE.

This stack can be appreciated on several different levels.

As an amplifier, it represents the legendary 1959 Super Lead architecture.

As a design object, it is one of the most outrageous and beautiful full stacks Marshall produced.

As a piece of rock culture, it carries the established Hendrix Stack association.

And as a collector’s piece, this particular example combines:

Rarity.

Completeness.

Exceptional preservation.

Direct Marshall inspection.

Recent Marshall servicing.

Supporting documentation.

Retained original components.

That combination is what makes this example so compelling.

 EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED

The sale comprises:

• Marshall 1959LTD Limited Edition Super Lead 100W head

• Marshall 1982A LTD Limited Edition angled 4x12 cabinet

• Marshall 1982B LTD Limited Edition extra-tall straight 4x12 cabinet

• Four original input jack sockets removed during the recent Marshall service

• Associated Marshall service paperwork and correspondence described and photographed within this listing

The three-piece Marshall stack is being sold together.

We have no intention of separating it.

It was created as a stack.

It has survived as a stack.

And, in our view, that is exactly how it should remain.

 IMPORTANT — DISPLAY ITEMS

ONLY THE MARSHALL STACK AND THE SPECIFIC ACCOMPANYING ITEMS DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE INCLUDED IN THIS SALE.

Any guitars, records, rugs, acoustic treatment, guitar stands, straps or other equipment and decorative items appearing in our photographs have been used solely to create the Diminished 5th display and are NOT included in the sale.

 COLLECTION / DELIVERY

This is not an amplifier we want thrown into the back of an ordinary parcel network.

Given its rarity, value, physical size and exceptional condition, our strong preference is for personal collection or a carefully arranged hand-delivery solution.

Serious prospective purchasers are welcome to contact us before purchase to discuss appropriate arrangements.

Any delivery arrangement must be agreed with us in advance.

 PLEASE STUDY EVERY PHOTOGRAPH

We have deliberately photographed this stack extensively.

Please examine the:

• Purple covering
• Gold panels
• Controls
• Rear panels
• Identification labels
• Serial/identification numbers
• Cabinet condition
• Marshall paperwork
• Service invoice
• Original removed input jacks

Further detailed photographs can be supplied to a serious prospective purchaser if required.

For something this significant, we’d rather show too much than too little.

 A FINAL WORD

There are Marshalls you buy because you need an amplifier.

There are vintage Marshalls you buy because you want a piece of history.

And then occasionally something appears that deserves to be preserved as a complete object.

We believe this is one of those occasions.

A 1994-only Limited Edition.

One of just 200 complete sets produced.

The spectacular purple 1959LTD Super Lead 100W.

Its matching 1982A LTD.

The extraordinary extra-tall 1982B LTD.

The stack that became known as the:

“HENDRIX STACK.”

And this particular example has now been taken back to Marshall Amplification, inspected, serviced and documented, with its original removed components retained.

After seeing its internal condition, the Marshall engineer told us that had we said it had never been played, he would have believed us.

We cannot think of a better way to summarise the condition in which this remarkable piece of Marshall history has survived.

More than 30 years old.200 sets.Three matching pieces.One extraordinary Marshall. DIMINISHED 5THThe unusual. The exceptional. The pieces worth finding.

Rare equipment deserves more than a stock photograph and a few lines of description.

It deserves to have its story preserved.

And this one’s story continues with its next custodian.