NAD: MARSHAL SUPER LEAD 100W

[wharf rat]

To catch up!

Picked up a ’73 Marshall Super Lead (JMP era) that’s been thoughtfully modded and is in great shape. It has a Lar/Mar PPIMV master volume, an added FX loop, and otherwise retains the classic Super Lead circuit and feel. Power section is running EL34s and the amp has clearly been serviced at some point (caps, general maintenance, etc.). I’m currently running it into the speakers of a Fender Twin Reverb as a temporary cab solution, with the Marshall set to 4Ω and the Twin powered off. Using channel jumping on the inputs and keeping the loop jumpered for now. Overall tone is exactly what you’d expect from a good early ’70s Super Lead—big, dynamic, and very responsive—just getting everything documented so we’re all talking about the same setup.

 

[wharf rat]

Nice! Looks like a full rebuild though?

It’s definitely not a bone-stock survivor, but I wouldn’t call it a full rebuild either. The core stuff that matters is original — chassis, transformers, board layout, tube sockets, etc. It’s been serviced and updated, not gutted. Filter caps have been replaced, coupling caps look like high-quality mustard-style repros, and there are a few player-friendly mods (Lar/Mar PPIMV and an added FX loop). The wiring and lead dress are clean and professionally done, but it’s still fundamentally a Super Lead circuit, not a modern reissue or a ground-up rebuild. I’d describe it as a well-maintained, tastefully modded vintage Marshall rather than a collector-grade all-original piece.

 

[EOengineer]

You have a Les Paul you can put through that thing?

 

[wharf rat]

You have a Les Paul you can put through that thing?

Nah - I have only one guitar, lol. EBMM Cutlass HSS. I was thinking about maybe an SG for slide.

 

[sleewell]

Congrats! Very cool amp. Looks beautiful.

Heating up a space and getting loud via a cranked up tube amp is still hands down one of the best ways to spend time.

HNAD!!!

 

[FuzzyAce]

It’s definitely not a bone-stock survivor, but I wouldn’t call it a full rebuild either. The core stuff that matters is original — chassis, transformers, board layout, tube sockets, etc. It’s been serviced and updated, not gutted. Filter caps have been replaced, coupling caps look like high-quality mustard-style repros, and there are a few player-friendly mods (Lar/Mar PPIMV and an added FX loop). The wiring and lead dress are clean and professionally done, but it’s still fundamentally a Super Lead circuit, not a modern reissue or a ground-up rebuild. I’d describe it as a well-maintained, tastefully modded vintage Marshall rather than a collector-grade all-original piece.

Yeah, wasn't trying to diminish it, I'm sure it sounds awesome. The circuit board not being stock is what jumped out at me.

 

[EOengineer]

Yeah, wasn't trying to diminish it, I'm sure it sounds awesome. The circuit board not being stock is what jumped out at me.

Do you mean because it’s turret instead of PCB? Not an expert but I’m pretty sure 1973 is in their turret -> PCB transition period. Maybe there was something else you spotted though?

 

[wharf rat]

Do you mean because it’s turret instead of PCB? Not an expert but I’m pretty sure 1973 is in their turret -> PCB transition period. Maybe there was something else you spotted though?

Yea - I was tracking this was originally hand wired. Either way it sounds insane.

 

[wharf rat]

Based on my research, early ’70s Super Leads weren’t PCB amps in the modern sense. This is a factory hand-wired turret/tag board Marshall, which is exactly how JMPs were built at the time. Some components have been replaced and a few mods added, but the underlying construction method is original Marshall — it’s not a later PCB amp that was converted after the fact.

 

[Progressive_disclosure]

Congrats and HNAD! Seems like very useable mods while keeping the original soul of the amp intact.

 

[HotRats]

Congratulations!

 

[keef]

Nice and congrats ! Crank it up man. Wait until you get a closed 2x12 or 4x12 cab to really blow your mind !

 

[RevBillyG]

What kind of person starts a Superlead thread with zero details and then fucking evaporates into thin air.

A guy who has a Superlead.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Do you mean because it’s turret instead of PCB? Not an expert but I’m pretty sure 1973 is in their turret -> PCB transition period. Maybe there was something else you spotted though?

1973 is the transition year, but I don't remember ever seeing a black turret board used. And it does have mostly new (modern) components as far as I can tell on the board. Doesn't mean I'm right though lol. I think it's worth more research if @wharf rat wants to know its history.
Either way, I'm sure it's a beast of an amp.

 

[wharf rat]

1973 is the transition year, but I don't remember ever seeing a black turret board used. And it does have mostly new (modern) components as far as I can tell on the board. Doesn't mean I'm right though lol. I think it's worth more research if @wharf rat wants to know its history.
Either way, I'm sure it's a beast of an amp.

Definitely one hell of a beast regardless of the color of the board lol

 

[wharf rat]

This was already an expensive amp, I could only imagine how much a “collector grade” amp would be. Happy to have a well sorted players amp that sounds great and I don’t mind knocking around a bit.

 

[EOengineer]

This was already an expensive amp, I could only imagine how much a “collector grade” amp would be. Happy to have a well sorted players amp that sounds great and I don’t mind knocking around a bit.

If the absolute worst case here is that the amp has all its original iron and was totally rewired or rebuilt, I’d have ZERO reservations about that. I might even find it preferable over worrying about failing grid resisters and leaking filter caps.

Factor in what a US or UK clone would cost instead and this is probably a no brainer.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Do you mean because it’s turret instead of PCB? Not an expert but I’m pretty sure 1973 is in their turret -> PCB transition period. Maybe there was something else you spotted though?

Turret board is definitely from a kit, none of the caps or resistors on the inside are original (lots of TAD stuff here). Transformers, Choke etc look to be original though.

Filter caps look original which I’d probably look to get replaced at some point.

Wouldn’t bother me one bit really, it’s the circuit that matters. Having a museum piece is cool for museums. Having an awesome amp to play is what matters. If its come out of a studio you can bet its been tweaked to be sounding killer.

 

[EOengineer]

Now that we've sufficiently tore through the state of the amp....we're going to need some clips @wharf rat or we'll have to assume this is AI.

 

[wharf rat]

Now that we've sufficiently tore through the state of the amp....we're going to need some clips @wharf rat or we'll have to assume this is AI.

Ok - I’ll get some stuff uploaded today