Frank Zappa’s 1976 Marshall Super Lead 1959 100w Head Guitar Amplifier w/ Video

We are Eclectic Sounds / aka: eclsounds – a store front in Portland, Or. We are open 7 days a week from 11 – 5 PST (by appointment)

This was one of Frank’s main Marshalls and can be seen and heard on the Joe’s Garage – late 70’s – early 80’s tours.

Go to 19:15 to see on stage in 1978 = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG4J9N_tzu0

The broken “M” on the Marshall is a giveaway and his handwriting is on the back on a blue tape that says ” Real Smooth – Loud Buzz ”

The famous Bob Bradshaw serviced it and it has Frank’s ICA sticker on the back chassis as well.

The two extra jacks on the back may be an effects loop but we did not test it.

The amp sounds fantastic like a vintage Super Lead 100w should. All original transformers. Matched Ruby tubes.

This was bought at the Frank Zappa Julien’s auction and this is what they had to say:

A 1976 Marshall JMP MK2 Super Lead 100 watt amp head, serial number SL/A 5435H.

The 1976 Marshall Super Lead 100 Watt Head, often referred to as the Marshall “1959” Super Lead, is a legendary guitar amplifier head that has played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of rock and heavy music.

As with other pieces of Frank Zappa’s music gear, this amp has been modified with the addition of a master volume knob on the front panel. 1976 was a year of aesthetic transition for Marshall amps. This unique piece pays testimony to that transition period. This amp uses the “1959” circuitry using a 4 hole input section. It features two lever style toggle switches along with a square pilot lamp as compared to the post 1976 square rocker switches. It uses a larger “Marshall” logo as compared to the pre-1976 models and also has multiple output jacks.

This amp has black elephant tolex with gold-tone piping. The front panel has red and yellow markings on the preamp section. These are done to recall specific settings and knob positions on the amp. The top center has a white tape marked “SPARE” and white tape marked “Post 74 (circa ’74) 100w Superlead” and “KEEP” on the top right. There is blue tape marked “Real Smooth – LOUD BUZZ” on the back panel. There is some sticker residue on the output selector. This amp head also has a gold-toned grill on top that prevents it from overheating.

There is a small chip on the “M” of the Marshall logo. There is visible wear and tear on the tolex. This is purely cosmetic and does not affect the sound of the amp. This amp head has an attached power cord.

• Number of Channels: 2
• Total Power/Type: 100 Watt, Class A/B
• Speaker/Size: N/A
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x ECC83M
• Power Tubes: Ruby 4 x E34L CZ
• Effects: No
• EQ: Presence, Bass, Mid, Treble
• Inputs: 2 x channel 1, 2 x channel 2
• Outputs: 4
• Effects Loop: N/A
• Footswitch I/O: N/A
• Footswitch Included: N/A
• Construction Material: Pine

 

( Due to people taking advantage of eBay / Reverb return policies; wanting to “try out and/or pilfer parts”  we can no longer take returns on used gear unless it arrives damaged. Sorry for this inconvenience. We test and guarantee all gear to be 100% working unless stated otherwise )