The Road Warrior, Part 1

[andrewsrea]

Proof that God's Grace ^ Human Generosity Exists:

I was the main repair guy for Top Ten Music, in Glenolden, PA from 1984 to 2013. My friend Chris owned the store for most of that time and his brother Dave worked there. In 1990, Dave purchased a 1972 Marshall Super Lead 100w (model 1959) amp head from Matt Bradley who had tinkered with it and just got back from touring the US with it. Matt was a talented and nice guy, but his mods sucked pretty bad, and Dave needed the amp overhauled, but being 17, was short funds. I didn't have a lot of funds myself being a couple years married but fronted him the overhaul and did some of my hotrod mods on it and told Dave he only had to pay me for the tubes and caps, when he was able. It took him a few years to pay it off, pretty much $5 at a time.

For anyone who have never experienced these amps, they are IMHO the best Marshall tone ever. The tone is squarely between a Plexi's creamy and a JCM 800's crunch. I have a client's Marshall JCM 900 on my bench and the Super Lead is double the weight, due to its superior transformers. At 100 watts into a half stack, it is also a handy paint peeler!

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, Chris texted me and told me that the amp was no longer functioning and Dave quit playing two decades ago, and he really wanted me to have the amp. I asked what I could pay him for the it and he replied, "no cost - free". I insisted on paying for the shipping and provided the shipping label, as one of my clients trades me shipping for repairs and pickups. So, this amp is now mine for the cost of a few repairs.

The lesson learned is kindness will eventually be return to you, when you least expect it.

Today I am sharing my journey with you and introducing to you 'The Road Warrior,' my new old 1972 Marshall Super Lead amp. I received her yesterday and there is something rolling around inside the chassis, so I haven't fired her up yet. I plan to make updates each step of her restoration, which will just be recovering what is left cosmetically. I will replace the broken logo.

Pics, or it didn't happen

[toomanycats]

This is going be interesting. Looking forward to watching you breathe life back into that beast.

So what is the difference between Eddie Van Valen's famous Plexi, which is often said to be a 67/68 1959 Super Lead, and this 1972 Super Lead?
I know at some point Marshall went from point to point to a turret board, but were there other changes made between the late 60s and early 70s that would have more significantly altered the tone of the 1959 Super Lead model?

[andrewsrea]

So what is the difference between Eddie Van Valen's famous Plexi, which is often said to be a 67/68 1959 Super Lead, and this 1972 Super Lead?

The difference between a 1967 to 1969 vs. a 1970 to 1975 100-watt Super Lead is the Plexiglass front panel. Everything else is exactly the same.

[uwmcscott]

Subscribed! I have neither the skills to ever attempt something like this, nor the facilities to actually play a beast like that at volumes that let it stretch its legs.

[Rollin Hand]

Nice. Glad to see good things come around.

You HAVE to open that thing up once it's done. Put in ear plugs, and then it's time to spay and neuter any pets in the neighbourhood!

[sabasgr68]

Proof that God's Grace ^ Human Generosity Exists:

I've no doubts of the existence of both!

Hope you enjoy your "new" amp, that's a nice story in many aspects.

Cool!

[tonebender]

Great story and I am tuned in for the sound clips when it is back to it's glory.

[tlarson58]

Your title couldn't be truer. As with the folks above, I look forward to the journey you have embarked on.

What a beast it will be.