The 1971 Super Lead 100 is here!

[30stringsandblackdog]

I'm new to Marshalls (I have a Reinhardt Fat Albert, a TW Rocket clone, and a Carol-Ann OD2 100), and I have the opportunity to purchase a 1971 PTP Super Lead 100w with laydown transformer. I've attached thumbnails of it; I was wondering why it doesn't have "JMP" on the front panel and was told it was possibly a Canadian version. Can someone take a look at the photos and perhaps either confirm or unconfirm this...Do all 71s have "JMP" on them?
Any help to this newbie is much appreciated. It looks like the real deal, but I want to be sure before I spend the money.

[Peteyvee]

It looks like the real deal, but I want to be sure before I spend the money.

I'll let our resident experts confirm this, but I'm pretty sure that both the Output transformer (OT) and the Power transformer (PT) are not original. There are also some caps on the board (especially those blue ones) that are not correct to that era. Since the trannies, especially the OT, are crucial for the proper tone, I'd pass. But like I said, we'll see what the guys say...

[Sonicboom]

I can't answer your question directly, but I can say that a fair amount has been done to the amp to make it non-orig. Some of the changes that I see are a changed power indicator, 1 tube socket, the presence pot looks like it's now tied to sort of a pre-amp gain ckt. or something, the yellow and blue caps aren't orig., nor are the power resistors on the output tubes. Also, one switch and the PT look to be non-orig. Note the clipped wires - the white lead coming from the PT and possibly one of the main input black leads.

Depends on the price, I guess. How does it sound?

[30stringsandblackdog]

I haven't heard this yet...it's in L.A. and I'm in Florida. The current owner bought it from Fred Taccone of Divided By 13. Here is the description " 1971 Marshall 100 watt head. Lay down transformers all original no issues. Fred at divided by 13,he went through it and made is roar the way a vintage Marshall should.... Fresh tubes and up to spec. There is a non-invasive master vol. on one of the output jacks that could be changed back in minutes..."
The guy said he'd do $2100 shipped to Florida.

[Sonicboom]

If the transformers aren't orig., it's overpriced. Most of the rest can be de-modded. Hopefully, one of the other guys will chime in on the transfomers. Seems funny that the numbers are written on the top of the PT, not stamped. I've never seen any with written numbers on them.

[30stringsandblackdog]

I just got some more info on the amp. Apparently, the trannies are originals to this amp. Fred did do some mods; indicator lamp, bright cap for Channel 2, polarity switch, some preamp stuff. It got new caps and tubes.

[Third Stone]

hey bud, the seller is a buddy of mine and have heard/played the amp. It roars and the master sounds great. The seller is a honest guy, before he posted it for sale he shot me the photos. I actually did him a favor and sent these pics to another friend of mine who is a well know marshall expert and boutique amp builder...here is his response.

"Replaced ohm selector.
The original output stage coupling caps (.022uf mustard) have been removed to perform the MV mod.
The amp appears pretty original (minus the output stage coupling caps and added MV...and the original cap that goes on the Presence control is missing too) Bias supply caps changed, new screen grid resistors at some point, replaced AC smoothing caps (yellow) and replaced indicator lamp at some time. 1st pre-amp tube socket has been changed also.
Ch 2 has a brite cap added at the volume control and the 470K mixer resistor for CH 2 on the board has an added cap. These would make CH 2 sound closer to channel 1 or at least make CH 2 brighter than normal.
Nice looking head. Interesting it has a UK style laydown mains tranny but it is a US model with no voltage selector and polarity switch."

Hope this helps.

[LD50]

Well from my inspection (good pics by the way ).....

0.22uF (or often 0.25uF metal cans this era) snubber caps are replaced - no big deal

8uF bias caps replaced for 10uF - again no big deal, standard maintenance work

New impedence selector (as per original) - originals get a bit loose so also good idea
Replaced V1 socket - ceramic preamp sockets not infrequently get microphonic

Replaced PI out put caps for a Rich Type PPIMV with dual 500k pot inthe presence spot and presence pot (with a more modern polystyrene cap) in one of the output jacks

I am pretty certain that both transformers are original.

There are no irreversible or inappropriate mods on this amp and I am sure it would serve well for its original purpose.

Price is between your wallet and his

[30stringsandblackdog]

To All...thank you for your help on this...I'll be speaking to the seller this morning to arrange shipping...I am psyched to be joining this club of really knowledgeable people. I'm not by any stretch of the imagination a really good guitar player; however, my 19 year-old son is; he seems to have that natural talent, and this will be something for him to look forward to as he matures in his skills. I've always encouraged him along the way and will continue to do so, as I try to improve my own playing. I'm one of those people who believe in buying the best your circumstances allow at the time, and I've been lucky to have acquired some really fine gear through trades and purchases.
some thumbnails

[Gaetano]

What Has been done:

Master volume in place of the presence pot and presence pot moved on the back. When the tech did the mod he has replaced PI caps of course.

Trannies are original IMHO.

Great Amp. With some minor work it would be back to stock specs. I have a 71 too (but with Drake trannies) and its a great amp.

[Peteyvee]

I stand corrected on the trannies originality by our resident experts...

[30stringsandblackdog]

Now the wait for the amp to arrive begins...I am psyched.

[Third Stone]

your a lucky man. I was talking to Eric today regretting that I didn't have the $$ for that amp. Have fun and treat yourself by cranking it full up just to witness the glory of a 100 watter breathing fire.

[30stringsandblackdog]

Thanks third stone, I will do that, though I may have to find a new apartment afterwards!

[Gaetano]

Thanks third stone, I will do that, though I may have to find a new apartment afterwards!

If you want correct vintage parts to restore it back to stock you can ask for them to forum mates here or on the classifieds section on metroamp.

Not a big deal. As long as you don't have to switch from 8 to 16 ohms all you have to do is to reverse the master volume.

You have to buy 2 .022 and one .01 mustards for PI and Presence Pot.

To LD50: is it me or maybe the amp was converted to bass specs and then restored to lead? .68 on v1 chatode is dated '68 if i've seen correctly