1978 Marshall Super Lead MK II

godofthunder · June 02, 2021, 08:31:37 AM

My first real tube bass rig was built around a '79 Super Bass that I special ordered in '78. I've been wanting another recently this Super Lead is what I found.

Granny Gremlin · June 02, 2021, 09:35:42 AM

Dayum, congrats! My Sunn 1200s is pretty much the same power section (4x 6550/KT88 ultralinear) but you got a middish preamp and I've got dark.

I can't turn mine up passed 2-3 at jam - you are a brave man.

morrow · June 02, 2021, 04:49:02 PM

My first gig amp was a 100 watt Marshall .
I'd kinda like to crank one up again .

amptech · June 02, 2021, 11:29:51 PM

'73 superbass for me. Best amp I have🙂

gearHed289 · June 03, 2021, 08:49:04 AM

Man, that sounds good! When I was 16 or 17, I bought a used Marshall JMP 50 watt, 4 input/no master. Ran it through an Ampeg BT-140 2x15 with JBL D-140s. Sounded great, but I felt the need for more clean low end, so it had to go. I could only afford one amp back then. $:-\$

Granny Gremlin · June 03, 2021, 09:34:26 AM

Yeah, 50 watts just isn't enough for bass - can keep it clean enough at jams but gig volume was gonna be dirty if it's a rock band by any stretch of the term.

BTL · June 04, 2021, 01:43:52 PM

I'm generally not a Marshall guy for guitar, but I really love that for bass...nice!

D.M.N. · June 04, 2021, 02:57:47 PM

Quote from: Granny Gremlin on June 02, 2021, 09:35:42 AM
Dayum, congrats! My Sunn 1200s is pretty much the same power section (4x 6550/KT88 ultralinear) but you got a middish preamp and I've got dark.

I can't turn mine up passed 2-3 at jam - you are a brave man.

The 1200s is going to be more similar in power to the Major than the Super Lead. Super Leads and Basses came with 4xEL34s, or during some period, 6550s in America, but the actual power section never changed, just biased for different tubes. The Sunns also had significantly larger transformers. My 2000s and 1000s are all much louder than the 100w Marshall I had, and also louder than my Hiwatt DR103. But the mids on the Marshalls certainly help them push through!

I think I keep the Sunn rig on about 3-4 during practice...but I'm kinda missing my Marshall now.

Granny Gremlin · June 04, 2021, 03:29:25 PM

Quote from: D.M.N. on June 04, 2021, 02:57:47 PM
The 1200s is going to be more similar in power to the Major than the Super Lead. Super Leads and Basses came with 4xEL34s, or during some period, 6550s in America, but the actual power section never changed, just biased for different tubes. The Sunns also had significantly larger transformers. My 2000s and 1000s are all much louder than the 100w Marshall I had, and also louder than my Hiwatt DR103. But the mids on the Marshalls certainly help them push through!

I think I keep the Sunn rig on about 3-4 during practice...but I'm kinda missing my Marshall now.

Dammit - yep, I was conflating the Major and Super Lead/Bass. I always do that - never been too into Marshalls.

I blame my Toronto homeboy experience - when you add the word "Super" it should mean it's the bigger gun; I grew up with the Traynor YBA-3a Super Custom Special (twice the wattage of the YBA-3 Custom Special).