Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea?

[Benthedemon007]

I'm thinking about getting a plexi super lead, with a reasonably priced attenuator or maybe a master volume mod. I love the way plexis look and sound, and really want one. However, while I'm in a band and play live sometimes, I mostly just practice in my basement. That means that even though I don't have to do "bedroom level" volumes, I can't have my mom two floors above me complaining that her ears hurt . I play mostly traditional heavy metal (sabbath, zepplein, maiden, the sword, etc) but play everything from jimi hendrix to in flames. I heard and like the natural overdrive of the amp. However, I am planning on supplement it with pedals. Will an attunator/master volume mod with the plexi be a good combination? Or would the amp just be a waste of money if I don't play live that much? This would be my main amp btw, and I can't afford to buy one just for live shows.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

Don't bother. My bass player used to have a '73 PTP Superlead with a PPIV master, and I played through it all the time. With inputs jumped, both channels at 6-8, and the master at 4+ it'd do a great Zep or G'NR sound, but didn't really have enough preamp gain for heavy stuff. You could play through it at conversation volume, but the distortion was really buzzy and weak. For the style you're into a 5150/6505 would be a much better bet and a lot less of an investment.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

Look for a used Yngwie or Slash AFD head. They both go down to 1 watt.

 

[Benthedemon007]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

Thanks! I now am thinking about the yjm head. What's the tonal difference between it and the standard super lead?


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[Farkus]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

I actually own the YJM 100. A friend from school owns the slash AFD so I've heard it but not played on it.

The YJM is based on a Super Lead supposedly. It has some really convienent features like a built in attenuator and a switchable 100 watt/50 watt mode. Additionally it has built in reverb (basic plate sound-it's digital), noise suppresser and Marshall's version of a dod 250 overdrive that is foot switchable.

Some balk at it as it has the YJM on the front but it's a killer amp. I've played many Marshall's and owned several (including JCM 800's, DSL 100's, etc) and the YJM stands up favorably beside any of them.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

50 watt EVH 5150iii combo, I love mine and the variable wattage is fantastic!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

100W Super Leads are a bad idea for anyone without a padded rehearsal space and earplugs. Even on 1, it'll rattle all the dishes in your house. That amp was the reason every Marshall after it had a gain and master volume.

I think you'd get more use out of a DSL 50. If you have the cash and want a real plexi tone, the 2061X is the one to have. That's one amp I'd love to have in my collection.

 

[LLL]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

If you have the cash and want a real plexi tone, the 2061X is the one to have. That's one amp I'd love to have in my collection.

The Marshall 20 watter was designed to be a PA amp.

My vote for low-powered plexi-style Marshall would be (without question) an 18-watter.

 

[Benthedemon007]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

What about modding a normal Super Lead with a master volume and a yjm/afd stlye wattage dimmer? Part of me just likes the idea of the Super Lead, so would this work?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

It'd be a shame to modify a real old vintage super lead.
Either use an attenuator, or practice at home with a practice amp.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

Not saying its the most practical thing, but shoot for the moon.get the 100 watt Superlead, but no master volume or attenuation or anything.learn to own a couple vehicles- one for the best, and another for make due.Use and keep the Superlead for the future and as a lifetime keeper
The 100 watt Superlead is a grail of sorts. don't worry about the Variac, the old stock tubes, the vintage Altecs..you aren't Eddy, who is? Even Eddy couldn't be Eddy anymore today( although Eddy, great as he is would probably aways find a way to be Ed), the stuff is just no longer around at less than top dollar, IF then, in most instances with the prices of vintage gear anymore.
Then get a great other amp that is more practical for practical purposes.
I'd advise against the give up a Superlead train fo thought. Get it, and one day you'll thank yourself immensely when the opportunity arises to pay it real real loud.And by the way, with a full stack and a real old ,say, 1973 pt. point,Superlead, Im guessing with the inefficient G12h 30's , 8 of them, you'll be able to get some glorious Classic/Heavy Metal rock tones are real honest volume.Use a 805 for the Classic Heavy Metal Preist sound.

Another thing- you don really have to give up too much at this point in time. Celestion and others, reissue the old vintage speaker, IMO the G12-65 is THE Van Halen Superlead speaker, cause noone with any amount of money is any longer going to find mint G12-m-20 almost at any price( except the poor Celestion copy) , although I think the Red Fang and also the V30 have some good original
G12m-20 vibes.,

Actually, we have all kinds of great G12m-25 speakres-do they sound as good as the old ones?h HELL nah, but they are nonetheless fantastic sounding speakers. Celestions G12M-25 Heritage are great speaks.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

No way would I mod a vintage Plexi with a master volume. Attenuator...yes.

I love the muscularity of a Plexi, but I don't think it would be your best choice for the situation you describe.

Bill

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

There are the 50 watt plexi (model number 1987) and JTM45 options as well. You will still need an attenuator but they are more manageable and give you more options as far as speakers.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

Cornell Vintage Brown.

 

[Benthedemon007]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

No way would I mod a vintage Plexi with a master volume. Attenuator...yes.

I love the muscularity of a Plexi, but I don't think it would be your best choice for the situation you describe.

Bill

So should I be fine with the plexi in combination with a Weber mass?

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

Cornell Vintage Brown.

Would love to find me a Cornell stateside.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

So should I be fine with the plexi in combination with a Weber mass?

I have no experience with the Weber, but I'm sure someone on here has used one.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[JeffB]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

I just returned a MASS lite (100w) because I couldnt stand what it did to my DSL. You can look back a page or two and find my thread.

Ive done the same thing with a 1987 and a Marshall Power Brake in the 1990s and early 2ks out of necessity for home.

My recommendation is find a different amp. Neutering an amp designed to run full throttle is a bad move.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Marshall Super Lead w/ attenuator and/or master volume mod- good idea or bad idea

The idea of butchering an original working Super Lead feels unpleasant to me. Please don't do that, even if its loud as hell. There are other, better options have already been mentioned.