1972 SuperLead Road Warrior

[hotrodtikigod]

I’m a long time lurker, I’m not sure if I’ve ever posted. I picked this up today for around $1600 US(I’m in Canada). I know it has a master volume added, and the switches aren’t original… Any other major components look non-original? It sounds amazing Thank you in advance.

 

[AndyD]

Looks pretty original inside the chassis. The experts will give you the detail. That looks like a good buy. Well done!

 

[StingRay85]

Looks good. Happy NAD and welcome to the forum

 

[Seanxk]

Yep looks nice, better board pic's will help.
Can see a few other things, but the OT possibly may not be original.
4 speaker outputs?

 

[pedecamp]

I’m a long time lurker, I’m not sure if I’ve ever posted. I picked this up today for around $1600 US(I’m in Canada). I know it has a master volume added, and the switches aren’t original… Any other major components look non-original? It sounds amazing View attachment 98705 View attachment 98704 View attachment 98705 View attachment 98706 View attachment 98704 View attachment 98705 View attachment 98706 View attachment 98704 View attachment 98705 View attachment 98706 View attachment 98704 View attachment 98704 View attachment 98705 View attachment 98706 Thank you in advance.

Awesome congrats! If it sounds good leave it as is and rock it! Welcome to the forum!

 

[StingRay85]

Ppimv is installed in one of the 4 speaker outputs

 

[hotrodtikigod]

Yep looks nice, better board pic's will help.
Can see a few other things, but the OT possibly may not be original.
4 speaker outputs?

Thank you, Yes, 4 speaker outputs.

 

[AtomicRob]

Nice! The amps with wear and tear often seem to sound really great. My theory is the ones that sound best get used more and are often pretty beat up. The pristine ones that look like they were never used, well there might be a reason...

 

[neikeel]

Quick summary:
One of the output tube sockets replaced (white ceramic are stock, brown phenolic not)
All screen resistors replaced (originally 5w Welwyn’s)
PPIMV and bits of course
Replaced bias feed resistor
Switches you mentioned
Pilot lamp replaced with new Marshall type
V1b 0.68uF 160v mustard replaced.
Output selector replaced (maybe why OT wiring untidy - or could be replaced OT although fixings look original.
Main thing is that it sounds good. Most road warriors do, there is a reason why closet queens don’t get out much!!

 

[Eric'45]

Music Gear that has had a live on the Road and proudly wears the signs of it
Above that, it's a Super Lead

 

[Seanxk]

I mentioned the OT not only for the odd wiring, but for the fact these transformers weren't through bolted on the corners of the cores, simply centre bolted.

 

[Marcomel79]

Quick summary:
One of the output tube sockets replaced (white ceramic are stock, brown phenolic not)
All screen resistors replaced (originally 5w Welwyn’s)
PPIMV and bits of course
Replaced bias feed resistor
Switches you mentioned
Pilot lamp replaced with new Marshall type
V1b 0.68uF 160v mustard replaced.
Output selector replaced (maybe why OT wiring untidy - or could be replaced OT although fixings look original.
Main thing is that it sounds good. Most road warriors do, there is a reason why closet queens don’t get out much!!

Eyes of a hawk!

 

[neikeel]

I mentioned the OT not only for the odd wiring, but for the fact these transformers weren't through bolted on the corners of the cores, simply centre bolted.

Now that I am home and on my Mac I can see what you mean (and the dye mark on the centre hole where the original bolt went) so yes, replaced OT too, but obviously a good one. I did work on a completely stock '67 Black Flag JTM100 Bass amp a few years ago with a Drake 1202-132 2" OT that came originally with x4 corner bolts as standard.

 

[hotrodtikigod]

Thanks all for your help and comments. So is the replacement transformer a “Drake.”

 

[neikeel]

Thanks all for your help and comments. So is the replacement transformer a “Drake.”

Sorry can’t tell.

 

[Seanxk]

A few close up pic's of the internals will help.

Wonder if it's a Partridge, although can these cores be shrouded.

 

[neikeel]

Sometimes you can tell by the wiring colours and type of insulation but the pics as they are don’t show enough detail

 

[hotrodtikigod]

Now that I am home and on my Mac I can see what you mean (and the dye mark on the centre hole where the original bolt went) so yes, replaced OT too, but obviously a good one. I did work on a completely stock '67 Black Flag JTM100 Bass amp a few years ago with a Drake 1202-132 2" OT that came originally with x4 corner bolts as standard.

I have been obsessing about old Super Leads and using the search function to look at old posts and pics of Super Leads. I came across this 1972(like mine) that also has a 4 bolt OT. Would you say this OT is a replacement as well? Or could it be a component they used briefly in 72?
https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/thoughts-on-a-1959-super-lead-100w-from-1972.110006/

 

[Matthews Guitars]

V1B cathode bypass cap (sozo) is not original. V1 socket is replaced. (Original would be riveted, no screws and nuts.)
Transformers look original except that the OT's end bells are held on in the corners, rather than the middle screws in the sides as was previously mentioned.

If that indicates a replaced OT, then at least the tech seems to have kept the original end bells and clamps. Why would he not use the original screws? Maybe this OT has a thicker lamination stack and the original hardware wasn't long enough. That's totally speculation.

Patina matches everything else. Looks just like in my '73 SL, when I got it.


It's pretty close to all original. You got a good deal if it runs right. At that price it'd be worth it even if it needed a transformer.

 

[hotrodtikigod]

Than

V1B cathode bypass cap (sozo) is not original. V1 socket is replaced. (Original would be riveted, no screws and nuts.)
Transformers look original except that the OT's end bells are held on in the corners, rather than the middle screws in the sides as was previously mentioned.

If that indicates a replaced OT, then at least the tech seems to have kept the original end bells and clamps. Why would he not use the original screws? Maybe this OT has a thicker lamination stack and the original hardware wasn't long enough. That's totally speculation.

Patina matches everything else. Looks just like in my '73 SL, when I got it.


It's pretty close to all original. You got a good deal if it runs right. At that price it'd be worth it even if it needed a transformer.

Thank you for your expertise. Just trying to read as much as I can and figure out all these mysteries. I’m very happy with the amp, just curiosity really.