'74 1959 SLP Mystery Mod?

[Ray Baker]

I have an opportunity to purchase a '74 that sounds great, but the owner doesn't know what this Mod is. Any thoughts? It sounds almost like a master model but it takes both volumes and this "Mod Volume" to dial it in.

 

[s.zano]

The added pot looks like a post PI master volume. Both orange drops and silver mica caps are not stock. With a more angled photo, the values could be verified too.

 

[neikeel]

What an odd thing to do!
However if it suits your ears and the price is right!

 

[Ray Baker]

What an odd thing to do!
However if it suits your ears and the price is right!

I have a '79 1959 that isn't modified and I don't want to mees with it, I was looking for a 1959 reissue that I could do the Randy Rhoads mod on but this came up. I did some research on possibilities but cannot find anything definitive. I already have two (2) JMP 2203's so I 'm not looking for that kind of modification. I'm thinking this is reversable and from all the photos it appears someone did wholesale replacement with the Orange Drops and some other minor replacements with this being the only modification.

Are you saying this is an odd way of adding a Master Volume to a 1959?

 

[neikeel]

No the PPIMV is quite common, normally don't put it next to inputs due to noise concerns it is the wholesale OD swaps.

 

[playloud]

 

[Ray Baker]

Agreed, not sure what's up with all that silicone. Based on the locations it appears that some previous owner got generous with it. It's been removed in quite a few locations but it does look sloppy.

 

[stickyfinger]

Whats the asking price?

 

[Ray Baker]

Whats the asking price?

$2,900

 

[science]

Putting the dual masters as a balanced pi/output volume is ok; mounting it by the input is as intelligent as mounting our noses on our lower backs. Phase issues galore, tend to get regenerative. Put it back in one of the speaker jack holes.

 

[Ray Baker]

Phase issues galore, tend to get regenerative.

Could you elaborate?

 

[Derrick111]

So if the mods in this make both ch1 and ch2 controls effect gain/volume in addition to the master that's been added, I would think the ch1 and ch2 have been internally bridged. This stuff should be rather easy to put back to stock if you desired, but every signal cap in there has been swapped for orange drops which is a pity. That effects the value much greater than the mods which are reversible. What's the going rate on '74 Superleads without mods/changes vs the price asked for on this example? If not much, go for a non-moded example or have them drop the price on this one to make it worth not getting one in factory original condition.

 

[matttornado]

I'd re-do the PPIMV and put in the back where one of the speaker jacks are and re-connect channel 2's inputs for starters. If everything is at stock values, it would be a good platform the RR one wire mod. Why on earth someone changed the caps out with orange drops is beyond me. I doubt they all were bad LOL. I would leave them in though since I doubt they make that much of a difference in sound, at least enough to notice. They're good quality caps so that's good.

For that reason alone, I'd offer a lot less.

 

[Derrick111]

Why on earth someone changed the caps out with orange drops is beyond me. I doubt they all were bad LOL.

It was an upgrade I'm sure 😞

I would leave them in though since I doubt they make that much of a difference in sound, at least enough to notice. They're good quality caps so that's good.

It can make a lot of difference, but it really depends on several factors... mainly how you use the amp, your style and tone. In some extreme cases, changing to OD caps could make the tone thin and "clinical" sounding, while the original Mullard caps can bring the glorious opposite. People love these caps for good reason.

 

[Kern]

Hi all, my actual name is Ken Montgomery. I’m a new member but have checked this site frequently over the years to look at threads whenever I had an issue with one of my amps. I actually ended up buying this amp that Ray is posting about, (Ray and I have known each other for quite a long time). The amp is really quite nice and sounds great, that being said, there is some issues with intermittent noise, (hissing, humming) which Ray brought up the possibility of the MV location being at the #2 input. I’m taking the amp to his shop and am thinking that we will definitely relocate it, probably to speaker jack.

 

[StingRay85]

Hi all, my actual name is Ken Montgomery. I’m a new member but have checked this site frequently over the years to look at threads whenever I had an issue with one of my amps. I actually ended up buying this amp that Ray is posting about, (Ray and I have known each other for quite a long time). The amp is really quite nice and sounds great, that being said, there is some issues with intermittent noise, (hissing, humming) which Ray brought up the possibility of the MV location being at the #2 input. I’m taking the amp to his shop and am thinking that we will definitely relocate it, probably to speaker jack.

Welcome to the forum.

Hiss and hum, isn't that part of the package when buying a Super Lead?

 

[Kern]

Welcome to the forum.

Hiss and hum, isn't that part of the package when buying a Super Lead?

Aside from the usual low hum or hiss, it’s very pronounced at times. Comparatively, my other Super Lead (which has an MV mod as well) is very quiet.

 

[Kern]

Welcome to the forum.

Hiss and hum, isn't that part of the package when buying a Super Lead?

And thank you for welcoming me in.