Amp Head Identification: Fake or not Fake :)

[xlaech]

Summary:
Local amptech did not want to change tubes and said it's a fake. Is it? If so, what do I now - if not what is it?

History:
I traded this marshall head against 200€ and an modern marshall combo with a guy who is probablly already dead because of drugs around 8 years ago. Back than I was a student so #goodDeal. I called an old bandmate (he is 75) of the original owner who could tell me a few things:
- He doubts that it is a fake
- He knows, that it is very old
- The orig. owner told him that it's modified, because someone dropped it at one point
- It was 200W and is now probably turned down to 80W

How I "found out":
I wanted to use it for recording but realized that when playing clean there is some small noise in the background. Some googling told me, that it might be the tubes, so I brought it to a local music store (germany). The guy told me it is a fake, and it would be to dangerous for him to work on.

Questions:
- Is it real or fake?
- How do I get my tubes changed?
- Moving to Japan soon -> can I take it with me?

Pictures:

 

[fitz]

Summary:
Local amptech did not want to change tubes and said it's a fake. Is it? If so, what do I now - if not what is it?

History:
I traded this marshall head against 200€ and an modern marshall combo with a guy who is probablly already dead because of drugs around 8 years ago. Back than I was a student so #goodDeal. I called an old bandmate (he is 75) of the original owner who could tell me a few things:
- He doubts that it is a fake
- He knows, that it is very old
- The orig. owner told him that it's modified, because someone dropped it at one point
- It was 200W and is now probably turned down to 80W

How I "found out":
I wanted to use it for recording but realized that when playing clean there is some small noise in the background. Some googling told me, that it might be the tubes, so I brought it to a local music store (germany). The guy told me it is a fake, and it would be to dangerous for him to work on.

Questions:
- Is it real or fake?
- How do I get my tubes changed?
- Moving to Japan soon -> can I take it with me?

Pictures:
View attachment 130971
View attachment 130972
View attachment 130973
View attachment 130974

to the forum.
Looks like a Marshall head shell, but not a Marshall amp inside.
Does not mean it's not a good amp for what you paid for it.

Any amp tech that knows what they are doing could service any amp, regardless of brand or origin.
Not sure what your guy is afraid of, like he's going to void the warranty or something by working on it.

 

[StuC]

It's a London City amp. They were a Dutch company,

 

[RCM 800]

you need to find a competent tec. Doesnt matter what brand of amp it is it should be serviceable.

 

[Tatzmann]

This is an approximately 1970 to 1973 London City DEA 100/DEA 130 amplifier sitting in an original Marshall JMP MKII headbox, approximately 1979 to 1981.

If your in Germany, i'd be interested, if you have to sell.

 

[Tatzmann]

Not sure what your guy is afraid of, like he's going to void the warranty or something by working on it.

There are London City amps out there that have
deliberately 800 to 900 volts inside.

One of mine had over 1KV, but nondeliberate.

That doesnt make it generally more dangerous to work on, but for less experienced guys it might be a no-go area.

 

[Ronquest]

Local amptech did not want to change tubes and said it's a fake.

That tech is an idiot, it says right there, it's a "Super Amplifier", poor boy musn't be able to read.

 

[Tatzmann]

That tech is an idiot, it says right there, it's a "Super Amplifier", poor boy musn't be able to read.

So what are you saying?

That this is a real Marshall after all, like this one?





I kinda got the joke, but still....

 

[Ronquest]

So what are you saying?

That this is a real Marshall after all, like this one?

I'm just poking fun at the tech, he may just get paid by the hour or they don't work on non-factory amps. I'da tore into that amp ASAP!!!
It's a London City. I wouldn't kick it out of bed!

 

[Ronquest]

That this is a real Marshall after all, like this one?

Now I'm interested in that amp's story?! I like big tubes and I cannot lie......

 

[Dogs of Doom]

It's a London City amp. They were a Dutch company,

Vintage London City DEA 130 Super Amplifier Mark V Early 70’s AS IS | Reverb

Selling a very rare, early 70’s London city amp head. This is a 69/70 made in Netherlands amp, which is made as a Marshall plexi copy. These amps are hard to across in the states and I personally bought this from overseas. Unfortunately it was not super well packed and two of the pot shafts broke...

reverb.com

 

[Tatzmann]

Now I'm interested in that amp's story?! I like big tubes and I cannot lie......

JTM45/100

or the

"$uper Amplifier"

There are many versions of the first 100watters,
early ones had 2 50watt output transformers.

Lot of info out there.

 

[Ronquest]

JTM45/100

or the

"$uper Amplifier"

There are many versions of the first 100watters,
early ones had 2 50watt output transformers.

Lot of info out there.

Ah, your picture is a Marshall, I'll just unmember my self now, LOL Should have noticed the transformer location, but wasn't sure if it was a mod. Just looked them up, wow 2 transformers, now thats cool !

 

[xlaech]

This is an approximately 1970 to 1973 London City DEA 100/DEA 130 amplifier sitting in an original Marshall JMP MKII headbox, approximately 1979 to 1981.

If your in Germany, i'd be interested, if you have to sell.

Wow - you guys really now your amps That would make a lot of sense - from what I can see these look exactly the same. So they propably repaced the Marshall with the London City as it got broken when it dropped.

There is a turning nob above the "A.C. Fuse/Mains Selector" with some voltage numbers written above. Would I be able to use the amp in Japan if I select another voltage there?

@Tatzmann I would maybe sell it once my movedate is confirmed. If you like we can have a first chat (PM/Call)?

 

[XTRXTR]

Need the model and schematic, to answer what wall voltage you can use.
Found this at DR Tube: They note the 100 is the same as the 130... they just changed the name???

 

[XTRXTR]

You would be fine, Japan uses 100VAC which would help bring down the HT/B+ etc. on the 110 winding. Make sure you find a grounded outlet.

 

[XTRXTR]

I'm just analyzing the schematic.
For a 100 Watt it has a small amount of AC / rectification filtering.
Shared cathode on V1
8.2K first dropping resistor
Small resistor values on the screens
only 1k grid stoppers on the output tubes
100uF filter cap for the bias and two 470k grid leaks to split the bias
Tone Stack is different than a Marshall
High input resistance

With vintage looking iron
Might sound great with a jumper input
I would still have a qualified tech go over all the component values, make sure the filter caps aren't old and buzzing. Maybe test it for output power.

 

[xlaech]

Ok thank you If i get someone checking the tubes I ask him to check the component values as well. Just wasn't sure if the switch is intended for Voltage changing or i assumed wrongly.