Marshall Super Lead

The Marshall Super Lead, officially known as the Model 1959, is one of the most iconic guitar amplifiers in rock history, renowned for its powerful sound and significant influence on the genre. It is widely known as a Marshall Plexi which comes from the clear plastic faceplate used on early models.

History of the Marshall Super Lead

• Introduction (1965): The Marshall Super Lead was introduced in 1965 as a response to the demand for higher-powered amplifiers from rock musicians. Jim Marshall designed the amp to provide a robust, high-volume sound that could compete with American models like the Fender Bassman. The Super Lead featured a 100-watt output powered by four EL34 tubes and became synonymous with the "Marshall stack" when paired with 4x12 cabinets.
• Design Features: The Super Lead has a straightforward control layout with two channels—Normal and High Treble—each offering separate volume controls and a shared EQ section consisting of Bass, Mid, Treble, and Presence controls. This design allows for a wide range of tonal options, making it versatile for different playing styles.
• Popularity and Legacy: The Super Lead quickly gained traction among rock musicians in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to its ability to produce rich overdriven tones and powerful clean sounds. It became a staple for many legendary guitarists, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of rock tone.
• Cultural Impact: The amp's signature sound played a crucial role in shaping the sound of classic rock music. Its use in live performances and recordings helped define the genre, leading to its enduring legacy in rock history.
• Reissues: Although production of the original models ceased in the early 1980s, Marshall has released various reissues of the Super Lead that capture the essence of the original design while incorporating modern features.

Popular Settings

• Clean Tones:
  • Use the Normal channel with Volume set around 4-5 for warm, clean sounds.
  • Treble at about 6-7, Mid at 5-6, and Bass at 4 for balanced clarity.
  • Ideal for classic rock or blues styles.
• Overdriven Tones:
  • Increase Volume to 7-8 on the High Treble channel for rich tube saturation.
  • Set Treble around 6-8 to enhance brightness while keeping Mid at 4-5.
  • Excellent for hard rock or metal tones.
• Channel Jumping:
  • Many players prefer to bridge both channels using a jumper cable to blend their tonal characteristics; this allows combining the bright sound of Channel 1 with the bass-heavy tone of Channel 2.
  • Experimenting with different input combinations can yield unique sounds.
• Dynamic Playability:
  • The amp responds well to guitar volume adjustments; rolling back on the guitar can yield cleaner tones while pushing it forward brings out overdrive.
  • Players often find that subtle changes in picking dynamics result in significant tonal shifts.

Notable Players

• Eric Clapton: Clapton famously used the Super Lead during his time with Cream, helping define their powerful blues-rock sound.
• Jimi Hendrix: Hendrix utilized Marshall amplifiers extensively throughout his career, including the Super Lead during his legendary performances at venues like Woodstock.
• Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin): Page's use of the Super Lead during live performances and recordings helped shape the hard rock sound that defined Led Zeppelin's music.
• Pete Townshend (The Who): Townshend was instrumental in developing the Plexi design; he famously used it to achieve his loud, aggressive sound during The Who's performances.
• Guns N' Roses: Slash is known for using modified Super Leads during recording sessions for "Appetite for Destruction," contributing to his signature tone.

Summary

The Marshall Super Lead remains an enduring symbol of rock music history, celebrated for its unique design and exceptional tonal capabilities. Its legacy continues to inspire guitarists seeking classic sounds from a reliable platform that blends vintage design with modern performance standards.