This is for sale in my area - asking $1300. I don't have much experience with Marshalls so I don't know the ins and outs. Here are some pics. Looks like the chassis has been punctured quite a few times. Certainly not a collectors item. Any comments would be appreciated.
Here is what the seller said about it:
1971 Marshall Superbass
Plexi-design, handwired point to point circuit board. Original transformers and capacitors.
It once had a Superlead mod that has been reversed, and returned to it's original specs.
Recenty retubed and serviced at Mars Music in Denver. Has a fan modification on side, fairly typical for this era of marshalls.
These amps are renowned for their classic, deep, rich, tone and were preferred by many popular guitarists of the 70's, including Hendrix.
The 2 channels on this amp can be jumped together and individually controlled producing immense loudness and a sound all it's own.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Very rough shape, you gotta ask yourself if a pair of transformers and head shell are worth the asking price, that is all about that is original. This has been to mod hell and only part way back...
Very rough shape, you gotta ask yourself if a pair of transformers and head shell are worth the asking price, that is all about that is original. This has been to mod hell and only part way back...
I am trying to learn something as well as determine what this amp is. Aren't the mustard caps original? I don't know exactly how to tell.
I certainly wouldn't pay the asking price for a beat up head shell and 2 transformers.
If the transformers are original (would need to see some codes to know for sure), then, apart from the molestered chassis and the mods that it once had, the amp is quite original. At first glance transformers look original too - at least the correct type and laminate thickness for those years. I'd say it's worth to look into it - i mean, look at the Marshall prices - still skyrocketing. That is a decent amp in regard to originality and maybe it sounds great? I'd check it out and see if it's a tone-machine. And then you can attempty to drive the price down - due to the holes and mods that used tpo be in there.
p.s. small components (caps, resistors), boards, etc. are 99% original - in early 70's they had thess cream-colored boards (they were dark brown before that i nthe 60's).
I can't agree 99% of the smaller components are original. The orange drop alone blows that percentage along with all of the e caps... Not trying to stir the pot or be a pain in the ass here, I would be cautious. Too many components have been pushed around and resolderd. Yes, it could be a project amp but I would be very cautious.
Why have the output jacks and back panel been jagged with so much?
My guess is someone tried to make it sound like EVH and treated it so.
It may have started out an Super but it's not one now, looks like it was totally gutted and someone did a piss more job aasembling something that they thought was an SL. Many parts are correct, however the V1 cathode & orange drop and the grid stoppers, 100K PI and PI couplers have been changed or are the wrong type. IMHO, it's definitely not worth $1300. If I had a shop, I wouldn't want it associated with that quality of work
Here's a general SB layout.
TM
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by ToneMerc on Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:14 am, edited 2 times in total.
If I was in the market to buy a Stock '71 Marshall super bass I could most likely work a deal for under $1800 depending on cosmetic condition.
With that said, $1300 is not a deal breaker for this amp, however it's not going to go up or even promise to hold value in the years to come. Even if you were to rewire it to 100% OEM stock. The holes are a huge turn of for someone like me. I'm probably tougher then most "players" but if it has holes I deduct $100 per hole from the fair market value.
I always go into a used amplifier expecting to have to recap and replace the tubes. so factor that into the asking price.
If I was in your position I would consider passing or offering an almost offense low ball offer to give myself room to get out of it. Keep in mind a local music store would probably offered him $800 or less.
Thanks for the information guys. Every little bit helps me to understand what I may or may not be getting into. I will give it a listen and probably make a low ball offer if it sounds right. As they say, "Some of the best deals you make are the ones that you don't make." I am not in love with that amp although I wouldn't mind having it if it sounds right and price is right. I certainly wouldn't view this amp as a collector, just a player, and I certainly wouldn't sweat too much taking it out to a bar gig. Thanks again.
Forgot that the US market looks different than europe - here something like that would easily go for 2000$ or a bit below that if you'd put it on fleabay. Yes, guys, you're right that some sort of SL mod seems to been attempted and doesn't look like it's all way there. Split cathode, .68uF's on both channels, .022uF coupling caps throughout, no idea what value is still on the mixers. As it is now, the amp is more of an Super lead type amp But, it's obviously not a collectors item, and as a "player" it might still be a great amp, depending on how that beast sounds (owners of many of the old marshall models tend to prefer the older models with Drakes for an SB model, but the Dagnall OT for SL's, so this mod might be useful, depending on what you're after) - i'd definitely check it out, if you have the chance and then you have lots of stuff you can complain about and bring the price down. If it's a "player", the sound is the main aspect and about that you won't find out by counting touched joints. The holes, moved components, touched joints, etc. give you good arguments for price reduction though
looking at the backpanel it seems like someone has tried to "rub off" the word "bass", probably to spray-paint "lead" afdterwards, but looks like the paint was pretty scratch-resistant
If you wanted to restore it to it's OEM cosmetics you can find chassis that have been gutted, reproduction back panels without holes, and if you get creative you can fake the paper information slips rather easily with a graphic program, printer and tea bag. You could probably have someone restore it for you for around $1000. Or do it yourself for around $400
Here's the problem. I can buy the same amp for under 2000 without any issues, and sometimes mint, and I have many basketcases in much better condition than that.
I try to divorce myself from all the feelings about how special things are when I am looking at a pile of crap.
Signatures have a 255 character limit that I could abuse, but I am not Cecil B. DeMille.
