Just scored this 1x12 Superlead combo(2150)and pulling tubes

[pureanalog]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0490723830" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just scored this amp on ebay.

My dream amp apparently became the Superlead 1959. I bought a reissue head a couple of years back along with a 4x12 cabinet. The problem was that in my small room I couldn't really turn the monster up and the THD hotplate was pretty terrible sounding. Also the 4x12 was too much for a 3x4meters room. For gigs it is quite impossible for me to carry a 4x12 and most clubs will not even accept it in. So I sold it and just tried dialing out Plexi tones out of my Silver Jubilee combo. Still it wasn't quite the same. I tried looking for the superlead tone in various small combos and I couldnt really anything that did the job. So I came along this rarity. A real 1959 superlead circuit fitted into a 1x12 combo with a factory fitted PPIMV. Kind of like a dream amp in my mind. So I was prepared to pay much more for it but i think the price remained reasonable.

Please comment on the purchase and this amp if you have information about it. Did you think it's a good choice for my needs (authentic plexi tone in a portable and managable volume wise form factor)

Btw nowdays I have a 100w (rating) Ultimate-Ho attenuator. I would also like to ask your opinion on pulling tubes. Will it harm the amp? Is it advisable? what are the drawbacks.

[jbzoso2002]

I have a 2150. Its not a true 1959 circuit, there's
some differences besides the ppi mv.

When I got mine it had a blown output transformer
so I pulled 2 tubes and put a 50w opt in it cause I
had one and it sounded like crap.

I removed all the guts of the amp and rebuilt it as a
JTM 50. See this thread:

http://forum.metroamp.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21996" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This amp now sounds fantastic!

Jimmy

[pureanalog]

what kind of differences does it have circuitwise? major or minor ones?

also if i pull out two tubes how will i deal with the 8ohm speaker impendance?

[demonufo]

also if i pull out two tubes how will i deal with the 8ohm speaker impendance?

Just fine as long as you switch the impedance selector to 4 ohms. It won't sound the same with 2 tubes though.

[pureanalog]

I think the amp has no impendance selector. What can I do in this case while keeping the same speaker?


Btw will a 1959 sound like a 1987x with the 2 tubes pulled?

What tonal differences does pulling tubes cause?

I only would like to pull the 2 tubes because my Ho attenuator has a 100w rating only...

[Star*Guitar]

I would sell the HO attenuator and buy a weber mass 150. That way you don't have to pull any tubes. I think the webers are among the best attenuators out there.

[pureanalog]

I followed the consensus and went the UA-Ho way because it is supposedly a loadbox-attenuator combo that emulates EVH's setup in a way.

Still I dont find it really transparent. Or perhaps it is due to not enough speaker movement that I find the tone kind of duller with the HO.

I haven't really heard any weber mass 150 clips with a plexi. Do you have any?

[pureanalog]

just found out that the combo has 8ohm and 4ohm option. So I guess I ll be fine with pulling the two tubes.

But what about the tone?

will a 1959 sound like a 1987x with the 2 tubes pulled?

[RussB]

No, it won't sound like a 1987

[jbzoso2002]

With a 100w marshall you have bigger transformers &
twice the power filtering than a 50w.

When you take out 2 tubes the amp is unbalanced,
I cant explain it electronicly but it just doesnt sound
right.

There's a reason they only made the 2150 for 2 years.
Nobody wanted them.

Its unpratical to run 100 watts into a 1 x 12 combo.

I say gut it make it a 50w.

Jimmy

[pureanalog]

Ill see what it sounds like when it arrives, with pulled tubes, without pulled tubes, with pulled tubes + ho attenuator, unattenuated with 4 tubes etc. If nothing satisfies 100% I will start thinking about modding it.

By the way, mesa suggests pulling tubes for lowering the wattage in the rectifiers in the users manual IIRC...

[jbzoso2002]

That amp in proper working order should sound
pretty good. I hope I didnt sound like a kill joy.

If it has 6550's I would stongly consider switching
to EL34's.

Ive been very spoiled with my gagle of Metro Amps
and I like to mod amps to make them better.

With the ppimv you should get a nice sound with out
pulling tubes.

Jimmy

[pureanalog]

thanks jimmy. I will update when it arrives. It probably has el34s. It comes from england.

[pureanalog]

Took me a while to update, but I have been using this amp for a while now rehearsing at the studio and everything. It puts to shame almost any amp I have played with.... Way better than the Marshall Superlead 1959 reissue I used to own.

Amazing tone. The PPMIV gives great crunch at bedroom levels. Havent felt the need to use my Ultimate Attenuator as it cuts the mids and makes it (and any other amp) sound fartier and loose. The dynamics of the amp are maintained. From full distortion to clean sounds with the flick of the les paul switch.

No wonder it has a perfect 10 rating for sound on the harmony central reviews...

Cannot praise this combo enough. Unlike my 1x12 silver jubilee the cabinet is large and it has very good and tight bass and projection.

I was only wondering if it is possible and worth it to have an FX loop added. I use all the FX in front of the amp. Overdrive pedal+ delay for lead sounds, dry for rhythm, chorus for clean, and a touch of reverb for everything.


Yet the holy grail is so noisy, that I am thinking of removing it off my pedalboard... I have really had it with it... I cannot believe how they got away with selling a virtually defective product for years now..

[jbzoso2002]

Thats cool Im glad you like it. Thats the only amp Marshall
ever made with the 4 inputs and a ppimv.

Krank it up!

Jimmy