Metropoulos Forum

Specifically focusing on the boards and capacitors.

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george

Thanks for sharing, George

Really nice amp. One thing I aways found interesting about the '68 amps was the fact that some amps recieved a slider resistor for the bias adjusting yet others got a fixed resistor.

Yes, exceptionally clean.

Interesting things are the screen resistors (presume they are not obtainable any more?) and the way the swamp resistors are hooked up to pin 6 as a mount with green wires between sockets. Did Marshall go back to full length resistors again after this or just go to 5k6 on each socket.
Also interesting to see the big 1M RS pots re-appear for a short while (both my early 68s had/have all CTS)
My 68 50w JMP is very similar with the Philips cathode caps and Hunts filter caps.

How would you rate this one vs other 100w SL amps? I guess pretty good if you are using it as reference!

George's amp is a bit of an 'odd bird' in respect to the type of screen resistors and the swamp resistor type along with the way they are hooked up. From what I remember, I've only seen one other Super Lead with this setup and it's serial number is only a few digits away.

I believe the 5K6 on each socket didn't start until late '69.....

Marshall used a lot of those big 1Meg RS pots right through to the middle of '69. They used some of the other values too, bit to a lesser degree.

I just picked up 12382 which, like George's, also has the (made-for-USA) front Polarity switch and 110-115v Rev. 7a circuit. Is it the amp you saw that was similar to George's 12380?

That is awesome! Congrats!
I'd love to see it. I think I have pics of about half a dozen amps from EVH's #12301 through about 12399. Really unique era for these 100 watts. #12309 is the closest to EVH I've seen. I helped a friend buy it and restore. There was so much early EVH tone in that amp it wasn't even funny. And every other great rock tone too. It just oozes out of it.

vintmodJCM wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 06, 2022 5:59 pm

I just picked up 12382 which, like George's, also has the (made-for-USA) front Polarity switch and 110-115v Rev. 7a circuit. Is it the amp you saw that was similar to George's 12380?

No, the other two amps setup like George's #12380 was amps #12375 & #12376. I saw amp #12382 back in 2014 and the circuitry was really messed with (a ton of changed components).

VelvetGeorge wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 07, 2022 10:13 am

That is awesome! Congrats!
I'd love to see it. I think I have pics of about half a dozen amps from EVH's #12301 through about 12399. Really unique era for these 100 watts. #12309 is the closest to EVH I've seen. I helped a friend buy it and restore. There was so much early EVH tone in that amp it wasn't even funny. And every other great rock tone too. It just oozes out of it.

Amp #12309 was in really good shape back in 2016. The only issue with the amp was the need for correct filter caps & bias caps. I believe the plate voltage was around 488Vdc...

We reformed NOS caps and installed. Also a pristine set of NOS tubes. It was incredible.

I'm not sure I've seen 12375 and 12376, I'll look in my archive.

Tazin wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 07, 2022 6:49 pm

vintmodJCM wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 06, 2022 5:59 pm

I just picked up 12382 which, like George's, also has the (made-for-USA) front Polarity switch and 110-115v Rev. 7a circuit. Is it the amp you saw that was similar to George's 12380?

No, the other two amps setup like George's #12380 was amps #12375 & #12376. I saw amp #12382 back in 2014 and the circuitry was really messed with (a ton of changed components).

She once was set up for 6550s and 7025s for Dave Sabo, but she's now back to el34s and 12ax7s
AmpArchives has pre-Sabo pics. I don't know how to post pics here in the forum. It looks like they have to be hosted elsewhere. I did send pics to velvetgeorge in Metro's email.

She sounds every bit the VH plexi right now. Killer with VH attack and supercharged clarity. Ken Fisher used to maintain her. Andy Fuchs serviced her last and biased her for 88v. And yes, she's running on an OG Ohmite variac

VelvetGeorge wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 07, 2022 10:13 am

That is awesome! Congrats!
I'd love to see it. I think I have pics of about half a dozen amps from EVH's #12301 through about 12399. Really unique era for these 100 watts. #12309 is the closest to EVH I've seen. I helped a friend buy it and restore. There was so much early EVH tone in that amp it wasn't even funny. And every other great rock tone too. It just oozes out of it.

Thanks, George! That really means a lot to hear! I am buzzin' - I never dreamed I'd even see a '68 12000 Super Lead in my lifetime. I really just happened to be in the right place at the right time lol

I sent pics to you the other day in an email on the Metro website as I'm not sure if I can post them here without being hosted elsewhere. I haven't pulled her chassis yet, mostly because I haven't been able to stop playing her, but I will soon

Great read!

vintmodJCM wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 13, 2022 1:11 pm

Tazin wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 07, 2022 6:49 pm

vintmodJCM wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 06, 2022 5:59 pm

I just picked up 12382 which, like George's, also has the (made-for-USA) front Polarity switch and 110-115v Rev. 7a circuit. Is it the amp you saw that was similar to George's 12380?

No, the other two amps setup like George's #12380 was amps #12375 & #12376. I saw amp #12382 back in 2014 and the circuitry was really messed with (a ton of changed components).

She once was set up for 6550s and 7025s for Dave Sabo, but she's now back to el34s and 12ax7s
AmpArchives has pre-Sabo pics. I don't know how to post pics here in the forum. It looks like they have to be hosted elsewhere. I did send pics to velvetgeorge in Metro's email.

She sounds every bit the VH plexi right now. Killer with VH attack and supercharged clarity. Ken Fisher used to maintain her. Andy Fuchs serviced her last and biased her for 88v. And yes, she's running on an OG Ohmite variac

Glad to hear you had the amp restored. Does the amp still have a replaced power transformer?