1968 - 1959 Super Lead 12 series Questions?

[bxershrts]

Hello everyone,

I have a few basic questions and am looking for answers. I am sure they are simple for the Marshall history people here.

First off - Is there a difference between the 12 series 1968 - 1959SL vs the EVH SL builds?

If I am understanding this correctly - the 12 series is the early 1968 SL with the capacitor board underneath - the latter Plexi builds all have the cap cans on top?

I would like to build a 1968 -12 series 1959 SL - is the only way to add effects loop with the Zero-Loss FX Loop Kit - Rev 4 sold here at Metro? Or can an effects loops like what is done on the "Ceriatone 2204 JCM800 Revised 23 Feb 2013" work on the 1959SL?

Last question

What is the preferred MV mod to the 1968 - 1959 SL?

Thanks for your help,

[bxershrts]

Bump

[danman]

I'm afraid I can't answer your question about the difference between the two builds. You may want to try posting it in the Marshall Amps or Do It Yourself Builds subforums as they get a little more traffic than this one does. I'm sure someone will be able to get you the answers over there.

[neikeel]

First off - Is there a difference between the 12 series 1968 - 1959SL vs the EVH SL builds?

If I am understanding this correctly - the 12 series is the early 1968 SL with the capacitor board underneath - the latter Plexi builds all have the cap cans on top?

These are just evolution of the Marshall 1959 which is the overall name for a 100 Superlead. The first Split cathode SL appeared in early 68 as 10 series introducing the Dagnall transformers which later became 12 series (nb no 11 series). Correct, up to late 68/early 69 the only cap up top was the PI. Then the caps went up top with slightly higher filtering in preamp (32/32->50/50) and Screens (16->50) and PI (48->100). This was a gradual change and there were amps with in between values - I have simplified.
In terms of the preamp the first had 820R/0.68uF on V1b later became 2k7/0.68 in 69 (sl sharper attack, smidge less gain in V1).

I would like to build a 1968 -12 series 1959 SL - is the only way to add effects loop with the Zero-Loss FX Loop Kit - Rev 4 sold here at Metro? Or can an effects loops like what is done on the "Ceriatone 2204 JCM800 Revised 23 Feb 2013" work on the 1959SL?

I would use the latest ZL V.4 which has line options regarding output type (line or pedal) it works fantastically well, I cannot comment on the ceriatone but it appears to be a simple interrupt between preamp and power amp - not the same at all.

Last question

What is the preferred MV mod to the 1968 - 1959 SL?

Personally speaking neither. On cascaded amps I actually quite like the Marshall type pre-PI MV and an attenuator. I have used the Lar-Mar and Rich types and both are good for a little volume trimming but not to rehearsal space or bedroom levels.

Thanks for your help,