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MARSHALL SUPERBASS 100 MKII??????? All tube bass head.

rodl2005

rodl2005

Jun 1, 2005
19,567
15,062
Tasmania, Australia
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#1
I've got a lead on a Marshall Superbass 100 Mk11.
It's in excellent condition. Looks to have 4 EL34's & a bunch of 12AX7 type tubes. Date???? Looks like late '70's oss. early 80's??? I REALLY don't know!
It's priced at just over $1000 AUS. (bear in mind a new SVT-VR is about $4000 here in Aus.:hmm:)
Just wondering what are the views on 'em- if any????????
I know ppl used superbass amps in early Deep Purple etc, But dunno re Mk11 v Mk1??????
Any info would be appreciated:help:
Thanks,
Rod.
 
#3
Thanx for the reply JimB52.
Any info on the tones outta this amp??? I use a Ampeg V4BH-100w with 4 6L6GC tubes, so I was thinkin this Marshall would be similar in volume??? Sure it's not a 300w tube monster but I find my Ampeg-thru my Berg. NV610 to be very useable for MOST gigs. Was wondering on the sounds of this amp???? Have a fair drive- 2 & 1/2 hrs return- to try it out.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanx again.
Rod.
 
#9
!1
The V4B is a loud bass amp. My experience with the 100 Superbass is having owned several new in the late 60s early 70s is that today they would sound great in a practice until somebody turns up. That 100 watts is not enough for bass when the other folks start cranking. If you favor that distorted Cream sound then it will be loud enough. If you favor a more clear bass tone with drive there are many other options. I love them though. The Super Lead has more of a clear sound in the mids and highs where to me the Super Bass has a bass coloration added. They can be quite reliable. If you buy it or before you buy it have it checked out by a tech. Mod free is best. I am not at my own computer. There is a great site vintagesomething that has forums on Marshalls Hiwatts and Oranges. Great fun and can cause another set of gas that you don't have from TB:)
After saying all that it may be perfect for you and your band.
 
#10
chadds said:
!1
The V4B is a loud bass amp. My experience with the 100 Superbass is having owned several new in the late 60s early 70s is that today they would sound great in a practice until somebody turns up. That 100 watts is not enough for bass when the other folks start cranking. If you favor that distorted Cream sound then it will be loud enough. If you favor a more clear bass tone with drive there are many other options. I love them though. The Super Lead has more of a clear sound in the mids and highs where to me the Super Bass has a bass coloration added. They can be quite reliable. If you buy it or before you buy it have it checked out by a tech. Mod free is best. I am not at my own computer. There is a great site vintagesomething that has forums on Marshalls Hiwatts and Oranges. Great fun and can cause another set of gas that you don't have from TB:)
After saying all that it may be perfect for you and your band.
Click to expand...

Chadds isn't it possible to get EL34s that are more Bass orientated as well as pre-amp valves that don't overdrive too soon, wouldn't this help regarding more clean output?
 
#11
rodl2005 said:
Cheers BAssko. I know 100 w of an all tube amp can get LOUD. Damn My V4BH is VERY loud thru the NV610-depends on the spkrs a lot I think.

Why did U sell/get rid of yrs? Needed a different tone? & if U don't mind -how much did U sell it for?
Cheers & regards,
Rod.
Click to expand...

I got a good offer from one guitarist and I wanted a GK. I like its punch, it is greater for studio recording and it has more clean power if I want it to. I sold mine for 600€ i think. It is kind of small price, but here in Slovenia, the prices aren't big for these amps. Mine was built in a 1976 but if i had a 1972 or less the price would be bigger.;)
 
#13
An UPDATE on this amp. I just had a play on it- sounds GOOD btw. & seems far louder than my V4BH. Will post the Serial No etc asap to see if anyone can inform me re year of make etc... I noticed on the info label stuck inside the chassis near tubes- noting tube locations & types etc.. V1,2,3 are all ECC83(12AX7-AFAIK) V4,5,6,7 are EL34 but it says there "for USA 6550's in V4,5,6,7. " anyone know if I can use these 6550's in here?? The tubes in it will probly need a change soon- they look pretty old & after I give it to my tech to give a 'once over' I'll find out. But any info re this or anything else to do w/ the MKII MARSHALL SUPERBASS would be great!
 
#14
Hi.

IIRC the serial number letter started with an A sometime in the 1969 and skipped I and O. That'll give You the year.

The dreaded GT tube amp book for one explains the tube swap. The bias current has to be changed to be able to use different tubes. That is done by changing the value of some resistors.

I had a JMP1959 for a while in the 80's and 90's and paired with the 4*12 and 2*15 it was a killer. And heavy as hell ;).

Regards
Sam

Edit: Here's a few links about the subject:

Link Removed

And from that thread:

http://www.voodooamps.com/home/TubeConversions/tabid/118/Default.aspx
 
#15
I have an old superlead with 6550s in it - I think they will give you a little more headroom, but before you go that route be sure to make any other necessary mods as mentioned above.

My marshall has a little more gas than my V4B - probably due to 6550s vs. 7027s - but not a huge amount more. I love them both.
 
#17
I use an old super lead 100 and it is loud enough for any gig. I don't think you will go wrong with the super bass. But then again, Marshall is my sound, my generation, etc..
Go for it if you haven't already. Price seems right too.
G.
 
#19
Look up Lemmy from Motorhead. He plays through a 1992 Model Marshall Superbass, with a 4x12 atop a 4x15. They reissued his rig last year.
100 watt Marshall's have good resale potential, so not a bad way to go if you want to try it. Only one resistor is the difference between a superlead and a superbass.
Check to see if it had been modded, and rebuilt or repaired. Lots of changes can happen to these amps over the years that will detract from the value. There should be a paper tag on the chassis as well as the serial no to tell the year and if made for USA 6550 tubes. It's usually good to have a tech give an old amp the once over and check bias.
Easy for a tech to add a resistor to make ready for 6550's.
EL-34's have less power, and break up earlier than 6550's. The V1 preamp tube controls the overall tone.
 
#20
They are great guitar heads ... don't use it for bass much, but it does sound good in an old school way.

This is my 1972 Super Bass, until 1973 they were point to point wired and unlike the Super Lead remain virtually unchanged from the "plexi" era.

SuperBass.jpg



:) ... The PTP wired heads bring more $$$ from collectors
 

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