Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W Head 1979

The Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W is one of the most iconic guitar amplifier heads ever produced. This 1979 model represents the tail end of the legendary Super Lead era. Used but in excellent condition, this amplifier shows minimal wear and works as it should, delivering the unmistakable Marshall roar.

Model History
First introduced in 1965, the Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W was developed in response to guitarists demanding more volume and headroom on stage. The earliest versions, famously played by Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page, used KT66 power tubes before transitioning to EL34 tubes in the late ‘60s, which further shaped the aggressive, mid-focused character Marshall is known for. By 1976, Marshall introduced PCB (printed circuit board) construction for consistency, though the amp’s sonic signature remained intact. The 1979 version is from this transitional era, maintaining the unmistakable Super Lead tone while offering improved reliability.

Tonal Character and Features
The 1959 Super Lead is raw, dynamic, and incredibly touch-sensitive, responding beautifully to playing dynamics. It produces a tight low end, thick mids, and crisp highs, with that classic Marshall “crunch” when pushed. With two channels (Bright and Normal) and four inputs, players can experiment with input bridging for enhanced tonal shaping. Cranked up, the amp delivers natural tube overdrive, offering anything from articulate cleans to roaring, saturated distortion—perfect for classic rock, blues, and hard rock.

This 1979 Marshall 1959 Super Lead is a powerful, vintage rock amplifier that remains one of the most sought-after heads for players chasing pure tube tone and POWERRRRRRRRR!

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W
• Year: 1979
• Wattage: 100W RMS
• Preamp Tubes: 3x ECC83 (12AX7)
• Power Tubes: 4x EL34
• Rectifier: Solid-state
• Channels: 2 (Bright and Normal)
• Inputs: 4 (High and Low Sensitivity for each channel)
• Controls: Presence, Bass, Middle, Treble, Volume I, Volume II
• Construction: PCB circuit board
• Output Impedance Selector: 4Ω, 8Ω, 16Ω
• Chassis Material: Steel
• Cabinet: Plywood
• Finish: Black Tolex with gold piping
• Dimensions: 29.5″ x 10.5″ x 8″ (750mm x 270mm x 205mm)
• Weight: Approx. 21 kg (46 lbs)