1974 Marshall JMP 50 watt Lee Jackson

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Markedman

Markedman

Well-known member
I checked the serial number that ends in F which makes it a 1974, not a 1976, also, it has toggle switches, not rocker switches which came in 76. Formerly a Fate’s Warning amp, or so l was told. The band is based in Hartford so they may live near me, hopefully I can get a COA. I tried it out and the tubes sound not too good at all so I’m going to put some new ones in later tonight and give it a rundown. Please chime in if you know anything about this amp by chance.
 
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Lee's amps were all about aggressive grinding mids and highs. Think early Zakk Wylde tone.

Congrats!
 
76 was a transitional year for Marshall. Seen a bit of everything from 74 to 77.
Lee has hacked up more than one good amp over the years.
Not a bad thing necessarily but his mods are 30-40+ years old and hit & miss.
 
Wizard of Ozz said:
His “mods” were horrible. Thin, piercing, ice-pick to the brain sound. And I like bright amps.
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I disagree. My amp sounds nothing like what you describe. To the OP, good score and worth taking a chance on. Love to hear what it sounds like.
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Just my opinion but those mid 70's 50-watters sound better with the stock plexi circuit. At least the ones I've had that were like 390-400vdc plate volts. They have a wonderful warm crunch with the plexi circuit. For mods I prefer the 100-watters.
 
The beauty of these older Marshalls..did the circuit sound any good to start with depending on the parts and drift? From there it is all preference. Maybe bright on its own but in a mix could be the goods.
 
gtrwun said:
I disagree. My amp sounds nothing like what you describe. To the OP, good score and worth taking a chance on. Love to hear what it sounds like. View attachment 66194
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I've had 2, they were both nice sounding Marshalls but could get very bright depending on how you used the mid frequency knob..One was an 84 with the 2nd master, mid freq knob and a slight boost in pre gain. Stayed very true to a stock Marshall with a slight gain boost and the ability to get the power tubes going at a lower volume. The second was a 74 Superlead that was a killer machine but I had to return it based on some issues that my local tech couldn't solve.
To me his modded Marshalls were way better than any Ampeg, Metaltronix or other venture he started. Those were buzzy messes in comparison.
 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/100168049@N04/shares/a8X326 The amp actually sounds pretty good and has a boatload of gain. It still has the original “perfect” preamp tubes in it and they tested strong.

Here's a video. I crank the gain, then I tried the 5 way swich and the I turned down the TMB & P knobs. It has a second master on the back.



I have a 1974 4X12 with creamback speakers in it at the jam space.

1974 Marshall 1960a by John Bazzano, on Flickr

I'm not a Marshall guy anymore so expect this rig to hit the market soon.
 
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Wanna trade for a Mark III blue stripe head ?

PM sent
 
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I've signed up over at the Marshall forum for advice on what to do and where to do it. I played my Boogie preamp through the return and it sounded great so I've isolated the dull sound to the preamp and not the OT.

The loop needs something to make it transparent because it's not. This amp will need a good tech to get it roaring like it should.

Tomorrow I'll take it out of the head shell and snap a bunch of photos, maybe someone will see why it's dull sounding and it's only a couple of parts needed. I'll get it ripping even if I have to send it back to Lee himself. Um, on second thought, that's not really a good idea, but I have to keep an open mind. Maybe I'll facebook him and see what he says anyway.

1974 Marshall 50 w Lee Jackson modded & 1974 Celestion creamback R/C cone speakers 4X12. by John Bazzano, on Flickr
 
I had one in 83 and that's about what it sounded like, but in 83 it was the bomb. Did you try boosting with a pedal?
 
Check/change your pre tubes to known good ones; and check the bias of the power tubes. If any of these are off it will affect the tone in a huge way.
 
On the way to Trace at Voodoo amps!!! This amp is a keeper so I figured Shane was the man for the job. Get it done right the first time, no regrets.

I spoke with him for about a half an hour, he waved the fee, $225.00 per hour to talk, and looked at the guts and told me what he'd do to get it right. Basically removing the 5-way knob, the post inverter master and useless loop, change the caps and few resistors, etc, repair the super dangerous taped-on power cord, etc.

This amp is the tone that is in my DNA. I was 11 years old when the amp was made and that's when I started getting serious about guitar playing, just like every kid that year.
 
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Markedman said:
This amp is the tone that is in my DNA. I was 11 years old when the amp was made and that's when I started getting serious about guitar playing, just like every kid that year.
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Great to hear! I was drooling over your cab as well.

Just picked up a Hopkins Pandora modded JCM800 2203X a month or so ago and it just has the Marshall sound that I grew up with so I get it. In 1974 I would have been 3 so not too far off from you.
 
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