• From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Topic: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

Does anyone know how Joe sets this amp up volume/eq wise?  I have seen shots of his settings for his Two Rock, Van Weelden, Carol Ann etc but not the Category 5.  Those old style knobs make it hard to see the settings lol.

I just ordered a 100w 1959 Kit from Metro and was wondering how Joe likes to run his.  Is there any reverb added to this amp?  It sounds a lot drier than his other amp combinations.  When I get it put together there'll be clips for sure! Thanks.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

Found a picture in a mag, looks like (don't quote me on this)

left to right
3,1,6,4,7,8

Give it a shot I suppose (or see if Joe chimes in with the real answer)

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

Cool
        you gonna build this yourself or is it going to be pre built ? those mothers
        are loud amps for sure are you getting it modded or is it stock.
                                          thanks  Derek

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

SOFTMC wrote:

Cool
        you gonna build this yourself or is it going to be pre built ? those mothers
        are loud amps for sure are you getting it modded or is it stock.
                                          thanks  Derek

Yes Derek I'm going to have to pleasure of putting it together myself.  They are having some deals on the kits including price discounts, free Sozo cap upgrade, and included Lar/Mar PPIMV (post phase inverter master volume).  With the master volume and perhaps a little attenuation I can get it to usable levels.  We'll see, I think I'll build it bone stock first to get a feel for it.  No real mods to speak of really, just a bone stock Metro kit.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

Jimi_lp wrote:

Found a picture in a mag, looks like (don't quote me on this)

left to right
3,1,6,4,7,8

Give it a shot I suppose (or see if Joe chimes in with the real answer)

Thanks Jimi_lp for those settings.  I will try them when the time comes for sure!  Some input from Joe on his favorite plexi settings would be cool.  Could anyone familiar with the amps give their suggested settings too?  Thanks!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

I think it is dry.  I run mine in the Low Normal Input, but I crank both volumes around 7.5/8.  For some reason I think one channel drives one half of the tube and the other channel drives the other so pushing up both volumes has def. made a sonic differnce, but experiment.  Mind you it's still a cleaner sound.  If I had to use a plexi by itself I sure would have my MKII Tonebender there for some awesomeness lol.  For tone I run the pres. at noon, the bass very low, it has tons of bottom with the LP through the darker channel, and mids around 2'oclock and treble at noon.  Anyways rock and roll.

Ben

PS - I tried a PPMV on an amp once and hated it, plus it blew all my pre amp tubes so I had that fixed back to stock pronto.  Honestly if your purchasing a 100w plexi it wants to be cranked, I think doing some sort of attenuation is going to render a poor result, but give it a shot and let me know how it works.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

GoT MuLe 31788 wrote:

I think it is dry.  I run mine in the Low Normal Input, but I crank both volumes around 7.5/8.  For some reason I think one channel drives one half of the tube and the other channel drives the other so pushing up both volumes has def. made a sonic differnce, but experiment.  Mind you it's still a cleaner sound.  If I had to use a plexi by itself I sure would have my MKII Tonebender there for some awesomeness lol.  For tone I run the pres. at noon, the bass very low, it has tons of bottom with the LP through the darker channel, and mids around 2'oclock and treble at noon.  Anyways rock and roll.

Ben

PS - I tried a PPMV on an amp once and hated it, plus it blew all my pre amp tubes so I had that fixed back to stock pronto.  Honestly if your purchasing a 100w plexi it wants to be cranked, I think doing some sort of attenuation is going to render a poor result, but give it a shot and let me know how it works.

Thanks Ben, I was really hoping that you would respond.  I love that recent video that you did with the new amps.  Is that plexi a 100 watter?  It didn't seem abnoxiously loud...you know nothing that my neighbors couldn't handle while they are at work during the day big_smile.  Also, is that one of the handwired versions or earlier reissue models?  Knowing you though I wouldn't doubt if it was an original one roll .  I will try it bone stock without any attenuation or PPIMV to see if I can make it work but I am open to mods to get the tones I need at the volumes I need.  I almost sprang for the 50w build but I realized that there isn't a huge difference in percieved volume.  My non MV 50w amps are friggin' loud but I can sure use them fine.  I got the polite tone down pretty good but now I'm dying to have that "rude" Marshall tone!  Besides, after hearing Eric Johnson's unreal tone off the ACL '88 concert I knew that I had to have a 100w Plexi.  I just need the Echoplex to get that tone...maybe Fulltone will finally come out with their EP-3 clone this year?  Anyways, thanks for the suggested settings and I'll definately post some demos of it when it's up and running! cool

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2009-07-16
  • Posts: 105

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

I had a JB100 from C5. What a killer amp that is. The mid boost is an essential piece to this amp so... Not sure how George would address that.

The EQ should be run flat (noon) Volume @ 8-9. Not dimed!!.  Bright input is where it's at for me, not sure about JB.

I ran mine full up big_smile I need to post the clips I had with my LP and tele

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

Billion81 wrote:

I had a JB100 from C5. What a killer amp that is. The mid boost is an essential piece to this amp so... Not sure how George would address that.

The EQ should be run flat (noon) Volume @ 8-9. Not dimed!!.  Bright input is where it's at for me, not sure about JB.

I ran mine full up big_smile I need to post the clips I had with my LP and tele

You "had" a JB100?!?  What would compell you to sell that thing! mad Man I would kill for that amp lol.  Thanks for the advice Billion.  As far as the mid boost goes, I'll probably try sticking a TS808 in front of it.  Just to enhance the gain and mids a bit which, from what I gather, is what the Cat 5 has going on.  I cannot wait to get started on it!  They screwed up my shipping so I have to wait longer to get the amp sad

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

stratpaulguy86 wrote:
GoT MuLe 31788 wrote:

I think it is dry.  I run mine in the Low Normal Input, but I crank both volumes around 7.5/8.  For some reason I think one channel drives one half of the tube and the other channel drives the other so pushing up both volumes has def. made a sonic differnce, but experiment.  Mind you it's still a cleaner sound.  If I had to use a plexi by itself I sure would have my MKII Tonebender there for some awesomeness lol.  For tone I run the pres. at noon, the bass very low, it has tons of bottom with the LP through the darker channel, and mids around 2'oclock and treble at noon.  Anyways rock and roll.

Ben

PS - I tried a PPMV on an amp once and hated it, plus it blew all my pre amp tubes so I had that fixed back to stock pronto.  Honestly if your purchasing a 100w plexi it wants to be cranked, I think doing some sort of attenuation is going to render a poor result, but give it a shot and let me know how it works.

Thanks Ben, I was really hoping that you would respond.  I love that recent video that you did with the new amps.  Is that plexi a 100 watter?  It didn't seem abnoxiously loud...you know nothing that my neighbors couldn't handle while they are at work during the day big_smile.  Also, is that one of the handwired versions or earlier reissue models?  Knowing you though I wouldn't doubt if it was an original one roll .  I will try it bone stock without any attenuation or PPIMV to see if I can make it work but I am open to mods to get the tones I need at the volumes I need.  I almost sprang for the 50w build but I realized that there isn't a huge difference in percieved volume.  My non MV 50w amps are friggin' loud but I can sure use them fine.  I got the polite tone down pretty good but now I'm dying to have that "rude" Marshall tone!  Besides, after hearing Eric Johnson's unreal tone off the ACL '88 concert I knew that I had to have a 100w Plexi.  I just need the Echoplex to get that tone...maybe Fulltone will finally come out with their EP-3 clone this year?  Anyways, thanks for the suggested settings and I'll definately post some demos of it when it's up and running! cool

Its a 100w SLP Ri, not a HW.  No not a real one either... yet lol.  It really isn't that loud.  100 watts isn't really that loud either, yea it will obviously do hearing damage, but I think its percieved that 100 watts is so much louder due to seeing/hearing it mic'ed through a PA at a cocnert of (insert fav. band here).  As for "rude", the SLP is the cleanest head in my rig, it has that Marshall tone that you love.  Don't get me wrong it still has a little chubby on it so it's not like 100% clean.  I bought that head like 3 years ago having never "really" played a plexi and was thinking I was going to be Jimmy Page, but when I got it, it wasn't that kind of dirt.  Then I put it aside and got the Emplexador which is a little more like a cross between an 800 and a Plexi, little more gritt.  I like the SLP better because it's cleaner.  Also it take pedals excellent.  Thats when the MKII Tonebender comes in, now it's instant Truth and Zep 1-4!  An 808 will smooth it out too for those boosted leads.  Don't be suprised when you get it and be like well it has balls, but its overdrive is a bit tame.  All of those guys in the Marshall camp back in the day used an OD of some sort, and its a champion recipe.

So light it up if you got em' (amps that is),
Ben

11 Reply by stratpaulguy86 (edited by stratpaulguy86 2009-11-26 14:28:59)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

Sweet man.  I really appreciate the input!  The only 100 plexi that I've had the chance of playing through was one just like yours at Guitar Center.  They had the thing attenuated to the max but it had a pretty nice tone.  I personally love the look of the plexis too.  Whenever I see a guy with one I immediately think that he means business lol.  I'm cool with it being a little cleaner as you mentioned because I want it to have a dryer, less saturated sound.  I loved the Tonebender in your video Ben.  It really did conjur up that old Jeff Beck/Jimmy Page tone!  I am thinking about picking up one of those Fulltone Soulbenders the next time I see one used/cheap.  How do you think just a simple TS808 in front of the plexi only would work?

PS if you want to convert your 1959SLPx to HW you can order the parts from MetroAmp and solder them yourself.  The instructions are really really good.  Or you could always sell that amp and just buy the kit altogether! cool  (You don't really NEED to do anything, that rig sounds killer as is)

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

An 808 out front of it would be perfect.  I use one and it def. smooths and boosts it for leads when that type of sound is needed.  LOL as far as handwired.  It doesn't make much of a difference if it is or isn't.  If its quality its going to be good.  If I do get a HW one, it's ganna be a real one from back in the day.  Just don't start talking about those cuz you might tempt me lol...

Happy Turkey Day,
Ben

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

OK
    So far its all sounding good Justin ,you will absolutely love building this amp, I built the ceriatone HRM
    and it was the best experience ever!! well close !!! ,  get a good quality soldering iron, and the book
    THE GUITAR AMP HANDBOOK  BY DAVE HUNTER it was invaluable !, as it explains how amps work,  gives you a
    amp to build checklist and gives you interviews from all the great amp builders KEN FISCHER TRAINRECK ,DR Z ,ect
     it is very addictive building an amp !!! and you learn so much about tone and how things work !!!

                                         GOOD LUCK     DEREK

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • Registered: 2009-07-16
  • Posts: 105

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

You "had" a JB100?!?  What would compell you to sell that thing!

I always have gear moving in and out save for a few pieces that will never leave. The JB 100 is a great amp but I just didn't use it enough as I tend to prefer my JTM45/100.

I have a real deal plexi that sits on ice so if I really need it I can break it out.

I have a Custom Bassman that Andy Fuchs just modded coming next week along with a few other Booteeks so I'll be OK.

Good luck on your Metro- They are top drawer!!. Yep a TS is good pedal to slam that thing with. I like the Blue Monkey as it is a tad warmer but very similar. Also the Xotic AC Booster. Meow!!

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Question about Joe's Category 5/Marshall Superlead

Thanks boys!  Can't wait to get the kit started.  I knew going UPS was a bad idea... hmm

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.