Marshall 1959 SLP unknown mod

[Riderhefader]

I recently purchased a 2002 Marshall 1959 SLP. It was said to have had a master volume added which is true and the channels internally jumped or blended. I don’t have a lot of experience identifying mods but from my little knowledge of mods it looks like it did have the master volume added in place of the normal channel volume and it looks to be more of a 2203 conversation. I could be completely wrong so I was hoping someone could help with identifying this. I will say it does sound great and does seem to have more gain than a stock 1959 reissue.

 

[Chris-in-LA]

I know that others more knowledgeable than me will weigh in here. But it almost looks like it has one channel has been cascaded like an 2203, and one Channel may be a post phase inverter master volume.

 

[Riderhefader]

I know that others more knowledgeable than me will weigh in here. But it almost looks like it has the normal channel has been cascaded like an 2203, and the high treble Channel may be a post phase inverter master volume.

Thanks for the reply! This is what I was thinking too. I was almost curious if this was what a dookie mod looks like

 

[Chris-in-LA]

Thanks for the reply! This is what I was thinking too. I was almost curious if this was what a dookie mod looks like

Not sure, but you can search it here because there have been some members who have actually posted pictures of what they think the dookie circuit looks like.

 

[neikeel]

Hard to say from the pics (the black tape obscures some wiring and the use of red wires every where does not show where it all goes.
However as Chris says looks like a cascade mod and a PPIMV (so not like a 2203 which is a pre-pi MV).

How does it sound?

 

[Riderhefader]

I have a 1978 2203 and a 1974 super lead to compare it too. It sort of sounds like it’s in between them. More gain then the super lead less than the 2203. Not as dynamic and touch sensitive as the super lead but more so than the 2203. It does sound great I will say

 

[Riderhefader]

Hard to say from the pics (the black tape obscures some wiring and the use of red wires every where does not show where it all goes.
However as Chris says looks like a cascade mod and a PPIMV (so not like a 2203 which is a pre-pi MV).

How does it sound?

I sat down and just played the 74 super lead, 78 2203, and this super lead reissue. Played each back to back with the same guitar and cab and it does sound closer to the super lead than the 2203 but does have more gain. Not a lot more but noticeably more.

 

[Riderhefader]

Hard to say from the pics (the black tape obscures some wiring and the use of red wires every where does not show where it all goes.
However as Chris says looks like a cascade mod and a PPIMV (so not like a 2203 which is a pre-pi MV).

How does it sound?

So this is a cascaded preamp with a PPIMV as you said. So my question would be how different would this be from a 2203 circuit. Compared it to a 78’ 2203 and a 74 super lead it’s kind of in the middle of the two but leaning a little close to the super lead

 

[Chris-in-LA]

A 2203 has no PPIMV. The cascaded V1 is the master volume control. The gain comes from the preamp with that arrangement.

 

[JM5010]

Perhaps this could be some sort of replica of the CAE 3+ Crunch channel, or replica of a Suhr SH100. i know exactly what you mean by that "not quite a plexi, not quite a 2203" sound. That's the goal of those amps/preamp.
Pictures aren't too clear, hard to see what exactly has been done. One of the cathodes is unbypassed for sure, and the mixer circuit is 470k/470p like any Marshall. A sound clip would help a lot. If you think this is some sort of Dookie Mod/CAE/L.A Sound Design mashup, play some green day riffs too lol.