Amp Build: Marshall 1959T – "Bay Area Thrash" Langner Mod

  • Thread starter Thread starter FourT6and2
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FourT6and2

FourT6and2

Well-known member
@Racerxrated sent me his '72 Marshall 1959T Super Tremolo for a 5-gain stage mod. This one is inspired by Langner's work with the DCP-1 and various Marshall mods he did, combined with a few of my own little tricks. As on homage to Todd Langner and the history of trash metal in the SF Bay Area, I'm calling it the "Bay Area Thrash" mod (B.A.T.). It's currently a work in progress, so follow along for updates in real time!

The Super Trem makes a great platform for added tube gain stages because it already has the additional preamp socket installed AND it has an extended turret board for the trem circuit, while retaining everything a regular Super Lead has. So if the owner doesn't mind getting rid of the tremolo, it's a perfect donor amp.

I received the amp this past Monday and got to work testing it to make sure it was 100% functional before starting the mod. Then I spent a couple days in Photoshop, adapting the B.A.T. mod I previously did for @Exo-metal for the Super Trem layout. This is really the meat and potatoes of the mod—the homework. It takes a good deal of planning and drawing and puzzle solving to figure out how to take an idea from concept to schematic, to layout, and then to a finished product.

Despite the mileage this amp has seen, it seems strong. So I got to work...

Stock-ish amp as it came to me:

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FourT6and2 said:
This is really the meat and potatoes of the mod—the homework. It takes a good deal of planning and drawing and puzzle solving to figure out how to take an idea from concept to schematic, to layout, and then to a finished product.
Click to expand...
So I've come to find out... Planned for a power supply rebuild and output jack type swap for a friend, and ended up doing way more drilling, measuring, bolt cutting, circuit board fab, and general physical stuff than I anticipated.
 
This is one of a very few amp/mods left to try...and, since they're so rare, decided to take the plunge knowing Ted(Exomtl) LOVES how Mike was able to restore his 71 Langner to its previous glory.
My 72 is my fav amp ever, and was NOT going to make the journey as I was looking for another early 70s donor Marshall for this mod. As luck would have it, I found a late 68/early 69 Plexi SuperTrem for a good price, and it was going to make the journey...except, damn if it didn't have an even better 3D like thing going on vs my 72. So the 68 stays stock, and the 72 becomes a fire breather....
 
Racerxrated said:
This is one of a very few amp/mods left to try...and, since they're so rare, decided to take the plunge knowing Ted(Exomtl) LOVES how Mike was able to restore his 71 Langner to its previous glory.
My 72 is my fav amp ever, and was NOT going to make the journey as I was looking for another early 70s donor Marshall for this mod. As luck would have it, I found a late 68/early 69 Plexi SuperTrem for a good price, and it was going to make the journey...except, damn if it didn't have an even better 3D like thing going on vs my 72. So the 68 stays stock, and the 72 becomes a fire breather....
Click to expand...

awesome man!! That will be a ton of fun. Langer style mods are really easy under the fingers to play, I don't doubt you'll love it
 
Racerxrated said:
This is one of a very few amp/mods left to try...and, since they're so rare, decided to take the plunge knowing Ted(Exomtl) LOVES how Mike was able to restore his 71 Langner to its previous glory.
My 72 is my fav amp ever, and was NOT going to make the journey as I was looking for another early 70s donor Marshall for this mod. As luck would have it, I found a late 68/early 69 Plexi SuperTrem for a good price, and it was going to make the journey...except, damn if it didn't have an even better 3D like thing going on vs my 72. So the 68 stays stock, and the 72 becomes a fire breather....
Click to expand...

Based on the work so far, I might have to grab a Super Trem for myself as well lol... I didn't realize how great they are for mods.
 
Looks great! So how is it going to operate? Is it a plug into this jack for 5 stages or plug into that jack for 3 kind of thing?
 
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