Marshall Lead 12 Mini Stack

[Grumpy]

I've got a Marshall Lead 12 Mini Stack, which has the typical stratchy pots. Mainly the gain and volume pot but from time to time the gain pot will cut out. With a little tap on the knob it comes back in.

Aside from replaicing the pots is there any "fix" out there for this problem?

And if I did go with replacing the pots any suggestions on a good vendor?

Thanks Vince

[Mordor]

Try to remove the the knobs and use a spray can of contacts cleaner.

[Rsmacker]

Spray the contact cleaner inside the pots, not just at the pot shaft (oo-er!) obviously!
You'll need to take the chassis out of the sleeve to do it, then turn the amp on*. Use the little straw that comes with the cleaner and spunk it into the gap at the base of the pot. Turn the pot backwards and forwards while you are doing it until it is quiet. Then give it another squirt for luck (well, to blast the crud).


* Only do it if you are competant and understand that electric shocks aren't funny and can KILL you. (ie. Keep your fingers, watch strap, dog's tongue etc away from the PCB and innards of the amp if it is plugged into the mains) If you aren't confident and competant, or shake like a wino at 9am, do it with the power off - it'll take longer to do but will be safer!

[Grumpy]

Thanks for the replies. I'm debating on weather I am going to take it in for a service. For some reason I love this thing, don't ask me why.

I live in CT, is there a trust worthy service tech anybody knows?

Thanks again Vince.

[Rsmacker]

I love those things too!! If anyone has a Jubilee series one they want to sell, I'm on a mission for one!

Vince, you obviously have no technical leanings, and that is fine, stick to making nice noises rather than poking about inside it. Just be aware that there is very little to service on an amp like that, anyone with an interest in electronics or even a TV repair man could do it - all there is really going to be wrong with it is shitty pots which need to be cleaned, or at the worst, someone who knows how to handle a soldering iron to change some pots. The gain pot may just be a dry joint and require simply dabbing the joints with a nice hot iron.

As I say, if you have no interest in looking at the guts of the amp, or are not very confident, don't do it yourself - safety first!!

Don't travel miles to a "specialist" who may arse-fuck you for some Christmas cash with a "thorough service", I'm sure you will find somone local who can sort out a few crackly pots for the price of a couple of beers.

There's years and years of enjoyment left in that amp yet!

[Grumpy]

I love those things too!! If anyone has a Jubilee series one they want to sell, I'm on a mission for one!

Vince, you obviously have no technical leanings, and that is fine, stick to making nice noises rather than poking about inside it. Just be aware that there is very little to service on an amp like that, anyone with an interest in electronics or even a TV repair man could do it - all there is really going to be wrong with it is shitty pots which need to be cleaned, or at the worst, someone who knows how to handle a soldering iron to change some pots. The gain pot may just be a dry joint and require simply dabbing the joints with a nice hot iron.

As I say, if you have no interest in looking at the guts of the amp, or are not very confident, don't do it yourself - safety first!!

Don't travel miles to a "specialist" who may arse-fuck you for some Christmas cash with a "thorough service", I'm sure you will find somone local who can sort out a few crackly pots for the price of a couple of beers.

There's years and years of enjoyment left in that amp yet!

I just dropped it off to a local music shop (Marshall dealer) that I've used before. I've never felt that they have done me wrong, so I'm not to worried .

I'm looking for another black Lead 12 Micro Stack if any body would like to sell. I once new a guy who had 6 of these things all stacked up like a wall of full stacks. IMO it looked cool as hell and sounded !

[DonP]

I have three Micro Stacks from the 80s - a plexi, and blackie, and a jubilee. The jubilee is my favorite because of the tone. It is different than the other two because it doesn't have a line out in the front, and there are circuit differences as well.

I haven't researched the pot problem yet. One thing it might be (that worries me) is that the circuit might be designed that current is flowing through the pot - a very bad thing. If this is not the case, I'd be willing to upgrade all the pots in my Silver Jubilee. Maybe put in an effects loop as well (it already has the direct out in the back - just need a direct in to the power amp).

My Plexi has the circuit pulled out because I'm going to replace it with a tube plexi with a 5 watt power amp. The speakers have already been swapped to Vintage 10s.

I have a DSL100 1/2 stack, but for easy of use, these Micro Stacks are great. I get a killer tone with these as well. I've heard ZZ Top did recordings with these and a 1x12 loaded with a G12-100.

[MetalMedal II]

I really dig their tone, but not from the stock cabinets. 1x12 or larger cabs do the lead 12 some justice.

[Rsmacker]

.

I haven't researched the pot problem yet. One thing it might be (that worries me) is that the circuit might be designed that current is flowing through the pot - a very bad thing. If this is not the case, I'd be willing to upgrade all the pots in my Silver Jubilee. Maybe put in an effects loop as well (it already has the direct out in the back - just need a direct in to the power amp).

Naaaaaaaaaaaah, don't mess with it, just sell it to me. SELLLL ITTTT TOOOO MEEEEEE......
It's the only Jubilee series amp I haven't got, and I want one very very much!

[DonP]

ebay

[Grumpy]

Naaaaaaaaaaaah, don't mess with it, just sell it to me. SELLLL ITTTT TOOOO MEEEEEE......
It's the only Jubilee series amp I haven't got, and I want one very very much!

I just landed one today. I should have it by the end of the week.

I didn't even have to sweet talk the wife.