Marshall Lead 12

great amp with almost all the power you need to jam, a little iffy when it comes to clean and loud, distorts a little but for how old it is it does great, can keep up with 2nd guitarist, drums and bass no prob.

I am using a Ibanez RG 350 DX (awesome guitar btw) with Powersound (magnetic i think) pickups. Great for rock. You need a good pedal for distorion then it sounds great but not high pitched and grungy, more heavy, e.x. creed, nickleback styles are awesome. High clean volumes tend to distort but its still pretty loud.

Definitly reliable, never had a problem and my whole mini-stack even fell out of the van once onto gravel with no problems, if itrs cold somtimes it wont work for 5 min or so but hey, its about 10-15 years old. cant complain.

never had a problem so as far as i am concerned they could have none and i wouldnt care

I have been playing for only 6 years, i have these pedals to complement my amps: digital delay, octave, heavy metal, distortion, chorus and a parametric eq, i highly recommend the eq, helps the amp sound awesome. i only wish it was a little louder in the clen so it never distorted.

I bought this amp used in '84, since then it has always worked.
It's a practice amp: one channel, HI&LO inputs, Gain,Volume,H M B and that's it; Despite this it can be very loud, really suitable for recording sessions and I dare say versatile.

Using a Strat or a Les Paul Studio whit P90 I normally plug in the Lo-Gain section: I think this enables you to get nice clean tones and incredible distortion - I also use a Tech XL 21 as overdrive. This is my set up for ZZ TOP or mid- seventies rock; sometimes I plug my guitar in a Zoom 9030 and then stright in the Lead 12 and be sure you get whtever sound you want. It's only a matter of using amp tones properly.

I'd use this little monster during gigs or at reharsals since '84, never had problems: really a reliable one.

Never got i touch with them

I've been playing for over 20 years now through a variety of amps: Fender, Marshall, Crate, Mesa and I'm now using a Marshall JCM 900 and be sure that you don't loose so much carrying this amp to gigs and moreover is so light: ever carried a Twin? you know what I mean..
I think that to get so a small amp with so graet tone: sure you can have now amps with reverb or presence but I wouldn't change this one with any Valvestate or Performeryou could get your hands on.
The only advice is don't be lazy: learn how to use tones and gain on this amp you wont have problems on anything else!

Basic features high and low inputs,gain,volume,treble,mid,bass,
Headphone or line out, on switch. 1 10 inch Celestion speaker
8 ohms, 12 watts output solid state.

The clean settings are too trebley for me. There are better clean
sounding amps for sure. The distortion gain knob does not do much
until you hit about 9 then it is razor thin between an almost good
sound and too brittle of a distortion. I do not use this for clean
and I don't use its distortion. I use a Boss SD-1 pedal and that
makes a world of difference. Amp is fairly loud, not heavy to carry
either.

Looks well made. mine is very clean and makes no bad noises at all.
Mine is dated 1985. I did a total tear down and cleaning/inspection.
The amp is very well made and you could actually work on the amp
section. It is laid out very well. Clearly marked PCB board with lots
of space between components.

Do not know.

I may keep this amp. As I said I like the distortion from my Boss
SD-1 pedal. I have other amps for clean sounds.

Hi, this amp is the head and 2 1x10 cabs. This is a great amplifier. This amp was made in the mid 1980's. The amp is very versatile for a miniature stack. This is the perfect amp for studio recording. The only problem is that it does not have reverb...but I use a reverb pedal. It has two inputs, gain, volume, treble, mids, bass, power switch. I even hooked the head up to a Marshall 4x12 cab and it cranks, but you want to make sure you keep the correct ohms. I say this is a great little solid-state Marshall. It gives you a great AC/DC tone and an terrific Billy Gibbons tone from ZZ Top. If you were to use this amp live, you would have to mic it of course, but in small clubs it would be perfect.

I get great sounds with this amp. I play rock and Marshalls are great rock amps, but I'm leaning toward the Mesa Boogie's and Vox amps. The sound of this amp is just so great for 10" speakers and 12 watts. The head can be ran direct to a mixing board instead of picking up background noise. The two cabs are loaded with Celestions. Most Marshalls are loaded with Celestions. If these only had Greenbacks......One special thing is you can get with the gain nearly almost up is great pick harmonics.

This has been a really reliable amplifier. When I first got it, I bought it from a music store but the amp was not in working order, so therefore I had to get it serviced, but other than that I have had NO problems with it whatsoever.

I have never dealt with Marshall. I'm sure if I did they would be friendly; When I had it repaired, the service was done very well. The problem with was that it was dusty and had some cold solders.

I have been playing for years and I think the money I gave was well worth it. This amp will soon be VINTAGE!!! I have compared this baby stack with the new 15 watters, and the only difference is the 3 watts and reverb...it may have an effects loop?? But anyways, the amp is incredible. I am thinking about using it to record my first CD.

I had the good fortune of stumbling across it in a pawn shop about five years ago for a mere $50.00 ... it's a mid-1980's version. Two inputs (high and low), gain, volume, bass, mid, treble, direct out and phones out. Not fancy, but certainly gets the job done and the price was right.

I'm using a USA Strat, using the Marshall as a preamp, into dual Fender Ultimate Chorus Amps (renouned for crappy distortion but outstanding clean channels). I play mostly blues and with this little Marshall's gain set at 3 and volume at 5, and Fenders volumes set at 5, the Fenders just purr and growl. I previously ran it through used a 75 Fender Twin and the Ultimate Chorus, and got great tone until the Twin bit the dust. Running the Lead 12 through the two Ultimate Chorus's was a bit noisy at first, but the addition of a Boss NS-2, has made a huge difference! I like just a bit of break-up and the Marshall gets it. I can get great SRV tones, Bluesbreaker, or crank it up for a bit of Hendrix tone. I have also run an acoustic (min gain & volume settings) through the low input channel, and in conjunction with the Fender's chorus and reverbs channels have gotten lush, crisp tones (Think SRV Lenny tone)! DI recording yields some awsome tones. Dynamics and response are damned close to tubes...really impressive.

I've played the holy hell out of this set-up, and have had no problems over the past five years. Dependability, and bucks were the primary reason I leaned towards this set-up. I'm sure I'll get another 5 years. I'll never give this amp up...it's fun, cheap, and with a little ingenuity this amp can definetly be a value added purchase.

It's built like a tank, and in the 5 years I've owned it, it's performed flawlessly.

I've been playing over ten years, and have owned many other amps and effects...but my current minimal amp set-up sounds great, and has been very dependable. I really like the marshall break-up, and usually roll the high end off the treble. I have tried virtually every distortion/over-drive stompbox made, and the Lead 12 gives me that growl I'd been searching for!

The other reviews cover the features. Why anyone would give this amp a "9" for features is beyond me... it's got one channel, no reverb, you get the idea. The amp is pretty weak in terms of overall value. My 6w champ is louder.

The clean sounds are VERY sterile. We're talking no warmth at all. They're not terrible but not what I would consider good either. The top end is very brittle. With the gain up the amp is better; it's got fairly tight bass and crunches OK but the high end is still kind of buzzy. The EQ section is not very flexible. Even with the treble all the way down you can't roll off the sizzle.

Seems like it's built OK. I pulled apart the chassis; everything is mounted on a PCB; drop this sucker on it's face and it could toast the whole amp. The pots were very noisy but a little Caig De-Oxit fixed that.

I've been playing for nearly a decade and have owned a lot of amps. This one happens to be a friends which I had for a weekend while I was fixing it (the previously mentioned noisy pots). It's not the worst amp I've ever played but it's hardly the best. I'm baffled on why the other reviews rave about this amp. It might be worth $50 or $60 but my SF Fender Champ is much better.

This is the musician's plug-n-play type amp. Gain, Volume, B/M/T is all you need. Lo and high inputs; HP/Line out. This is the combo model. Opened her up and found the inspection date of 3/24/86. I use this amp primarily for practice but have also used it for small gigs with a full band.

Great Marshall sound. Crisp highs and punchy mids. I generally like a tighter bottom end, but sounds great never-the-less. It's a little dificult to find the sweet spot. The transition into saturation is transistor sharp.

Never had a problem with this amp. Built like a rock.

N/A

I've been playing for about 8 years. This was the first amp I purchased. After three other amps came and went, I'm finally playing a Fender 70's Silverface Bassman 100 into a Fender 2X12. My guitar of choice is a Gibson Les Paul Custom of unkown origin. After a few years in the closet, I was able to resurect my Fender from the dead. Damn Kahler bridge! I've also been known to use the DigiTech RP2000 for home recording or dinking around.

I will never willfully give up this amp. If by circumstance we should part company, I would look at a small tube amp.

1985 Lead 12. (mod.# 5005)Features include pre and post gain, treble mid and bass eq, a line out/headphone jack, and a on/off switch that doubles as a power indicator. 12 watt solid state amp and a 10" Celestion Speaker. Barebones, to say the least, but it's the TONE that makes it great.

This amp was seemingly designed to be played in conjunction with my '56 Les Paul Junior. It sounds okay with my other guitars, but my Jr. SCREAMS, when played through this amp. Great hard rock tone, (Bad Co., etc.) The clean tone is okay, but when you push the pre gain to about 9, and the post on 3, it sounds fantastic. I've been reading that this amp is strictly a practice amp, and having used it in a couple of studios, it is very much at home in a digital studio environment. Playing lead really cuts through the mix, and the rhythm crunch is awesome.

I bought this from the original owner, who had had it just a few months, and have played the dog out of it ever since, and I've never had any problems with it. I lost a knob cap once, and that's the end of it. (This just adds character!)

I've never dealt with the company, and I've owned several Marshalls, although I've bought it all used.

I've been playing guitar since 1974, and have owned many amps, but I've kept this one through it all. I own a 50's Gibson, a Johnson Millenium 150, a Marshall JCM800, a Marshall Lead 100, and a Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Caliber+, but I will never get rid of this Lead 12. It just has a tone that I love. The only thing I wish they had done with this amp, is to add a presence control. Other than that, this amp is fantastic.

This is a pretty good amplifier for its day , it has the standard array of knobs to get you started , Including , gain , master ,treble , middle and bass and a 20w celestion speaker to boot , two independent channels of high and low , pa out , and headphone in . and marshall namesake to boot , what more could you want? is it really a practice amp?

It is a marshall , what could i say ? clean overtones of the sizzling celestion speaker , plus the great distortion if you crank it up loud . I have been experimenting with the tones of this amp and it has a great range , good stage amp , who needs a p.a , just crank up and let loose , I am currently using a 1957 custom shop strat , B.c rich warlock , and Hohner st viper 2 , and it just keeps rocking , who needs tubes when you can just open wide with this puppy and let it roar.

Bloody reliable it is a valvestate aint it? you think as you turn the Gain to 10 , surprise ! it anit a tube and it gives you the crunch to divebomb your neibours. I have had it only 1 week and i will never get another , all i need now is a effects box and im on fire!

Who needs it , marshalls outlive the bands that made them famous!

I have been playing 7 years , and I have always wanted a marshall amp , now that i have one that i can play every day at home or at gigs where I need a great sound ill use the marshall! , If you find one keep it , they are one of a kind , also if you put an electro acoustic through it , make sure gain is never over 2 , and remember have fun . Im a professional guitar player , and in my opinion , any amp with the marshall name is a good amp.


The Other gear I own:-

Guitars.
57 custom shop strat
hohner st viper , locking tremlo custom with slash,s signature
Bc rich warlock us standard thru neck
Maton 1949 alver originial #1 off production in aus (rare)
Velencia 1980 custom made classicial 3/4 body full sized neck
Spandeshca Guitarra classical full size (rare , made in iran)

Amps:-
Yamaha Budokan 10g ( 50 watt speaker fitted , custom circuitry)
Guyatone 40w bass amp
Carson 10w practice (dont ever buy one)

i bought this cool little mini-stack cause it looked cool.it's pretty good though.it doesn't work when it's broke.go figure.

only one channell but i called the ghostbusters and they said they couldn't help me.it sounds like an ambulance on tuesdays!

very dependible.i've gigged with it for a year when my big amp broke.
just took a lead from the line out to the p.a and i was set.i've noticed that it doesn't like it when you throw your guitar at it.it tends to break

i called them up for no reason whatsoever and they offered me a job.
i said no.

i've alson noticed that it's small enough to put in a corner and laugh at.i once threw it at an old lady.she wasn't impressed