Centre City Music: Amplifiers: Marshall Mode 4 Head

Marshall Mode 4 Head

A great many amplifiers have claimed to offer both classic and modern tones but, in truth, have fallen well short of the mark. The Mode Four boasts a true 'Two Amplifiers in One' design. Not only do AMP 1 and AMP 2 have totally separate valve pre-amplifier circuits, including an ECC83 valve each, but the MODE FOUR also completely reconfigures its power amplifier section depending on the AMP type selected.

MODE FOUR's flexibility is further enhanced by each of the two AMP types having two footswitchable modes. AMP1 offers Clean and Crunch modes, while AMP2 has OD1 and OD2.

AMP 1 is effectively the 'Classic' side of the MODE FOUR. Whenever it is selected, the power amplifier configures to recreate the unmistakable sound and feel of our world renowned 100 Watt valve power stage. By using this as a sonic foundation, AMP1 produces the unmistakeable Marshall power amp roar.

While AMP 1's Clean mode produces incredibly dynamic, three-dimensional clean and bluesy crunch sounds, its Crunch mode unleashes the un-bridled aggression and bite of the JCM800 Series, but with levels of gain never imagined in 1981, when this much-lauded series was first launched.

In terms of sheer gain, AMP 2 takes over from where AMP1 leaves off, with OD2 mode offering more Gain than any other Marshall before it, and thanks to the MODE FOUR's radical design, the player retains maximum control while searching for the ultimate high-gain signature sound.

Whenever AMP 2 is selected, the MODE FOUR's power section reconfigures itself so it can create the deep, dark-sounding, loose low-end that has proved itself to be so popular with many modern players who either detune regular six-strings, or use 7-string or detuned Baritone guitars.

Due to the unique design and the incredibly high headroom the MODE FOUR's 350 Watt power stage possesses,
AMP 2's impressively wide bottom-end not only has the sound and feel of an all-valve amp, it also doesn't lose definition at high stage volumes - a problem that many other similar sounding, all-valve systems suffer from.