HEAR AN ORIGINAL METALHEAD MODIFIED MARSHALL
Hear an original Marshall MKII 50 watt amplifier modified by me at MetalHead Electronics.
HEAR THE METALHEAD SOUND
Original MetalHead Mods, ELAN Preamps & Rare Gear
Here you can hear original MetalHead Electronics equipment I designed and modified over the years, including MetalHead modified Marshall amplifiers, ELAN all-tube preamps and other rare MetalHead gear.
I am putting these recordings, owner demonstrations and old discussions together to preserve the sound and history of MetalHead Electronics.
ORIGINAL METALHEAD MODIFIED MARSHALL
1983 Marshall JCM800 2204 Modified by Elan Memran
An original 1983 Marshall JCM800 2204 with my MetalHead modification surfaced in 2024.
The owner documented the amp and posted playing clips showing the MetalHead gain and high-gain response.
The discussion also includes Fear Factory-style riffs and comments from players familiar with original MetalHead modified Marshalls.
RAW METALHEAD MARSHALL RECORDING
An owner of an original MetalHead modified Marshall posted a raw recording made during an album session.
The owner described the recording as a 1972 Gibson SG Custom with a Bare Knuckle Aftermath pickup going straight into the Marshall, with raw guitar and drums and no EQ or processing at that stage.
VINTAGE MARSHALL SUPER LEAD WITH METALHEAD MOD
Another original MetalHead modification surfaced in a 1970s Marshall Super Lead.
The discussion covers the additional gain controls, switchable stages and MetalHead bass boost, along with a playing demonstration of the amp.
THE ELAN MK2 ALL-TUBE PREAMP
The ELAN MK2 was one of the all-tube preamps I designed during the original MetalHead Electronics era.
Players and amp communities are still discussing the MK2 decades later. These old discussions include sound demonstrations and information about its high-gain tube circuitry and noise gate.
AXIS EXCALIBUR EP1
The Axis Excalibur EP1 was another design that came from the ELAN and MetalHead preamp development.
Today these units are difficult to find, but old gear discussions still contain owner experiences, photographs, technical information and comparisons with the earlier ELAN preamps.
ELAN MK5 ALL-TUBE PREAMPS
Years later I developed the ELAN MK5 series of all-tube floor preamps for different instruments and playing styles.
- MK5 Dino – High Gain / Hard Rock / Metal
- MK5 Jimmy – Rock / Pop / Punk
- MK5 King – Blues / Country
- MK5 Acoustic – Acoustic / Clean
- MK5 Bass – All-Tube Bass Preamp
The MK5 Dino was based on my MetalHead high-gain approach and included a built-in noise gate.
I will continue adding original MK5 recordings and player demonstrations to this page as I locate them.
THE FEAR FACTORY CONNECTION
One of the best-known uses of my MetalHead Marshall modification was the modified Marshall used by Dino Cazares during the early Fear Factory period.
Today, owners of surviving MetalHead modified Marshalls still demonstrate these amps using Fear Factory riffs, giving players a chance to hear the tight attack and aggressive high-gain character of the original modification.
FROM THE METALHEAD ARCHIVES
Original MetalHead Electronics footage from the early days.
DO YOU OWN ORIGINAL METALHEAD OR ELAN GEAR?
I am building an archive of original MetalHead Electronics amps, modifications and ELAN equipment.
If you own an original MetalHead modified amplifier, ELAN MK2, MK3, MK4, MK5, Axis Excalibur EP1 or other MetalHead equipment and have a video or audio recording, I would like to hear it.
Please contact me and help preserve the history and sound of this equipment.
WANT THE METALHEAD SOUND TODAY?
I am once again offering my classic MetalHead Marshall modifications, along with the new removable MetalHead External Marshall Mod.
You can get the MetalHead high-gain sound without having to search for one of the rare original MetalHead modified amplifiers.