HEAR THE ORIGINAL METALHEAD MODS
Real Players. Real Marshall Amps. Real MetalHead Tone.
Listen to original Marshall amplifiers modified by
Elan Memran of MetalHead Electronics.
These recordings, videos and discussions were posted by guitarists,
amp owners and independent guitar communities.
THE ORIGINAL METALHEAD SOUND
During the original MetalHead Electronics years in North Hollywood,
California, Elan Memran developed high-gain modifications for Marshall
tube amplifiers.
The goal was to create aggressive high-gain distortion inside the
tube amplifier itself while maintaining definition, punch and control.
MetalHead modifications included additional tube gain stages and,
depending on the modification, features such as bass boost,
multiple gain controls and noise reduction.
Don’t just read about the MetalHead sound. Hear it.
1983 MARSHALL JCM800 2204
Original MetalHead Modification by Elan Memran
A guitarist documented acquiring an original
1983 Marshall JCM800 2204 modified by Elan Memran
after searching for a MetalHead modified Marshall for years.
The discussion includes playing clips and information about the
additional gain stages, bass boost, noise-gate circuitry and
different gain configurations of the amplifier.
The owner also posted clips playing Fear Factory riffs through
the MetalHead modified Marshall.
Opens the independent Rig-Talk page in a new browser tab.
RAW METALHEAD MARSHALL RECORDING
Guitar Straight Into a MetalHead Modified Marshall
Another owner of an original MetalHead modified Marshall,
Mad Axe, posted a recording of his amplifier.
The recording was described by the player as a
1972 Gibson SG Custom going straight into the Marshall,
with raw guitar and drums and no EQ or processing added at that stage.
This makes the recording particularly interesting for anyone who wants
to hear the basic character of an original MetalHead modified Marshall.
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VINTAGE MARSHALL SUPER LEAD
Original Elan Memran MetalHead Modification
Another guitarist documented a vintage 1970s Marshall Super Lead
carrying an original MetalHead modification.
The discussion covers the additional gain controls, added gain stages,
bass boost and noise-gate features of the modified amplifier.
The players also discuss a demonstration of the amplifier and the
effect of the MetalHead bass-boost circuit.
Opens the independent Rig-Talk discussion in a new browser tab.
THE COMPLETE METALHEAD JCM800 STORY
Want to see more than the playing clips?
The complete discussion about the 1983 JCM800 2204 contains
photographs, owner comments and detailed discussion of the original
MetalHead modification.
It provides a look at an original MetalHead modified Marshall
that survived from the early era of MetalHead Electronics.
Opens Rig-Talk in a new browser tab.
THE FEAR FACTORY CONNECTION
Dino Cazares and the MetalHead Modified Marshall
One of the best-known connections in MetalHead history is
Dino Cazares of Fear Factory.
Gear references and long-running guitar community discussions connect
Dino’s early Marshall JCM800 equipment with modifications performed
by Elan Memran of MetalHead Electronics.
Equipboard’s Fear Factory album gear reference identifies a
Marshall JCM800 2203 associated with Dino Cazares as having its
preamp and noise-gate circuitry modified by Elan Memran.
Opens Equipboard in a new browser tab.
HEAR THE METALHEAD LEGACY ON RECORD
The connection between MetalHead Electronics and the early
Fear Factory guitar sound has been discussed by guitarists and
amp enthusiasts for decades.
The heavy, tight and aggressive guitar sound associated with
Dino Cazares helped introduce a generation of guitar players
to a different approach to high-gain rhythm tone.
High Gain. Tight Response. Tube Saturation. MetalHead.
THE ELAN MK2 PREAMP
The MetalHead sound was not limited to modified Marshall amplifiers.
Elan Memran also developed a series of all-tube guitar preamps,
including the Elan MK2.
A long-running Rig-Talk discussion documents an original
MetalHead Electronics Elan MK2 and includes extensive discussion
of its sound and its connection to the original MetalHead era.
Opens the independent Rig-Talk discussion in a new browser tab.
FROM THE METALHEAD ARCHIVES
MetalHead Electronics at the 1989 LA Guitar Show and NAMM Show
Original footage from the early MetalHead Electronics years.
MetalHead Electronics, North Hollywood, California
MORE ORIGINAL METALHEAD DEMOS WANTED
We are continuing to locate recordings and videos of original
MetalHead modified amplifiers from players around the world.
If you own an original MetalHead modified Marshall, Elan MK series
preamp, Axis Excalibur or other original MetalHead equipment,
we would like to hear from you.
If you have an old recording, video, photograph or story,
contact MetalHead Electronics so we can help preserve the history.
THE METALHEAD SOUND IS BACK
Today, Elan Memran continues the MetalHead Electronics tradition
with classic Marshall modifications, professional tube amplifier
repair and a new generation of MetalHead designs.
The new external MetalHead Marshall modification brings the
MetalHead high-gain concept to selected Marshall amplifiers
through a removable system designed to preserve the original amp.
REAL TUBES. REAL MARSHALLS. REAL METALHEAD TONE.
External Link Note:
Recordings, demonstrations, equipment references and discussions linked
from this page may be hosted on independent third-party websites.
External links open in a new browser tab so MetalHeadAmps.com remains
open in the original tab. Statements and opinions appearing on
third-party websites belong to their respective authors.
METALHEAD ELECTRONICS
More Than Three Decades of High-Gain Tube Tone
Marshall Modifications • Tube Amp Repair • MetalHead High-Gain Tone
