METALHEAD ELECTRONICS IN THE PRESS & AROUND THE WEB
More Than Three Decades of MetalHead Amplifiers, Modifications and Tube Guitar Tone
From the original North Hollywood MetalHead Electronics shop to today’s Marshall modifications, musicians, collectors and guitar communities have continued to discuss Elan Memran’s amplifiers, modifications and all-tube preamps.
This page brings together discussions, equipment listings and historical references to Elan Memran, MetalHead Electronics, MetalHead modified Marshall amplifiers, the Elan MK series and related designs.
THE METALHEAD STORY
MetalHead Electronics was founded by Elan Memran and his brother Remmie in North Hollywood, California during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Elan developed high-gain modifications for Marshall and Fender tube amplifiers and later expanded those ideas into standalone all-tube guitar preamps including the Elan MK2, MK3, MK4 and MK5.
MetalHead equipment and modifications have been associated with musicians including Dino Cazares, Tom Morello, Ernie C, Ian Crichton, Butch Walker, Randy Piper, Tracii Guns, Armored Saint, Kelle Rhoads Band and Bruce Hornsby.
DINO CAZARES, FEAR FACTORY & THE METALHEAD MARSHALL
One of the most frequently discussed pieces of MetalHead history is the modified Marshall equipment associated with Dino Cazares of Fear Factory.
Gear references and guitar-community discussions have identified MetalHead modified Marshall JCM800 amplifiers and discussed Elan’s modified preamp circuitry, additional gain stages and noise-gate system.
Original MetalHead modified Marshalls continue to appear in collector discussions and used-equipment listings decades after they were originally modified.
2004: METALHEAD REMEMBERED AMONG MARSHALL MODDERS
JCF Online
In a discussion about hot-rodded Marshall amplifiers and amplifier modifiers, participants specifically remembered Elan “Metalhead” and discussed the sound of the Elan / MetalHead modification and preamp.
2011: METALHEAD MARSHALLS DISCUSSED BY GUITAR PLAYERS
Rig-Talk
A guitar amplifier discussion includes historical references to Elan Memran and MetalHead modified Marshalls, including discussion of additional gain controls, bass boost, noise reduction and the Los Angeles guitar scene.
READ THE 2011 RIG-TALK DISCUSSION
Seymour Duncan Forum
In another 2011 discussion about JCM800 amplifiers, a guitarist recalls owning an Elan “Metalhead” modified Marshall while discussing modified Marshall amplifiers.
THE ELAN MK2 PREAMP
Rig-Talk
A dedicated discussion titled “NAD: ELAN MK2 PRE BY METALHEAD ELECTRONICS” documents guitar-player interest in the Elan MK2 tube preamp and its connection with the MetalHead high-gain sound.
The discussion also contains memories and information about original MetalHead modified Marshall amplifiers.
AXIS EXCALIBUR EP1
Musiker-Board Germany
An international discussion about the Axis Excalibur EP1 connects the preamp with Elan Memran and MetalHead Electronics while discussing high-gain guitar tones and Fear Factory.
The discussion shows that interest in MetalHead equipment extended beyond the United States.
2017: METALHEAD TONE ENTERS THE DIGITAL PROFILING WORLD
Kemper Profiler Forum
FJA Mods announced amplifier profiles that included amplifiers modified by Elan / MetalHead, bringing examples of MetalHead modified amplifier sounds into the Kemper profiling community.
THE ELAN MK5 DINO PREAMP
Rig-Talk
The Elan MK5 Dino preamp generated its own dedicated discussion among high-gain guitar players.
As with many musician forums, the thread contains a range of personal opinions about the product as well as discussion of original MetalHead modified amplifiers.
2023: AN ORIGINAL METALHEAD MOD SURFACES
Rig-Talk
An owner of a vintage Marshall Super Lead started a discussion specifically titled “Elan Memran Metalhead Mod.”
The thread discusses the additional controls and circuitry found in an original MetalHead modified Marshall and includes contributions from guitarists familiar with the modifications.
2024: A RARE METALHEAD JCM800 IS FOUND
1983 Marshall JCM800 2204 Modified by Elan Memran
A guitar player documented acquiring a 1983 Marshall JCM800 2204 modified by Elan Memran of MetalHead Electronics after searching for one for years.
The discussion includes observations about the additional gain stages, bass boost, noise-gate circuitry and the ability to switch between different gain configurations.
The thread also generated discussion about the history of MetalHead Electronics and the relationship between these amplifiers and high-gain guitar sounds associated with early Fear Factory.
METALHEAD MODIFIED MARSHALLS ON THE COLLECTOR MARKET
Reverb
An original Marshall JCM800 2203 appeared on Reverb specifically identified as an Elan Memran MetalHead modified 1985 Marshall.
The seller described two additional gain stages and the ability to disengage the modification and return the amplifier to its stock JCM800 circuit.
Used-equipment listings are seller descriptions and should not be considered independent verification of every technical or historical claim, but surviving listings help document continued interest in original MetalHead modified amplifiers.
MORE ORIGINAL METALHEAD MARSHALLS SURFACE
Rig-Talk
Additional MetalHead modified JCM800 amplifiers have appeared in enthusiast sales and equipment discussions.
These listings describe features associated with MetalHead modifications, including additional gain stages, bass boost and noise-gate circuitry.
2026: THE DISCUSSION CONTINUES
Rig-Talk
More than three decades after the original North Hollywood MetalHead shop, guitar players are still discussing Elan Memran modified Marshall amplifiers when talking about recorded JCM800 tones.
A 2026 discussion about JCM800 guitar tones again identifies a heavily modified 2203 with the Elan Memran MetalHead modification.
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
METALHEAD ELECTRONICS TODAY
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 high-gain concept into a removable system designed to interface with existing amplifier tube sockets without drilling the amplifier chassis.
This allows guitarists to experience the MetalHead high-gain concept while preserving the original amplifier.
The technology continues to evolve, but the goal remains the same:
Real Tubes. Real Amplifiers. Real MetalHead Tone.
Archive Note: External links on this page open in a new browser tab so visitors can explore the original source without leaving MetalHead Electronics. External sources include independent discussion forums, equipment listings and community archives. Statements on those external pages represent the respective authors’ experiences and opinions and are presented here as part of the online history surrounding MetalHead Electronics and Elan Memran’s work.
MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF METALHEAD TONE
From North Hollywood in the late 1980s to guitar players discussing original MetalHead amplifiers today, the MetalHead story continues.
METALHEAD ELECTRONICS
Marshall Modifications • Tube Amp Repair • High-Gain Tube Tone
