Real Owners. Original MetalHead Gear. Decades of Tone.
Long after the original MetalHead Electronics shop in North Hollywood closed, guitar players continued searching for MetalHead modified amplifiers and ELAN all-tube preamps.
Here are comments, recordings and discussions from musicians who have owned, played or encountered original MetalHead and ELAN equipment.
HEAR AN ORIGINAL METALHEAD MODIFIED MARSHALL
Here is a player demonstration of a Marshall MKII 50 watt amplifier modified by me at MetalHead Electronics.
AXIS EXCALIBUR EP1 OWNER
One owner described repairing an original Excalibur EP1 and getting its built-in noise gate working again.
“It has the heaviest tone of anything I’ve tried and is the closest thing I’ve heard to the Demanufacture tone.”
The same player described the preamp as particularly effective with low-tuned guitars and high-output pickups.
“It’s a unique preamp though. If you want metal it’s quite impressive with the right tubes and paired up with the right guitar.”
ORIGINAL METALHEAD MARSHALL OWNERS
“I have 2 Metalhead Marshalls and they’re awesome! They definitely bring something different to the table.”
Decades after I made the original modifications, MetalHead Marshalls still appear in guitar communities.
In 2024, an owner documented a rare 1983 Marshall JCM800 2204 with an original MetalHead modification and shared recordings of the amp.
ELAN ALL-TUBE PREAMP OWNER
One owner who found an original ELAN preamp described the design as unusually advanced for its time.
The preamp included multiple tube gain controls, a built-in noise gate, tube-buffered effects loop, clean, crunch and lead switching, and the ability to blend channels.
“This preamp is very ahead of its time for sure.”
“Ever since I heard that amp… I wanted this tone, and finally after many years I’m glad I have it!”
The owner also connected the sound with the aggressive guitar tones associated with early Fear Factory.
PLAYER REACTIONS
Other guitar players reacting to demonstrations of the rare ELAN preamp posted comments including:
“That sounded AWESOME!!”
“Killer sounding preamp man, I don’t suppose there are many of those around.”
“Killer tones, thanks for uploading!”
ORIGINAL METALHEAD AMPS ARE STILL BEING PLAYED
A 2024 discussion brought together owners and players of surviving MetalHead modified Marshalls.
One owner posted a raw recording using a 1972 Gibson SG Custom straight into his MetalHead Marshall. He described it as raw guitar and drums with no EQ or processing at that stage.
Another owner demonstrated his MetalHead JCM800 using Fear Factory riffs, giving players a chance to hear one of the original MetalHead modified amplifiers.
WHY THESE COMMENTS MATTER
Many of the original MetalHead modified amplifiers and ELAN preamps were built decades ago and only a limited number are still around today.
These comments and recordings give guitar players a chance to hear the equipment and read what the people who actually own and play it have to say.
It is great for me to see players still discussing, recording and searching for MetalHead equipment so many years later.
ABOUT THESE COMMENTS
The comments on this page come from independent guitar forums, equipment owners and musicians talking about their own experiences with MetalHead and ELAN equipment.
The comments are their own opinions and experiences and are shown here as part of the history of MetalHead Electronics.
EXPERIENCE THE METALHEAD SOUND
I am once again offering my classic MetalHead Marshall modifications, along with the new removable MetalHead External Marshall Mod.