Marshall Mode Four (here we go)

[dwarf]

Ok I've worked my ass off and I've managed to save up a fair bit.($4800AUS) and I'm going to buy a half stack I've heard good and bad things about the Mode four, I know you have to work with it to get a good sound but I think I'm going to get it.

Now here's the part where you guys come in, have any of you had any experiance with it. I know ideally I'm going to have to go into allans music and try out all the amps but I'd like your opinions.

[metalhead28]

Depending, of course, on what kind of sound you're after, I would think long and hard about a tube amp before a mode four. I have played a couple of mode fours and personally didn't like them too much. Especially considering you could get a tube marshall for a similar price. Sure, they have loads of headroom, but I've never found a 100 watt tube amp or even a 50 watter lacking much in that area. The high gain sounds on them are not bad but not on par with an 800 or even a 2000. The multiple channels are cool and make it versatile if you need alot of different sounds at a gig or something. I just don't think they have the balls of a tube amp. They are definitely LOUD tho. It is going to boil down to personal preference of course....so I recommend playing one if you can.

[dwarf]

I'm guna play one before I buy I play alot of styles.

Jazz
Metal
nu metal
(insert any name) metal
Funk
Rock

So I need versetillity

What did you think of the clean channel?

[metalhead28]

I do think the clean channel sounds good, probably won't go wrong there

[dwarf]

I' not really buying it for the clean channel or I'd buy a fender.

was there anything that really bugged you about it?

[CyanJaguar]

Originally Posted by dwarf

I' not really buying it for the clean channel or I'd buy a fender.

was there anything that really bugged you about it?

before you buy the mf, play a jcm200 dsl 50 or dsl 1000.

I think you will change your mind.

[Scottgman]

I haven't played (or heard) a Mode Four Marshall... but for that kind of jack, I'm sure you could get a better amp. I wouldn't pay that kind of money for a non-tube amp. Actually, I read a little about the Mode Four and it sounds like a hybrid amp-- preamp tubes but no power tubes. I had one of the Marshall ValveState amps several years ago and it just didn't compare to the quality of sound in my all-tube Budda Superdrive.

And why are you so set on Marshall? I've never thought of Marshall as "versatile" which is what you said you want. Maybe the Mode Four has lots of options, but there are other amps with lots of options also. You should check out some boutique amps (Bogner, Budda, Dr Z, etc.) or some other big-name amps (i.e., Mesa) before you throw down that kind of money on a Marhsall hybrid.

Anyway, that's just my $.02. Enjoy the process, shopping for a high-end amp is fun!

[dwarf]

I'm just getting alot of opinions from people. I'm not going to spend $3000 without talking to alot of people.

[Echelon]

Man, the mode four is alright, but not fantastic. The DSL and TSL series are better in my opinion. Smoother distortion and a nice sounding clean channel so long as you keep the head in good condition. Be wary of the pedal cords, they tend to fray or short out. Also, a lot depends on the cab you get, you can get very different tones from different sets of speakers. I personally like the Celestion V30's.

Other amps you might want to check out...
Mesa Triaxis preamp with a nice tube power amp
Mesa F or Lonestar
Peavey JSX is pretty sweet sounding
Hughes and Kettner Duotone or Triamp
Genz Benz El Diablo

Nothing against the Marshalls, just make sure you check out other options, you might find something else. Above all, it's good to play as many as you can before you buy.

[metalhead28]

Evn though I am a marshall fan, I second the recommendation to check out the peavey JSX. I have played one at a local music store several times now and am seriously considering buying it. Sounds great and has alot of versatility.

[Echelon]

Yeah, its kind of funny... Peavey gets overlooked a lot even though both the Triple XXX and JSX sound amazing in my opinion. Even their XXL sounds pretty damn good for solid state. Anyone try the 6505 yet?

[Radiohead0709]

I recently read an interview with the founder of peavey instruments in a guitar world magazine, and it really opened up my eyes to the company. I've known a friend of mine who owned a peavy single 12 (not sure of the name) for over ten years and to this day has had no problems with it. Also, I was surprised to find that two of the guys from 3 doors down use Peavey heads. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with the marshall JCM 2000 I bought, but the quality of Peavey gear is definitely underrated.

[metalhead28]

The 6505 is just a 5150 and a 6505+ is just a 5150 II. I will say again that the JSX does indeed kick some ass!

[dwarf]

I've heard that a tsl on the M400 cab is meant to sound choice.

Thanks for the opinions guys. I guess the only way is to try out alot of amps.

[Armistice]

If you're talking Allans in Sydney, ask for Jeff, he'll do you a good deal.

[olfunk]

i went to a gig last week, and in one of the bands, both guitarists used mode fours. they got pretty good sounds of it. cant even remember what they were playing but i can remember noticed they used them and they sounded ok.

[dwarf]

Nah dude it's allans Adelaide (Big faceless coperation) I'm getting $1200 off of the retail price ($4200) I was going to go to derringers (a small music shop who I normall deal with) but I don't feel comfortable screwing over the little guy that much.

So i'm going in (mabie with cash ) and walk up to the amps look, fiddle, try and then hopfully purchase for a good deal.

I'm getting fired up just thinking about it.

[gusfinley]

The mode four is an intersting amp.... They made is so powerfull that the transistors in the power stage wouldn't clip, so that you could get that pure tube sound. Transistors distort differently then tubes, if ya didn't know....

anyway, that is A LOT of power... a 50W amp will do you fine. Remember that the Power tubes add a little of thier own character to the tone of an amp, and throw in some nice compression, too.

The mode four, like any other hybrid amp, may be running the preamp tubes in "starved plate" mode (at really low voltages) those old Marshalls will give the tubes around 250-300V. A preamp tube needs at least 90 volts to act predictably. Having not seen a schematic for the amp, I would look into something else personally. For that price I could buy a real tube amp rather than buy something that is supposed to sound like a real tube amp.

[IronFlippy]

I'm not so sure about the MF, but I know Mesa has a new amp out that's loaded with EL34s (I believe) which is the same type of tube that gives Marshalls their sound. Plus, it has the Mesa build quality behind it, which is something I can't say for SS Marshalls (I haven't had very good luck with any of them). Anyway, this amp is called the Stilletto (sp?), you should go check it out, I've heard many good things about it. I might want to add that I've never played the Stilletto, because I've never had the money to spend on it, and I'm afraid that if I try it I'll end up spending my money for college and insurance on it .

[rxQueen]

you seriously don't need a 400 watt amp.

try the peavey 5150, marshall jcm800, and some Laneys. Laneys are awesome.

[Mip]

I agree with rxQueen - Laneys are awesome. You could get a Laney and have money left over. I own the GH50L - which is perfect for metal, it has more than enough gain - and 50 watts is plenty. It's only a single channel head, but it's got a great sound and is very affordable. You could look at the VH100R head if you want more channels, i've heard ONLY good things about this amp.

And by the way, what you said about "not wanting to screw over the little guy" - go and ask him if he'll match Allen's price, if he can't he won't be offended that you asked. If he's going to be "screwed over" by the deal, he simply won't do it. If they're good people, go see them, help them out.

Anyway, good luck.