Marshall Mode Four

[Seashore]

Not sure what style of music you play, but I think the Mode Four is an interesting amp to layer with something that sounds "prettier". I wouldn't use it on its own, but I bet it blends well with something more mid-focused like a 5150.

It seems like a solid backup. Definitely has that Marshall depth in the clean tones. It's cool to play through as a different flavor from my main head, new tones inspire new riffs. We'll most likely wind up using her 5150 and my VHT but it's good to know I'm not stuck using my old Flextone at a show if something goes haywire.

[Rex_Rocker]

Given my preference for crispy tones, that probably wouldn't do it for me, but it makes sense that they would pair a dark cab with this head. We're not trying to find the right match for it though. We might not even record with it, and if we do, I'll put a dark mic on or low pass it in the box.

Not sure what style of music you play, but I think the Mode Four is an interesting amp to layer with something that sounds "prettier". I wouldn't use it on its own, but I bet it blends well with something more mid-focused like a 5150.

[Seashore]

Well, the Mode Four cabs are pretty dark. Especially the Vintage 30MF cabs. Those are pretty dark and stuffy. Not your average V30 cabs.

Given my preference for crispy tones, that probably wouldn't do it for me, but it makes sense that they would pair a dark cab with this head. We're not trying to find the right match for it though. We might not even record with it, and if we do, I'll put a dark mic on or low pass it in the box.

[Rex_Rocker]

The bass and guitar player I've been jamming with just brought over her Mode 4 so we can have two decent rigs for practice. First time playing around with one. I like channel 2 ("Crunch") a lot - high end is a bit fizzy for my taste but the clarity and overall feel are good. It would probably sound better through the smoother high end of my Deliverance cab, but since it's just for practice it gets the Sheffields. Clean channel is unfortunately louder than the Crunch sound. Seems like the other side can get me a nice saturated lead tone. I wouldn't take this over my rig but I would be fine playing a show with it.

Well, the Mode Four cabs are pretty dark. Especially the Vintage 30MF cabs. Those are pretty dark and stuffy. Not your average V30 cabs.

[Seashore]

The bass and guitar player I've been jamming with just brought over her Mode 4 so we can have two decent rigs for practice. First time playing around with one. I like channel 2 ("Crunch") a lot - high end is a bit fizzy for my taste but the clarity and overall feel are good. It would probably sound better through the smoother high end of my Deliverance cab, but since it's just for practice it gets the Sheffields. Clean channel is unfortunately louder than the Crunch sound. Seems like the other side can get me a nice saturated lead tone. I wouldn't take this over my rig but I would be fine playing a show with it.

[Rex_Rocker]

I have a mode 4 cab I got for $50 with speakers and cleaned up. I run my Orange & Marshall heads through it and it's a monster and way way way more than I will ever really need.

BUT IT'S FUN!

I think the MF cabs were always well-regarded. Both the V30 and the K100 variations.

It's the head that no one liked/likes.

I do think it was way overpriced for what it was back in the day. But I could say the same about 99% of all of Marshall's catalog.

[blakejcan]

I have a mode 4 cab I got for $50 with speakers and cleaned up. I run my Orange & Marshall heads through it and it's a monster and way way way more than I will ever really need.

BUT IT'S FUN!

[jeremy]

bruce can tell ya

[Rex_Rocker]

Even if you can get the nicest distortion pedal in front of a Jazz Chorus and you tweak it until you're happy, play it next to a real meal amp head into your 4x12 of choice, and I'm sure you'll be underwhelmed by the JC, tho.

With the exception of maybe if you're playind Swedish Death Metal and you're running an HM-2. But in that case, I'm sure the JC head into a 4x12 would sound much better than the combo.

[maug2122]

Not really.

I don't think I could get a great Metal sound from a Jazz Chorus if I tried. At least not without pedals.

But now that I think about it, I don't think the Mode Four sounds good without a boost either. So there's that.

If you use an amp like the Roland Jazz Chorus for Metal, you have to pump in pedal in the amp .
That amp is really a pedal platform .
If you don't have a MIDI'fied pedalboard, you'll end up "tap dancing" to change channels from dirty to clean .

[Rex_Rocker]

Honestly, not just with solid states, I just boost 99% of what I play.

It's only the EVH stuff or maybe some ENGL stuff that I like better unboosted.

Even if I love the EVH red channel, there's something really fun and satisfying about matching the right boost to the right amp.

Personally, what I just can't live with amps for Metal tones is open back cabs. I mean, it's OK for home practice if you put your little combo right against the wall. But for recording they just don't cut, IMO. Nor when playing with other people who are playing closed back cabs.

[dave74]

I like many solid-states as long as I have some pedals in front.

[Rex_Rocker]

If you have time and patients, anyone can have a great sound with any amp .

Not really.

I don't think I could get a great Metal sound from a Jazz Chorus if I tried. At least not without pedals.

But now that I think about it, I don't think the Mode Four sounds good without a boost either. So there's that.

[El Dunco]

If you have time and patients, anyone can have a great sound with any amp .

Doctors can afford the most expensive amps after all

[maug2122]

If you have time and patients, anyone can have a great sound with any amp .