Marshall Mode Four

[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.

 

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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.