Marshall Takes Marshall To The Extreme: Introducing The Mode Four Amplifier

Marshall

Posted 2003-02-09

Marshall Amplification, a leader in guitar amplification for over four decades, announces the launch of the MODE FOUR. Development was based on direct feedback from Marshall’s loyal end users, and reaffirms the company as an innovator in its field. The new MODE FOUR family of products is comprised of the MF350 Head (350 Watt), and four 4x12" speaker cabinets.

When designing the MODE FOUR, Marshall’s R&D engineers drew upon their 40-plus years of experience in amplifier design as well as the latest innovations in valve, solid-state, and digital technologies. The result is the hybrid MF350 head that boasts incredibly high gain, dramatically expanded headroom, and a low-end response capable of accommodating today’s popular dropped tuning styles.

In addition to producing aggressive, bottom-heavy, modern, high-gain sounds, the MODE FOUR also delivers outstanding clean tones, along with the array of overdriven sounds that are synonymous with the Marshall name. To achieve this tonal flexibility, the MF350 head features a “two amplifiers in one” design. Designated as AMP 1 and AMP 2, both offer two footswitchable modes that provide the player with a total of four options. AMP 1 is the “classic” amp and provides CLEAN and CRUNCH modes. AMP 2 is the high-gain, “modern” amp with OD1 and OD2 modes. AMP 1 and AMP 2 each have independent valve preamp sections, and the MF350’s proprietary power stage automatically reconfigures itself depending on which AMP has been selected.

In order to achieve a wide tonal spectrum, the gain, clipping, and frequency characteristics of the triode valve stages in each of the two preamps are very different. AMP 1 is specially voiced to produce clean tones and overdrive tones equivalent to a hot-rodded Marshall JCM800 or Plexi. The two stages of its 12AX7 (a dual triode) valve-driven preamp section have been biased to produce classic Marshall clipping characteristics, resulting in clean sounds that rings with bell-like harmonics. And, when overdriven, the break-up is never harsh or unnatural sounding.

The radical bias of AMP 2’s preamp produces tremendous saturation and overdrive, yielding a highly aggressive sound full of musical harmonic overtones, dynamics and feel. AMP 2 has been specifically voiced to accommodate modern guitar sounds, including detuned 6-string, 7-string, and baritone guitars. Marshall has gone to great lengths to ensure that the dynamic range the 12AX7s impart is instantly apparent by turning the guitar’s volume up or down — exactly like an “all-valve” amplifier.

The fan-cooled power amp section of the MODE FOUR recreates the warm, musical feel of an all-valve power amp in either of its two configurations. It delivers 350 Watts into 8 Ohms while accurately emulating the damping characteristics of an all-valve power-amp. Marshall’s proprietary Dynamic Clip Level technology emulates the all-important interaction between a valve output stage and its power supply.

The MF350’s overall cosmetic design pays homage to Marshall’s instantly recognizable aesthetic and also incorporates a new, heavier-duty look. To provide a user-friendly environment, its Master Section is located directly in the middle of the amplifier to separate AMP1 and AMP 2’s controls, and eliminate any possible confusion between each AMP’s controls. The MF350’s two channels feature independent Scoops buttons and controls for Volume, Gain, Bass, Middle, and Treble. AMP 2 also features a three-way Tone Matrix control, which radically reconfigures the mids. The Master Volume section has controls for Master Volume, Resonance, Presence, Tuner Mute, and Solo Level.

The MF350 has a footswitchable Digital Reverb with independent controls for AMP 1 and AMP 2, footswitchable universal Solo Boost, Parallel/Series Effects Loop, two Emulated DI Outputs (XLR and 1/4"), and Tuner Output with Mute switch. In addition, a heavy-duty, six-way LED footswitch is supplied and provides instant switching between the MF350’s four modes plus Digital Reverb on/off and Solo Boost on/off.

The MODE FOUR family includes four specially-designed 4 x 12" cabinets (two angled, two straight), each of which measures over three inches taller than Marshall’s traditional 4 x 12" cabinets. The extra size of each cabinet helps to enhance and compliment the aggressive bottom-end capabilities of the MF350 head. The MF280A (angled) and MF280B (straight) cabinets are designed to be used in a full stack configuration, and they are loaded with four custom-voiced, 16 Ohm, 70 Watt 12" Celestion/Marshall “Vintage 30MF” speakers. The MF400A and MF400B cabinets are designed for half stack operation, and come loaded with four custom-voiced 8 Ohm, 100 Watt, 12" Celestion/Marshall speakers.

The new Marshall MODE FOUR Series amplifiers are available in the U.S. in January 2003 with suggested retail pricing as follows:

MODE FOUR Head $1699.00
MF280A Cabinet $1299.00
MF280B Cabinet $1299.00
MF400A Cabinet $1399.00
MF400B Cabinet $1399.00

New MODE FOUR MP3 sample files are available at www.MarshallAmps.com.

Marshall Takes Marshall To The Extreme: Introducing The Mode Four Amplifier

Marshall

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