Ghost Note Audio - Lead 100 Gold Preamp

A mid-gain amplifier, with a lot of tonal similarities to the Plexi and JCM800 valve amps that Marshall was producing at the time. It provides a pretty wide sonic palette, thanks to its two channel design, the "Tone" control knob on the lead channel, and the ability to partially bypass the tonestack, resulting in a mid-heavy, crunchy tone.

Based on the Marshall* Lead 100 MOSFET.

About Preamplifiers

This is a preamplifier, and not a distortion pedal. We do not recommend connecting this device to the input of a normal guitar amplifier. Instead, it is best used in one of the following ways:
Connected to the Effects Return / Power Amp Input of a guitar amp

Connect your guitar to the pedal input, and connect the pedal output to the effects return. This bypasses your amplifier's built-in preamp, and the signal goes through the pedal instead.
Connected to a dedicated power amp

Some examples include the Seymour Duncan Powerstage, Harley Benton GPA-100, or the Mooer Baby Bomb.
Connect the pedal directly to an audio interface

For recording purposes, the pedal can be connected to either an instrument or line-level input on your audio interface. Using a speaker cabinet simulation plugin, such as an Impulse Response (IR) loader, to emulate the effect of a speaker cab is highly recommended.

Controls

Bass, Mid, Treble - A classic 3-band tonestack.
Presence - An additional control over the high frequency content, it works in tandem with the Tone knob on Channel 2 to give you a nice balance of top end between the two channels.
Shift - Partially bypasses the tonestack. This is a very unique feature of the original amp; when you pushed in the Gain knob, a large resistor would be inserted into the circuit between the tonestack and ground, causing most (but not all) of its effects to be removed. This gives the amp a big mid-range bump. With the tonestack in, the amp has quite an aggressive mid-scoop.
Gain - Controls the amount of gain in the circuit. Channel 1 goes from clean to crunchy, while Channel 2 goes from crunch to a relatively high gain hard rock sound.
Tone - Affecting only channel 2, this knob rolls off the highest frequencies, resulting in a smoother sound. Turning it all the way down will give you a somewhat muffled, slightly fuzzy sound. Experiment with this control as it has a very different effect at high and low gain settings, and also interacts with the overall Presence control.
Volume - Controls the output signal amplitude.
Channel Switch - Switches between the two channels (originally named "normal" and "boost").
Active Switch - Engages or bypasses the pedal with a relay (true bypass).

The original

The Marshall Lead 100 MOSFET guitar amplifier, also known by its model number 3210, emerged during the 1980s as a distinctive member of Marshall's lineup. Departing from the tube-driven tones that defined many of Marshall's classic amplifiers, the Lead 100 MOSFET embraced the then-emerging MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) technology. Known for its reliability and durability, it became a workhorse for many guitarists during its era.

While the Lead 100 MOSFET may not have achieved the same legendary status as some of Marshall's tube amplifiers, its unique sonic characteristics and solid-state innovation have earned it a place in the history of guitar amplification. The amplifier found favor among gigging musicians exploring new sounds in the evolving landscape of rock music during the 1980s.

Along with it's younger brother (the Lead 12 mini stack), this is an amp you will see on just about every list of greatest solid-state amplifiers ever made. The reason why is simple; It really, truly, captures the Marshall sound, and holds its own against some of the most legendary valve amplifiers ever designed.

Features

True Bypass with Relay switching.
Soft-touch footswitches.
Internal voltage-boost mechanism ensures circuit runs at same voltage as the original amp.
Rugged 16 gauge (1.6mm) steel enclosure with textured powder coat finish.
Solid aluminium knobs.

Technical Specs

Power Requirement: 9V DC, 180mA, powersupply not included
Power connector: 2.1mm center-negative barrel jack
Dimensions: 145mm (W) 108mm (D) 61mm (H)
Dimensions (with packaging): 185mm (W) 130mm (D) 70mm (H)