SABRE Signature 50 | Boutique All-Tube Guitar Amplifier
SABRE SIGNATURE 50 GUITAR HEAD
Custom Colors Available
SABRE SIGNATURE 50 GUITAR HEAD
Handcrafted 50-Watt All-Tube Boutique Guitar Amplifier
Two Amps in One, From Crystal-Clear Cleans to Industrial Metal High Gain.
Built-In Reactive Loadbox, Silent Stage, Direct Recording, No Speaker Cabinet Required in Silent Mode.
The SABRE Signature 50 is a handcrafted 50-watt all-tube guitar amplifier designed by Elan Memran, founder of MetalHead Electronics and one of the original Marshall amplifier modders in Los Angeles, California.
Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I was modifying Marshall amplifiers in Los Angeles. My goal was to get more gain, longer sustain, and a tighter sound straight from the amplifier, without needing distortion pedals.
The SABRE Signature 50 takes that original MetalHead high-gain sound and puts it together with a separate clean channel. The overdrive channel has low-gain and high-gain modes, so you can go from classic rock crunch to heavy industrial metal distortion.
I also added a built-in reactive loadbox, speaker mute, balanced XLR output, and active tube effects loop. You can use the amplifier on stage, in the studio, or at home.
HEAR THE SABRE SIGNATURE 50
Want to hear what the SABRE can do? Watch the amplifier demonstration and listen to its clean and overdrive sounds.
SABRE SIGNATURE 50 GUITAR HEAD: TWO AMPS IN ONE
The SABRE Signature 50 has a separate clean channel and overdrive channel. Each has its own master volume.
CLEAN CHANNEL
The clean channel sounds full and clear, with plenty of headroom. You can dial in warm, mellow tones or bright cleans.
The FAT switch adds extra body and low-end response when you want a thicker sound.
The clean channel has its own gain, tone controls, and master volume.
OVERDRIVE CHANNEL
The overdrive channel offers two different gain modes.
Low Gain Mode: For blues, classic rock, and crunchy rhythm guitar sounds.
High Gain Mode: Based on my original MetalHead high-gain modifications. It has plenty of gain, long sustain, and a tight low end for heavy metal and industrial metal.
Both channels have independent master volume controls, making it easy to balance your clean and overdrive sounds.
BUILT-IN ACTIVE NOISE REDUCTION
High-gain circuits can get noisy, especially at higher gain settings.
The SABRE Signature 50 includes Elan’s built-in noise reduction system, developed for the original MetalHead high-gain circuits.
It cuts unwanted noise without cutting off your notes too early.
You can switch the noise reduction on or off and adjust its sensitivity to suit your playing style.
BUILT-IN REACTIVE LOADBOX AND SILENT RECORDING
The SABRE Signature 50 has a built-in reactive loadbox.
This allows you to use the amplifier without connecting an external speaker cabinet when the speaker switch is set to the correct silent operating position.
The reactive load lets the tube output stage operate while the speaker is muted.
DIRECT XLR OUTPUT
The balanced XLR output allows you to connect directly to a recording interface, mixing console, or PA system.
The XLR output includes an analog speaker simulation circuit. No digital processing is involved.
You can record or send your guitar sound to a PA without putting a microphone in front of a cabinet.
You can also use the amplifier with a traditional guitar speaker cabinet whenever you want.
IMPORTANT: When the speaker switch is in the ON position, do not operate the amplifier without a properly connected speaker load. Follow the owner’s manual for correct operation.
MORE FEATURES
INDEPENDENT MASTER VOLUMES
Each channel has its own master volume, so you can balance the clean and overdrive levels.
You can set the volume for the room without changing your gain setting.
CHANNEL SWITCHING
Switch between the clean and overdrive channels using the footswitch or front-panel controls.
You can also switch between low-gain and high-gain modes.
The FAT switch and noise reduction controls are operated from the amplifier’s front panel.
ACTIVE TUBE EFFECTS LOOP
The SABRE includes an active tube-driven effects loop with Send and Return connections.
Connect your delay, reverb, and other effects through the Send and Return jacks.
SPEAKER IMPEDANCE SELECTION
Select 4, 8, or 16 ohms to match your speaker cabinet.
SABRE SIGNATURE 50 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
POWER AND CONSTRUCTION
- Output Power: 50 Watts RMS
- Amplifier Type: All-tube guitar amplifier head
- Construction: Handcrafted boutique amplifier
- Weight: Approximately 21–23 lbs (9.5–10.5 kg)
- Designer: Elan Memran, MetalHead Electronics
TUBE COMPLEMENT
- Preamp Tubes: 7 × 12AX7
- Power Tubes: 2 × 6L6GC, matched pair
CHANNELS
- Clean Channel: Independent gain, tone controls, master volume, and FAT switch
- Overdrive Channel: Low Gain and High Gain modes
- High Gain Circuit: Original MetalHead high-gain design
- Noise Reduction: Built-in adjustable noise gate
- Master Volumes: Independent channel master volume controls
FRONT PANEL
- Clean and Overdrive channel selection
- Low Gain and High Gain selection
- Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, and Master Volume controls
- Clean channel Tone control
- FAT switch
- Noise reduction On/Off switch and sensitivity control
REAR PANEL
- Built-in reactive loadbox
- Speaker On/Off switch
- Balanced XLR direct output
- Analog speaker simulation circuit
- 4, 8, and 16-ohm impedance selection
- Active tube-driven effects loop, Send and Return
- Footswitch connection for channel and gain-mode switching
FROM METALHEAD ELECTRONICS TO THE SABRE SIGNATURE 50
Elan Memran was one of the original Marshall amplifier modders in Los Angeles, California, and the founder of MetalHead Electronics.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, I worked on Marshall amps for guitarists who wanted more gain, tighter bass, and longer sustain.
I used what I learned from those modifications when I designed the SABRE Signature 50.
It has the MetalHead high-gain sound, a separate clean channel, and built-in tools for recording and live playing.
To learn more about Elan’s original Marshall amplifier modifications, visit:
MetalHead Electronics – Original Marshall Amplifier Modifications
ORDER YOUR SABRE SIGNATURE 50
Handcrafted All-Tube Boutique Amplifier
From clear cleans to heavy MetalHead gain, the SABRE Signature 50 covers a lot of ground in one 50-watt tube head.
Custom Colors Available
HANDCRAFTED BY ELAN MEMRAN. BUILT FOR GUITAR PLAYERS WHO LOVE TUBE AMPS.