Synergy Modules | 800 Preamp

The sound of a powerful British amplifier stack has long been considered the quintessential tone of rock music. Originating in the 1960s to meet the demands of pioneering guitarists such as Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton, these amplifiers ushered in an era of rich and sustaining overdrive. Over the subsequent decades, numerous British amplifiers have achieved iconic status, continuing to dominate stages globally. From the bluesy tones of early recordings to the high-velocity precision of modern rock, the company responsible for the amp stack remains synonymous with hard rock and heavy metal.

The landscape of hard rock and heavy metal underwent a significant shift around 1981. The looser, more indistinct tones of the genre's early days gave way to a demand for increased distortion, enhanced tightness, and crucially, the ability to control volume levels via a master volume. In response to this evolving need, a renowned British amplifier manufacturer introduced a guitar amplifier head that would become one of the most influential of all time, widely known as the 800. Guitarists across the rock spectrum immediately embraced this new amplifier, enabling the creation and performance of heavier and faster music than previously imaginable. Indeed, throughout much of the 1980s, the 800 was a near-constant fixture behind many prominent rock guitarists. Its aggressive high frequencies and prominent midrange frequencies proved, and continue to prove, an ideal complement to the powerful work of artists like Zakk Wylde with Ozzy Osbourne and the intense sound of Kerry King of Slayer. For those who favour a harder edge to their rock sound, the impactful tone of the legendary 800 is undoubtedly familiar.

For musicians seeking to integrate the distinctive bite of this original amplifier into their Synergy amplifier setup, the 800 preamp module offers a direct route. Significant effort has been invested to ensure that this module accurately captures the tonal characteristics of the original amplifier. Dave Friedman of Friedman Amplification, a respected figure who has worked on numerous 800 amplifiers, including those owned by many celebrated guitarists, spearheaded the design of this module. His extensive understanding of the elements that contribute to the exceptional qualities of these amplifiers was central to the design process. Furthermore, the 800 module has been enhanced with a higher-gain channel, allowing users to explore even thicker and more harmonically rich sonic textures. To provide additional clarity and definition, both channels of this 12AX7 valve-driven preamp are equipped with a bright switch, ensuring that every note cuts through the mix effectively.

The Synergy 800 module features a dual-channel configuration, with each channel offering independent gain and volume controls, as well as a shared three-band equaliser.

A notable feature of the Synergy 800 module is its three-position cathode select switch, which allows users to adjust the input valve bass response to emulate the original circuitry of the selected module. This patent-pending switch provides flexibility in shaping the feel and tightness of the sound. Different amplifier designers employ specific combinations of components in their input valve circuits, and this switch provides access to three of the most commonly used configurations. Users are encouraged to experiment with the different switch positions to discover their preferred tonal characteristics. The 800 module is supplied with the switch preset to position 2 (2.7K resistor and .68uf capacitor), which corresponds to the settings found in a classic Marshall JCM 800 amplifier.