Any Friedman BE50 Deluxe low volume users out there?

[charvel1984]

I just picked up a mint used Friedman BE50 Deluxe and after about an hour or so, I'm underwhelmed. I've seen others say the same and I'm positive my experience is because it was at bedroom volume and not band volume. I'm wondering if the amp just sounds dull, boxy and midrangey and doesn't get "high" gain at low volume?

I have other amps (Mesa Mark V90, Splawn Prostock, EVH 5153 Stealth 50, Soldano SLO) and can get them to all sound great at low volume. I'm going to continue to experiment but curious what others use for settings for a full sounding classic rock / brown sound. I tried all voices, gain structures, brightness etc but got no lows even with bass and thump dimed and all unpleasant mids. I was in 25w mode, FX master down to 9 o' clock with two different guitars into a Mesa Recto 2x12 with V30's.

I know folks say the Mesa V30s are voiced different, but I also noticed the preamp tubes are all Tung Sol tubes which I thought would be an upgrade so I'm hoping to rule that out. Also hoping to avoid running it through my Creamback loaded Splawn cab which makes everything sound big as I'd hoped to run the Friedman and the Mesa MArk V through the Recto 2x12 with a Mesa Headtrack so I could have 6 channels, one FX board and one cab.

Any tips for dialing in at low volume? Raise the FX loop volume and reduce the Master? I play primarily low volume and I realize my amps are overkill until I set up the basement studio again but I'd hate to give up on a "holy grail" amp if I'm just not dialing it in wrong or the tubes are not the best set etc. Thanks in advance!

 

[Corey James]

I have one. I use it at low volume. It’s awesome.

that said I’m using a UA ox, most of the time not always.

I also do not prefer it with vintage 30s and love it with green backs.

 

[Ben Waylin]

I have a Ceriatone clone of that amp, but I run it at full volume into a reactive load/line out.

 

[charvel1984]

I have one. I use it at low volume. It’s awesome.

that said I’m using a UA ox, most of the time not always.

I also do not prefer it with vintage 30s and love it with green backs.

That's unfortunate. I'm not really fond of the idea of needing to spend another $1500 to be able to use it in my home. If that turns out to be the only option, this amp will be going away rather quickly sadly. Thanks for the feedback !

 

[LP Freak]

I hated the 25w mode on the BE50. Always sounded horrible to me. I know it switches the the way the power tubes operate in that mode. It’s either triode or pentode, can’t remember but it’s not good. 50w mode sounds great.

 

[charvel1984]

I hated the 25w mode on the BE50. Always sounded horrible to me. I know it switches the the way the power tubes operate in that mode. It’s either triode or pentode, can’t remember but it’s not good. 50w mode sounds great.

That certainly gives me hope! I have a lot of experimenting to do still and that was one of them but I'll try that first tonight. Your YT videos are among a few of the things that convinced me to take the risk on the amp so this information comes well regarded.

I know the amp sounds great at volume, but if I can't get it to sound amp-like at practice volume it just won't be of use to me which would be a disappointment for sure. Thanks for the tip!

 

[LP Freak]

That certainly gives me hope! I have a lot of experimenting to do still and that was one of them but I'll try that first tonight. Your YT videos are among a few of the things that convinced me to take the risk on the amp so this information comes well regarded.

I know the amp sounds great at volume, but if I can't get it to sound amp-like at practice volume it just won't be of use to me which would be a disappointment for sure. Thanks for the tip!

Also try using the loop level as a volume

 

[charvel1984]

Also try using the loop level as a volume

Thanks @LP Freak. I was using the loop level volume (I have that on all of my amps except the Mark V and the 5153 but I use a JHS Little Black Box on everything that doesn't have it factory) but it was DEFINITELY the 25W mode causing the issue. Once I put the BE50 into 50W mode.....there were the sounds I was hoping for !! Voice (middle), Fat (on for classic rock and to fatten low wind PAFs), bright (on), SAT (off), Structure (High to compensate for a little power amp breakup but I dial the gain down on the front to retain the clarity) and there it was, the sounds I was hoping for and at whisper volumes!

I've now ordered a Dirty Shirley pedal to test the clean channel and see if I can rely on it as the pedal platform I am hoping it can be. *fingers crossed*. If I can pull pseudo Gilmour tones on the strat, EVH on the BE channel and Cantrell on the HBE then I've found my Holy Grail.

Thanks all for the feedback !

 

[LP Freak]

Thanks @LP Freak. I was using the loop level volume (I have that on all of my amps except the Mark V and the 5153 but I use a JHS Little Black Box on everything that doesn't have it factory) but it was DEFINITELY the 25W mode causing the issue. Once I put the BE50 into 50W mode.....there were the sounds I was hoping for !! Voice (middle), Fat (on for classic rock and to fatten low wind PAFs), bright (on), SAT (off), Structure (High to compensate for a little power amp breakup but I dial the gain down on the front to retain the clarity) and there it was, the sounds I was hoping for and at whisper volumes!

I've now ordered a Dirty Shirley pedal to test the clean channel and see if I can rely on it as the pedal platform I am hoping it can be. *fingers crossed*. If I can pull pseudo Gilmour tones on the strat, EVH on the BE channel and Cantrell on the HBE then I've found my Holy Grail.

Thanks all for the feedback !

Glad you got it worked out

 

[Giblesoqul2001]

I have been gigging a Pink Taco for a few years. The amp sounds great and easy to transport. For about a year I have been wanting to buy the BE 50 and on several occasions had the thing in my cart and about to checkout. Each time I talked myself out of it due to the weight and I don’t need 3 channels.

 

[fecieface]

I just picked up a mint used Friedman BE50 Deluxe and after about an hour or so, I'm underwhelmed. I've seen others say the same and I'm positive my experience is because it was at bedroom volume and not band volume. I'm wondering if the amp just sounds dull, boxy and midrangey and doesn't get "high" gain at low volume?

I have other amps (Mesa Mark V90, Splawn Prostock, EVH 5153 Stealth 50, Soldano SLO) and can get them to all sound great at low volume. I'm going to continue to experiment but curious what others use for settings for a full sounding classic rock / brown sound. I tried all voices, gain structures, brightness etc but got no lows even with bass and thump dimed and all unpleasant mids. I was in 25w mode, FX master down to 9 o' clock with two different guitars into a Mesa Recto 2x12 with V30's.

I know folks say the Mesa V30s are voiced different, but I also noticed the preamp tubes are all Tung Sol tubes which I thought would be an upgrade so I'm hoping to rule that out. Also hoping to avoid running it through my Creamback loaded Splawn cab which makes everything sound big as I'd hoped to run the Friedman and the Mesa MArk V through the Recto 2x12 with a Mesa Headtrack so I could have 6 channels, one FX board and one cab.

Any tips for dialing in at low volume? Raise the FX loop volume and reduce the Master? I play primarily low volume and I realize my amps are overkill until I set up the basement studio again but I'd hate to give up on a "holy grail" amp if I'm just not dialing it in wrong or the tubes are not the best set etc. Thanks in advance!

Turn on the fx loop, with nothing in it, set the amp up the way you would jam with you and and use the fx loop volume and the master \attenuator. Easy peasy.