Freidman owners past and present

[nevusofota]

I'm looking to replace my EVH 50w. I just test drove a smallbox this past weekend. Really a great sounding amp. Sounds huge. What floored me is how you could hear each string, and with clarity, even with the gain cranked. It's very organic sounding. I think it's my next amp; that or a Shiva. You will likely need a boost if you're wanting very high gain. Looks like I'll be trading in my JP6 for one at GC.

 

[romanianreaper]

I had a modded Marshall Plexi reissue that Dave did years ago. Sounded great but I think it like the old saying, garbage in/garbage out. The amp I sent to Dave wasn't a great Marshall version to start with so even though he added the switches, etc., I knew it couldn't sound as great as an actual BE 100, etc. I agree with what someone posted above about it being "the sound in my head". I'd love to have a BE 100 some day but don't know if it will ever happen. They are a bit pricey but definitely worth every penny in my opinion. If I were still gigging, I probably would get one.

 

[TX6Strings]

Killer amp. Does everything except the more extreme forms of metal. I get bored and occasionally fire up 5153 50 watt or Mesa MKIV, but I always come back to the BE.

 

[skoora]

I would love a Dirty Shirley.....

....but honestly. Between my Mesa's and a Metro '69 and a Laney, I've got it covered and then some. That's why I started looking at Strats. I've exhausted amp GAS pretty much.

 

[Beyond Black]

I've got a Friedman KS Modded '80 JMP that absolutely kills. Best modded Marshall I've had. It's sent a Fortin and a few Camerons packing. My buddy and I both actually prefer it to his BE100. This Marshall has a super woody bark to it, and the perfect amount of sag. Has a great feel. Not too stiff, not too gooey. It's a lifer.

 

[steve_k]

Dave has come a long way and grown his company/brand. He has succeeded where many others have failed. Kudo's for that.

 

[atrox]

I have Marsha #35 and it still does it for me...only GAS I've had is for a NMV plexi (just to try it) and a newer BE100 to see if it's that different.

I don't get the dark comments, because I think it can get stupid bright if you crank the mids and treble, but maybe cause mine is older.

I only gig with the BE channel and a koko, but I'll play around with the switches when I'm bored. Back off the gain, turn on the C45 mode with a good amount of volume and a strat...so nice.

If I was buying new I'd probably get a smallbox as I always have a little delay in the loop and they say it's a little more vintage sounding.

I think people think of them as dark, because if you EQ it like a Marshall, it's dark in comparison. If you EQ it like a Friedman, it can get super bright. You just have to be willing to pump up the presence and treble a bit more than a Marshall user is used to.

 

[Crunchity]

First time Friedman player/owner here. I recently tried and bought a new SmallBox, loving it big time. They cover a lot of ground and do it well. I agree about the balanced Marshall tones...it can be warm or bright. I can get a really nice VH tone for example with the treble/prez set high and the bass turned down some. Set them closer to noon and it's a perfect crunch, not dark at all, at least not through blackbacks or greenbacks. I think another cool aspect is the way it takes pedals, it can be tightened for some killer high gain rhythm crunch or use a different flavor pedal and tweak the knobs and it will give you a very thick chewy/spongey lead tone. Then there's the loop.

 

[mickey83]

Very expensive tone for what you get in return...2 channels?

They sound great but I am a Boogie guy at the end of the day. The Friedman 4x12 sounds awesome though - something about the 2 greenbacks that make a world of difference.

 

[worldcatalyst]

I wasn't immediately impressed with the BE 100 at first when I tried one. If you really put the time into there are some fantastic tones in it. Between it and the Helios, there are some fantastic Marshall clones out right now that cover a lot of ground.

 

[Beyond Black]

Which Friedman amp would be a little looser, have more sag, than the BE100?

 

[BAN-ONE]

Which Friedman amp would be a little looser, have more sag, than the BE100?

That would be the Dirty Shirley, which is tube rectified. I've had the 1x12 combo for about 6 months and played about 20 gigs with it. A JTM45 Marshall vibe but with more gain available. It's awesome and super fun to play, cleans up really well with the volume on the guitar. My Wizard MC is getting jealous.
Here's a demo of the combo. A an ace early AC/DC tone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWgXdhX9Ffw

And a good overview by Lance Keltner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNWMoMGM8hw

 

[LP Freak]

I have Marsha #35 and it still does it for me...only GAS I've had is for a NMV plexi (just to try it) and a newer BE100 to see if it's that different.

I don't get the dark comments, because I think it can get stupid bright if you crank the mids and treble, but maybe cause mine is older.

I only gig with the BE channel and a koko, but I'll play around with the switches when I'm bored. Back off the gain, turn on the C45 mode with a good amount of volume and a strat...so nice.

If I was buying new I'd probably get a smallbox as I always have a little delay in the loop and they say it's a little more vintage sounding.

To my ears thr BE100 has been a bit refined since the Marsha days. The Marsha sounds more raw and the mids voiced slightly higher. To be honest, I prefer the Marsha because it sounds closer to a Marshall to me.

I also own a NMV Marshall. You'd be very surprised on how similar it sounds to the Marsha once you get it cooking. The one thing it's got over the Marsha is when dialing back the guitars volume it cleans up incredibly well but still sounds loud.

 

[Beyond Black]

Which Friedman amp would be a little looser, have more sag, than the BE100?

That would be the Dirty Shirley, which is tube rectified. I've had the 1x12 combo for about 6 months and played about 20 gigs with it. A JTM45 Marshall vibe but with more gain available. It's awesome and super fun to play, cleans up really well with the volume on the guitar. My Wizard MC is getting jealous.
Here's a demo of the combo. A an ace early AC/DC tone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWgXdhX9Ffw

And a good overview by Lance Keltner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNWMoMGM8hw

I've heard many killer clips of the DS, and it sounds amazing, but I was thinking a little less sag/vintage sounding than that. Out of the JJ, SS, and Small Box, which of those would have a little more sag than the BE100?

 

[LP Freak]

Which Friedman amp would be a little looser, have more sag, than the BE100?

That would be the Dirty Shirley, which is tube rectified. I've had the 1x12 combo for about 6 months and played about 20 gigs with it. A JTM45 Marshall vibe but with more gain available. It's awesome and super fun to play, cleans up really well with the volume on the guitar. My Wizard MC is getting jealous.
Here's a demo of the combo. A an ace early AC/DC tone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWgXdhX9Ffw

And a good overview by Lance Keltner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNWMoMGM8hw

I've heard many killer clips of the DS, and it sounds amazing, but I was thinking a little less sag/vintage sounding than that. Out of the JJ, SS, and Small Box, which of those would have a little more sag than the BE100?

Swap out the tube rectifier for a SS to cure the sag

 

[RACKSYSTEMS]

Small box.

 

[suhrimmetal]

Small box.

Besides being 1 of the best in the business... THIS ^^ is the exact reason why I have much respect for the man.

 

[Beyond Black]

Small box.

Thanks Dave.

 

[Adambomb]

I've discovered I don't like playing many 100 watt Marshall style amps at home much, but the BE100 sounds the best at home and on the stage no doubt. It mixes so well with in the band mix, and we play all kinds of styles. I dial in a little brighter tone with my BE100, but even with the Presence and treble turned down the Friedman still cuts superb in the mix.

Never had more good tone comments after shows than I have had with the BE100. Best amp I've ever owned and would go to great lengths to always keep it in my rig.

 

[mooncobra]

Which Friedman amp would be a little looser, have more sag, than the BE100?

That would be the Dirty Shirley, which is tube rectified. I've had the 1x12 combo for about 6 months and played about 20 gigs with it. A JTM45 Marshall vibe but with more gain available. It's awesome and super fun to play, cleans up really well with the volume on the guitar. My Wizard MC is getting jealous.
Here's a demo of the combo. A an ace early AC/DC tone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWgXdhX9Ffw

And a good overview by Lance Keltner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNWMoMGM8hw

damn, that amp sounds great through that rock n roll relic guitar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!