Friedman Smallbox and Boost/Overdrive pedals

[born_hard]

Hi,

i am considering a Smallbox as my next amp. I read in several posts that boost and overdrive pedals are not that easy with the Smallbox. So what exactly is the problem? Does it sound not good enough? Is it mushy?
And is this the case in both channels (plexi and BE) at higher gain or also in lower gain?
Is this the case with the other Friedman amps , too?
Lets discuss..

 

[AndyK]

You should post this in the Friedman forum on this site - Dave may answer you faster that way.

 

[born_hard]

Yeah, ok but i would like to hear some answers from users...

 

[AndyK]

I have a Friedman modded Plexi 50 w clone, and as long as the gain isn't cranked all the way up, it takes pedals as well as any Marshall, IMHO. With the gain up, you really don't need an OD. So, maybe it gets mushy if you crank the gain and then add a boost?

 

[LP Freak]

The amp takes pedals great in either channel. This is the first time I heard otherwise. Half the shit you read can be taken with a grain of salt. I prefer a tube screamer type personally. And as with most amps you loose headroom with the gain maxed and the boost isn't as effective. But even then is sounds pretty good on the SB.

 

[jski59]

I use a Koko with my Marsha (pre-BE100 model) and it rips…I prefer it way more than the HBE channel...but I also use 8-9k hot PAF type buckers.

I really want to try a smallbox. I rarely use any of the extra switches on my Marsha and the plexi channel sounds interesting.

 

[AndyK]

I find using the HBE channel with an EQ set to boost mids a bit sounds awesome - with the gain at 1:00.

 

[yankeebulldog]

I can try out a few pedals with my smallbox and let you know. Honestly, I haven't felt to need to use any type of boost or OD with it. The BE channel dimed has enough gain for most hard rock tones i need. The Plexi channel could use a boost for solo tones if you are using PAF style pickups.

 

[born_hard]

You are right OD pedals and Clean Boosts are not really necessary. Its just adding a different flavour in order to:
- tighten the bass frequencies
- get out some heavier gain tones out of the amp
- raise the volume for solos (although thats almost not possible if you already have lots of preamp gain of the amp itself)
- achieve a different attack / release /sustain
- to maintain special frequencies to change the tone

Listen here to this fantastic clip: A Soldano SLO boosted by an OD pedal. Listen how marshally this amp gets?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=161308

 

[Jay Strange]

The amp takes pedals great in either channel. This is the first time I heard otherwise. Half the shit you read can be taken with a grain of salt. I prefer a tube screamer type personally. And as with most amps you loose headroom with the gain maxed and the boost isn't as effective. But even then is sounds pretty good on the SB.

This^^^^^^^^^^^!!!!!!!

 

[yankeebulldog]

Just tried my the Koko Reloaded (mid boost side) into the Plexi, it was awesome. Almost like having the BE channel setup with the gain at about 3-4ish. It didn't so as much for the BE side with the gain at maxed but it's boosting the mids vs. tightening the bottom end like a TS pedal. My TS pedal is on loan but I'll have it back this weekend. All my other dirt pedals are for clean amps, Plextortion, Sabra Cadabera, etc.

 

[tripstan]

The amp takes pedals great in either channel. This is the first time I heard otherwise. Half the shit you read can be taken with a grain of salt. I prefer a tube screamer type personally. And as with most amps you loose headroom with the gain maxed and the boost isn't as effective. But even then is sounds pretty good on the SB.

This^^^^^^^^^^^!!!!!!!

I had the same results. I use a TS pedal and a Koko boost. Sounds amazing stacking both with the plexi channel.

 

[Jay Strange]

The amp takes pedals great in either channel. This is the first time I heard otherwise. Half the shit you read can be taken with a grain of salt. I prefer a tube screamer type personally. And as with most amps you loose headroom with the gain maxed and the boost isn't as effective. But even then is sounds pretty good on the SB.

This^^^^^^^^^^^!!!!!!!

I had the same results. I use a TS pedal and a Koko boost. Sounds amazing stacking both with the plexi channel.

Hell Yeah with the stacking!

 

[Growlsearcher]

Smallbox plexi channel boosted with BB Preamp

 

[born_hard]

Smallbox plexi channel boosted with BB Preamp

This sounds really unpleasent. Really disgusting. i think youre overloading your preamp or do you get that nasty unpleasent overdrive from the amp itself?

 

[tripstan]

Smallbox plexi channel boosted with BB Preamp

What's your amp and pedal settings? I agree that it doesn't sound that great. Maybe your going for that loose broken speaker tone, but it sounds way too mushy for me. I'd try turning the gain down on your BB or the amp. Or maybe both?

 

[Growlsearcher]

Amp: Plexi channel, eq at noon, gain 5, vol 1,5-2
BB preamp MB: gain 3, vol 3, eq at noon

I would say thats pretty low gain settings

 

[flimz]

Theres something not quite right about that clip. My Smallbox sounds nothing like that...boosted or unboosted.
Ive recently tried boosting the Plexi channel with my Barber 1/2 gainer, and it was godlike tone! I really dont feel the need to boost the BE channel, it has plenty of gain for me

 

[Growlsearcher]

According to the dealer its in perfect condition
Really disappointed

 

[blackie13]

try a different V1 tube...maybe that one is almost gone...