Friedman Smallbox vs Runt 50?

[napalmdeath]

I love the Runt, owned it multiple times, but am curious about the Smallbox. How's the dirt channel? I've seen "more vintage" sounding quite a bit, which is appealing, but does it have a bigger low end? Is it as tight as the Runt? More gain? Less gain? Of course, I boosted the Runt, but without an EQ in the loop, it was always thin. I want a bigger, thumpier bottom end, without having to rely on an EQ in the loop.

I've also read many reviews saying its more aggressive and raw than even the BE. I like the Runt, but I want an upgrade. The BE is over my budget, unless I luck out on a used one, but the used market has REALLY dried up!

 

[braintheory]

The Runt is more raw/rude/less polite and not as dark as other model Friedman’s, which I prefer, but still when AB’ed with a small box or BE the difference in quality of tone is evident. They do sound bigger, thicker, more thump, much better feel, but more importantly just a more 3D, authoritative and higher quality tone. Definitely a clear upgrade over the Runt, but I still personally don’t care for the Friedman’s smoother, more polite flavor. I prefer the Runt’s more raw flavor actually, but clearly was outclassed by its bigger brothers. It’s been a while since I last played a Smallbox, but remember it being tight enough and I think more gainy and saturated than the Runt. The BE for sure would be, but don’t remember as well with the Smallbox. It was I remember a little more raw and gritty than the 2015 BE’s I’ve AB’ed it with, but not a massive difference and the BE has a lot more features/versatility

I think though for the price and even for less, there are better options out there than those Friedman’s. You can get a used Mezzabarba Mzero in that price range. Better amp imo. A Monomyth would be less. I’d easily take a stock vintage JCM800 or JMP2203 boosted over any Friedman

Also, while not at all like the Friedman’s, the Mesa/Boogie Badlander and Dover are also amps worth checking out and cheaper than the Smallbox

 

[braintheory]

Actually, duh (stupid me) forget everything I said in that post and just get a Naylor lol. They’re the amps that the Friedman’s or Bogner’s should have been. Dark yet still raw, organic, cutting and aggressive, not smooth or polite/holding back. For my taste, one of the top 5 best amps I’ve owned and I’ve had over 100 different amps over the years. They’ll humiliate any Friedman I’ve heard. With a boost they’re outstanding and not that far behind my Wizard in punch and clarity

 

[napalmdeath]

The Runt is more raw/rude/less polite and not as dark as other model Friedman’s, which I prefer, but still when AB’ed with a small box or BE the difference in quality of tone is evident. They do sound bigger, thicker, more thump, much better feel, but more importantly just a more 3D, authoritative and higher quality tone. Definitely a clear upgrade over the Runt, but I still personally don’t care for the Friedman’s smoother, more polite flavor. I prefer the Runt’s more raw flavor actually, but clearly was outclassed by its bigger brothers. It’s been a while since I last played a Smallbox, but remember it being tight enough and I think more gainy and saturated than the Runt. The BE for sure would be, but don’t remember as well with the Smallbox. It was I remember a little more raw and gritty than the 2015 BE’s I’ve AB’ed it with, but not a massive difference and the BE has a lot more features/versatility

I think though for the price and even for less, there are better options out there than those Friedman’s. You can get a used Mezzabarba Mzero in that price range. Better amp imo. A Monomyth would be less. I’d easily take a stock vintage JCM800 or JMP2203 boosted over any Friedman. You can almost even get a used Cameron modded Marshall if they pop up for not much more than the Smallbox or at least it used to be the case. Haven’t kept up with their prices lately

Also, while not at all like the Friedman’s, the Mesa/Boogie Badlander and Dover are also amps worth checking out and cheaper than the Smallbox

The Dover DA50 sounds badass, for sure. The Fortin Cali does as well, but stupid high price, even used.

 

[braintheory]

The Dover DA50 sounds badass, for sure. The Fortin Cali does as well, but stupid high price, even used.

I’ve not tried the Cali, but have tried the Meshuggah and Natas model and they were the biggest disappointments for me of any amps I’ve tried since they were hyped up. Not that they sounded bad, but like they sounded like amps that should cost less than $1800. No reason to get those imo. I’d easily take any of the other amps mentioned to those. I’d be skeptical if the Cali is much better, but maybe I’m wrong

 

[braintheory]

The Dover DA50 sounds badass, for sure. The Fortin Cali does as well, but stupid high price, even used.

I should add also, I returned the Dover I had to my guitar center because I still preferred the Monomyth I had at the time when AB’ed. Monomyth was more raw, aggressive, growly, nasty. Dover sounded still like it was a little restrained or holding back a bit comparatively

The Badlander is killer imo

 

[napalmdeath]

I should add also, I returned the Dover I had to my guitar center because I still preferred the Monomyth I had at the time when AB’ed. Monomyth was more raw, aggressive, growly, nasty. Dover sounded still like it was a little restrained or holding back a bit comparatively

The Badlander is killer imo

Hows the Badlander at lower volumes? Is it like your typical Mesa, 0-rip your head off on the volume? I did find that amp intriguing, and clips sound killer!

 

[braintheory]

Hows the Badlander at lower volumes? Is it like your typical Mesa, 0-rip your head off on the volume? I did find that amp intriguing, and clips sound killer!

Yeah it is kinda like that admittedly. It’s imo a little underwhelming sounding at low volumes, but killer when loud. Those complaints about it lacking low end I think go away when it’s very loud. It won’t get close to my Triple’s bottom end, but still plenty. More actually than my CCV or Monomyth I had. Also really nice sparkly cleans

I only own amps that I feel are special, not just nice, and it’s been a keeper for me so far. I’ve said it before that for my needs it’s the only thing Boogie has put out worth owning for me in almost 30 years now. I can do without literally anything else they’ve come out with during that time span since I’ve got a iic+ and rev f/c Triple. None of the other Boogie’s that came out later can touch those imo, but the Badlander has some unique great qualities to my ears

My Badlander was also partially responsible for me selling my Monomyth. I was on the fence about keeping it because of my CCV and boosted ‘79 JMP2203 and then my Badlander came and it’s viscious growl was enough to push me over the edge and sell the Mono. Still a very cool amp though and among the best modded Marshall’s I’ve had along with the Cameron ones I used to have

 

[braintheory]

I should add also that I felt the Dover also needed volume to bring the goods for me and the Mezzabarba as well. If maintaining good tone at low volume is needed then I’d say Monomyth or Naylor. Naylor especially has a really good master volume and just smokes any Bogner or Friedman that I’ve tried regardless. They are hard to come by, but should be well within your price range still if they do