In retrospect, I could probably dial the mic gain down a little. The amp should be doing all the work...I'm pretty sure I've got the mic pre WAY too hot in a misguided attempt to keep it from sounding too thin.
Did you use the HBE channel or the BE channel on your Friedman? The BE channel has less gain.If you listen closely to VH albums, he didn't use that much gain Try compressing your guitar the least possible, no more than 1:2 or 1:3 ratio.