M
MistaGuitah
Well-known member
Is the Friedman JJ sound mostly rooted in some kind of internal EQ tuning or does it involve specific components? My BE had a JJ mod and it was most definitely recognizable as the JJ but there were still some nuances unique to the JJ-100. I know the Small Box, for example, can have a JJ mod but it will have some subtle differences from a BE's JJ mod or the JJ-100.
Nevertheless, it seems like there's a particular class among all the modded-Marshall type amps that share somewhat similar characteristics. Without the amps in front of me, side by side, I struggle to articulate the similarities as much as the much as the differences, so I'll have to speak in rather abstract terms.
For whatever reason, I tend to think of a few amps like the Splawn Nitro and Bogner Ubershchall as sort of in the same category. They all have the Marshall pedigree but a certain color and slightly darker characteristic that almost contradicts their perceptively smoother character with some enhanced element of aggression (regardless of low end, smoothness, and other individual differences). I perceive the Steve Stevens as also being in the same vein except a meatier, juicier midrange embelishment.
I would also go as far as to say the JJ-100, SS-100, Butterslax, and Bogner Uberschall seem to have a certain ability to maintain aplomb with gobs of gain. It seems many modded-Marshall types that like to rest in in an area of the spectrum just above mid-gain and, personally, any pedal or input that increases the gain thereof sort of exaggerates the sweet spot rather than extends it. Therefore, I'm always impressed with how well the aforementioned can sound so good, even when pushed into deep saturation with high-output pickups, and never sound as if the gain needs to be cut back. In fact, I can appreciate how Steve Steven's tone sounds so saturated and juicy but never swampy, harsh, or what I'd consider over-saturated. By the way, to help illustrate this point, look at a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, Mark V, or Marshall JVM. They have an overload of gain on tap but there's a substantial region of gain that's just too much.
Therefore, I'd like to know what exactly gives the JJ it's 'color' so to speak? And, does the SS-100 share the same core mod as the JJ but just tweaked EQ? Lastly, how are they able to handle so much saturation better than most amps?
Nevertheless, it seems like there's a particular class among all the modded-Marshall type amps that share somewhat similar characteristics. Without the amps in front of me, side by side, I struggle to articulate the similarities as much as the much as the differences, so I'll have to speak in rather abstract terms.
For whatever reason, I tend to think of a few amps like the Splawn Nitro and Bogner Ubershchall as sort of in the same category. They all have the Marshall pedigree but a certain color and slightly darker characteristic that almost contradicts their perceptively smoother character with some enhanced element of aggression (regardless of low end, smoothness, and other individual differences). I perceive the Steve Stevens as also being in the same vein except a meatier, juicier midrange embelishment.
I would also go as far as to say the JJ-100, SS-100, Butterslax, and Bogner Uberschall seem to have a certain ability to maintain aplomb with gobs of gain. It seems many modded-Marshall types that like to rest in in an area of the spectrum just above mid-gain and, personally, any pedal or input that increases the gain thereof sort of exaggerates the sweet spot rather than extends it. Therefore, I'm always impressed with how well the aforementioned can sound so good, even when pushed into deep saturation with high-output pickups, and never sound as if the gain needs to be cut back. In fact, I can appreciate how Steve Steven's tone sounds so saturated and juicy but never swampy, harsh, or what I'd consider over-saturated. By the way, to help illustrate this point, look at a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, Mark V, or Marshall JVM. They have an overload of gain on tap but there's a substantial region of gain that's just too much.
Therefore, I'd like to know what exactly gives the JJ it's 'color' so to speak? And, does the SS-100 share the same core mod as the JJ but just tweaked EQ? Lastly, how are they able to handle so much saturation better than most amps?
