Die hard Bogner owner with his 1st Friedman.

[BrentSP]

I'm a long time Bogner owner and fan since the late 90's. I've owned Uberschalls, Shiva's, Goldfinger, Helios, Barcelona, Metro, many XTCs....list goes on. The XTC pre 2004 is my standard for all crunch and lead tones. Set TMB to 2:00, Excursion to M, B2 on the bright, gain to taste and that's where it's at for me. Only thing that has come close for me is the Soldano SLO lead channel, fantastic amp also.

Enter the BE100. Mines serial 72814 so I assume it's a 2014. Has a red turret board, 1 input, 3 switches on the front. I originally was going to buy a XTC 20th to go along with my other Bogners but this deal came available, so I took the dive.

Plugged in and flipped over to the BE channel and the first thing I noticed is how familiar it felt under my fingers. Very bouncey but yet stays tight with a percussive bottom end. The top end and mids are present but actually leans on the smooth warmer side but yet still chunky, defined and percussive. Flipped over to the HBE and I did a side by side comparison with my 101B red channel using my radial head switcher, same cab which is a Bogner 412 with greenbacks on top and V30s on bottom. The BE100 sounded very similar in some ways with the voicing to the right.... in fact I'd go as far as it's almost as warm as the 101B in a good way....BUT, the BE had more range/sweep in its tone controls. 1:00 on the BE is 2:00 on The XTC. The XTC uses audio tapers compared to Linear tapers which I assume Dave is using.

Clean channel through me for a loop. Wow...very nice Dave. Very simple circuit but super effective and gets the job done for most anyone. I love clean channels without gain controls.

All the voicing switches are very useful and effective. Get bored with a setting? Just change it up with flick of a few switches and it'll add or take away gain, bass, treb, mids depending on the setting. The voicing switch is subtle, I had to turn the gain way down and master up to hear what kind of an effect had on the preamp. Seems to add some fatness with some kind of large cap and left seem to add mids.

Let's just get to it. The BE100 kicks all kinds of ass and am glad I bought it. Dave seems to tune amps the way I like them. Apparently Dave had a part in the Budda SuperDrive and for many years I in fact used the SD30. Great amp! My first experience with an actual Friedman was the dirty shirley. Friend of mine asked me to go with him to test out some 2014 LP reissues. I saw a DS sitting there at the store and used it to test the guitar out. By the end of our stay, I was more interested in the DS than I was the guitar.

I think one thing Reinhold has on the Friedman IMO is asthetics. Bogner has always been very good at making the product look remarkably good and eye candy worthy. He's able to take a complicated front face design and lay it out in a simplistic way with style. Not saying Friedmans are not good looking because they most certainly are. The classic British offset look appeals to a huge range of guitarist. The BE has evolved over the years with more and more voicing options. He's trying to make his customers happy which is a good thing but most unlikely a headache for him. I think a redesign of a new front panel layout with the finalized design of all the new 2016 switching options will be needed at some time in the future. With that said, I think Dave is brilliant and has the ear of today's guitarist and what they want. I don't know him but he seems to be a hard working, genuine guy, doing what he loves and making a few bucks at it. I look forward to checking out more products of his.

 

[Browns Fan]

Welcome to the club!!!! I have a 2014 as well. Best amp purchase of my life!!!

 

[BrentSP]

Thank you! Been spending more time with it today. People, while this does high gain very well, you all are missing out if you're not dialing the gain back to 9:00 and under. In fact I'm finding a host of tones with the master at 12:00 and using the gain as a volume. The BE channel obviously doesn't have a bright cap because with the gain low it stays warm and cleans up beautifully. While I haven't tried it yet, the lack of a bright cap usually translates into taking pedals really well. The voicing options come alive, where they are subtle with high gain settings they become much more effective at low gain settings. Really, really nice! I thought about getting the 2016 updates but I don't want to mess up a good thing I have here.

With that said, there are a couple of options that would be nice. A bottom/depth/Excursion on/off switch would be cool. I keep the bass around 10:30 but its nice to have the big bottom for some stuff. I believe he has a .0047uf with a 220k which is a fixed bass boost. Like having a depth control around 9;00.

A single switch that would half the power AND lower the voltage 90 to 100 volts would be super cool. I had this on my Bogner Helios and loved it!

 

[MantraSky]

Dave builds great products.

 

[coolfeel]

Hi Brent - thanks for the cool review. I have a Bogner Helios 100 and really like it but have been curious about the BE100 for some time. Is there any comparison to be made between the two or are they totally different?

BTW - the secret sauce on the Helios is the Presence control. If you haven't tried the presence set at least 70-80%, you are missing out. It REALLY opens the amp up, whereas many presence knobs double as another High control.

 

[BrentSP]

Hi Brent - thanks for the cool review. I have a Bogner Helios 100 and really like it but have been curious about the BE100 for some time. Is there any comparison to be made between the two or are they totally different?

BTW - the secret sauce on the Helios is the Presence control. If you haven't tried the presence set at least 70-80%, you are missing out. It REALLY opens the amp up, whereas many presence knobs double as another High control.

The Helios kicks all kinds of ass. It's a very raw sounding amp with a very unlike Bogner tone. Very open with that Marshall kerrang. The BE is a refined, polished, studio ready sounding, best Marshall tone there is. Stick a mic in front of it and there's very little to tweak at the board. It's just all there in spades. The BE is much more dynamic and cleans up at the guitar's volume. The Helios not so much. Between the two I like the BE better but I can see owning another Helios again some day.

 

[Del Rei]

BTW - the secret sauce on the Helios is the Presence control. If you haven't tried the presence set at least 70-80%, you are missing out. It REALLY opens the amp up, whereas many presence knobs double as another High control.

Yeah, and I think all distortion/overdrive pedals should came with Presence knob.
I have the Smallbox and I use the Presence at 2 O'clock. Great Marshall sound.

 

[BrentSP]

So went back to this post of my initial impressions and find it a little comical. Its honest, I give myself that but I don't feel the same way about a few things now.

I originally was going to buy a XTC 20th to go along with my other Bogners but this deal came available, so I took the dive.

And am I ever glad I did. I have officially went down the Friedman rabbit hole.

Plugged in and flipped over to the BE channel and the first thing I noticed is how familiar it felt under my fingers. Very bouncey but yet stays tight with a percussive bottom end. The top end and mids are present but actually leans on the smooth warmer side but yet still chunky, defined and percussive. Flipped over to the HBE and I did a side by side comparison with my 101B red channel using my radial head switcher, same cab which is a Bogner 412 with greenbacks on top and V30s on bottom. The BE100 sounded very similar in some ways with the voicing to the right.... in fact I'd go as far as it's almost as warm as the 101B in a good way....BUT, the BE had more range/sweep in its tone controls. 1:00 on the BE is 2:00 on The XTC. The XTC uses audio tapers compared to Linear tapers which I assume Dave is using.

Still somewhat a true statement but once you give the BE a little dose of volume it completely separates itself from the 101B. Its not as compressed and smooth as the 101B and has a nice snarl and attitude that I adore.

Clean channel through me for a loop. Wow...very nice Dave. Very simple circuit but super effective and gets the job done for most anyone. I love clean channels without gain controls.

Yeah Dave did great on this clean. I love that its not a night and day tone difference between it and the BE channels. Its definitely not Plexi voiced but rather a smooth tonal transition from clean to dirty.

The voicing switch is subtle, I had to turn the gain way down and master up to hear what kind of an effect had on the preamp. Seems to add some fatness with some kind of large cap and left seem to add mids.

I later learned this is the VH switch. Adds the big 470uf cap parallel with the .68uf a the last gain stage before the CF, just like Ed had in his amp.

My first experience with an actual Friedman was the dirty shirley. Friend of mine asked me to go with him to test out some 2014 LP reissues. I saw a DS sitting there at the store and used it to test the guitar out. By the end of our stay, I was more interested in the DS than I was the guitar.

Yup the DS is what did me in at first. I now own a DS40 and DSM

I think a redesign of a new front panel layout with the finalized design of all the new 2016 switching options will be needed at some time in the future. With that said, I think Dave is brilliant and has the ear of today's guitarist and what they want.

I don't really agree with this any longer. I was coming from the Bogner camp after 15 years where he has all the preamp voicing options on the front and the power amp option on the back with everything marked and laid out precisely. I like the clean uncluttered look of the BE and still retains is classic tradition aesthetics.

The only thing I can see Dave doing down the road is reconfiguring the front to add a Gain and Volume for the HBE channel using the BE's TMB EQ and maybe adding a mid control for the clean but really neither of those are needed. Its perfect as is.

I just recently traded off my XTC for a Smallbox 50. Should get it tomorrow

 

[BrentSP]

Hi Brent - thanks for the cool review. I have a Bogner Helios 100 and really like it but have been curious about the BE100 for some time. Is there any comparison to be made between the two or are they totally different?

BTW - the secret sauce on the Helios is the Presence control. If you haven't tried the presence set at least 70-80%, you are missing out. It REALLY opens the amp up, whereas many presence knobs double as another High control.

The Helios kicks all kinds of ass. It's a very raw sounding amp with a very unlike Bogner tone. Very open with that Marshall kerrang. The BE is a refined, polished, studio ready sounding, best Marshall tone there is. Stick a mic in front of it and there's very little to tweak at the board. It's just all there in spades. The BE is much more dynamic and cleans up at the guitar's volume. The Helios not so much. Between the two I like the BE better but I can see owning another Helios again some day.

Yup had to get another Helios. I'll do a youtube comparison sometime this fall.

 

[Makj12]

Also looking at Friedmans. Smallbox or DS. I'll be looking forward on your opinion of the smallbox. Since you have both, how does the DS compare to the mini.

Thank you

 

[oldmtlhed]

BrentSP - You must be a professional musician to spend the level of money you do on gear.
What famous bands have you been in? Who do you play with now? You do session/studio work?
I guess if you make your living with this stuff... the sky is the limit.

 

[Ventura]

BrentSP - You must be a professional musician to spend the level of money you do on gear.
What famous bands have you been in? Who do you play with now? You do session/studio work?
I guess if you make your living with this stuff... the sky is the limit.

There are many worse things to spend ones money on. Many worse. If it's an investment of money which means an investment of time to make that money, and that time and money parlay into more time with pick in hand and expressing oneself through musicianship, than there is no price too high to make that a reality.

Inspiration comes in many different forms - sometimes solitude, sometimes trauma, sometimes great fortune, sometimes introspection, sometimes dissonance, sometimes strife and struggle, and sometimes just the toils of everyday life - even if life is awesome. And sometimes it comes in the form of a new minty and sometimes costly amp. Wherever it comes from does not matter, so long as it's acquired and used effectively, the "gear" is doing its job.

Play more, bitch less, die happy.

 

[Ventura]

To the OP, awesome intro post - thank you.

And ya, coming from the Bogner camp myself I gotta say I am immensely pleased with my recent JJ100 acquisition so much so it is making me wonder what other wares Mr. Friedman has on board for my money to get "inspirationally" blown on

I'm pumped!! And regardless of rabbit-holes, if that's the case, bring it on... I'm liking what I'm hearing and it's nailing some tones in my head I've been wanting for - literally - years.

Congratz and ROCK ON!!!!

 

[BrentSP]

BrentSP - You must be a professional musician to spend the level of money you do on gear.
What famous bands have you been in? Who do you play with now? You do session/studio work?
I guess if you make your living with this stuff... the sky is the limit.

I can't justify the gear I have at all, I sense the sarcasim but no I don't play out anymore. I did years ago but now with my fam and job I don't. I work for the Gov, DOD to be specific. I'm not really wealthy, my priorities are just fuq'd up. We eat beans and ramen noodles so Dad can have his toys

 

[BrentSP]

To the OP, awesome intro post - thank you.

And ya, coming from the Bogner camp myself I gotta say I am immensely pleased with my recent JJ100 acquisition so much so it is making me wonder what other wares Mr. Friedman has on board for my money to get "inspirationally" blown on

I'm pumped!! And regardless of rabbit-holes, if that's the case, bring it on... I'm liking what I'm hearing and it's nailing some tones in my head I've been wanting for - literally - years.

Congratz and ROCK ON!!!!

Thanks! Oh the JJ........

It's probably my next amp but I'd unload the Helios to fund it most likely. Not sure I want to do that though, it's pretty badass sounding

 

[BrentSP]

Also looking at Friedmans. Smallbox or DS. I'll be looking forward on your opinion of the smallbox. Since you have both, how does the DS compare to the mini.

Thank you

They sound really similar to be honest. Obviously the mini doesn't have the headroom but it has more mids by default. Gain structure, feel, tone it's all there like it's big brother. Just in a very convenient small package.

 

[errrrrl]

BrentSP - You must be a professional musician to spend the level of money you do on gear.
What famous bands have you been in? Who do you play with now? You do session/studio work?
I guess if you make your living with this stuff... the sky is the limit.

I can't justify the gear I have at all, I sense the sarcasim but no I don't play out anymore. I did years ago but now with my fam and job I don't. I work for the Gov, DOD to be specific. I'm not really wealthy, my priorities are just fuq'd up. We eat beans and ramen noodles so Dad can have his toys

I feel you brother Pulled the trigger on a Butterslax finally and yeah its cheese quesadillas and ramen in our household as well hahah, Cheers!

 

[oldmtlhed]

I can't justify the gear I have at all, I sense the sarcasim but no I don't play out anymore. I did years ago but now with my fam and job I don't. I work for the Gov, DOD to be specific. I'm not really wealthy, my priorities are just fuq'd up. We eat beans and ramen noodles so Dad can have his toys

I love the honesty. The truth will set you free. Thanks for the info.
None of my business, but I appreciate it just the same. The "DOD gravy-train" is juicy.
I'm not buying the "beans and ramen" sob story. I know what DOD jobs pay. Better than 90% of what else is out there.

I just have to play the devils advocate when it comes to this stuff.
You guys are popping $100,000 on music gear to make noise in your bedroom? I mean, MY GAWD.
It's like buying $100,000 worth of Snap-On tools, and you take your car to the local Jiffy-Lube
for an oil change!

Keep it real guys. You need to set LIMITS here. Dropping $3k to $4k on ONE AMP, when you already
have a half dozen on the shelf... and your name is not Eddie Van Halen, or Alex Lifeson, just seems INSANE to me.
GAS is like a mental disorder. It's like a cocaine habit.
You guys have the most expensive amps and gear in the world, and you never seem to be satisfied.
You always want the thing you don't have.
You say, "my $30,000 collection of Bogner and Diezel amps just isn't giving me what I need.... so I think
I will buy four or five FRIEDMAN amps for another $20,000."

I CAN'T COMPREHEND THIS. Even MICHAEL ROMEO doesn't do this! He used TWO Mesa Tri-Axis units for YEARS.
He had one at rehearsal, and one in his home studio. He didn't have $100,000 worth of gear!
I'll be willing to bet, he still doesn't! He had more cables and road cases than he ever had amps and cabinets.

And here you guys are..... with UNGODLY amounts of money spent on amps.
Can anyone help me to understand this? I learned many years ago... "gear" will never make me a better PLAYER.
So I STOPPED buying gear. In my entire life, I probably spent around $2,500 TOTAL on gear. That's IT.
Every piece of musical gear I ever bought.... $2,500. That is for 25 YEARS!
And you guys drop $3,000 or MORE on ONE AMP like it's NOTHING. I freak out. I can't comprehend it.

I'm saving right now to buy the first NEW AMP I will buy since 20 years ago. And it's only $350 !!!!!
I want a BOSS KATANA, because it seems like an amp that has great features and versatility for a very fair price.
Since I suck at guitar... and will never do this professionally, it's all I can justify.
$350 to make noise in my house. No one will ever hear me, except me.

I'm not hating on anyone. I'm not saying you shouldn't spend your money on what makes you happy.
I'm not trying to make excuses for anything. I JUST CAN'T COMPREHEND THE MONEY YOU GUYS SPEND on this stuff!
It blows my mind.

Can ANYONE explain to me what is going on here? What is this whole thing? A psychological black hole?

 

[BrentSP]

I think you already hit the nail on the head Dr Phil, it's a mental disorder similar to a cocain habbit. I love cocain

For what it's worth, I never buy new gear, always used and 9 times out of 10 I turn a profit when flipping gear. Buy low and sell high even if you have to wait for the market recoupe. I've done this since 1999 and my family has never once missed out on anything and they always come first. Some guys do this with classic cars or elaborate landscaping/backyard or they travel to exotic places 9 weeks out of the year. It comes in phases and all depends on my work load at work. If it's busy at work I'm focused if it slows down my gear spending or trading goes up due to lurking the forums out of bordem. It's the truth.

 

[errrrrl]

I think you already hit the nail on the head Dr Phil, it's a mental disorder similar to a cocain habbit. I love cocain

Hahaha!!! My coworkers are looking at me like "wtf you laughing at?" right now...

And @oldmtlhed geez dood, this is Rig-Talk man... there are some sick people with crazy gear on this board, I find it almost therapeutic to hear how other people approach gear and spending etc... For me personally, i'm not rich but I do have more money now than I did was I was a young'in playing in a thrash band with really shitty gear back in the late 80s and early 90s. The way I see it, I might as well enjoy life and guitar playing now with the best equipment I can afford cause in 10 years or 15 years I might be too old or have arthritis in my hands or dementia or some crazy shit like that... cause life is short and can end at any time.

I'm just glad to find a cool board with like minded people The sad part for me is that i'm a drummer of a thrash band at the moment so yeah my gear is for home use.... at the moment at least