I agree with most of what's been said; however I do think the Friedman line has the ability to get much brighter and cut much better than the previous versions from a few years ago. It is the more 'polished recorded tone' amp line; but the earlier versions I could max the presence and treble and STILL not get it bright enough. The recent versions can get much brighter thankfully.
I think if the OP wants an amp that will cut and give a great lead tone, I'd go with a BE Deluxe IF I were going Friedman. JJ will be too dark and for that matter, so will the Herbert. IMO.
Agreed, and I should’ve added, I definitely have heard this About the new Friedman’s as well... I just in the last few weeks plugged into the SS-100: I can not tell you how much that amp DIDNT do for me. Just absolutely felt like a flat dark boring mess. I know that’s harsh, but it was the worst offender by far of the Friedman’s I had heard, so that doesn’t help change my opinion, especially given that this was so recent. Again, to be fair I have definitely heard the new Friedman’s don’t suffer from this neutering, but man, I just don’t get it at all... actually that’s not true, I DO get it, because I can see why guys who mostly play at home or who have never done any recording or play live love them, I get it. And nothing against those guys at all, and that’s not all of them by any means. But whoever in this thread said the amp “ sounds like an amp designed not to offend anyone”, absolutely NAILED IT... that’s it to a T.. and quite frankly in my opinion, that’s what’s wrong with modern metal production as a whole these days, people are afraid of high end and nastiness and going against the grain: but that’s another topic completely, this is just the amp version of literally THAT phenomenon going on right now if that makes sense
And I would tend to agree with you about the Herbert, it can definitely be on the darker side, but I think at the same time I just find it’s controls are just very usable. I can crank up the treble and presence, mic way up on the cone and it’s extremely aggrsssive and bright, all the while never getting harsh. But still can be on the darker side there is no doubt about it, it’s midrange is not Marshall at all for sure! It’s just an amazing amp to me in how it can do so much and yet never has the negatives associated with doing extend things ( such as boosting highs and presence a ton and micing way up on the cone, it never gets harsh!)