Dirty Shirley Mini - Opinions

[krb813]

Anybody have experience with the Dirty Shirley Mini? I don't have one near me I can try out. So I may have to purchase on-line.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[chadprsman]

I love mine. Not sure what sounds you're after, but it sounds great on all realms of the gain dial. I'm most recently playing with the gain structure switch, and digging some of the higher gain settings.

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

I liked it, didn't love it. If you're buying it for what it is, which is a vintage style Marshall circuit, then you'll be pleased. Trying to push it into more modern territory will leave you wanting more. May sound obvious, but I had some unrealistic expectations and tried to get it into AIC territory without great results. STP though and classic rock...it was built for that. A great choice if you have other amps for other purposes.

 

[Red_Label]

Best lunchbox built IMO (and I had a Taco and many others). Running a Mini into the matching Creamback-loaded 1x12 gives you big amp tone in a small package. I don't have one, but demo'd one in the man cave and have played them at the store on many occasions. I currently use a BE100 and Splawn QR, but would have a Mini Shirley in a heartbeat. I also used to have a full-sized Shirley and a Smallbox. The Mini holds its own against bigger amps just fine for most applications.

 

[SavageRiffer]

I kind of agree with Bxlxaxkxe. It's a very good amp, but it doesn't sound as good a lower volumes as the Pink Taco. You have to play it too loud for bedroom in my opinion, but when you do play it loud, it sounds extremely good. Guitar Center had one on clearance so I went there several times, spent hours playing it because I wanted to buy it. The one they had was the older model. Next to it was the newer model with the little toggle switch. The newer one is more versatile, but I want to say the older one sounded slightly better. Maybe it was just me, but I connected with it more than the newer model. In the end, I gave it up because it didn't have enough gain. When I'd use pedals, the feel was kind of off or something. It just didn't feel or sound quite good unless it was fairly loud.

I thought it could have been the cab, maybe new speakers, but they said that cab had been there a long time. It was 100% perfect and new, but they had it on clearance for only $400, so I bought the little 1x12 Dirty Shirley Mini cab instead. In the end, I just couldn't get what I wanted out of the Dirty Shirley mini (a little different story with the full size head). Having said this, I want to make clear that I didn't buy it because I didn't think it was fantastic. In fact, I loved the sound of that little amp. It just doesn't work for me. The Pink Taco is a better fit for my style.

What I'd recommend is that if it's within your style of music without any pedals involved, then buy it. If not, you might look at the Pink Taco or the full size head. I thought the 40w Dirty Shirley actually sounds better at very low volumes than the mini, but that's just me. It's an incredible amp though. It's loud and it responds really well to the guitar volume knob - better than the Pink Taco does I think. If I got one, I'd personally go with the newer version with the gain toggle because it's more versatile.

 

[marshall2553]

Surprisingly good cleans and vintage Marshall tones. Cleans up with your volume knob really well. If you mostly play stuff from the 60's, 70's and maybe the 80's it's got you covered. For me it has plenty of gain without pedals but you may want to use one to tighten up the low end. Doesn't do modern stuff as well as the Pink Taco but to me the DSM is way more versatile. The gain switch is a must, after buying a DSM that had it I had Dave install one on my full sized Dirty Shirley.

 

[krb813]

How is the Runt?

 

[Red_Label]

How is the Runt?

The Runts are awesome. Gains don't seem quite as fat/full/3D as on the P2P flagship stuff to me, but the cleans are better... more Fendery. I love my BE100 and feel that it's the best Friedman for me (having owned most of his regular models), but I could be happy with a Runt just fine. Dave doesn't make anything that isn't awesome.

 

[krb813]

Any idea how the DSM would compare to the Runt at a lower volume? I have to keep the sound down once in a while due to the little one.

Thanks

 

[errrrrl]

I got to spend some time on a DSM once with a delay pedal in the loop thru a Mesa 2x12. It sounded pretty bad ass to my ears and surprisingly had a thick chunky tone to it (the mesa cab might have helped tho). It made me want to play older metal riffs... Maiden, Priest, Accept and AC/DC sounded great... in fact I'm debating on getting rid of my Taco and getting the DSM.

As for the Runt, its ok but nothing about it really struck me as awesome or unique in comparison to other Friedman amps. Personally I would consider saving up and getting one that fits your taste a bit more. I was in your shoes about two years ago and bought a Pink Taco. I spent the last two year trying to make it sound awesome for metal low volume recording. I got to sound ok but I would drool whenever I listened to a Butterslax clip. Anyway long story short I just got the Slax and have no regrets and am extremely satisfied... Now I need other things to research when I am bored at work lol... Good luck man!

 

[krb813]

Thanks for the input everyone. I like to play Rush, Priest, AC/DC and some blues stuff. Would the DSM fit the bill?

 

[errrrrl]

Thanks for the input everyone. I like to play Rush, Priest, AC/DC and some blues stuff. Would the DSM fit the bill?

I think so. Have you watched this video yet? It does a great job of going over the DSM. Also another thing to consider is the Dirty Shirley pedal is coming soon, I think I saw a post on the Friedman's FB page saying Oct 1st. Link -> https://www.facebook.com/FriedmanAmplif ... =3&theater

 

[chadprsman]

I kind of agree with Bxlxaxkxe. It's a very good amp, but it doesn't sound as good a lower volumes as the Pink Taco. You have to play it too loud for bedroom in my opinion, but when you do play it loud, it sounds extremely good. Guitar Center had one on clearance so I went there several times, spent hours playing it because I wanted to buy it. The one they had was the older model. Next to it was the newer model with the little toggle switch. The newer one is more versatile, but I want to say the older one sounded slightly better. Maybe it was just me, but I connected with it more than the newer model. In the end, I gave it up because it didn't have enough gain. When I'd use pedals, the feel was kind of off or something. It just didn't feel or sound quite good unless it was fairly loud.

I thought it could have been the cab, maybe new speakers, but they said that cab had been there a long time. It was 100% perfect and new, but they had it on clearance for only $400, so I bought the little 1x12 Dirty Shirley Mini cab instead. In the end, I just couldn't get what I wanted out of the Dirty Shirley mini (a little different story with the full size head). Having said this, I want to make clear that I didn't buy it because I didn't think it was fantastic. In fact, I loved the sound of that little amp. It just doesn't work for me. The Pink Taco is a better fit for my style.

What I'd recommend is that if it's within your style of music without any pedals involved, then buy it. If not, you might look at the Pink Taco or the full size head. I thought the 40w Dirty Shirley actually sounds better at very low volumes than the mini, but that's just me. It's an incredible amp though. It's loud and it responds really well to the guitar volume knob - better than the Pink Taco does I think. If I got one, I'd personally go with the newer version with the gain toggle because it's more versatile.

I think the mini's always had the toggle switch for gain...

 

[SavageRiffer]

I kind of agree with Bxlxaxkxe. It's a very good amp, but it doesn't sound as good a lower volumes as the Pink Taco. You have to play it too loud for bedroom in my opinion, but when you do play it loud, it sounds extremely good. Guitar Center had one on clearance so I went there several times, spent hours playing it because I wanted to buy it. The one they had was the older model. Next to it was the newer model with the little toggle switch. The newer one is more versatile, but I want to say the older one sounded slightly better. Maybe it was just me, but I connected with it more than the newer model. In the end, I gave it up because it didn't have enough gain. When I'd use pedals, the feel was kind of off or something. It just didn't feel or sound quite good unless it was fairly loud.

I thought it could have been the cab, maybe new speakers, but they said that cab had been there a long time. It was 100% perfect and new, but they had it on clearance for only $400, so I bought the little 1x12 Dirty Shirley Mini cab instead. In the end, I just couldn't get what I wanted out of the Dirty Shirley mini (a little different story with the full size head). Having said this, I want to make clear that I didn't buy it because I didn't think it was fantastic. In fact, I loved the sound of that little amp. It just doesn't work for me. The Pink Taco is a better fit for my style.

What I'd recommend is that if it's within your style of music without any pedals involved, then buy it. If not, you might look at the Pink Taco or the full size head. I thought the 40w Dirty Shirley actually sounds better at very low volumes than the mini, but that's just me. It's an incredible amp though. It's loud and it responds really well to the guitar volume knob - better than the Pink Taco does I think. If I got one, I'd personally go with the newer version with the gain toggle because it's more versatile.

I think the mini's always had the toggle switch for gain...

Interesting. They had two: one had a toggle and the other just had an LED light. I assumed the toggle was the newer version.

 

[krb813]

Any idea how the matching 1x12 cab sounds?

 

[Adambomb]

I kind of agree with Bxlxaxkxe. It's a very good amp, but it doesn't sound as good a lower volumes as the Pink Taco. You have to play it too loud for bedroom in my opinion, but when you do play it loud, it sounds extremely good. Guitar Center had one on clearance so I went there several times, spent hours playing it because I wanted to buy it. The one they had was the older model. Next to it was the newer model with the little toggle switch. The newer one is more versatile, but I want to say the older one sounded slightly better. Maybe it was just me, but I connected with it more than the newer model. In the end, I gave it up because it didn't have enough gain. When I'd use pedals, the feel was kind of off or something. It just didn't feel or sound quite good unless it was fairly loud.

I thought it could have been the cab, maybe new speakers, but they said that cab had been there a long time. It was 100% perfect and new, but they had it on clearance for only $400, so I bought the little 1x12 Dirty Shirley Mini cab instead. In the end, I just couldn't get what I wanted out of the Dirty Shirley mini (a little different story with the full size head). Having said this, I want to make clear that I didn't buy it because I didn't think it was fantastic. In fact, I loved the sound of that little amp. It just doesn't work for me. The Pink Taco is a better fit for my style.

What I'd recommend is that if it's within your style of music without any pedals involved, then buy it. If not, you might look at the Pink Taco or the full size head. I thought the 40w Dirty Shirley actually sounds better at very low volumes than the mini, but that's just me. It's an incredible amp though. It's loud and it responds really well to the guitar volume knob - better than the Pink Taco does I think. If I got one, I'd personally go with the newer version with the gain toggle because it's more versatile.

I think the mini's always had the toggle switch for gain...

Interesting. They had two: one had a toggle and the other just had an LED light. I assumed the toggle was the newer version.

The Mini DS has always had the toggle. Unless that was some one off build or prototype I've never seen them without it and I've got one of the first ones. I've said it before and I still stand by my word that the DSM is my all time favorite gain tone and with a HSS Strat you can get some of the best tones and single coils helps it clean up very well. I've heard a couple people that had a clean Ch installed and I've very jealous lol.
It's one of those amps that sounds great any time every time and with any speaker I think. I running mine through a Friedman 2x12 but would like to switch one V30 to a H75 if not both.

 

[SavageRiffer]

I kind of agree with Bxlxaxkxe. It's a very good amp, but it doesn't sound as good a lower volumes as the Pink Taco. You have to play it too loud for bedroom in my opinion, but when you do play it loud, it sounds extremely good. Guitar Center had one on clearance so I went there several times, spent hours playing it because I wanted to buy it. The one they had was the older model. Next to it was the newer model with the little toggle switch. The newer one is more versatile, but I want to say the older one sounded slightly better. Maybe it was just me, but I connected with it more than the newer model. In the end, I gave it up because it didn't have enough gain. When I'd use pedals, the feel was kind of off or something. It just didn't feel or sound quite good unless it was fairly loud.

I thought it could have been the cab, maybe new speakers, but they said that cab had been there a long time. It was 100% perfect and new, but they had it on clearance for only $400, so I bought the little 1x12 Dirty Shirley Mini cab instead. In the end, I just couldn't get what I wanted out of the Dirty Shirley mini (a little different story with the full size head). Having said this, I want to make clear that I didn't buy it because I didn't think it was fantastic. In fact, I loved the sound of that little amp. It just doesn't work for me. The Pink Taco is a better fit for my style.

What I'd recommend is that if it's within your style of music without any pedals involved, then buy it. If not, you might look at the Pink Taco or the full size head. I thought the 40w Dirty Shirley actually sounds better at very low volumes than the mini, but that's just me. It's an incredible amp though. It's loud and it responds really well to the guitar volume knob - better than the Pink Taco does I think. If I got one, I'd personally go with the newer version with the gain toggle because it's more versatile.

I think the mini's always had the toggle switch for gain...

Interesting. They had two: one had a toggle and the other just had an LED light. I assumed the toggle was the newer version.

The Mini DS has always had the toggle. Unless that was some one off build or prototype I've never seen them without it and I've got one of the first ones. I've said it before and I still stand by my word that the DSM is my all time favorite gain tone and with a HSS Strat you can get some of the best tones and single coils helps it clean up very well. I've heard a couple people that had a clean Ch installed and I've very jealous lol.
It's one of those amps that sounds great any time every time and with any speaker I think. I running mine through a Friedman 2x12 but would like to switch one V30 to a H75 if not both.

Now that you mention it, I'm thinking the one on clearance was modded because it had a red LED where the toggle should be. I thought it sounded a little better than the one with the toggle, so I'd love to know what kind of mod was done to it.

 

[krb813]

I'm going to get the DSM. My question now is... What are the opinions of the full size DS 1x12 semi-open cab vs the Mini 1x12 closed back cab? Should I go with the full size cab with the DSM?

 

[SavageRiffer]

I'm going to get the DSM. My question now is... What are the opinions of the full size DS 1x12 semi-open cab vs the Mini 1x12 closed back cab? Should I go with the full size cab with the DSM?

I have the closed back and I love it. It replaced a Mesa Boogie mini rect angled 1x12 and I like it a lot better. The Mesa Cab is narrower in width, so it tends to sound kind of boxy. The DS Mini 1x12 has better bass and midrange projection. Also, the Celestion Creamback is an awesome speaker. I'm not sure what they intended with the name Creamback, but it doesn't sound like the name of a speaker you'd use for brootz, maybe more like classic rock, but man oh man, that speaker is amazing. I really like it. I've had it for about 2 months and it's finally breaking in. Great little cab, but keep in mind it's only a 1x12. A 2x12 will be much fuller and give you more punch for live stuff.

 

[krb813]

I talked to an old friend of mine earlier. It looks like he is trying to sell a Mesa Rectifier Horizontal 2x12 cab. I looked it up it has V30's in it. Any idea if this will pair well with the DSM? He is willing to sell it to me at a good price.

Thanks