Friedman amp advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nickelbagn
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Nickelbagn

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So, as stated in a thread I posted here yesterday, my Marshall DSL 2000 (which I loved the sound of) has crapped out just one too many times for me. I’m interested in getting one of the various Friedman amp heads. I haven’t been able to try them all out so I‘m curious as to which one I shouId get. I predominantly use a hard rock/metal tone but I don’t want it to be too much of a modern “djent” style crunch. I want something that saturates with a crunch but maintains a vintage-ish Marshall punch. I’d like something that can drive on it’s own but that I can also dial back now and then and drive with a screamer. I’m also not neglecting a good fat clean tone, too, so I’m looking for something versatile that will give me the growl that I need when I want to “chunk” a riff. I’m looking at the JJ 100 and the BE 100. How are the other signature models comparatively? Is the deluxe upgrade worth the $$? Do I really need to pay the extra $$ for the signature models or will the BE give me gain and clarity that I need? Any info will be greatly appreciated.
 
I have only owned the JJ Jr so keep that in mind. My only issue with it was that it was too polite for me in the high end. I like that Marshall crunch that cuts through the mix so nicely and the JJ Jr was too smooth for that. That seems to be the Friedman sound which is great, but not for me. The Smallbox seems to be able to capture more of that Marshall crunchiness from what I have read but I have never played one.

If you love the sound of the DSL2000, which has that high end Marshally crunch, then you might be disappointed with a Friedman. Or not. Many love those amps, as do I for the right application, but the JJ Jr just came up short for me in that aspect only.
 
BE 50 or 100 will cover pretty much anything in the Marshall vein.
pickups/tone woods/speakers/cabs/pedals/strings/tubes ect all vary in tonal application, YMMV.
 
Friedman makes a great amplifier but they’re way too polite sounding and dialed back for my preferences. If you want raw unabated Marshall balls and tone you’d be better off looking elsewhere. A Friedman anything sonically isn’t going to get you there. They’re way too overpolished and sonically too polite. Great if that’s what you want - Marshall tone without any frequencies out of place, but not what you’re used to with your JCM2000.

If I were in your shoes I’d look into a Bogner Helios or Ecstacy or as said above a splawn.
 
If you like your DSL so much...get another Marshall. Try the newer versions...they're cheap and readily available. Or, wait it out for an 800, or a modded Marshall....personally when I go for a certain sound made by a certain amp, I tend to go for the original if possible. That way I'm not gonna say "it doesn't have Marshall mids" like I have with a few great but fell short amps I've owned.
If you aren't interested in another Marshall I'd second the Naylor...handbuilt here in the USA by one guy, and has a very unique feel with the ability to sound raw and open while still being somewhat smooth...with a boost can easily do heavy stuff. If you listen to "A Perfect Circle" that's a Friedman modded Marshall, the mod being a Naylor preamp circuit mod by Dave. If you really want a Friedman I'd recommend the BE Deluxe since I've heard clips that sound more raw like a Marshall, instead of the dark/smooth take that Friedmans usually have.
 
What year is your dsl? Probay between 1999 and 2004? Those years had problems.
 
Racerxrated said:
If you like your DSL so much...get another Marshall. Try the newer versions...they're cheap and readily available. Or, wait it out for an 800, or a modded Marshall....personally when I go for a certain sound made by a certain amp, I tend to go for the original if possible. That way I'm not gonna say "it doesn't have Marshall mids" like I have with a few great but fell short amps I've owned.
If you aren't interested in another Marshall I'd second the Naylor...handbuilt here in the USA by one guy, and has a very unique feel with the ability to sound raw and open while still being somewhat smooth...with a boost can easily do heavy stuff. If you listen to "A Perfect Circle" that's a Friedman modded Marshall, the mod being a Naylor preamp circuit mod by Dave. If you really want a Friedman I'd recommend the BE Deluxe since I've heard clips that sound more raw like a Marshall, instead of the dark/smooth take that Friedmans usually have.
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Thank you so much for such an informative answer. I know I’m referencing Marshall a lot but I’m trying to take a slight left turn from them right now. Just a SLIGHT left turn. I have a good friend who works for Marshall who is hushedly lamenting their build quality right now. I’d like to steer clear of that for now. I’ll look at the Naylors and my only Friedman dilemma is if I should spend the $$$ for the “upgraded” signature and deluxe models. I’m curious if the BE-100 will fulfill my needs.

Also, bonus points for your name. <—— Huge Paul Gilbert fan here.
 
Here are some quick videos I did. Friedman deluxe vs jcm 900 mk3. Then I have others of a dsl vs 900 so you can get an idea. These were quick and easy. Not great quality but they are true.

Friedman is more compressed. Marshall is open and raw.




 
I'd also initially steer you away from Friedman due reasons already stated. But then again, we all here things different too, so it could be a brand that works for you. I had a JJ jr. that I thought was pretty aggressive when boosted. I also recently had a new BE100Deluxe and returned it immediately. Just wasn't raw/crunchy enough and the tone honestly wasn't there for me.

Splawn QR would give you hyper aggressive tones, girth, cut, raw yet saturated all on it's own, but they still take boosts very well. The Naylor I've never played but will likely own one someday when BeyondBlack decides to flip his ;) But from descriptions and clips sounds like it would do what you want. Another recommendation would be Wizard MCII. They can be had for $3200-$3800 on the used market if you look hard and are patient. Then there is the Fryette D60, but I'd look at older ones as the new Deliverance II series lost some of what I liked about the original IMHO.
 
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I mean if you have wizard MCII money, check out a used Metropoulos Metroplex or order a new DVL.

This is what the Metroplex sounds like and it takes a boost very well also. More of a vintage vibe but insanely well built and with modern features.

 
fek said:
I have only owned the JJ Jr so keep that in mind. My only issue with it was that it was too polite for me in the high end. I like that Marshall crunch that cuts through the mix so nicely and the JJ Jr was too smooth for that. That seems to be the Friedman sound which is great, but not for me. The Smallbox seems to be able to capture more of that Marshall crunchiness from what I have read but I have never played one.

If you love the sound of the DSL2000, which has that high end Marshally crunch, then you might be disappointed with a Friedman. Or not. Many love those amps, as do I for the right application, but the JJ Jr just came up short for me in that aspect only.
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I agree . I love the high end of Marshall’s . I miss that on amps like Friedman
 
I’ve got a BE100 that I love because it’s more refined but it’s at the tech’s and I don’t know when I’ll get it back so after selling my XTC 101b I’m looking at a JVM. I had a QR but had all kinds of technical problems with it. Naylor’s sound great but good luck finding one.
 
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