Friedman BE 100

[RACKSYSTEMS]

Thanks guys. Rock on.

 

[bwgintegra]

LOL.. 0095 and 0096 in Kentucky

Yes, GM is George. I got number 0096.

Serial is 0095...the spec sheet has the initials "GM" inidcating the builder, final assy, final testing etc. I assume the initials stand for George Metropolis. The specs are very detailed and nicely layed out, right down to the type and number of components used.

And now I have #95....

And #106 in Saudi.....

Steve, what do you think of the Friedman, I know you have owned some of his mods in the past.

I would go out on a limb and say that the BE100 is probably one of the best "all around - one size fits all" Marshall style amps around. It is voiced just right across the BE and HBE inputs to get you about anything you want. Add the FAT and SAT into the input and it augments the tone exactly what you want from it. the C45 is cool too. The amp can go from Plexi to big, meaty and punchy very easily. If you look under the hood, this isn't anything like the earlier amps or the mods. The quality of the build has certainly come a long way and the selection of components give the amp its mojo. Other than the awesome tone built into the amp, the one thing I notice is the super low noise floor, as compared to the mods and early Friedman's. In either of the inputs or any mode selection, it is really quiet. It's also equipped with the clean channel, but can't say as I need that at all, but it sounds clean and shares the EQ well. My favorite settings on it so far is the BE with about half gain, FAT and SAT engaged. You can run the master quite high and get loads of feel and harmonics from the amp. It could easily be your desert island amp because of the multitude of settings available. Another thing I like about the amp is the right amount of filtering and compression at gig volumes. It is not "in your face" but rides really nice in the mix. Of course, it is 180 degrees from some of the Cameron stuff, which, is a good thing if you are looking for variety. I would highly recommend this amp to my friends. I am warming up to the offset design cosmetics too. But, I am so glad that Dave redesigned the amp to make it his own, with everything original and not out of a box.

I had been talking to Rob and Dave about the Naked. Yeah, I am really kicking myself in the ass for selling my old one back to TM's. George Lynch has it now and he won't give it back. So, I was waiting for Dave to finish his design changes and kick out the new, improved Naked. Rob, being Rob, hooked me up with the BE which was hot off the bench. Dave asked if I wanted anything special. So, he put me a compensated line out on it, using the 4 ohm speaker jacks. I am still farting around with zeroing in on the settings I like and discovering new things about the amp.

Big thumbs up to Dave though. He just sort of sits quietly in the background, doing his thing, avoiding all the politics and bringing some good stuff to market. I am liking what the DS is dishing out too. The 5881 based amp sounds great, and different. But, my name is on the first Naked's he kicks out. You won't go wrong with a BE100 though. Just an awesome, all around, versatile amp. This is what sets it apart from some of the other amps that I own, and like a lot. Where the custom Dual OD channel SLO and the Cameron Jose's have a targeted flavor and are good at what they do, they lack some of the versatility that you sometimes need. The BE100 fills that gap and more.

Steve

Totally agree Steve, I have the new production BE-100 like you and the DS. I love both of these amps and each deliver the goods in their own way. I knew you have had the mods and have had all the Cameron stuff, thanks for sharing. BE-100 #77 in Michigan

 

[glassjaw7]

BE-100 #77 in Michigan

Ampfest, perhaps???

 

[bwgintegra]

BE-100 #77 in Michigan

Ampfest, perhaps???

I originally planned on coming but my wife is due with our second kid. Her due date was the 28th, so we expecting any day!

 

[suhrimmetal]

BE-100 #77 in Michigan

Ampfest, perhaps???

I originally planned on coming but my wife is due with our second kid. Her due date was the 28th, so we expecting any day!

Congrats Brett.. All the best and health with the new addition

 

[cecilbag]

All these amps, wheres the clips lol

 

[supersonic]

#46 here in Melbourne Australia.
Clips>
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... D=11338199
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=9637379
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=9625940
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... D=10085533

 

[steve_k]

Just got back from 5 weeks of vacation around Europe. Unpacked one head....the BE-100. Had about a 4 hour romp with it yesterday. With exception of my custom SLO, it has made everything else redundant. Definitely a workhorse to cover it all. Running through 2-Mesa 412 cabs with V30/M75 65 watt speakers.

Steve

 

[steve_k]

Even the Cameron Aldrich? I tough it was another different way....

The Friedman amp can be set up so that there's some similarities with the Aldrich. Where the Aldrich does one one thing well, Dave's amp, does several things extremely well. The Aldrich isn't going anywhere though. It's packed away if needed.

 

[eddiespaghetty]

Hi,

could you give me your impression, please?

The Friedman amps are now available in Germany - I was very empresed since I heard the first Marsha cllip. Since I don't play in big locations anymore -does the Brown Eye has to be cranked or has it a reasonable sound also at lower volumes (no bedroom level!!!) - rehearsal in smaller rooms and gigs in clubs? Or is it overkill for that purpose?

Best

Helmut

 

[LP Freak]

Hi,

could you give me your impression, please?

The Friedman amps are now available in Germany - I was very empresed since I heard the first Marsha cllip. Since I don't play in big locations anymore -does the Brown Eye has to be cranked or has it a reasonable sound also at lower volumes (no bedroom level!!!) - rehearsal in smaller rooms and gigs in clubs? Or is it overkill for that purpose?

Best

Helmut

The BE will sound equally good at any volume....from bedroom to stadium.

 

[Ventura]

Anyone here care to compare the BE100 with, say, something along the lines of FJA HB100??

Just wondering...

Thanks

 

[eddiespaghetty]

Hi,


Helmut

The BE will sound equally good at any volume....from bedroom to stadium.

Thanks!

 

[Greg Riley]

Agree

Hi,

could you give me your impression, please?

The Friedman amps are now available in Germany - I was very empresed since I heard the first Marsha cllip. Since I don't play in big locations anymore -does the Brown Eye has to be cranked or has it a reasonable sound also at lower volumes (no bedroom level!!!) - rehearsal in smaller rooms and gigs in clubs? Or is it overkill for that purpose?

Best

Helmut

The BE will sound equally good at any volume....from bedroom to stadium.

 

[eddiespaghetty]

Hi,

and thanks for your answers. I couldn't find any information about the weight of the amp. Does anybody know the exact weight?

And - probably a silly question, but anyway - does it cover the classic rock sounds too - or is it's heartbeat more with the 80th metal?

It is fn expensive here in Europe.

bw

Helmut

 

[LP Freak]

Hi,

and thanks for your answers. I couldn't find any information about the weight of the amp. Does anybody know the exact weight?

And - probably a silly question, but anyway - does it cover the classic rock sounds too - or is it's heartbeat more with the 80th metal?

It is fn expensive here in Europe.

bw

Helmut

Easily covers classic rock tones.

 

[MotorCityPickUps]

LOL.. 0095 and 0096 in Kentucky

Yes, GM is George. I got number 0096.

Serial is 0095...the spec sheet has the initials "GM" inidcating the builder, final assy, final testing etc. I assume the initials stand for George Metropolis. The specs are very detailed and nicely layed out, right down to the type and number of components used.

And now I have #95....

And #106 in Saudi.....

Steve, what do you think of the Friedman, I know you have owned some of his mods in the past.

I would go out on a limb and say that the BE100 is probably one of the best "all around - one size fits all" Marshall style amps around. It is voiced just right across the BE and HBE inputs to get you about anything you want. Add the FAT and SAT into the input and it augments the tone exactly what you want from it. the C45 is cool too. The amp can go from Plexi to big, meaty and punchy very easily. If you look under the hood, this isn't anything like the earlier amps or the mods. The quality of the build has certainly come a long way and the selection of components give the amp its mojo. Other than the awesome tone built into the amp, the one thing I notice is the super low noise floor, as compared to the mods and early Friedman's. In either of the inputs or any mode selection, it is really quiet. It's also equipped with the clean channel, but can't say as I need that at all, but it sounds clean and shares the EQ well. My favorite settings on it so far is the BE with about half gain, FAT and SAT engaged. You can run the master quite high and get loads of feel and harmonics from the amp. It could easily be your desert island amp because of the multitude of settings available. Another thing I like about the amp is the right amount of filtering and compression at gig volumes. It is not "in your face" but rides really nice in the mix. Of course, it is 180 degrees from some of the Cameron stuff, which, is a good thing if you are looking for variety. I would highly recommend this amp to my friends. I am warming up to the offset design cosmetics too. But, I am so glad that Dave redesigned the amp to make it his own, with everything original and not out of a box.

I had been talking to Rob and Dave about the Naked. Yeah, I am really kicking myself in the ass for selling my old one back to TM's. George Lynch has it now and he won't give it back. So, I was waiting for Dave to finish his design changes and kick out the new, improved Naked. Rob, being Rob, hooked me up with the BE which was hot off the bench. Dave asked if I wanted anything special. So, he put me a compensated line out on it, using the 4 ohm speaker jacks. I am still farting around with zeroing in on the settings I like and discovering new things about the amp.

Big thumbs up to Dave though. He just sort of sits quietly in the background, doing his thing, avoiding all the politics and bringing some good stuff to market. I am liking what the DS is dishing out too. The 5881 based amp sounds great, and different. But, my name is on the first Naked's he kicks out. You won't go wrong with a BE100 though. Just an awesome, all around, versatile amp. This is what sets it apart from some of the other amps that I own, and like a lot. Where the custom Dual OD channel SLO and the Cameron Jose's have a targeted flavor and are good at what they do, they lack some of the versatility that you sometimes need. The BE100 fills that gap and more.

Steve

Wow Steve! This is exactly truth in its entirety! Great review man. I liked this amp immediately when I got it, and now that I've had it for quite some time we married and are now a couple Lol, I'm married to the Brown eye. I've steadily put this amp through the paces with new model pickups as well as old and I find for versatility and voicing on a multitude of levels its has unmatched value to me as a designer. With the new models coming out it really tightened up my line. I really couldn't put a value on it. This amp is that important to me. I am a little bias as I really am a Marshall guy but the ground that this amp covers in the era's of yesterday as well as today are staggering in terms of replicating those tones and it really has a voicing within itself also showing identity. Everyone that hears it at the studio says the same thing.."Holy Shit Dude!" I always greet that with a huge smile and a simple " I Know!"
Peace, Wade

 

[se7en]

Steve, that might be the most articulate review I've ever read on here. Ever think of becoming a writer? Btw, I have a Browneye on order. Can't wait!...love the clarity and note separation.

Wade, I must say that Detroiter set you made me is amazing in my LP. As I imagined it woke up that guitar and tightened up the low end, while giving a fuller and more balanced sound with those rich overtones. Like I told you on the phone, I went with a modern wiring version of the RSGuitarworks Jimmy Page kit and the coil tap sounds are really useful...so, hats off to ya!

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Question.. is the BE100 loaded with a 4th preamp tube or is it built primarily off the existing preamp tubes in the preamp and phase inverter?

 

[MotorCityPickUps]

Question.. is the BE100 loaded with a 4th preamp tube or is it built primarily off the existing preamp tubes in the preamp and phase inverter?

4 pre tubes