Friedman BE100 2014 vs 2016

  • Thread starter Thread starter monkey42
  • Start date Start date
M

monkey42

New member
So, I stupidly sold my 2014 BE...but ended up buying a SS100 with money :)

Anyway, I now have some fund for a 2nd Friedman. I was of the understanding that there was an overall voicing change, however the UK shop I spoke to said the amp is the same as my old one just a 3 way gain structure switch. Is this so? Or were other changes made?
 
I believe there is the gain cut switch and dave made the voicing switch do a lot more, one side is more open and raw and the other is the more compressed and smoothed out sound of the 2014 model. and then there is the little red light!! that's new too.
 
Was your 2014 before or after the DC heaters were added? That was IIRC very late 2014 and a board revision that also moved the line out volume control between the line out jack and the speaker jacks. The 2016 adds the low gain switch and IIRC changed the cap values on the bright switch. The brand of caps used in the amp was also changed. From the clips I've heard the new BE is a bit brighter and less compressed than the 2015 I had.
 
From everything I've read, I think the 2015 is more to my liking. I have a 2015 model right now, final version right before the 2016 changes. For me, it's intended to be a band/live amp. Brighter? The 2015 is plenty bright at higher volumes with the Treble at 6 and Presence no higher than 4. Use the loop and it's even brighter still. I couldn't imagine needing it brighter. Less compressed? I think it's about right where it is. Gain cut switch? Dont need it. When I want old school Marshall sounds, I'm going to grab one of my old Marshall's.

I did have a late 2013/early 2014 or so at one point, and I can say this one runs more quiet. So, I do think the change going into 2015 was good and right up my alley. The 2016 changes? Don't think I need them.

 
I have a 2015 BE that sounded wonderful but I also wanted a more "Fender" clean, so Dave modified the Clean Channel to SS100 specs. Synergy Caps and Gain Structure, sounds awesome.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top