Friedman Brit-50 Head

[Faded Abyss]

I'd guess emulated because there is no way to really get that without a NMV and then the volume. I suppose with a PPIMV you could but I would guess he has just altered the preamp a bit so catch the feel of a plexi.

My bigger observation is that in this demo at least, i still hear the Friedman mids. A bit honky but with the highs rounded off. That's the whole beauty of a Plexi and 800, that raw edge. They describe this one as being raw but i am not sure i hear raw in this demo. (Not 3K+ raw anyway

I'd guess emulated because there is no way to really get that without a NMV and then the volume. I suppose with a PPIMV you could but I would guess he has just altered the preamp a bit so catch the feel of a plexi.

My bigger observation is that in this demo at least, i still hear the Friedman mids. A bit honky but with the highs rounded off. That's the whole beauty of a Plexi and 800, that raw edge. They describe this one as being raw but i am not sure i hear raw in this demo. (Not 3K+ raw anyway)

What remakes out there today capture the feel of a plexi? NMV or PPIMV

 

[shar-vell Dan]

Nobody buys a Marshall for cleans. Shitcan 13 of that 15 min video.

 

[BABMusic]

Seem a bit redundant really........................I think the plex should be able to get Brit tones as well. Oh well I guess felt the EVHness of the Plex was too much for other people.

So Nick said this amp has a standard PrePI master volume which is a JMP/JCM800 master volume, so this is the master used in Dave's Smallbox 50 and BE100 amps with some tweaks.

Seems like this is a production version of the JEL50 amp, since it has plexi and JCM800 modes...so I see what Dave did here. Overall I thought is sounded good.

It's true that this amp likely is very close to other Friedmans, so it is redundant. I just remember a video where Michael Nielson was explaining how these companies just have to do this every year, or they won't stay in business. An amp company now cannot really make ends meet like how Marshall did in the 1980s with the JCM800. There has to be at least something new every year for these amp companies in 2026 to be thriving.

 

[DanTravis62]

It's true that this amp likely is very close to other Friedmans, so it is redundant. I just remember a video where Michael Nielson was explaining how these companies just have to do this every year, or they won't stay in business. An amp company now cannot really make ends meet like how Marshall did in the 1980s with the JCM800. There has to be at least something new every year for these amp companies in 2026 to be thriving.

That makes sense.


It's not that this sounds bad at all, just can't help but think "why?"

I would be way more interested if Dave did like a fully gained out modern style amp like a VH4 or recto except marshally, or a rack pre, or something

It just seems like if I wanted these tones there are already a million amps that could provide it idk

 

[technomancer]

This has a lot more gain than the Plex, and has two channels. But to me, sounds very similar to the JEL50, but without a thump knob.

It's a Sweetwater only amp, so that is probably exactly what it is. A short run of customs based on JEL50s for Sweetwater

 

[BABMusic]

That makes sense.


It's not that this sounds bad at all, just can't help but think "why?"

I would be way more interested if Dave did like a fully gained out modern style amp like a VH4 or recto except marshally, or a rack pre, or something

It just seems like if I wanted these tones there are already a million amps that could provide it idk

You said so yourself that our world is now creating more jobs with reviewing gear and doing videos than actually finding gigs or jobs on recordings. Then I think the other part is all these age 40+ guys with money in their bank account that gotta have the next new boutique amp, even if it means just buying it for a month to sell it off. It's a peculiar world we live in now -- we have tons of gear.

 

[romanianreaper]

I've heard a lot of Friedman clips and have owned a few of the smaller ones. That amp sounds like it has a bit more lows, is raw sounding, and doesn't sound as compressed as the typical Friedman tone. I dig it.

 

[bhuard75]

This amp is way better than that JEL-50. You guys got to get your ears checked. Back in the day he was playing a Mesa Mark IIC+ anyway. So does this amp really matter?

 

[BABMusic]

You got me with the AI photos.

 

[MGL AmpWorks]

Looks like maybe another variation of the Smallbox.

 

[napalmdeath]

The two people in the video, asshole to asshole couldn't conjure up a beerfart in a whirlwind.

These douches would be my last choice to do a demo.

 

[napalmdeath]

It's a Sweetwater only amp

That sucks. But, it's a great layout.

 

[BABMusic]

I noticed the switches read "plexi" and "800" instead of "plex" and the implied 800. I hope Dave isn't gonna get in any legal trouble with that amp.

 

[tjnx]

I like the plex and smallbox, wish I had a loop on the plex and and I like the 800 more than the SB. This sounds good and looks like it checks a few boxes.

 

[marvcus]

What remakes out there today capture the feel of a plexi? NMV or PPIMV

Here you go. Personally, I like the good ol’ Marshall1959 HW from the vid:

 

[Faded Abyss]

Here you go. Personally, I like the good ol’ Marshall1959 HW from the vid:

Thanks! That guitarist is just too damn good. After watching that and many others, I’ve come full circle and realized that the “plexi thing” is just too damn bright for my ears - although in a mix it would probably help cut.

I also watch the Pete Thorn vid on the new Suhr 68 and same think. I came across a video of the Marshall modified JCM 800 with the Scary Mod and it opened that amp up. makes me wonder what the JMP 1959 Modified would sound like with the Mr. Scary Mod.

When I went back to Sweetwater video on this Friedman Brit 50, it always sounds way better than all the others. I don’t know if it’s something they are doing with post processing because it also sounds more direct. So it could be that this Friedman is different or the way they are recording

 

[ners]

I'm surprised he hasn't talked about this on Tone Talk or NAMM recently. Feels like this came out of nowhere.

I wonder how accurate this is though. Like does the Plexi/800 switch just toggle that extra gain stage? Does it also change the NFB?

 

[gibsonash]

Here you go. Personally, I like the good ol’ Marshall1959 HW from the vid:

I dig the Marshall too

 

[BABMusic]

I'm surprised he hasn't talked about this on Tone Talk or NAMM recently. Feels like this came out of nowhere.

I wonder how accurate this is though. Like does the Plexi/800 switch just toggle that extra gain stage? Does it also change the NFB?

800 mode is definitely a very different voicing, not just an extra gain stage. As far as the NFB, I'm not sure.

 

[GuitarBilly]

Sweetwater really need to hire better demonstrators for high gain amps. Don Carr is a good player but he's completely out of his element here. And Nick Bowcott, well... he seems like a nice guy, but....

It's hard to even tell what this amp actually sounds like.