Friedman Butterslax or JJ

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Hey guys,
This topic has probably been beat to death, but I'm having a hell of a time deciding between these two amps. I play mostly metal and high gain stuff so I would think the Butterslax would be the one, but the demos I've heard just don't sound that good to me. They all have this loose and fuzzy thing to them. I love all of the demos of the JJ as it seems to sound nice and full but still tight. I don't know what to do. Chime in if need be.
Thanks
 
Slax is actually pretty tight. I have it and a Fortin Meshuggah right now and it gets as tight as the Meshuggah + Boost when I want it to, as long as I do not dime the gain/bass/thump. that "fuzz", with a mxr 10 band it goes away if you pull down the 16hz
 
Slax is actually pretty tight. I have it and a Fortin Meshuggah right now and it gets as tight as the Meshuggah + Boost when I want it to, as long as I do not dime the gain/bass/thump. that "fuzz", with a mxr 10 band it goes away if you pull down the 16hz
 
I can't imagine either amp not being able to do high gain stuff, they are just different. I love my JJ for all high gain work.
 
I have not played the Slax but have you heard errrrrl's clips? (aka Faka)?
 
jeff5":2311ws0o said:
I can't imagine either amp not being able to do high gain stuff, they are just different. I love my JJ for all high gain work.
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How are they different?
 
I would wait for the new BE-100 dlx. Its supposed to get you into either amps amount of gain and voicing.
 
I owned both at the same time. I honestly can't say the Butterslax is necessarily "better" for metal as the JJ has such a big sound and great definition. Despite not having a "clean" channel, I think the Butterslax is actually a bit more versatile than you'd think. It has a LOT of mids in my opinion, more than the JJ. It can do some awesome rock tones in my opinion. I came to regret selling my Butterslax as time went on. The way I look at it in hindsight, as an all-around amplifier, the JJ has the edge. However, I think the Butterslax is slightly better for lead lead tones and has the edge as a metal machine.

If you want rock, metal, and incredible lead tone, then the Butterslax. If you want all that and more versatility, but a little less in the prominent midrange area, then the JJ. If you use boost or overdrive pedals, the JJ for sure. If you don't always insist on putting a boost or overdrive pedal in front of your amp, then maybe the Butterslax. I have tried a couple of boosts and tube screamers with the Butterslax and it did well, but it's one of the few amps that I truly felt needed nothing in between my amp and guitar. It has one of those tones you don't want to change, add to, or take away from as far as I'm concerned. Hope this helps you out.
 
Great clip RedPlated :thumbsup:

Owned the JJ and the Slax simultaneously. JJ with the added MV (mandatory IMHO).

Splitting hairs...but that's because of personal preference. I fucking LOVED Channel 1 of the Slax even though it's a high-gain beast, it had just the right amount of punch, sparkle and hair to sound deeelish!! But, BUT!!!!!!, if I needed to pick just one - the JJ100 w/ added MV - definitely.

The JBE (3rd channel if you will) on the JJ is tight as a toad's ass and has gobs of gain and still has great definition. While the Slax is a great, revered, and highly praised amp amongst the masses, I found it sterile compared to the JJ. I liked how the JJ opened up with volume - became more aggressive. I found the Slax got more compressed with volume - perhaps a function of the diodes - I don't know. And again, STRICTLY my opinion and everyone's mileage will vary.

Both are tremendous amps. Ch.1 on the Slax is an all day show - very versatile. Ch.2 is heavy as sin. Ch.3 was borderline silly with gain.
JJ has a KILLER clean channel, no hair unless REALLY pushed; (awesome loops on both amps BTW); Ch.2 was the money on the JJ with all types of guitars/pups. And the JBE engaged channel (Ch.3 for lack of a better handle) had gobs of gain but still sounded open, real and heavy. Not uber compressed. Fucking choice.

Peace
 
Thanks for all the input. I think I'm leaning towards the JJ.
 
tstern66":1v110srj said:
Thanks for all the input. I think I'm leaning towards the JJ.
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Just make sure to get the added JBE MV added to the front panel (or rear, just somewhere....)
 
My bandmate has a JJ and I have a Slax. I hear his JJ every week at practice and it just kills for thrash and metal and as Mo said sounds really good cranked. With that said I love my Butterslax. Channel 3 is made for heavy riffs no boost needed, Channel 2 is classic thrash and Channel 1 is fantastic for rock. I was just bouncing back n forth between Channel 1 and my Dirty Shirley the other day and they are kind of close though the DS is king for all things AC/DC and rock. Honestly dude you can't go wrong.
 
errrrrl":1hkib2j1 said:
My bandmate has a JJ and I have a Slax. I hear his JJ every week at practice and it just kills for thrash and metal and as Mo said sounds really good cranked. With that said I love my Butterslax. Channel 3 is made for heavy riffs no boost needed, Channel 2 is classic thrash and Channel 1 is fantastic for rock. I was just bouncing back n forth between Channel 1 and my Dirty Shirley the other day and they are kind of close though the DS is king for all things AC/DC and rock. Honestly dude you can't go wrong.
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Does the Slax have that fuzzy loose thing that most of the clips have?
 
tstern66":12sb3io9 said:
Does the Slax have that fuzzy loose thing that most of the clips have?
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You know I've seen/listened to some vids based on the slax's channel 3 with that, Fluff's review comes to mind but I don't have that issue. Maybe its how people set their amps or specific mic's and speakers or something. I'm a happy camper with mine. I will say I do use a 10 band eq in the loop with the slightest smiley face too. You can listen to my clips here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfrgjlHwMcfsAI78aWbkp2Q/videos

Vids with the slax are labeled accordingly, also happy to answer any other questions you might have.
 
errrrrl":2wgyodu7 said:
Honestly dude you can't go wrong.
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:thumbsup:
tstern66":2wgyodu7 said:
Does the Slax have that fuzzy loose thing that most of the clips have?
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Sadly, a lot of clips out there - Kelliher's included - don't give this amp what it deserves (the Slax). It can sound fizzy at lower volumes, yes. But loose? No fucking way. And the fizzy bit tends to get "relieved" as this amps volume gets turned up. It is more compressed than the JJ, but the Slax - IMHO - is victim to a lot of shitty recording/demo'ing vids/clips.

And lastly - some dig, some don't - the diode clipping kicks in on the Slax's Ch.2 and Ch.3. The JJ100 utilizes diode for the JBE channel only (quasi Ch.3).

Some cats dig it, some cats don't. I'm not the final arbiter of the tone and feel that is right for you. Only you are :thumbsup:

Peace
 
tstern66":1ns5dul0 said:
Does the Slax have that fuzzy loose thing that most of the clips have?
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So last night I was testing out the new waza tube amp expander with the slax's channel 3. Here is a really basic clip of channel 3 with the master at 4 1/2, nothing in the loop, nothing in front, no gate, no plugins or mastering. Just Slax > Waza TAE > Reaper. 3 guitar tracks L/M/R and a drum loop, stock Goth SG drop D-ish with Ownhammer Heavy Hitter IR's.

https://soundcloud.com/faka-894685110/waza-tube-amp-expander-ownhammer-irs-test
 
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