Friedman JJ Inbound

[Ventura]

Hi all, new member to RT, I've been on the fence for sometime now as to which Friedman to get, had it down to BE-100 or the JJ. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to play either, just going on clips & reviews. At first I was set on the BE since my style of playing ranges from srv/hendrix type blues to classic rock/metal to eric johnson, moore Etc. Be-100 made sense since I use strats as well as LP's, however, Im really liking the tones I hear from the JJ and Im thinking it will be just as versatile as the BE-100, not into drop D detuned stuff, any thoughts?

Don't forget the JJ has the regular BE mode as well as the JBE mode. Without the JBE switch off it's basically a BE, although I've seen some say it's more aggressive than a standard BE (I haven't played a BE or heard one in person).

the voicing is quite different between the JJ (in BE mode) and the BE-100.

based on the artists you cited, I would probably use the BE-100 for that. There is an inherent voicing to the JJ that i probably wouldn't use for SRV/hendrix/classic rock - its not just a level of gain thing that differentiates the two amps.

that said, the JJ is absolutely not 'just' for detuned stuff (though, obviously, i imagine it could do well at that - don't play that myself)

edit: i would also add that the feel is pretty different between the two. the JJ is not quite as 'soft' or indirect as the BE100 to me

Keep in mind too, that Jerry does play Lesters and Strat style axes all the same. His music is different than those mentioned (SRV/Hendrix), but the gear is totally swappable with the JJ just the same as it would be with the BE. Just my 2 cents and also a disclaimer, I've yet to try the JJ. But I've tried a BE and I'm likely blindly buying the JJ upon my return to civilization.

FWIW.

 

[Ventura]

Lastly - gain in a bedroom sounds great. Gain in a live setting or proper recording can thin out one's tone.

 

[learman96]

Man, this is a tough call, I may have to purchase both and keep the one that gives me the most wood! I really like the BE sound on the JJ, however, versatility wise, the Be100 wins with the c45, fat & SAT, keep in mind I will also be using single coil pickups with it. I did see a BE-100 with the JBE mod on ebay, best of both worlds??

if you are in a position to do that, i highly recommend - at least you won't be worrying or second-guessing.

i warn you, though, thats basically what I've always done with gear (i.e. try it figure it out and send back what you don't like as much)....with friedmans, its totally burned me to the tune of having 4 of them with an inability to send any back. i basically don't try any of his other models because i know what will happen

This is what I'm afraid of if I keep hang in out here!

 

[learman96]

I'm l lead player at heart, always trying to improve my technique and knowledge as I get older, did the band thing and gigs till 3 am in the 80's, now just a play at home/amateur recording dude. From the clips I hear, I think I would love the JBE mode for lead playing.

 

[Mixman]

I haven't played through it but from the clips the JJ sound like the pissed of Marshall I always wanted. It seems to retain that Marshall cut and add a good bottom end too. It sounds like what Marshall was trying to do with the JVM amps but didn't.

Now here is a question....could the JJ be modded to have the C45 switch and or a boost too?

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

Hi all, new member to RT, I've been on the fence for sometime now as to which Friedman to get, had it down to BE-100 or the JJ. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to play either, just going on clips & reviews. At first I was set on the BE since my style of playing ranges from srv/hendrix type blues to classic rock/metal to eric johnson, moore Etc. Be-100 made sense since I use strats as well as LP's, however, Im really liking the tones I hear from the JJ and Im thinking it will be just as versatile as the BE-100, not into drop D detuned stuff, any thoughts?

Don't forget the JJ has the regular BE mode as well as the JBE mode. Without the JBE switch off it's basically a BE, although I've seen some say it's more aggressive than a standard BE (I haven't played a BE or heard one in person).

the voicing is quite different between the JJ (in BE mode) and the BE-100.

based on the artists you cited, I would probably use the BE-100 for that. There is an inherent voicing to the JJ that i probably wouldn't use for SRV/hendrix/classic rock - its not just a level of gain thing that differentiates the two amps.

that said, the JJ is absolutely not 'just' for detuned stuff (though, obviously, i imagine it could do well at that - don't play that myself)

edit: i would also add that the feel is pretty different between the two. the JJ is not quite as 'soft' or indirect as the BE100 to me

Keep in mind too, that Jerry does play Lesters and Strat style axes all the same. His music is different than those mentioned (SRV/Hendrix), but the gear is totally swappable with the JJ just the same as it would be with the BE. Just my 2 cents and also a disclaimer, I've yet to try the JJ. But I've tried a BE and I'm likely blindly buying the JJ upon my return to civilization.

FWIW.

Mo you won't be disappointed, provided you run it with a cab with greenbacks (and V30) or 2 cabs

 

[UDTBUDS]

1960's ... about 5 fuzz/boosts available.

1970's ... more pedals coming out but people wanted more.

1980's ... rack, rack, rack, people had to have a rack effect to compliment more rack effects.

1990's ... stomps, stomps and more stomps.

2000 and beyond ... "you don't need a boost with that amp", when there are 100,000's of thousands to choose from.


Using a boost pedal with an amp how does that work ... ?

Can't make this up.

 

[74JMP]

Can't make this up.

Seriously dan almost everything you post is made up

 

[journeyman73]

1960's ... about 5 fuzz/boosts available.

1970's ... more pedals coming out but people wanted more.

1980's ... rack, rack, rack, people had to have a rack effect to compliment more rack effects.

1990's ... stomps, stomps and more stomps.

2000 and beyond ... "you don't need a boost with that amp", when there are 100,000's of thousands to choose from.


Using a boost pedal with an amp how does that work ... ?

Can't make this up.

not sure i understand where you are going?

if you're somehow saying a pedal into an amp is everything that a Friedman might be, i would disagree. comments about not needing a boost i assume are more referencing gain levels, not necessarily everything else the Friedman might bring to the table