Friedman small box or Helios help

  • Thread starter Thread starter jamme61
  • Start date Start date
J

jamme61

Member
Trying to figure out which one to go with. My main concern with the helios is the clean channel (no master just bright switch) The Friedman has the gain and master on the clean channel. I'd like to be able to get an acdc type crunch on the clean and back off my guitar volume for my semi clean. dirty channel on both- which one is closer to the jcm 800 (2203-2204 sound) ? which one sounds better at low volumes? thanks for any info
 
The SB's plexi (clean) channel can definitely do the AC/DC tone and back off for cleans. The BE side can certainly do the jcm 800 tones but it still sounds more like hot rodded plexi to me.
 
I got to play the pink taco and that thing starts off with to much gain for me. I don't like that much gain for most things I play. I'm in a classic rock blues cover band so I guess I'd be in the clean channel most with pedals . I guess the Helios in 70 mode would be best for me? Old man I am thanks for the time
 
jamme61":12yt45hm said:
I got to play the pink taco and that thing starts off with to much gain for me. I don't like that much gain for most things I play. I'm in a classic rock blues cover band so I guess I'd be in the clean channel most with pedals . I guess the Helios in 70 mode would be best for me? Old man I am thanks for the time
Click to expand...
I had the Taco as well but opted for the SB so I could get lower gain tones and have 2 channels, etc. The plexi channel sounds awesome, would make a good single channel amp on it's own with a few pedals like you said. I really like the Suhr Koko mid boost with it. The BE channel actually get's pretty good lower gain tones and is a very good extension of the plexi channel. You could always set it fairly low and use it just for a slight gain/volume boost.
 
The SB plexi/clean channel sounds more like what you're after -- even with gain dimed it is just starting to break up and the harmonics are superb. It takes pedals nicely. I kinda use the SB as a 3 channel amp in a way: Plexi channel without pedals, Plexi channel with pedals, and BE/JCM800 channel (which really doesn't need/want added dirt for most of what I play.) I mainly play classic rock/blues as well i.e., Zeppelin, Rush, Floyd, Clapton, Allman Bros plus a bit of classic metal and alternative/grunge.
 
thanks guys- this amp sounds like it will work great for me. I had a pt100 (orginal version) that didn't work because the clean channel didn't crunch nice and the switch to channel two had to much gain(still a great sounding amp IMHO). I can get a Helios for a lot cheaper but It seems like same problem with the clean just being a clean. thanks for the info
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top