Late to the Friedman party, what do I need next?

[311boogieman]

All good suggestions so far.

I'd be remiss if I didn't throw out Splawn. More than just your average hot rodded marshall.

Here are a few crazy suggestions:

Send your BE100 to Friedman and have it modded. Seriously. Add more stuff
Get a Rectifier and put EL34s in it. Seriously. That's what I did with my Rectoverb and am pretty pumped.

Otherwise - have fun

 

[mooncobra]

mezzabarba/masotti

 

[Rock Bodom]

Thanks again guys, that gives me a lot of fresh ideas to explore. Some were on my radar already, some were not...very helpful!

I'll say this...I don't really care who endorses an amp or any of that flavor of the month hype. My actual hands on experience is all that matters, and I'm just on the honeymoon with the Friedman, but for what I play it definitely has made a great initial impression.

 

[CJrocker]

All the Bray clips I've heard sound insanely good. IMO no other amp except maybe a rockstah nails VHs early tone.

 

[napalmdeath]

All the Bray clips I've heard sound insanely good. IMO no other amp except maybe a rockstah nails VHs early tone.

I agree. Some much more alive, and richer in harmonic detail. In your face.

 

[sjk]

All the Bray clips I've heard sound insanely good. IMO no other amp except maybe a rockstah nails VHs early tone.

Not trying to be a dick or anything but imho, actually yes other amps nail it very well. Not many but an actual stock plexi without being modded with the addition of a master volume played by someone that can play Eddie's stuff very well sounds closer than a Bray imo. That's what Eddie was playing afterall lol.

Or a straight up unmodded replica plexi clone by a top notch builder such as germino. Plugged straight in no boost, just dimed and loud as fuck!
A great example

 

[born_hard]

Soldano HR25, its a beast of an amp. It has a great Crunch Channel and Overdrive Channel + a good loop. Now listen, the amp sounds good at low volumes but it doesnt sound like an EL84 amp or like an overdrive pedal. Its the real deal, believe it. With a 4x12 you are in Crunch heaven. You still can tailor the sound to a heavier style with a ooster or Overdrive pedal. Then the amp goes into heavier, more compressed Rectifier or Peavey/EVH territory. What a great amp this is. So soundwise aou are very flexible with the 2 channels, you get a very wide spectrum of guitar sounds. What you dont get is ultra Clean Fender Style sounds.

 

[Rock Bodom]

Soldano will definitely come back into the family at some point. I already know I love the SLO from the years I owned one, and I have been curious to try out a HR25 and compare.

I think the SLO absolutely fits my 80's hard rock style of playing very well, but tonewise I don't really think classic plexi/EL34 which is more what I'm chasing at the moment. I still have a Cornford Hellcat and a 5153 that cover some extra ground as well.

 

[Jon BCN]

Personally, for a Marshall-flavored amp in the Plexi neighborhood, I find David Bray's mods/builds tonally superior for less money than the Friedman. To the dismay of many, I don't get the hype. Or, personally, as suggested previous, I'd look into an SLO.

I dunno about that. I played and heard the Bray amps at the AMP show and there were SHRILL as fuck. Friedman puts out a professional level product that too many Pros are all using right now. I don't see Phil X, Dave Weiner, Jerry Cantrell, Chris Shiflett, Dave Grohl, Bill Keliher , or any other serious high profile cats playing Bray's. Correct me if I'm wrong but there is NO hype. its actual TONE.
YMMV.

It's hype, and good marketing. Yes, Friedman has had more exposure to the "stars", but I certainly wouldn't say his list of "cats" playing his amps makes it a better. And, MOST of those endorsements you list, all have amps built to THEIR tastes, don't forget. Those names sell more amps, sure, as well as create more buzz and hype. Don't get sand in your pink taco every time somebody finds RT's beloved Friedman overrated.

Those people could have any amp they want, but they prefer Friedmans.

If Friedman amps are where they are right now, it's for sure not because they are "hype". Friedman amps have made and earned a name for themselves by years of doing and incredible work, that for sure it's not "hype" or "marketing". They are just amazing amps with incredible features and tones to die for.

Not your cup of tea and you prefer other things? That's understandable, I also don't like those Bray amps you just mentioned.

 

[Deleted member 13074]

The Friedman has that perfect rounded sound with gobs of gain.
If you want to pare it back a notch for a more traditional sound that is grittier, the Helios 50 in 80s mode is a great choice.
The options allow many more voicings, going back through the ages.
For an EL34 junkie, having both is very satisfying.

 

[Racerxrated]

Personally, for a Marshall-flavored amp in the Plexi neighborhood, I find David Bray's mods/builds tonally superior for less money than the Friedman. To the dismay of many, I don't get the hype. Or, personally, as suggested previous, I'd look into an SLO.

I dunno about that. I played and heard the Bray amps at the AMP show and there were SHRILL as fuck. Friedman puts out a professional level product that too many Pros are all using right now. I don't see Phil X, Dave Weiner, Jerry Cantrell, Chris Shiflett, Dave Grohl, Bill Keliher , or any other serious high profile cats playing Bray's. Correct me if I'm wrong but there is NO hype. its actual TONE.
YMMV.

It's hype, and good marketing. Yes, Friedman has had more exposure to the "stars", but I certainly wouldn't say his list of "cats" playing his amps makes it a better. And, MOST of those endorsements you list, all have amps built to THEIR tastes, don't forget. Those names sell more amps, sure, as well as create more buzz and hype. Don't get sand in your pink taco every time somebody finds RT's beloved Friedman overrated.

Those people could have any amp they want, but they prefer Friedmans.

If Friedman amps are where they are right now, it's for sure not because they are "hype". Friedman amps have made and earned a name for themselves by years of doing and incredible work, that for sure it's not "hype" or "marketing". They are just amazing amps with incredible features and tones to die for.

Not your cup of tea and you prefer other things? That's understandable, I also don't like those Bray amps you just mentioned.

And, I'm also pretty sure Friedman GAVE some of those amps for FREE to some of those players, so there's that. They are cool amps no doubt, but I'm quite sure they weren't sitting around saying "Hmm, I've got 4K just burning a hole in my pocket. What amp should I buy?" Lol. Phil, Jerry, Bill and Steve undoubtedly got at least one amp for free. After all, they are named after them. And, nothing wrong with that. But saying they could play anything, well when someone is offering you a freebie I think you'll take it. Again, nothing wrong with that at all..more power to them.

 

[mxr2000]

Finally picked up the Brown Eye, resisted it forever because I just didn't "need" another amp (I'm more of a guitar hoarder). But something snapped when I watched that recent Akira Takasaki demo, instant GAS like the addict who has been clean for a couple of years goes off the wagon hard.

Spent the weekend with it, yeah it's freakin awesome. And got me back thinkin' about checking out a few more options. If I like this one, where do I go next? Already thinking about the Suhr SL-68 possibly.

A little background, I'm covered on the actual Marshall front as well, so just exploring other flavors of EL-34 hot-rodded goodness that would fit my 80's hard rock playing style. I have absolutely no functional purpose for this quest, I'm not trying to find a sound I'm missing or anything like that. Got a modeler already too, so just looking for old school tubeness.

However, I don't gig a lot these days, so good at "moderately" low volumes works for me best (I live in the country and can open them up a little, but still would not like to go deaf trying to get a decent tone).

Any suggestions greatly appreciated! I get tons of ideas obviously reading lots of posts here but would love some feedback.

Check for Friedman Phil X amp!

 

[LP Freak]

Personally, for a Marshall-flavored amp in the Plexi neighborhood, I find David Bray's mods/builds tonally superior for less money than the Friedman. To the dismay of many, I don't get the hype. Or, personally, as suggested previous, I'd look into an SLO.

I dunno about that. I played and heard the Bray amps at the AMP show and there were SHRILL as fuck. Friedman puts out a professional level product that too many Pros are all using right now. I don't see Phil X, Dave Weiner, Jerry Cantrell, Chris Shiflett, Dave Grohl, Bill Keliher , or any other serious high profile cats playing Bray's. Correct me if I'm wrong but there is NO hype. its actual TONE.
YMMV.

I owned a Bray and Friedman and couldn't agree more. Brays sound like they're ready to fall apart. I'd take a Germino over a Bray any day.

 

[flatheads_4ever]

Just stick with the BE100. Killer amp. Quit wasting money.

signed,
my wife!

 

[BLUESSYNDICATE]

Mezzabarba MZERO Overdrive