NAD- Friedman Amplification BE-100-Video Added

[Sjguckin]

hey, question for redplated. Besides the gain switch, was there a noticable difference with the sozo caps? I am sending my 2015 in to get the gain switch and sozo's done but I dont want it to change too much because I love the way it sounds now. Thanks

 

[PBGas]

yup....I'm liking that! Congrats and well done!!!!

 

[RedPlated]

Dave said its $260 to update the amp and change out the coupling caps

Depends on the age of the amplifier. Could be more with other updates needed.

I'd like to send mine in but don't really want to part with it.

We are spoiled living in LA, with Dave's shop being so close

 

[jkdsteve]

This amp is still #1 at the top of the list for me, nice demo! \m/

 

[mentoneman]

all of dave's amps are great.
my fave of his to date is the steve stevens.

https://youtu.be/jMqI024paSg

cameron atomica, henning cherry bomb, and new mesas are also killer hard rock machines!

but i'm not complaining about my peacemaker/pedal rig either!

and this one is a different deal but so toneful

https://youtu.be/miGjQyUGc5E

 

[Purpleibby]

hey, question for redplated. Besides the gain switch, was there a noticable difference with the sozo caps? I am sending my 2015 in to get the gain switch and sozo's done but I dont want it to change too much because I love the way it sounds now. Thanks

I'd like to know about this too!

 

[Rdodson]

The 2nd gen Sozo's (is anyone pickup up manufacture of these?) are supposedly much clearer. My 20th XTC had the previous generation and the issue was as the gain went up the tone got smeared. Not bad when doing single-note Holdsworth style stuff but noticeable when chording on the red channel. Charley from Bogner said the 2nd gen was much better and I can only imagine that it is the same for the BE100.

 

[GtarLover]

FedEx is picking up my 2015 BE-100 today.
Headed to Dave for the new goodies...

Will report after its return.

 

[sjk]

The 2nd gen Sozo's (is anyone pickup up manufacture of these?) are supposedly much clearer. My 20th XTC had the previous generation and the issue was as the gain went up the tone got smeared. Not bad when doing single-note Holdsworth style stuff but noticeable when chording on the red channel. Charley from Bogner said the 2nd gen was much better and I can only imagine that it is the same for the BE100.

I think these are yet a new incarnation from the 2nd gen. Think they are now called Royal Synergy mustard caps...Metro forum is still down so I can't look it up there.

 

[LP Freak]

The 2nd gen Sozo's (is anyone pickup up manufacture of these?) are supposedly much clearer. My 20th XTC had the previous generation and the issue was as the gain went up the tone got smeared. Not bad when doing single-note Holdsworth style stuff but noticeable when chording on the red channel. Charley from Bogner said the 2nd gen was much better and I can only imagine that it is the same for the BE100.

I think these are yet a new incarnation from the 2nd gen. Think they are now called Royal Synergy mustard caps...Metro forum is still down so I can't look it up there.

Are those the blue ones?

 

[sjk]

The 2nd gen Sozo's (is anyone pickup up manufacture of these?) are supposedly much clearer. My 20th XTC had the previous generation and the issue was as the gain went up the tone got smeared. Not bad when doing single-note Holdsworth style stuff but noticeable when chording on the red channel. Charley from Bogner said the 2nd gen was much better and I can only imagine that it is the same for the BE100.

I think these are yet a new incarnation from the 2nd gen. Think they are now called Royal Synergy mustard caps...Metro forum is still down so I can't look it up there.

Are those the blue ones?

No Yellow, these here on this page
http://valvestorm.com/Products/Componen ... s/Coupling

 

[peterc52]

Reza, how does the new BE version stack up against the JJ?

I used to have the JJ and liked it a lot. Also been thinking about the Butterslax lately.

Cant decide

 

[braintheory]

How does it compare to those 2 Friedman modded Marshalls you own/owned? Can it get as raw and aggressive? Or is more polished sounding like his other production amps? Also, how does it compare to the small box? When I AB'ed the 2015 BE to the SB, I preferred the SB because it was a little more aggressive and growly to my ears and a little more open, but maybe I'll prefer the 2016 BE? My favorite Friedman so far is hands down my Phil X, but I still gotta try the Butterslax and 2016 BE

 

[Faded Abyss]

Such an aggressive amp with growl!! Subscribed

 

[peterc52]

Reza, how does the new BE version stack up against the JJ?

I used to have the JJ and liked it a lot. Also been thinking about the Butterslax lately.

Cant decide

There is a reason I picked this one, I could have went for any of them.

Butterslax is a gain monster!
JJ might have the most mid heft.
But the BE is now just really perfected.
It was good timing to wait till 2016. I can't see this amp getting any better at this point.

The '16 BE might be the way to go

 

[VC4Ever]

These amps have more updates than fractal audio.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Totally different. But those were two totally different donor amps.

The BE-100 is definitely polished sounding, I had the special edition smallbox and it was fantastic but I wanted the headroom of the 100 watter and I just felt like I needed the flagship model.

Polished, so it's not as raw and aggressive as some others, but will it still cut more in a live setting than it did before the updates?

 

[atrox]

It cuts through just about anything. I have gigged mine a bunch

 

[RACKSYSTEMS]

It is way less polished then before. My guidline is it had to be able to replicate my my 68 plexi, it does it in spades now. I mean identical in 1 setting. Then you have many other sounds on top. More gain etc.

 

[GtarLover]

The BE-100's have been on the road with MANY bands at this point.
These are the guys that can have ANY amp they want.
The guys that have had Dave mod their other amps.
If it wasn't getting the job done, they'd choose something else.
Just sayin', plus Dave is listening to his clients and making upgrades.

What I see happening is some guys, like Steve Stevens, Jerry Cantrell, Phil X are asking for specific things that THEY are used to having or have wanted on their amps. Rather than simply mod a BE, Dave has made production models out of some of these amps. What a cool thing to do!!

I see it like with any piece of gear...it depends on the music you want to create with it. Do you need versatility, best clean channel, or is high gain most important.
You can't expect a Strat to do the work of a Les Paul, and vice versa.
Dave has given us choices, THANK YOU DAVE!!!

No "one" amp does everything for everybody, hence the choices.
Research is great, but you'll never know until YOU play the amp with YOUR guitar(s). There's just no other way to know for sure if you gel with the amp or if it will give you what you want.
Hence, Reza tries almost EVERYTHING, LMAO
More power to you brother!! And he's a great source of info because of that.

I'll just say, thanks Reza for keeping the killer demo vids coming!! Personally I find it really is helpful. The reviews and discussion are also great, it helps others make more informed decisions. Rock On!!