NAD: Friedman Jose - The Pinnacle?

[savant421]

Scored a GREAT deal so figured yah sure. HOLLEE CRAP! As soon as I got it dialed in, I literally had no words. Like is this the best Friedman EVER? Very possible. One of the best hi gainers EVER? Maybe. Smooth gain with just the right amount of bite, thump, loud with grind. Absolutely floored. Not sure what competes. Bring it!

 

[mentoneman]

Scored a GREAT deal so figured yah sure. HOLLEE CRAP! As soon as I got it dialed in, I literally had no words. Like is this the best Friedman EVER? Very possible. One of the best hi gainers EVER? Maybe. Smooth gain with just the right amount of bite, thump, loud with grind. Absolutely floored. Not sure what competes. Bring it!

thing has charm!
what speakers you running?

 

[ChurchHill]

Congratulations!! I really needed to hear this... after waiting on the list for not quite as long as I'd imagined, my number came up and I literally just finished placing my order for one. Supposed to be here in about 2 weeks... Your description gives me even more confidence that I made the right decision.

Hope you continue to enjoy yours as much as it sounds like you're enjoying it tonight!

 

[Tone Monster]

Congrats. It’s a great amp!

 

[Jack Luminous]

Scored a GREAT deal so figured yah sure. HOLLEE CRAP! As soon as I got it dialed in, I literally had no words. Like is this the best Friedman EVER? Very possible. One of the best hi gainers EVER? Maybe. Smooth gain with just the right amount of bite, thump, loud with grind. Absolutely floored. Not sure what competes. Bring it!

Soldano SLO ? 2203+SD1 ?

 

[BABMusic]

I gave your post a sad face because I am simply jealous.

 

[gibsonash]

Same

 

[BABMusic]

Yeah OP, I haven't played the Jose yet, but I kind of see it as making the BE100 deluxe almost obsolete. You get a plexi channel in both amps, but why wouldn't you want the original Jose mods with more authentic Marshall frequencies? The only thing that's missing is channel switching, but Dave said that won't work well because it will pop if you do add it. This amp seems to got it where it really counts.

 

[savant421]

Yeah OP, I haven't played the Jose yet, but I kind of see it as making the BE100 deluxe almost obsolete. You get a plexi channel in both amps, but why wouldn't you want the original Jose mods with more authentic Marshall frequencies? The only thing that's missing is channel switching, but Dave said that won't work well because it will pop if you do add it. This amp seems to got it where it really counts.

The BE100DLX is still a helluva machine (which I own) and was tied as my fav Friedman along with the SS100 until this showed up but the Jose is the most non-sounding Friedman Friedman that I own which is in no way a slag on Dave but makes sense considering it has another dudes name on it. I also own a Gower modded Marshall with the Jose mod and they are VERY close but the Gower has a little more of that "klank" from the Marshall doner amp which is very cool. Might end up selling the Gower but they are so hard to come by

 

[savant421]

Soldano SLO ? 2203+SD1 ?

Fantastic machines for sure! 2203 with the right boost is absolute balls! 2210 is actually one of my fav Marshalls
SLO - i gotta be honest, i like it, I don't love it. Great amp for sure but it's not the first one I reach for. Honestly prefer 5150 flavors, dual rectos above it but would never scoff at it. For me a top 10, top 15 amp but not at the tippy top. Just my 2c's

 

[angelspade]

In my humble opinion Dave would be well served in taking a long look at how well the Jose model is being received by players with good taste in tone and try to include a little more of it's "rawness" and organic aggression in new amp models going forward. Nobody can say that Dave doesn't make great products, but the most common complaint is that they present as too polite and "produced" sounding. Just a thought.

 

[savant421]

In my humble opinion Dave would be well served in taking a look at how well the Jose model is being received by players with good taste in tone and try to include a little more of it's "rawness" and organic aggression in new amp models going forward. Nobody can say that Dave doesn't make great products, but the most common complaint is that they present as too polite and "produced" sounding. Just a thought.

This is 100% spot on! One of my "complaints" about Friedman amps were they were never "angry" enough if that made sense. The Jose is much more raw and just "Fuck, I'm here to RAWK BRO!" haha

 

[savant421]

This is 100% spot on! One of my "complaints" about Friedman amps were they were never "angry" enough if that made sense. The Jose is much more raw and just "Fuck, I'm here to RAWK BRO!" haha

 

[romanianreaper]

That Jose Marshall tone is my dream tone. I've heard a Jose Mod Cameron years ago and have heard tons of clips, etc. With that said, I don't have a situation where it would be worth it to have that amp. I'm in a band but would never take that amp to a gig because I'd be afraid it would get snagged.

 

[BABMusic]

Also, I don't think I've yet read a bad review of this amp. Some people have moved it because it was too similar to their Marshall, but no one has said the amp sucks.

 

[LP Freak]

Also, I don't think I've yet read a bad review of this amp. Some people have moved it because it was too similar to their Marshall, but no one has said the amp sucks.

I see a Jose in someone’s near future

Here, let me help you

X

 

[BABMusic]

It might be a while before I get to actually play one, but I will eventually. I am a bit obsessed with the Jose and the JVM410.

Sometimes I go play my BE50 and it sounds amazing. Like today, I flipped on the C45 switch, gain on 8, raised the Response knob to 6, reduced the bass, and it sounds great. The standard HBE and BE modes sound great too if you turn up the bass, add a little thump and flip the fat switch on and lower the response to 2.5 or 0. Apparently the response at 3 is the original BE100 sound, which I like a lot.

But then there are other times I just wish it had some more of those more cutting highs (or sizzle as some say). The C45 does add some sizzle, but I can tell it's not like what the Jose has.

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

I’m sure I’ll hear one at work sometime. Get many bands through. Had a local guy one night bring in a wizard 1/2 stack for a 30 minute set. Not sure I’d gig that sucker, but whatever. To each their own.

 

[BABMusic]

Maybe one more stupid question: does the Jose make you dig in and play harder like the BE does? I would assume yes, because the Jose is also based on the Plexi design. Is this correct?

 

[Maarcn3]

Bring it indeed. sounds like a high gain dream.