NAD: Friedman Time

[SFW]

Three years ago, I picked up a BE100 Deluxe and did not jive with it at all. Looking back, I was asking that amp to be a 5150. Which it is not designed to do. Last year, I got a Runt 50 head in a trade and have slowly worked my brain into understanding the tones that Dave delivers. A week ago, I ran across a deal on a used BE50 Deluxe that was too good to pass up. So, I decided to take another swing. I k now that I am in the honeymoon phase right now, but this amp delivers all the tones I was hoping that it would. And I swear that the BE channel on the BE50 has more gain on tap than the 100-watt version. And that is without turning on the SAT switch. I've got some killer AIC tones going right now with the gain around 3:00. At noon, it is straight up AC/DC Back in Black tones. I can't stop smiling. I'll probably set the BE channel for AC/DC and go for that AIC grind and then hit it with a boost for solos.

 

[Al Chapo]

I love Friedman stuff, personally. I have yet to own one though - other stuff I'm after always pops up. I do have a Dirty Shirley/Twin Sister on the bucket list. I haven't tried the BE but I've got to play a Butterslax, JEL, DS, Smallbox and Plex, and there's a Jose at a shop nearby I want to try. They've all been killer amps so far.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

Dave said the BE 50 Deluxe is the best sounding amp he’s made. I’d love to try one someday.

 

[LP Freak]

Glad to see it worked out for you

 

[romanianreaper]

I think a lot of us chase gain and "more" all the time and realize when you back off a bit, tones come thru clearer. I've always dug Friedman tones. I know there is a polished sound there compared to more raw Marshall tones but still rocks. I need to get the BE-DLX Synergy module.

 

[jasonP]

I’ve owned a be100dlx and played a runt 50. Both I thought sounded awesome which I thought both could be bright and aggressive.

 

[napalmdeath]

Dave said the BE 50 Deluxe is the best sounding amp he’s made. I’d love to try one someday.

I've heard him say the same about the Runt 50 on Tone Talk.

 

[SFW]

I've heard him say the same about the Runt 50 on Tone Talk.

If the Runt 50 had more gain, it would be perfect. It’s really just a Friedman JCM800 with a good clean channel.

 

[Techdeth]

Congrats . I’d like a Friedman in my stable

 

[BABMusic]

Very nice. I was comparing my BE50 to the Jose earlier today and trying to record some samples with my phone. You can actually get very close to the Jose sound, but how you would need to dial it is not what you would expect. The feel is different on both amps, but they are definite cousins. You also get considerably more gain on the BE50 and a killer clean tone.

 

[angelspade]

Very nice. I was comparing my BE50 to the Jose earlier today and trying to record some samples with my phone. You can actually get very close to the Jose sound, but how you would need to dial it is not what you would expect. The feel is different on both amps, but they are definite cousins. You also get considerably more gain on the BE50 and a killer clean tone.

Sounds like you intend to keep both?

 

[BABMusic]

Sounds like you intend to keep both?

I hadn't decide yet to be honest. The interesting truth is, since receiving the Jose, that amp has taught me how to better dial my BE50 to more my liking. The strangest thing about the Jose is the mids sound good between 2-6, but in order for the BE50 to sound close to the Jose, the mids have to be low at 1-2. You also need the FAT switch on for sure, and the response at about 5-6.

Sorry, didn't have a lot of time to create this, but this is how I will dial it at low volumes.

 

[LP Freak]

I hadn't decide yet to be honest. The interesting truth is, since receiving the Jose, that amp has taught me how to better dial my BE50 to more my liking. The strangest thing about the Jose is the mids sound good between 2-6, but in order for the BE50 to sound close to the Jose, the mids have to be low at 1-2. You also need the FAT switch on for sure, and the response at about 5-6.

Sorry, didn't have a lot of time to create this, but this is how I will dial it at low volumes.

I can definitely hear the difference in the amps. I think you could have gotten even closer using the BE channel. Personally, I like more mids too but you might been able to achieve that by simply moving the mic

 

[BABMusic]

I can definitely hear the difference in the amps. I think you could have gotten even closer using the BE channel. Personally, I like more mids too but you might been able to achieve that by simply moving the mic

I think I should have put the mids on the BE at about 2 or 2.5 and that would have made them sound closer. The mids are a little more aggressive on the BE, but you can make both amps sound close.

 

[Solarflares]

I’m hearing a distinct mid-hump, and some bottom-end shelving on both clips. Probably the pick-up.
If you want to understand Friedmans, then forget all this voicings and gain-structures stuff.
Just put some Mullards or GE’s in a Budda Superdrive 45, and crank it using single-coils, with the mids on full, and the treble on 0.

 

[angelspade]

I hadn't decide yet to be honest. The interesting truth is, since receiving the Jose, that amp has taught me how to better dial my BE50 to more my liking. The strangest thing about the Jose is the mids sound good between 2-6, but in order for the BE50 to sound close to the Jose, the mids have to be low at 1-2. You also need the FAT switch on for sure, and the response at about 5-6.

Sorry, didn't have a lot of time to create this, but this is how I will dial it at low volumes.

They both sound really good here brother. It's almost like the BE actually has more gain and compression...but while slightly under-gained the Jose has a more aggressive voicing. In these clips, think I prefer the Jose.

 

[BABMusic]

They both sound really good here brother. It's almost like the BE actually has more gain and compression...but while slightly under-gained the Jose has a more aggressive voicing. In these clips, think I prefer the Jose.

That's accurate. The BE has more intense mids, but the Jose has more intense treble and presence, while still sounding smooth. BE has more gain, but the useable gain is similar between the two amps. Turning on the FAT switch on the BE is super important if you want to get close to the Jose sound. I think the Jose has a permanent FAT switch on that you can't turn off, but still remains tight.

 

[romanianreaper]

A Jose mod is the sound in my head when I think awesome tone. Just this grind to the sound.

 

[LP Freak]

That's accurate. The BE has more intense mids, but the Jose has more intense treble and presence, while still sounding smooth. BE has more gain, but the useable gain is similar between the two amps. Turning on the FAT switch on the BE is super important if you want to get close to the Jose sound. I think the Jose has a permanent FAT switch on that you can't turn off, but still remains tight.

I’m not a fan of the fat switch on the BE, or any of the other switches. To me the BE sounds best and most natural with everything off.

Here’s my BE50 from ages ago. Dave had these up on his website forever. I’m still waiting on my royalty check

 

[BABMusic]

I think most players would prefer the tone and feel of the Jose (I do), but there are tradeoffs with the Jose:

-less gain
-can't change sounds easily without disrupting other settings (Jose is a studio amp)

I'll tell you that I do love the Jose tone, but I'm leaning towards just keeping the BE50.

@LPFreak, now that I've gotten used to it, I prefer my BE50 with the SAT off. I now don't need as much as gain as I thought for a long time.